How could I refuse?

[Zephyr]

My wife told me that one of her colleagues was selling his father’s Mercedes.
One owner, recently had a full service including new shocks and a full service book from day 1.
Unfortunately the old man had an aneurism and passed away.
The son had no intention keeping this, I made him an offer of € 2.500 and two days later he said that he agrees.
I intend to do nothing more than a good detailing and interior cleaning to this and flip it.
But the wife loves it. She wants to drive it to work tomorrow.
Personally I wouldn’t mind keeping it as long as I can control my OCD and never lay a hand on it unless it needs maintenance, but this is pretty impossible.
Lets hope she gets bored and I can finally sell it.

 

[Duncodin]

124 series CE coupe with an after market SEC grill

I do like an MB pillarless coupe.

I had a 1980 380SLC. Only car I wish I still had.

 

[Jam03]

Are you going to take that bonnet back to stock? I do love the e class coupes.

 

[Zephyr]

Are you going to take that bonnet back to stock? I do love the e class coupes.

Yes. Fortunately it is just a direct swap. This monstrosity covers half the headlights and no way this can pass an MOT.
Already ordered a same colour one from Bulgaria, it will be here in a couple of days.

 

[Jam03]

Yes. Fortunately it is just a direct swap. This monstrosity covers half the headlights and no way this can pass an MOT.
Already ordered a same colour one from Bulgaria, it will be here in a couple of days.

I’m normally a big fan of staying with a standard look, but if done well, that SEC style front end would be lovely. I’m sure I saw some 190’s that had that conversation done back in the late 80’s early 90’s, but I suspect it’s a lot more involved than just a modified bonnet.

 

[Zephyr]

Yes. It was a “thing” back in the day, but involves a new set of headlights and their tilt mechanism along with modified bonnet braces.
this one has half the job done, but it was easier for me to just drop in the correct bonnet and get it done in an hour or so.
Luckily the wife who almost twisted my arm behind my back and dragged me to see this car, also likes the stock look, so I will spend less time fiddling around.

 

[Duncodin]

I’m normally a big fan of staying with a standard look, but if done well, that SEC style front end would be lovely. I’m sure I saw some 190’s that had that conversation done back in the late 80’s early 90’s, but I suspect it’s a lot more involved than just a modified bonnet.

Yes. When I had a 123 series I would have loved an SEC grill. Can't remember the company that made them. Brabus maybe. There were two types. One just the grill bolted to the existing bonnet and the other, more expensive, the whole bonnet which looked much better with the ridges along the bonnet matching the width of the sec grill.

They were TUV approved even though they cover the fog lights. I guess enough light shines through.

In any case. I loved that sec look on the 190 as well as on the 123 and 124 seriea.

 

[Zephyr]

The other company you are referring to has to be KOENIG, they made a wide body kit for this back then.
some people pay serious money for them nowadays.

 

[hard top]

That is a nice car ....

Before I bought the Z3, I had owned and driven three Mercs, 190 D, 190 E and the last one that I had was a 230 CE Coupe.

 

[Jack Ratt]

Always loved Merc CE's. I've previously owned a 3litre and a 2.3litre

 

[Z Victor 1]

Very clean underneath, wouldn't be like that on a UK car! When I lived in Spain I had my UK car on Spanish registration and it was MOT 'd (ITV in Spain) there. The tester said he always knew a UK car from the rust underneath.

 

[Zephyr]

Very clean underneath, wouldn't be like that on a UK car! When I lived in Spain I had my UK car on Spanish registration and it was MOT 'd (ITV in Spain) there. The tester said he always knew a UK car from the rust underneath.

Indeed.
just two months ago a good friend from the UK came to collect a local XJS to bring back home for a full panel and suspension transplant.
He already dismantled it and parts are currently being powder coated.
lots of people from UK and Germany come and buy older models just because they are in almost pristine condition underneath.
not the same can be said for paintwork though.
the sun kills even the hardest clear coats.