Mercedes Fin Tail 190D-Restoration

[brat001]

Hi Guys,

This is my next project jointly monitered by Pavan Kadam.

This car restoration is a dream project.

I had been chasing one of my close friend who owned this piece to give it away since 4 yrs.

Finally my persistence paid off.

I got this car recently and now the process of restoration has just started.

This is a 1962, single owner direct import from South Africa, Merc 190D.










Paint stripping under process, will post pics stage by stage.

Spares donation welcome

Any kind of assistance and information welcome.

[PAVAN KADAM]

This is one interesting restoration process that i am noticing.

Brat i dont know how you are going to finish this piece.
Because i know, the word Mercedes means Elegance and Class.

Restoring something thats as bare as this is one mind wreaking job.

Lets see how you'll come through.

The next set of pics available and will be posted soon.

[the mole]

the only issue i see he will have is, dashboard parts are difficult to get for a RHD, one has to find spares in Austrailia or South Africa. Otherwise I have seen and restored worse.

[V-16]

Great project. If you need any help just ask.
I notice that in one pic the car has no rear lights and in the other, it does. I hope this is not a before you got it and after you got it pics as these lights are hard to come by. A lot of spares are available from the local chor bazar like the meters etc.
The under the hood parts are more easily available. What is really really hard to find are the chrome strips and the body rubbers for the doors and wind screens which I notice you will definitely be needing. All the best

[brat001]

v16:
thats what i really feared, the rubber beadings.. do you know at least where i can import them from?? i have most of the other chrome stuff, probably would need lenses and small cosmetic stuff.

[brat001]

Hi Guys,

Here are some more pictures.

There is lot of rust on the body.

Overall the car looks great, Once you get deep into it you'll find the real problem.





All the 4 wheel arches require patch work.





The Floor is one big trouble. There's only 15% left of what should be.



The inside of the doors post. Real sad thing



These are the worst affected parts of the car.

Looks like i need to build the whole car from scratch.

Not able to find the remaining portion of what is rusted.

Some pictures on the same welcome

[brat001]

Lets look at the other aspects of this car.

There are no rusts or damage on the bonnet or any other portion.





The inside is intact but not upto the original dashboard which i presume to have wooden finish.





Speedo looks so stunning.






I do have certain writeups about this car, but any restoration pics on the forum is a great find.





Any ways with all the fittings removed, the car's now gone to the 3rd step.

1st Step-Getting the car from the previous owner
2nd Step- Stripping all the fittings on the car
3rd Step- Paint stripping process.

Will get the pics some time later on this.

Till such time some more pics from anyone on the forum regarding this car would be appreciated.

[brat001]

V16 all the original fittings are removed and stored safe.

There are some mix up pics put up.

[PAVAN KADAM]

Some more pics








This is what i feel the car has to come out finally,







Any suggestion on the original shades for this.

This was white, should i retain the white or any other shade.

[vcash]

Hello Brat001 and Pavan - The restoration work on my 190c has also just been kicked off. I am sure we can both feed off each other's inputs and provide help as needed.

V-16 is a great resource and has already provided some fantastic advice! Thanks again V-16 bhai!

I will update with some pics and my restoration plan (Again thanks to V-16 and irags)

As for the color - highly recommend sticking to the original shade. There is a shade list / swatch available on the net highlighting the different color options for different models. My car is going back to Medium Blue, it's original paint.

P.S. If you do a search for my 190c Heckflosse you can see some of my pictures and discussions with members.

Thanks,
vcash

[V-16]

Originally Posted by brat001

v16:
thats what i really feared, the rubber beadings.. do you know at least where i can import them from?? i have most of the other chrome stuff, probably would need lenses and small cosmetic stuff.

should not be a problem

Originally Posted by vcash

Hello Brat001 and Pavan - The restoration work on my 190c has also just been kicked off. I am sure we can both feed off each other's inputs and provide help as needed.

V-16 is a great resource and has already provided some fantastic advice! Thanks again V-16 bhai!

I will update with some pics and my restoration plan (Again thanks to V-16 and irags)

As for the color - highly recommend sticking to the original shade. There is a shade list / swatch available on the net highlighting the different color options for different models. My car is going back to Medium Blue, it's original paint.

P.S. If you do a search for my 190c Heckflosse you can see some of my pictures and discussions with members.

Thanks,
vcash

you are always welcome bud. As for the original shade I agree with you. There is a plate on the radiator frame with numbers. These are the chassis nos and one is dedicated to what her original colour would be. If you can send me a hi res pic of these plates I could translate them for you and tell you a lot about the car.

I will try and search these rubbers if available for you or will get you the importers name and telephone number. You may then speak to him if you so wish.

[brat001]

v 16: thanks for the offer of help, i will try and get the plate details, as far as the beadings are concerned i would like to source it as soon as possible as the body work is under progress.

[brat001]

After a week long wait, the car's finally stripped off of all paint and surfacer on it.

Here are the latest pics on them.

[vintageman]

Gogi Bhai ,
Please advise if the mountings for the 1961 220S can be sourced from Delhi.

[Stanher]

Originally Posted by brat001

After a week long wait, the car's finally stripped off of all paint and surfacer on it.

Here are the latest pics on them.

Good to see the progress.
Incidentally, I presume you want to change the upholstery? If not do have the seats taken off while painting's going on- most painters dont bother to take care of the seats etc. (they feel its not their work), thus resulting in them getting sprayed with paint all over
Then you need to sit with some thinner to get it all off...! Saying this from personal experience!