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Thread: My old memory!! car for free

  1. #1
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    My old memory!! car for free

    When i was 16, my best friends mother got a 1968 Merc 108 250SE as a birthday present. That same evening we pushed the car round the corner, to a place where it was safe to start it up. Well the rest is history.... we had a ball that night and i was so impressed by that car that it stayed in my memory for the years to come.
    About 10 yrs ago i started looking for one. The 280's were quite common as there was a lot of them in South Africa, but i battled to find a 250SE.About a year ago i heard about one on a farm in the outback of South Africa called the Karroo. I started tracking it down and after 100's of calls and a few trips all over i located the owner. Yes the car was there and i can come view it. It had 88000 genuine miles on the clock and one owner. He was using it from time to time just to keep it from destruction.
    Got there over the weekend. The car is so solid and in good nick. Needs a coat of piant and the driver seat is shabby. I told the owner my story of my memories of such a car and the next moment he gave me the car!! For FREE!!!. I still cannot believe my luck. Drove it home. Runs like a train on tracks. Not a sqweeck or a beep. Needs 5 new tyres also

    So you can guess what is going to happen on Saturdays from now on. Will post pix soon.
    Last edited by willysjeep; 09-14-2008 at 02:07 PM. Reason: spelling

  2. #2
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    Wow! I am looking forward to see the beauty!
    Mercedes-Benz fanatic

  3. #3
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    Its not so beautiful at the moment, but give or take a month then it will be a different story. I will do it as a project car on the forum!

  4. #4
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    looking forward for your "review"

    congrats for the car, and the luchy
    KFL Racing Enterprises - Kicking your ass since 2008

    *cough* http://theitalianjunkyard.blogspot.com/ *cough*

  5. #5
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    i hate you, stop stealing my luck!
    it was actually me who killed vasilli zaitsev, heinz thorwald, carlos hatchcock, and simo hayha

  6. #6
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    Looking forward to the pics and following project.

    Congratulations on your new car.
    Lack of charisma can be fatal.
    Visca Catalunya!

  7. #7
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    didn't james may use one of those in the african episode of Top Gear?
    Gone:
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  8. #8
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    Quote Originally Posted by coolieman1220 View Post
    didn't james may use one of those in the african episode of Top Gear?
    His was a W123 (E-class).

    The W108 is an S-class, older model.
    Lack of charisma can be fatal.
    Visca Catalunya!

  9. #9
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    Damn you. stop stealing the luck of all us car buyers
    "Kimi, can you improve on your [race] finish?"
    "No. My Finnish is fine; I am from Finland. Do you have any water?"

  10. #10
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    Quote Originally Posted by willysjeep View Post
    Its not so beautiful at the moment, but give or take a month then it will be a different story. I will do it as a project car on the forum!
    for free, its beautiful.

    also am looking forward to the pictures

  11. #11
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    Good find WJ!

    Thats an amazingly low mieage for a 40 y/o car! These old Mercs seem to particularly benefit from regular use...

    As you might already know, there are a few idiosyncracies to the W108 model - eg when lifting please note that the subframe (rubber) mounts are designed to be strong under compression and not under extension. The full weight of the engine/crossmember hanging from them can easily rip them. So never allow a W108/9 to be supported by the body, or terminal damage to the subframe mounts may well result. Never allow use of a 2-post hoist. Only permit lifting the car via 4-post hoist (on wishbones) or jack via crossmember or lower wishbones, or the factory jack (which is obviously not safe enough to work under the car!).

    I used to own a W108 for quite a few years, it was a '70 280S manual with four on the floor, which I later converted to LPG (aka propane). I too really love this model and can well relate to your affection for them. The view you get over that beautiful 'draped' bonnet is just sublime. My old bus proved itself to be a great car - fun to drive & own and not one breakdown in 140,000 kms - despite its age & already-considerable mileage. Superb M-B quality & solidity! Fwiw I've got a W126 now but here's a pic of my first 'Mercules'

    Anyway if I might help with some fellow ownership tips & advice, or sharing my AU source for cheap OE parts, then please ask.

  12. #12
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    Sounds like a great find I look forward to pictures.

  13. #13
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    Quote Originally Posted by nota View Post
    Good find WJ!

    Anyway if I might help with some fellow ownership tips & advice, or sharing my AU source for cheap OE parts, then please ask.
    Thanx a stack Nota. I think i will have a million questions the moment i start on the car. I've already seen the woodwork needs TLC and it seems to be a veneer and not actual hardwood. I am sure my problems have just started. I cleaned it out with a high pressure cleaner yesterday and it revealed a nasty rustspot on the righthand pillar. The rest of the car seem to be totally rust free. Surface rust only...

  14. #14
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    Here's some photo's. Check the minimal rust on a 40yr old car
    Attached Images Attached Images

  15. #15
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    Some more on the interior of the car
    Attached Images Attached Images

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