W111: Happy New Year 2010 !!!

Just a quick note because it's just about time to party. Happy New Year, to all readers! I hope 2010 is a happy and healthy year for everyone.

Oh yes, i received the Mercedes Benz wheel caps (used) from East Malaysia today. Oh boy, the condition of the wheel caps are magnificient new though they are all used condition. What a nice new year gift to myself! LOL....

W111: Update - No Progress For Car Restoration :(

How could this happened to my W111? The car has been sent to the workshop since December 07, but there was no action taken so far on my poor W111. My W111 was remained sitting under the open area for nothing! Having said that, the workshop owner, Uncle Robert did not do anything but found him at coffee shop located nearby his workshop, having beer session with his buddies. Kinda angry to see this happened. I decided not to question him in front of his buddies but to give him some respects in view of his old age. Called Uncle Robert on the very next day morning. He told me not to worry, as he intended to start the welding activity soon, and commited that he could deliver my W111 after two months later. I accepted what he said. *keeping my fingers cross* 

Meanwhile, i managed to find the weatherstrip rubber seal for both front & rear windscreen from US. Mind you, the cost is no cheap! Decided to source further from Germany Mercedes Benz forum. Hopefully i can get them at reasonable price. Oh yes, i found both of the tail lamps (new condition) from 1 of the Thai online stores, the cost is €599,90 each. OMG... ! One pair means €599,90 x 2 = €1199,80 or RM5,519.10. This is completely out of my budget. Guess i should look for used condition of tail lamps instead. Stay tuned for more update....

W111: Parts Sourcing

The W111 has stopped manufactured since 1968. Hence, most of the parts will not be able to obtain in brand new condition. If you are lucky enough, you may still get the 'Old New Stock' from the spare parts shop located in rural area.

Based on my findings, both W111 and W110 are sharing most of their parts with each other. Thus, i could still source for W110 parts for my W111. Apparently, W110 can still be seen in Kelantan and mostly are still using as a taxi. However, most of these W110 swapped to modern engine. I will definitely want to go up to Kelantan to source for the parts one day.

Apart from that, i planned to source the parts locally. Some recommended to check out Automatic Motor Sdn Bhd, and also King Yip Motor Sdn Bhd as they may still keeping some 'Old New stock'. Of course, I could still source the parts via Internet. I'm sure i will be able to get some parts all over the world. Wish me good luck for this! Lol...

Meanwhile, i am still hesitating which engine i should get for my W111. Some recommended to go for W114, W116/W126 as these engines are built with in-line 6, similar to the original engine equipped in my W111, and some recommended to fit in W124 fuel injection engine! Aaaarghh... more studies required for now!

W111: Delivered My W111 to the Workshop

Finally, the W111 has delivered to the workshop for body restoration. Paid some initial deposit to the workshop in order to start up the restoration work. The workshop condition is pretty run down, and the place is full of mosquitoes. Can't imagine how the workers can do their job in such environment. Suprisingly, the workers there are all senior citizen. Looks like my W111 is going to suffer here for 2 months.



Picture 1: My W111 just touched to the workshop. Received lotsa negative comments on the car condition. Some said wasting money to restore it; some said better grab a running condition than this unit; some said Transport Department won't approve such car to run on the road due to the safety issue; some even said the owner must have too much money but don't know where to spend; etc. All i'm going to do is... stay away from their comments, and keep up my passion!



Picture 2: The 2 workers were enjoying their beers after a long day of work. They looked happy when i bought 2 bottles of beer for them. Hopefully, these people will do a great job!

W111: Workshop Found

Hurray... i found a workshop nearby my home. Having said that, this workshop was found at night when i decided to make a quick glance around my home area. The workshop owner, "Ah Meng" was so nice to explain the car restoration's 'DO & DON'T' and also told me where to start to source around for the parts and to get some DIY reference books on W111. However, i was told that his workshop is currently been occupied with 3 car restoration projects, hence he can't accept my W111 for time being. Thanks, Meng bro for his advice!

On the other hand, I decided to continue to source for other workshop(s). Guess what, i found 1 workshop located nearby my office area! Took the welding mechanic (Uncle Robert, the old man who claimed that he did car restoration for such model in the past) over to my office to look into the car condition and to obtain the quotation. Finally, he quoted the body restoration job at RM4,000 nett, and he could start the job immediately that will take 2 months to complete the chassis restoration. Sounds good huh!

Ultimately, I decided to give this old man a try though i wish to get 'Ah Meng' to do the restore job, but i can't keep my W111 way too long in my office for nothing.

W111: Temporary Storage

The W111 is temporary stored in my office compound area; covered with the canvas to prevent further rust on the its chassis. I decided to clean up the interior, by removing off all the broken items and the reuseable items (seats, door panel, etc)

Meanwhile, i will source around some workshops that can do good job in car restoration. Hopefully, the sourcing period won't be long.

W111: Yes, i owned the JUNK!

Before visiting the car, i did some researches over the Internet. It was found that this model of Mercedes-Benz is also known as Heckflosse (German language) or 'Fintail'. This nickname was named on this particular model due to its distinctive rear-end designed with a pair of small tailfins. However, it is commonly known as 'Batman' in Malaysia in view of its sharp ears design at the rear end of the car, as if the Batman mask costume fitted onto the car. :)

What made me proud with this car is not only from its unique design, but also known as the very first automobile featured with rigid passenger cell and crumple zones, which absorb the energy of collision. Ultimately, this car became the safety benchmark to the entire automobile industry.

When i first arrived seeing the car, the impression was like... OMG, how could this car being left abandoned, especially the condition of the car was completely out of my expectation! It was horrible rusty everywhere on the chassis. (Please refer to the pictures below)


Picture 1: The engine missing from the engine bay



Picture 2: The rear bumper condition is horrible!

Having said that, i told myself not to get this car deep inside my heart as the condition of this vintage car is simply unacceptable. The chassis is full of rust; both front & rear bumpers are completely mud; engine is missing; dashboard cracked; floor pan mudded that can easily poke some holes to run like Flintstone car with both legs; chrome parts missing/rusted; weatherstrips gone; etc... just one word to describe, "JUNK".

On the other hand, i really pity to see such a rare vintage automobile to be abandoned, or potentially ended up in scrapped yard at the end of the day. Hence, i decided to negotiate further on the price quoted earlier by the advertiser. I know even if i have took up this car, i will need to spend a lot of time and money to restore this junk back to running/original condition. I trust that there were many people visited the car, but ended up not buying it due to its extreme poor condition.

What really convinced me to pickup this old junk was the JPJ car registration card. It was indeed showing that this unit of junk was formerly owned by 1 Chinese owner from Melaka. Moreover, i really considered to take up the challenge to do car restoration.

Finally, i rang up the tow truck service to pickup the car back on December 01, 2009. The following are some photos to share here. Stay tuned for more update.

Picture 3 Preparing to toll the car up to the tol truck's tray

Picture 4 Loading the car on the toll truck

Picture 5 The car was successfully pulled up onto the tray

W111: My Findings

I like to do internet browsing in particularly from Mudah.my, to look around for some 'Car For Sale' advertisements whenever i am free. On November 25, 2009, i spotted an advertisement stated that a Mercedes-Benz W111 Project car for sale in Melaka. The advertiser claimed that the car has got 90% complete of parts, except for the engine, and intended to sell at RM6,000 (about US$1,875).

Hence, I decided to give myself a try to call up the advertiser and find out more information about the car condition and history. (Refer to the picture below)

The following are the details of the car:

a) Manufacturer : Mercedes-Benz
b) Model : W111 (220S)
c) Manufactured : 1963
d) Registered Date: May 17, 1963
e) Number of owner : One (1)
f) Body Color : White
g) Chassis No : 111-01220-094909
h) Engine : Diesel (converted)
i) Radio Installation : 1966 (license paid)
j) Last Renewal Road Tax : 1994

Stay tuned for more update...

Why Classic Car?

What is classic car? How do you categorized a car as classic status? Generally, a classic car is refer to an older car that achieved the age of 25 years and above but below 50 years from the car manufactured date stated in the Vehicle Registration Card.

In Malaysia, a classic car may not follow the market rate to sell but subject to individual interest. Some people are willing to offer a very high price to own a classic car due to the car look, restored condition, history, brand name, or even had an unforgetable/sweet memory during the growing stage in the past.

To me, i always want to own a luxurious car that will attract lotsa attentions. Mind you, a modern luxurious car will easily cost you a BOOM! Hence, i decided to go backward, to own a classic car instead; to serve the same purpose, i.e: eye catchy and attract lotsa attentions!

To understand more how to apply the classic status, please visit the JPJ official wesite.

Why Mercedes Benz?

Owning a Mercedes Benz car is no longer a dream anymore, but it becomes a reality to me! Yes, this is talking about a classic Merc, not the latest models. I have recently bought 2 units of classic Mercedes Benz models, namely W111 & W126.

How i started up with this hobby was purely from watching the astro channel, "Discovery Turbo", also known as channel 734. Many of the car restoration tv programmes are shown in this channel such as "Overhaulin', Wrack the Riches, Wheeler Dealers, etc."

There are plenty of classic car models in Malaysia. Why i chosen Mercedes Benz's classic car to be in my car restoration list? Was it because of its reputation or history? After some researches over the Internet, local workshop visit, & word of mouth, i was told that the parts are easily to source all over whether from local or overseas. Moreover, the parts can be obtained at reasonable price compared to any other America or European car brands such as Chevrolet, Buick, Ford, Jaguar, BMW, MG, Austin, etc.

To be continued...