Brief History of Mercedes-Benz W111

Brief History...

The Mercedes-Benz W111 was produced from 1959 to 1968. It is known as "Heckflosse" in German language which mean "Fintail". Why it has been called, "fintail" is because of the unique design of the rear chassis (2 sharp ears) that influenced most by the American. However, the W111 is more popular known as "Batman" in Malaysia. You know what i mean!

The Glory of Mercedes-Benz W111 in Monte Carlo Rally '60

Can you imagine such a long wheelbase vehicle won in Monte Carlo Rally 1960? Based on my findings from internet, one year after the W111 officially introduced in the market, the W111 entered into Monte Carlo Rally, and the result was that first, second and third place were won by these W111.

Having said that, a Mercedes Benz 220SE was the winner after a difficult scoring procedure in 1960. Then, it was the time of Mini Coopers that pretty much dominated the Monte Carlo Rally during the rest of the decade. Other winning manufacturers of the 1960s were Panhard, Porsche and Saab, signifying a complete range of competing rallying cars. However, the conditions were so demanding that each year fewer and fewer cars were actually making it to the finish. Especially, in 1965 only 35 out of 237 cars finished their race, a fact that made the Monte Carlo Rally even more exciting and prestigious. Winning the Monte Carlo Rally gave the winner a great deal of reliability and exposure.

Check out the following photos:

Awesome Car Safety Design

A very important safety feature was that the Mercedes-Benz W111's chassis came with a safety-cage with 'crumple zones'. The trunk had increased with 50%, this was not just simply because of styling but because of the need for a large crumple zone at the rear. The Mercedes Heckflosse was the first production car in the world to incorporate these safety principles. A high tech stuff for the time....awesome huh!

W111: Door Panels (USED)

It's time to update my blog here again! Today, i received my complete set of used door panels for my W111. How do you think of these door panels? Not that bad huh?

Having said that, these door panels were bidded from Ebay. Of course, the all the door panels will need to rewap in my favourite color later. They will be wrapped in 2 tones color, namely "red" and "black". :)

Stay tuned... for more update!

W111: M114 Engine Trial Fitting

I received a call from Nory (the engine specialist who handle and overhauled my M114 engine) yesterday night pertaining to the engine fitting issues. Having said that the following issues required my attention:

a) Engine mounting base modification (existing mount base was not original design; but for diesel engine)

b) Mounting arm (W114) modification (required to obtain W111 mounting arm)

c) Clutch kit set (pressure plate, clutch plate, bearing) different size (can't fit to the flywheel, either to change the flywheel or change the clutch kit set)

d) Wire harness for entire W111 (costing)

After discussing with Nory for the abovesaid items, i went to grab the parts from local Mercedes Benz spare part shop. However, the mounting arm & the flywheel are not available, and i have no choice but to source from ebay.

Meanwhile, i captured some photos of my W111 where the M114 engine is temporary sitting inside the engine bay. Check them out fter the jump.

Picture 1: My W111 was transferred from spray workshop to

engine workshop. Temporary parked outside to clear off the

engine workshop space prior moving in my W111.

Picture 2: Engine trial fitted into my W111 engine bay

Picture 3: Another engine bay photo taken.

Picture 4: Tail lamps fitted into my W111 without bumper

Picture 5: Another picture from my fintail W111

W111: Column Shift Gearbox

Guess what? I received the column shift gearbox (used) from Germany today! Oh boy, the condition of the gearbox is magnificient clean and in good shape. All the attached parts are complete too. Just plug & play! :)

Having said that, this gearbox will supersede the existing unit in the W111, while the existing unit will be keeping as the spare part. Meanwhile, this gearbox will hand over to the engine workshop to check against with the new set of clutch kit (pressure plate, clutch plate, & bearing) to see if the clutch kit that i bought is compatible with my gearbox and flywheel or not. Check out the pictures after the jump.

W111: Silvo Chrome Polish

Guess what? I received the Silvo Chrome Polish parcel today! The parcel was shipped from UK. According to electro-plating supplier, Ah Sang, this chrome polisher is banned, and not allowed to sell in Malaysia. However, it give better result but not harmful to the chrome plating surface unlike Braso & Autosol. It can also be used on silver, gold, aluminum, etc.

Picture 1: Silvo from UK 

Picture 2: More picture for Silvo

W111: Paint Restoration (Update 3)

I went to visit my W111 today. The W111's paint looked even more smoother and shining! I was told that the Glasurit clear coat is very solid and given very shiny effect compared to other brand of clear coat.

Check out the photos after the jump!

Picture 1: Touched up on the clear coat to make it more shinner

 

Picture 2: Another angle of clear coat touched up for the W111

Picture 3: The wheel covers ready to fit onto the steel rim

Picture 4: Rear view of the complete painting of W111

Picture 5: Top view of the W111

Picture 6: Another rear view of the W111

Picture 7: Can;t stop taking the photo on W111

Picture 8: Another photo on the W111 (front side angle)

Picture 9: Final look of the W111 with shining clear coat;

pending to fit with the body chrome parts when they are ready

W111: Paint Restoration (Update 2)

Visited my W111 after the Hari Raya long holiday. Discovered that the paint job has completed with Glasurit clear coat. The following are some pictures taken today. Meanwhile, i need to look into the chrome parts to see if they are complete or not. Once they are complete, i wil arrange to send these chrome parts to Electro-plating house to rechrome.

Picture 1: Front view of the W111

Picture 2: Front bonnet of the W111

Picture 3: Engine bay of the W111

Picture 4: Rear view of the W111

Picture 5: Rear Trunk of the W111

Picture 6: Another front view of the W111

Picture 7: Side view of the W111

Picture 8: Another side view of the W111