W126: Fairwell to W126...

Today is a remarkable day. I sold the W126! Having said that, i received a sms from SG mobile number 3 days ago, asking for a test drive on my W126. Well, i thought it was just a spam sms from Nigeria!  (Sorry, i didn't mean to discriminate Nigerian but this is just purely based on personal experience as the Nigerian sent me too much of fraud messages saying that they want the car and asked for my bank account number, paypal registered email address, phone number, etc) The moment when your car advertisement rolled out in the Internet, the next minute you will receive message from them!

The buyer, a young British guy who just transferred to work from Singapore to Malaysia a week ago, who fall in love with my W126 at first sight! He snapped some photos of the W126 in order to show them to his fiancee who is currently in UK. According to the buyer, he was amazed with the W126's overal condition, being well restored, and the driving feeling was like a new car. Not a single squeeky sound generate from the 25 years old car. On top of that, he loved the accessories such as HID Xenon Light, auto start, etc.

I must say he is the luckiest buyer to own the car. You don't see any of the W126 on the road in Malaysia as good as this W126. Fairwell, W126!

W111: Parts Sourcing

Further to the engine trial fitting activity, i managed to find the following parts:

Engine Mounting

The engine mounting managed to source from 1 of the local Mercedes Benz spare part shops located in Jalan Raja Laut. As discussed earlier in W111: M114 Engine Trial Fitting, the original mounting fitted in the car was for diesel engine. However, the new engine mounting that i bought was only the base part, and it will required the mounting bracket to hold the M114 engine.

Engine Arm (Braket)

I was looking around for the engine arm, also known as engine mounting bracket for M114 engine from the local spare part shops and internet. However, i did not manage to locate any of them. Then, i went into some forums to ask around whether is there any compatible engine arm beside the M114 model. The answer is YES... there are few other Mercedes-Benz models that i can use for my engine! Finally, i got an used unit from US at very reasonable price! Hurray..

Clutch Kit or Flywheel?

It was discovered that the new set of clutch kit that i purchased sometime ago does not fit to W115 flywheel. Having said that, the diameter of the flywheel is smaller compared to the clutch kit. After comparing the price between flywheel and clutch kit, it is feasible to get alternate flywheel instead. Why? This is because of the existing flywheel (bought from the halfcut shop - W115) does not have the identical nut holes as well as the mounting location. Based on the measurement (diameter, hole size, hole location), i managed to find alternate flywheel (W113 - pagoda model) from internet. Pheww... what a relief!

Wire harness (Rebuild Cost)

 As for the wire harness, i managed to locate a complete set of wire harness (NEW) from Canada. Yes, we are talking about OEM wire harness from Mercedes-Benz Canada. After much consideration, i decided to grab it, whilst i continue to source for a skillful of wireman to perform the job. Lets hope that the wire harness job won't be so tedious.

Stay tuned for more update...

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

Selamat Hari Raya to all Muslims!

To all the muslim friends, i wish you, "Selamat Hari Raya Aidil fitiri. For those who are driving back to hometown, wishing you a safe and smooth journey."

W111: Paint Restoration (Update 2)

Here are some updates on the body paintwork restoration. The base coat was applied on the chassis 2 days ago. According to En. Naza, there were some imperfection paint jobs on the chassis after applying the base coat. Hence, need to do some touch up on the body prior applying another layer of base coat.

More photos after the jump.

Picture 1: Base coat applied; required some touch up

Picture 2: Rear angle of the W111

W126: Out For A Spin!

What a beautiful Saturday! I decided to take my W126 out for a spin since the roads are dried. I rather keep the car in the garage during rainy day so that i don't need to wash the W126 so often. How lazy i am!

Where did we go today? Yes, the venue is located in Putrajaya. I was told to take the W126 out for a long distance trip for test drive. Captured some photos this afternoon to share with you guys!

Picture 1: Stopped at the bridge (Whoops... don't know

what's the name of bridge) in Putrajaya

Picture 2: Rear Angle

Picture 3: Side Angle Look

Picture 4: Another Side-Front Angle Look

Picture 5: Love the Side Angle Look; took it again!

Picture 6: Another Front Angle Shot

Picture 7: Rear Right Taillamp Artistic Look

Picture 8: Rear Left Taillamp Artistic Look

Picture 9: The Mercedes Benz Badge

Picture 10: Another Rear Angle Look

Picture 11: Front Grill Angle

Picture 12: Photo shot from inside the W126

Picture 13: My W126 stayed at 170km/h constantly during

the journey back to Kuala Lumpur