TIME FLIES

I know I said I would publish something last week as soon as I got the car, but as usual my best intentions were OBE. "Johnny" came out looking great, as you will see below. That Saturday he made his debut at Williamsburg Cars & Coffee in the 25ºF cold and then we headed up to Richmond to rendezvous with the Central Virginia Section of the MBCA for "Burgers & Benz." Fortunately, the temperatures soared into the upper thirties by the time the burgers hit the grill. It was a small turnout, quite unremarkable for Johnny's initial event; however, with the "refurb" taking longer than expected the idea of a late summer/early fall coming out became moot. Never mind. We've been on a few good outings since then, including our initial drive to WoWs (Wise Old Winos) and just a few spins along the back roads nearby, one of which concluded just minutes ago.

I stopped by Auto Zone today hoping to score some ceramic-brass fuses to replace the ceramic-aluminum ones still in the fuse box, but Auto Zone doesn't even carry them. I ddi not feel like all over hell's half acre looking for some, so I'll just check on-line or head to the dealers and pay stealer prices for them.

There are a number of things yet to do - and I keep adding to the list of items required; however, the heavy lifting is complete, for now. In the next several days I hope to list all that was done (not previously listed) during "Johnny's refurbishment. For now let's just say I spent a lot more on the car since acquiring it than I spent acquiring it.

Ready for launch 12/14/2017

Delivery 12/14/2017

Motley Crew

C&C Williamsburg, VA 12/16/2017

Burgers & Benz MBCA Central Virginia Section

Richmond, VA 12/16/2017

Today

Pretty Boy

THE TIME IS NIGH

I received an email earlier today saying Johnny is ready to come marching home. Unfortunately, I’m in California so the pickup will have to wait until tomorrow. I’m pretty chuffed about the whole thing as the last time I checked in the car looked fantastic. Certainly, there are a number of things yet to address, such as the dash and wood trim, the cruise control and timing chain guides (to be done prophylactically), but the worst of it is over. Simon and the body shop at Auto Haus Classics have been able to wash away many years of differed and poor maintenance and outright neglect. We’ve also added a few touches to make it my own. I’ll be posting some pictures here tomorrow night after the pickup and short (or maybe long) drive so we can get reacquainted after seven months of separation.

IT'S SO CLOSE I CAN ALMOST SMELL IT

A most amazing thing happened this week. On Monday I sent the Becker Model 754 radio back to Becker via ExpressMail along with an explaination as to what happened. Remember, this is after I called them last week and talked to then ablut the Model 754 being incorrect for a 1988 SEC. Late yesterday I received the "new," i.e., correct Model 780 radio back with a note saying to the effect Becker are comping me for shipping and the extra cost of the Model 780 over the Model 754. I think that is a damn, fine, splended gesture and it just goes to show you there are still companies out there that believe in customer service. Although the radio came too late to take by the shop on Friday, my darling Avril will deliver it to Simon on Monday as I am off to slip the surlies yet again.

Am hoping by the end of this coming week we can finally say: Hereee's Johnny!

Stay tuned.

If you don't know where you are going any road can thake you there.

Hals und Beinbruch!

ALMOST THERE

It's been a while since I updated this Blog, simply because there was not a lot to report. Sure, I could have provided step-by-step progress reports over the past seven months, but that would be boring. Things are coming together, albeit a bit slower than I hoped, and we are about to come to the great unveiling. That doesn't mean all is finished by any stretch of the imagination. There will be the dash and wood trim to do in the future and a number of details to address over the next several months, not to mention normal service requirements, which will be more along the lines of Bimmer Guru Mike Miller's Old School BMW Maintenance Schedule© than anything you see coming out of a Merceds-Benz service manual.

There are a number of reasons the car took seven months to get where we are today. First and foremost I take full responsibility for the amount of mission creep, which added to the timeline. If you don't know what I mean by mission creep, it is a well known term in military planning and execution where the expansion of the project, objective or mission expands beyond its original goals, usually as a result of early successes. Well, once I saw the how rapidly things were improving I could not help but to ask for more and Simon, Ian and their team at Auto Haus, Williamsburg were ready and willing to deliver. I'll detail all jobs in a future installemnt.

Simon did take several weeks off during the height of the summer to go back to Austria on "Holiday," as they say over there, which resulted in about five or six weeks of downtime. One other leading setback was the headliner. It took a while to get the car into the upholstery shop and when it came out I was not thrilled with the look of the material they used. The lesson learned here is to make sure everyone is on the same page, including the sub-contractors prior to executing the work. In this case I just trusted all would be okay so I was not too specific about materials. The shop installed an Alacantra type material, which did not look at all original and to my eye was a bit untidy and low class. After much searching by Ian and myself, we came up with a better solution. It is a material that looks far more original and has a clean, sharp appearance. All that took time and when the car came back from the upholstery shop the second time there was a problem with the sunroof opening without binding. It appears the shop simply covered over the previous fabric thus making the assembly too thick to slide back into the roof. Back to the shop the sunroof cassette went and that is where we are today. Holidays being what they are I don't expect to see the sunroof cassette assembly back until sometime next week. Another minor setback is the radio. It turns out when I sent the radio Malcom gave me gratis (thank you again Malcolm) to Becker they sent back an off the self replacement Model 754. The problem is the radio changed from the Model 754 in 1987 to Model 780 in 1988. Who knew? Simon apprised me of this after he tried to install the one I provided. Diligently, Ian found the right numbers and after a bit of investigation I called Becker and explained what happened. Tom at Becker Auto Sound, LLC was extremely helpful and they will take the radio back in exchange for the correct Model 780, with only a small up-charge for the extra amplifier connector that is intrinsic to the newer radio.

BTW, the new grill Simon installed looks fantastic and Reflections Detailing on 2nd Street in Williamsburg did a sensational job detailing the car after all the body and interior work, including the engine compartment, which if you know these 560 SEC is a major league PIA to get clean especially if neglected over time.

So there we have it. There are just a few more niggles that Simon will address, including alignment of the trunk lid and replacement of the upper brake light housing, but then all should be well and we will finally be ready to say: "Hereee's Johnny."

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

 Kind of like waiting for JC to step from behind the curtain on the Tonight Show.

 License plate number is the same as Mr. Carson had on the car in California.

 Right side of the trunk lid is just a wee bit lower and in need of further adjustment.

Here's looking at you kid.

LONG TIME GONE

I did not realize it has been over two months since I posted something. As they say; time is fun when you're having flys. I do have a wee excuse though. Seems as though yet another MG T-Series found its way into my garage. This one is in pretty good shape; however, as always I did need a bit of sorting (still does), but is fully functional. Yes, MGs & Mercedes... what a combo.

Johnny, on the other hand; remember Johnny? This after all is a Blog about Johnny. Johnny is still in the shop at Auto Haus with all the panels corrected and painted along with freshly refinished wheels shod with new Michelin Defenders. Simon, on the other hand, has been on vacation the past three weeks, so things have been a bit slow on the progress front. It's all good though, because I want it done right the first time.

I did drop by the other day and had a look since it got back from the interior shop where the headliner was replaced. I'm not sure I actually care for what they did. The original material was replaced with an Alcantara type material and as well not being anything like the original headlining material it is also lighter and it just does not look as crisp as it should in my view. Something for Simon and me to talk about.

You may remember I decided to go with the monochromatic look, painting the cladding and bumpers in the original Arctic White instead of the silver/grey. Now that I see it I'm not too sure that was the right way to go. For now I'll live with it and probably get a better feeling for it once I get the car back. That said, if I don't get the feeling down the road that that was the right way to go then I can always have them put back to "factory original."

I still have a laundry list of things to do for the car. All in good time. All in good time. I'm hoping more and more that I'll have time to handle a lot of the future projects myself and leave the heavy lifting to Simon and Auto Haus now that the car is up to a presentable level.

Disappointedly, our annual Classics on the Green car show was cancelled this year. I hoped that was going to be Johnny's coming out party. There are still a couple of minor shows to go, so hopefully he will make one or two of those.

LIKE AN ORGY

Johnny is still in the body shop, but getting closer. It seems the "belt molding" (a.k.a., window weather stripping) OEM Part #126-690-46-80 in NLA, so that is a bit of a problem to solve, but I have my best men on it. I received the Becker Grand Prix radio back from Becker, but they left off the harness connector, which I stupidly left on the radio when I shipped it to them. It was clipped pretty short anyway, so maybe a new one may be a good idea, if I can find one. It's off to the interior shop next for the headliner. It's all coming together; like an orgy.

Previously, I listed what has been done up-to-date, except for the last of the mechanical items, which are listed below:

Replaced A/C Compressor
Replaced A/C Temp Switch
Replace Receiver Dryer
Replaced various HVAC Fittings & O-Rings
Convert to R134A (includes refrigerant/oil)
Replaced Transmission Front Pump Seal

Replaced Pinion Seal

Replaced Rear Crankshaft Seal

Replaced A/T Output Shaft Seal

Replaced Flex Transmission Disk

Replaced Transmission Mount
Replaced A/T Pan Gasket

Replaced A/T Oil Pan

Replaced Shifter Link Clip

Replaced Driveshaft Flex Joint

Replaced A/T Modulator Cap

Replaced A/T Dipstick Seal

Transmission Fluid Service

Replace Spark Plugs/Wires/Distributor Cap & Rotor

Repaired Passenger Side Seat Belt Presenter (replaced feeder gears)

Replaced Trunk Lock Vacuum Element
Replaced Front Brake Support Arm Bushing and Performed Alignment

Plus I order a spare key... I won't bother to explain why that was needed again.

So what's left? Mostly appearance items at this point. There will always be things on the TO DO LIST, like the center console wood, replace the cracked dash, R&R the timing chain/guides/tensioner, etc., etc., but I think I'll give my checkbook a bit of a break for a while, or at least until the wintertime. Stay tuned.

Left Rear Quarter Panel Repaired

Rear Window Lip Repaired

Body Side Moldings Painted Monochrome

Front Bumper Painted  Monochrome (body color)

RESURRECTION

Last Thursday I sent the Becker Grand Prix, so kindly donated by Malcolm, off to Becker in New Jersey for a refurbish and Bluetooth mod. I’m waiting for their analysis and cost, but from what they told me up front it all sounds very reasonable. It will be nice to have the original radio in-place, since I’m such a stickler for originality. Or am I?

Also last week, I almost pulled the trigger on another 1988 Arctic White SEC. This car is in much better fettle than Johnny was when I purchased him (and cheaper). The car is located in St. Louis and is currently owned by an MBCA Regional Director, whom I believe is only the third owner from new. In the end common sense overruled insanity and I decided two major projects are enough for now (I also have a 1953 MG-TD/C under restoration). The latest edition of the SL Market Letter has the contact info if anyone is interested.

One item I failed to mention in any detail before was Johnny’s battery. When I initially purchased the car I asked the seller how old the battery was. His response was “New, 2 mouths (sic).” Imagine how gob-smacked I was when I picked up the car and sitting prominently on the battery case was some generic battery with a USED BATTERY sticker proudly emblazoned on same. Well, this went right along with the no-name “Duro” tires and the Econo Lube oil change sticker. During the car’s safety inspection back in Virginia the battery was the first thing to go. The crap tires will be history when Johnny comes out of the body shop with his fresh paint and refurbished 15-holers with a set of new Michelin Defenders mounted. The original spare wheel and tire, Michelin MXV, remain with the vehicle.

Least you think everything was bad, I do have the original first aid kit and complete tool kit and with the exception of the rear window sill, the car is rust free.

The back shelf came back from the upholstery shop last week and all I can say is they look as good as new. I harbored some trepidation about what they would look like, but they turned out magnificently. After the paint and body is finished, probably this week, the headliner will be redone and the seats refurbished.

In the end after much internal debate I decided to go with the monochrome look and paint the body cladding, bumpers, door handle guards and mirrors in white to match the rest of the body. I think it offers a much cleaner appearance and a more modern look. Now, before you go off and ask me how I could possibly change the look of a car designed by Bruno Sacco; I’ll just have to say my taste is more refined today then Bruno’s was in the ‘70’s when the design was laid down. No offense Signore Sacco.

There are a few pictures below of where we are so far…

Look Ma, no trunk!

New rear window edge in place. This is an original MB part.

Where have all the bumpers gone?

Recovered rear shelf compartment covers.

Recovered rear shelf.

Our upholster was able to find the original material.

Ascessories still in good nick.

Value Added Costs

As we await Johnny's exit from paint and body I thought it would be a good time to catch up on some of the finer details of the journey thus far.

I just ordered a new Virginia license plate with the same letter and number combination Johnny Carson had when the car was registered in his name in California. Avril and I decided this was more historically accurate and a better choice than some kitschy vanity plate.

As you may recall, once Johnny was in Virginia I turned him over to Simon at the Auto Haus Williamsburg Classic Center. Simon’s initial evaluation was simply to get the car through the state inspection, remedy some initial concerns, and fix a few problems either found along the journey from California and/or not addressed by Rafi’s before the cross-country trek. To wit:

State Safety Inspection

Replace Front Suspension Lower Ball Joints

Replace Front Shock Absorbers

Replace Front Wheel Bearings & Seals

Replace Rear Shock Absorbers

Replace Rear Accumulators

Replace & Bleed Rear SLS Hydraulic Fluid

Replace Rear Stabilizer End Links

Replace Steering Damper

Transmission Service (Includes Fluid & Filter replacement)

Replace Left Rear Window Switch

Replace Wiper Blades

Replace Driver’s Side Seat Belt Retractors Gears

So, not an inconsequential amount of work, especially when you consider the amount of work Rafi’s accomplished prior to departure. But that’s not all folks…

As previously mentioned, with Malcolm’s help I now have the correct wheels (since refinished), lug bolts and a Becker Grand Prix radio in very good nick. I’ll be sending the Grand Prix to Becker for refurbishment prior to installing it in the car. But wait, there’s still more…

The next update will be the rest of the mechanical work done prior to Johnny going into the body shop for repairs and a list of minor, but non-critical things yet to do. In the meantime, here are some pictures from the body shop. The first picture is of the left rear fender, which had a ripple in the sheet metal, being brought back to straight. Those God awful chrome wheels are on their way out. The black sheet metal piece you see in the second picture is the replacement panel for the rusted out rear window lip. Pic number three shows it was pretty dirty behind the cladding, but fortunately no rust.

PRE STAGE

When I first picked Johnny up from Mike, I was, unfortunately, in a bit of a rush. This is never a good thing when picking up a new to you car sight unseen. My flight to LAX was delayed a bit getting in and it is a rather long haul from LAX to Chino. I was facing a deadline of getting the car to Rafi’s Autotech in Culver City before their 4:00 pm closing. My first impression of “Johnny” was favorable, but then Mike began to show me some things he was not forthcoming about during a many of our post-purchase discussions. Some of those items, like the headliner, I know he knew about, but he blamed it on his detailer opening the sunroof. The number of inoperative or poorly maintained and neglected items rose with my blood pressure as I did my first walk-around. I didn’t say a lot to Mike, but I’m sure my disappointment was obvious, not that he would care one way or the other.

Frankly, I don’t think Mike was fully aware of the extent of the terrible and neglected shape the car was actually in. Or then again maybe he did, but didn’t have the time, know how, funds or inclination to do anything about it. It was obvious from the start the car had been long neglected. Only six months before, the car was in the Mecum Auction (no sale) sporting a nice detail, but despite assurances from Mike that the car had been garaged all this time, the amount of crud accumulated in the engine compartment and various other cavities it was obvious the car was left sitting outside for all of intervening period.

Another indication of the abuse poor “Johnny” suffered was the Econo Lube sticker on the windscreen and the no-name tires. Who subjects a Mercedes to such indignities? Albeit they looked to be relatively new the tires were sufficiently out of round even after extensive balancing and steering alignment as to vibrate at any speed. But really, I can’t blame Mike for all this, other than a slight exaggeration of the car’s condition. After all, it’s buyer beware on eBay and I chose not to have a PPI done based upon my conversations with Mike. It seems I have this personality disorder where I think most people are at least as honest and forthcoming as I am in their dealings. Naive? Extremely! But it’s all good because I now possess the car (or it possess me) and I have the chance to bring it back to life after years of forsaken care and abuse. Sure, I could have purchased a much nicer car for less money and I would not be dumping thousands of dollars into “refurbishing” it, but I didn’t. I bought a “celebrity” car and at the end of the day, if it does not mean something special to anyone else, it will to me. That said, I have no intention of selling this car. I didn’t buy it to flip it. I’m sure someday circumstances will force its transfer of ownership and I hope I’m still lucid enough at the time to see it goes to a proper home or maybe even to one of my grandchildren.

I mentioned earlier I would list the work done so far. You can see below the list of repairs and service accomplished by Rafi’s Autotech in Culver City over a 10-day period from when I dropped the car off after rescuing it and when I came back to pick it up on 13 February to begin the epic 3,500 mile cross country jaunt to “Johnny’s” new home in Virginia.

L&R Tie Rods

Center Steering Link

Alignment

Rebuild Fuel Distributor

Valve Cover Gaskets

Camshaft Oiler Tubes

Rear Brake Pads

Right Passenger Window Regulator/Lift Assy/Motor/Glass

Left Window Regulator

Oil

Oil Filter

Air Filter

Fuel Filter

Washer Pump & Nozzles

Antenna Mast

I have a bit of catching up to do Blog wise, so stayed tuned for some more updates over the next few days. I would be remiss at this point, however, if I didn’t mention my new BFF Malcolm coming to my rescue yet again with an original Becker Grand Prix radio. You’re the best Malcolm.

As a teaser of upcoming attractions, here is a picture of Johnny in the body shop:

Lug Woe Be Gone

Yes, I have been negligent in my duties. I have not posted an update in several weeks. In my defense I've been working a lot, fought the flu and for the past two weeks dealing with a bad back that makes it a literal PIA to sit for any length of time.

When I last left you, my faithful followers, I was engaged in a duel of wits with a Mercedes-Benz dealership on-line store. I am happy to say the situation has been satisfactorily resolved. My hat is off to OEMercedesBenzParts.com for refunding me the entire purchase price, including shipping, for the wrong length lug bolts, which I returned. Their initial position was they are the correct replacement bolts for the SEC and therefore they would not reimburse me for the shipping if I returned them. Even though they technically fit, they do not look right as they are recessed into the wheel, which is the point I kept trying to convey to them. It is nice to see an on-line store do the right thing. Now if I could only convince Mike & Vince to send me the damn valet key and owner list...

On the plus side, with most of the mechanicals sorted and new wheels and the correct lug bolt courtesy of Malcolm, things are moving right along and I'm happy to say JC (Johnny) is in the body shop having the shiny bits see to. A bit of a surprise, or no, was the discovery of significant corrosion around the lower lip of the rear window seal (see below). Fortunately, it has not progressed beyond the lip and onto the rear deck or into the trunk. A few more weeks in paint and body and JC will be ready for the BIG REVEAL. I'm not sure when or where that will be, but I am giving some thought to HEIMATFEST in Birmingham at the end of the month. That may be too ambitious, however.