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Originally Posted by XByoot
If your budget is 10K your in a tight spot mate, your likely to invest in a 30k money pit. The Early Mercs are cool, personally the Ford variety are even cooler. A mate has an early 60’s Mercedes in his shop at the moment, car looked decent, original and a good project. I’ll be there tomorrow with a bit of luck and I’ll post up a few pics of what’s left after he started digging. Sills, inner and outer, chassis rails, rear quarters, A pillar I think, rust everywhere. They are cool cars, I like it, but for a budget run away farther than forest gimp. Like Citroenbender said, great for hiding rot.
The funky old Bosch mechanical injection looks really interesting to me, I’d love to convert one to EFI or learn about the original system, but paying to get a specialist to sort that stuff won’t be cheap. I have a feeling head corrosion can be an issue too, so another area for money to disappear fast mate. I think that’s why a lot of guys go for the Aussie stuff, relatively simple and robust. Repairs are well documented and a good knowledge base. That being said I think old Merc panels etc are very well supported too.
I’d save up a bit more, sit on my hands, join a few FB pages and keep a look out for a good car. The Ford P5 P6 Marquis and LTD don’t seem to get a lot of coin? Not exactly a 60’s look but maybe worth a look? Vals are the best value by far for Aussie stuff in my book, the early Falcons like the XK,L,M and P are also good buying in 4 door variety, great cars but won’t be a V8 for 10 K in either a Val or early Falc.
By the way, “old Mercs” as in the Ford variety are the coolest thing of that era. Big money but the cool factor is off the scale. Just amazing customs. Even the 60’s T Birds had a great look, that space age dash was wild, I love them, but not cheap if your paying people to maintain them these days, but what is?
Seriously, how about a classic Jap car? Not a V8 but some are pretty cool.
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There is some truth to this but mostly a glass half empty outlook.
The Bosch injection systems aren't hard to work with once you get your head around them. DIY tutorials are well supported online. But most of all they are a reliable system. I bought a pressure gauge & fitting set online for around $200. Thats about the only specialised tools needed to work with it.
Much like what CB says with the Citroen stuff, they have a bad rap in this part of the world because old mate down the road who is used to working on Holden 202s can't figure them out and declares them heaps of **** because they are bit beyond him and the 1930s tech he's used to.
As for rust - they all have their spots, best to figure out where they are view in person (plenty of buyer guides online that include common rust areas).
You could pick up a decent W126 or W116 for $10k and have a reliable cruiser to use everyday. Not something that needs tens of thousands thrown at it, just turn the key and drive. They aren't overly expensive to buy at the moment (as opposed to W108s, R107, W123, 114 & 126 coupes that have shot up in value).
I second CB suggestion of CX Citroen. Damn cool cars.
Im on a couple of Valiant groups - I occasionally see what looks to be decent VE-VGs slant/hemi 6 for sale under $10k. Nothing wrong with any of them - currently doing up a hemi 6 with Holley EFi to go in my VG.