Project GVZ SEC: The Tale of a Coupe Repair & Rejuvenation

[nocfn]

WHOO HOOO Honch, that's a panty dropper!

[Maui]

Looks really good.

[alabbasi]

That looks really nice!

[remotemark]

That looks fantastic. I remember the feeling I had when my coupe got repainted with the AMG kit on it and all new GAHH leather and new wood. It was kind of exhilarating. I'm thinking you have that too.

Out of curiosity, did you consider the same color cladding route?

[gerryvz]

Out of curiosity, did you consider the same color cladding route?

I did consider it, but decided against it as I prefer the "period correct" look.

I did decide NOT to get the car re-pin-striped. If I ever wanted to I could, but that was a change that I consciously made.

I will likely get new leather. All of the leather in the car except the driver's seat and armrest are original MB leather with patina. The front passenger skin has some slight surface cracks between some of the perforations (not all the way through) and I have left that as is for the past 15 years because it is the thick, original MB skin. The rear seats are slightly stiff (it was a California car before I got it) but I think they can be brought back around with some Leather-reek.

The car has nearly 250K miles on it, so it will always be a "driver," but I just want to make it a nice driver that runs perfectly as my daily driver. I hope to go the Glen (Hi-Miler) route with it in the next 15 years.

The wood will really make the interior "pop" and I'm really looking forward to getting that done.

When I take delivery of the car I will post lots more photos.

[Bogeyman]

Looks great, Gerry. One of my favorite color combos. Both my '70 280SL and my '95 124 cabrio are black over parchment. Love it.

[gerryvz]

Quick evolution of the process....


Condition from original accident
Late October, 2016
2016-10-23 09.16.22.jpeg


Dropped off at the body & paint shop
Mid-December, 2016
IMG_6523.JPG IMG_6526.JPG


Repairs in progress
Mid-January, 2017
IMG_6625.jpg IMG_6627.JPG IMG_6637.JPG


Painting process underway
February, 2017
IMG_6693.JPG


Painting, curing, prep and body re-assembly continue
Late March, 2017
IMG_6941.JPG IMG_6914.JPG


Final stages of paint prep
Mid-May, 2017
2017-05-19 13.36.43.jpg 2017-05-19 13.36.47.jpg

[Maui]

I think you made the right choice on the cladding.