Summary of the whole Project
Just a section for those who're too lazy to read the rest ;-)
The Car
- Original 1973 Mercedes W115 Pick-Up from Argentina
- Hard to find, approx. 1,000 built, maybe 50 survived
- Mercedes production line in Argentina from 1972-76, so an "Original Mercedes"
- Took two full years (!) to get the car exported out of Argentina
- Had to apply for a "Car export license"
- Was only possible with the help of my Argentine friend, Carlos. No way to do this from Germany
- All the fees etc. were double the price of the car, e. g. "Dog inspection" at Buenos Aires port for 3,000 USD
- Totally rotten, not one part in good condition. Several accidents
The V8-Conversion
- Complete drive train from a 1982 R107 500SL
- New (!) M117 motor, 5 litre aluminium V8 as the donor car motor was fucked
- It was not easy to get the motor / gearbox in. 3D-designed motor holders to put the motor in the correct position, milled out of a massive steel block (8 hours milling time)
- Extension of the drive tunnel necessary
- Complete custom-made stainless steel exhaust system incl. manifolds (8>4>2, 40/45mm, extremely difficult due to limited space)
- Completely new R107 brake system
- ABS transferred from the donor car
- Cruise Control transferred from the donor car
- Gearbox operation redesigned for column shift
- Restored W115 radiator with high performance net
- Conversion to pwm-controlled electric fan with override switch in the Centre Console
- Original W126 steel rims, 15", with 205/65-15 tyres
Body Works
- The Pick-Up was completely rotten, several accidents, welded together from at least two, maybe three cars
- Donor car sourced; California 220 (1972). Easier way than replacing EVERY single panel
- Approx. 250 individual self-made parts (from bare metal). Over 40 original pickup parts, refitted sedan parts or new mercedes parts modified and used ... more to come.
- Several structural improvements of the original Binz Pick-Up design to further strenghten the body
- Smart drainage concept for the cargo area (the water has to go somewhere!)
- Originally profiled cargo area covers reproduced (as the originals were rotten too)
- Hour estimate so far >
4006007009001,000 hours
Electrics
- Self-produced complete new harness, rerouted and ALL extras integrated. Complete wiring diagram drawn in colour
- All relais / control units behind the glove compartment on a down-foldable plate (not distributed everywhere)
- Properly labeled cables all around
- Seat heating (in the bench!) and electric windows (from W108) installed
- Redesigned centre console with R107 switches
- Battery under the cargo area, plus pole in the motor area
- Sensors for oil and outside temperature
- 3D-printed W115 cluster with original R107 instruments (redesigned, shrunk, resoldered and integrated)
Gimmicks
- 320x240 colour display integrated into the ashtray to display outside and oil temperature
- Digital gear display integrated into the cluster: 14 segment display as there was no room for the mechanical display
- USB-A port disguised in a cigarette lighter
- "OBD" interface to self-developed electronic in the centre console
- Many self-made spare-parts (3D print) incl. gaskets
- Original Australian Stone Guards sourced and rechromed
Interior
- Modern Aircon / Heating unit integrated (hidden), operation by the original controls
- Completely redesigned Centre Console; adapted to higher drive tunnel, 8 R107 switches integrated, one aircon hole closed. All done with 3D-printed parts
- Complete leather interior (original Mercedes grain and perforation):
Dashboard, Centre Console, Seat Bench, Door Panels.
Black with orange stitching - NOS steering wheel from 1971, in perfect condition. New as it was never used
Sound
- Blaupunkt Retro Radio (1983) rebuilt with MP3-Player in the cassette slot, redesigned buttons, Cinch pre-amp out
- 4-channel amplifier under the seat bench
- 3-way period-correct system: MB Quart (German) with 20cm bass (foot area), 10cm mid-tone and titan-tweeter (the two latter in the door)
- Subwoofer (25cms) integrated in cabin wall behind the driver
- Motor antenna
- All audio wiring integrated into the overall harness