Old MBz SL convertible w/3.5 V8, Larz Anderson :)

[tom p.]

I thought I'd post these pictures up for y'all to enjoy during lunch time. These fotos are from a few weekends ago (Larz Anderson, MoT in Brookline MA) at Germancarfest XX.

These unique conversion was prepared by Bob Hatch who is very well-known to MBz enthusiasts here in the Boston area. I believe this car is for sale. The detail work was quite extraordinary and these fotos don't really do it justice.

[Accumulator]

Hey, that really *is* a nice piece!

I notice it still has the reverse-pattern gearshift, wonder which transmission they used with the V8 swap

Yeah, Hatch & Sons does great work...

[tom p.]

I think that shift pattern design was standard as pictured. My father had a auto 1971 car and I recall it looked exactly like that.

[hambone575]

I own that car in cameo yellow!!!!! I love it....... I need mine detailed and looking somewhat like that

[Accumulator]

I think that shift pattern design was standard as pictured. My father had a auto 1971 car and I recall it looked exactly like that.

Gee, I'm just *too* foggy on this stuff; I knew the sixes had that reverse pattern but I didn't know about the V8s. For the life of me I can't remember which pattern the 6.3 had but I *thought* it was the "regular" one. I know the next-gen SLs (W..uh..W???..W107 maybe? Sheesh I'm getting old) with the 3.5/4.5 V8s had the regular one....

hambone575- Lucky you! What a great car to have. I *bet* you love it

[Spilchy]

I detailed that *EXACT* year and model Benz, color too.

I recently saw the car at the owner's office sitting under a tree, not driven for the past few months. It is covered in this algae-slime.

He is getting his garage re-done so his classic is sitting out in the elements in a parking lot. Go figure.

That's a pretty sweet car! My friend has a baby blue 1978 Jaguar with a Chevy 350 crate motor that was swapped in.

[Accumulator]

My friend has a baby blue 1978 Jaguar with a Chevy 350 crate motor that was swapped in.

The Jag-nut in me wants to say "sacrilege" but the practical guy in me (who once did that swap) is telling the Jag-nut to shove it

[Mikeyc]

Hatch & Sons does top notch Mercedes work. They used to have a dealership on Rt. 20 in Wayland, but I think it got bought by Chambers Motor Cars and is now a Land Rover dealership.

That car really does look amazing though!! Wasn't German car day at the MOT on Father's day? It usually is and that's why I can't go. I also missed Italian Car Day this year as I was out of town for a wedding. Maybe you were at Mercedes Benz day. I think that's typically in August or September.

[Clean Dean]

Those guys do some real top shelf restoration work. That car is amazing !!! I regularly detail both a 1969 280 SL and another 230 SL (same owner) and although the 280 is in similar condition, the color of that one makes it so much more appealing (his is silver/black) !!! Did you know the asking price? I would believe about $32-$37k.

Great pics BTW, and thanks for sharing !!!

[tom p.]

Did you know the asking price? I would believe about $32-$37k.

Great pics BTW, and thanks for sharing !!!

Thanks.

No, but I'd suspect it's far north of the price you mention. A friend bought a stock 1970 280SL from him 7 years ago and it was more than the price you mention - - it was very nice, lo miles. He does big $$$ cars.

[Clean Dean]

Not too far north from that number. The market for these Pogoda roof SL's is still somewhat soft. Unrestored super low mile 280 SL (under 20k) top out in the low-mid $40k range. I have yet to see a 280 SL crack $50k, but I would not be surprised if it happens often at Barrett Jackson.

My guestimate was based on the milage.

I wish I had the dough and the space to buy one of these for myself while they are still relative bargains.

[Accumulator]

Pagodas from the Benz Classic Center *start* mighty high...the one I read about recently (280 SL, no hard top) wasn't perfect and it was priced in the mid-70s!

I sometimes call and price stuff that they have at Hatch & Sons, and their cars usually seem reasonable, at least for their level of work; they had a 6.3 that was a relative bargain at low-30s for a *very* nice driver that could be shown in driven class with a good chance of winning.