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1969 Mercedes 280 SL

10/25/2014

Passenger Seat Installation for the '69 280 SL...

We have been working on the Passenger Seat and Door Panels for this 69 Mercedes 280 SL the past few days. We are pleased with how this Passenger Seat turned out (above)...Allen has fabricated and upholstered both the Driver's and the Passenger's Door panels (see below.) The pictures show the panels at this stage. Final touches yet to be added are the handles, once the windows are installed in the doors.
Please check back for the updates on the Driver's Side Seat and final installations.
Have a Blessed weekend!

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1969 Mercedes 280 SL

10/22/2014

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We have completed the carpet installation on this 280 SL. Not a simple task, as there were 22 individual pieces to be fabricated and upholstered for this stage of the process. As you can see, it complements the convertible top cover trim and leather dash work beautifully. The next step for this vehicle will be focusing on the door panels.

Please check back for updates and pictures, and as always, we welcome your comments.

Have a Blessed Day!

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1969 Mercedes 280 SL

10/16/2014

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Completed Rear Cargo Area with Cargo Deck Installed

Passenger Side - Refinished Woodgrain & New Dash Fabrication

Driver's Side - Refinished WoodGrain & Dash Fabrication

Top View of Refinished Woodgrain & Dash Fabrication

Driver's Side Corner Dash Fabrication

Passenger Side Top View WoodGrain Vent

Today was a BUSY day!
We were able to complete the rear cargo area deck lids. We began fabrication of the new dash. We restored the original woodgrain trim to a super high luster! We pre-wired for the factory radio. Inlace on doors was installed. Kick panel fabrication began.

Hope you enjoy the pictures above. There will be more to come tomorrow!

As always, have a Blessed Day!

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1969 Mercedes 280 SL

10/15/2014

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Allen using some muscle to chisel off the former carpet!

Just about completed the rear cargo area of the 1969 Mercedes 280 SL convertible. As the above picture depicts, it has been a slooooow, and often painful (ouch!) process to remove the old carpeting/padding from the interior of this 280 SL. Due to Mercedes utilizing actual wood as a substrate for its interior components, the stripping and cleaning is very tedious & painstaking, to ensure the wood is not damaged beneath. The 280 SL project is moving along quite well. This particular car did not have a stereo system. We are purchasing an original dated stereo for this model, and have already installed OEM matched speaker system.
Next we will completing the rear compartment lid covers, installing those, and begin work on the dash. Stay tuned for additional photo updates....and as always...Have a Blessed Day!

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1969 Mercedes 280SL

10/10/2014

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before

AFTER

First of all, I would like to issue a correction, on the Year Model of this 280 SL Mercedes. Until I tried to find parts for this car, I had believed this car was a 1971 year model. The true year model for this vehicle is 1969. (YEAH!)
Now.....on to the Good Stuff...
We have finished the engine detail & are QUITE happy that we have exceeded our customer's expectations. As this car was extremely solid to begin with, it did not require a total motor tear down, to complete the engine detail. During the detailing process, all metallic fluid delivery lines were hand polished, all soft fluid delivery lines were replaced with top of the line components. Engine was detailed to factory new car specs. It is truly a work of art. Our next process is the INTERIOR!!!
Stay tuned for future posts on this remarkable rare 1969 280 SL Mercedes.
Enjoy the Before and After Pictures at the top, and feel free to leave your comments. And, as always, Have a BLESSED day!!!

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1971 Mercedes 280SL Roadster

10/3/2014

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Well its day two on the 71 280SL and its going great. We were able to remove all the natural wood, with its heavy gloss without any damage. For those of you who have worked on these old 280SL's, you know that's nothing short of miraculous. All the original interior has been removed along with the dash (whew). The carpet in these cars is glued directly to the metal. we literally had to scrape it off. Take a look at these floor boards, they are in excellent shape. this is truly a rare find as most of these cars have rotten floors. As we have now completed tear down, our next step is the engine detail. It will be completed in 4 stages.

1) de-grease and clean, drain fluids, pull the radiator and evaluate all the hoses condition. 2) pull intake manifold and exhaust manifold for glass beading, Remove Valve cover and send off to polish, Replace all brittle wiring and polish all metal tubing.
3) Paint all motor parts that require color, Replace all flexible tubing and clamps, install radiator and secure.
4) install Hi-temp Painted exhaust manifold, Glass beaded intake manifold, polished valve cover and clean engine again and shine!

Cant wait to show you the before and after pic's. After the motor is detailed we will build the new leather interior! Stay Tuned and have a blessed day!

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Waking up the shop dog, Buck!

10/1/2014

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Well its Oct. 1st here in the foothills of the NC mountains. The days are getting shorter and a little cooler. Leaves on the trees are starting to turn and the smell of Fall is in the air. I love this time of year and so does our 17 year old shop dog, Buck. He's a King Shepard that has gone about 5 years past his life expectancy. Bucks a little slower and likes to sleep a lot but still has a great attitude and loves meeting new customers. Its a favorite past time of ours to sit on the front porch and watch the mountains grow, ( that's mountain talk for doing nothing). Things at Allen Carswell's Pro Auto Interiors and Tops has been busy lately. We have completed various small jobs and have just brought in our next complete project build. Its a 1971 280SL Mercedes Roadster. The Car just got out of Paint and is getting a new Leather interior with a full Engine Detail. I expect this little Roadster to turn a lot of heads! We will post some before photos and update you as work progress. Until then, be Blessed and enjoy the season!

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1969 Mercedes 280 SL

1969 Mercedes 280 SL

1969 Mercedes 280 SL

1969 Mercedes 280 SL

1969 Mercedes 280SL

1971 Mercedes 280SL Roadster

Waking up the shop dog, Buck!

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