Dashboard part 1 1/2

It is not very often I am this satisfied with my work.

Some update pictures.

I love the "look".

Just waiting for the wood.....

A main switch is mounted behind the battery. Operates from the gloves compartment. This is required by the insurancecompany. The battery is also secured.

There's been a long way from the rusted wreck I found back in 99, until now. But it is worth it. I think....

The engine compartment is getting complete. It just needs a clean up. And the heaterboxes are still missing.

New telescopic antenna mounted. (The windshield is not mounted.)

Rear end waiting for the bumper.

Nice wheels?

Fuel filter and tank selector

A fuel leak appeared from the tank selectorhousing. No problem on a 50 years old Mercedes Benz. Just go to your local dealer, and order new parts. They will arrive from Germany after a couple of days. Amazing!! I ordered both o-rings, the spring, the fuel filter and the broken gasket.

Dashboard part I

Grinded and painted with the same paint as my friends car. "lys antikk". I really hope this will be nice and original. It should have been used this oldstyle Chellack, but this is way too expensive for me. 20 000,- NOK... When a professional does the job.

Fog lamps

These lamps are not from the 50's, but the design is acceptable I think. They are Bosch lamps.

Beltline chrome

I have started the mounting of beltlinechrome. The homemade T-studs was perfect. Maybe I should start to manufacture them? On the inside I used washers with larger diameter, and butyl to seal.

Visit in a friends garage for further inspiration!

This car is in extremely good shape. It was impossible to take a good photo, because of bad space. This is a 58'
I borrowed the paint for the wood. I think this is the right color.

Someday it is me behind the wheel...... dream dream dream dream.......

Little things

I have started to grind the wood for the dashboard.

Production of small chrome belt fasteners. These are really expensive, so I decided to produce them myself. The picture under shows the result after Egil has primed them. Ready to use. The chrome details are almost ready for assemblying. This afternoon I have polished them with Autosol, with a good result.

As I wrote earlier, two bulbs in the instrumentpanel was dark. I decidet to open up the panel to locate the problem. There was a burned wire, that had to be replaced. You can see a green wire missing in the right and middle of the picture below. I am impressed of the art of engineering also in the instrumentpanel. I guess Mercedes was lightyears ahead of all other car producers in the 50's.

Apart:

Head lights

Ready for a ride.....

Just a few loose ends left...

Yesterday I made the connections in the steering wheel. Turning signal and horn. I also replaced the blinker relay with a new old style type. And it works perfect. So now all lamps works as they should. Headlights, parking lights, positioning lights, turning signal, brake lights, reverse light, instrument and clock lights and instrument control lights.

The only thing left to connect is the rooflight in front and rear, and the doorswitch. I have to made new cables for this. I hardly remember how this was connected, but I don't think this should be a problem. The car is now turning back to life these days! It is a great deal of fun for me, because when I bought the car nothing worked. This gives me a new energy to continue the restoration!

The Ponton page, http://www.mbzponton.org/ is very helpful in my work.

No pictures today.

I am sorry to tell I have no pictures to publish today. I have done "invisible" stuff. Most of the time was spent investigation why the instrumentpanel was dark. The problem was bad connection inside the panel, but I have made a "Dagfix" on the outside. Now there is light in all the bulbs. I have also started to connect the the horn and turning signal. The horn works seriously well, but I am not sure about the turning signal. I think I need a new relay.

I have also started to clean up and refresh the headlights. The reflector and glass is in good conditon, but the frame around is very rusty. The work will continue during the weekend.

Rear lights

Today I have finished the repair and mounting of the rear lights. Over 50 years old lights is not as new... I had to drill out old bolts, and replace them with new. I had two set of lights, and used the best parts.

Behind the housing I sprayed with bodyprotection to avoid rust.

It was a great pleasure too experience everything worked as it should. Rear lights, backing light, positioninglight, licenseplatelight and brake light. Turning signal are not yet connected in the steering wheel.

This is a bad photo, but shows inside the trunk. The licenseplatelights also works as a luggageroom light. Nice....

Back in business!

Today we had this seasons first official meeting in the garage. We are trying to meet once a week this winter too. We had a lot of fun last year, and manage to complete the Mini, and did a lot on the Merc. Today we changed front wheelcylinders and brake shoes. And then bleeded the brakes. We also cleaned and greased up the hub(?).

Hopefully there will be a lot of progress.

Motivation trouble

It's hard to start again after a long break from restoring. And this weekend I had to fix some problems with my everyday car. I think the headgasket is broken. Damn. And that after only 371 000 km.......

2001 Opel Omega 2,2 Elegance (at least it had elegance back in 2001....)

But I have finished the exhaust pipes on the Mercedes. I will take it down and replace the clamps with a good weld. This doesn't look nice. (I have to admit that the rear silencer is a for a Volvo 240. And that is not my favorite car!! But it fits well.) Luckily it doesn't sound like a Volvo. Thank god.

What a mess.....

Charging. I have to let it run tonight. It gives me a great satisfacton!!

For the first time in my life, I have my own garage. Makes things a lot easier.

Added. 7.16 pm.

I started up the engine. Only 5 cylinders fired. I need new sparkplugs.

Is it time to start working on the Benz soon?

I start to feel ready for more Mercedes restoration. It is no secret that it was a little intence last winter. The car is in my garage, and now it is waiting for a friend with 30 years experience in a bodyshop. The doors and fenders need some more adjustment before I am satisfied.

If I can raise enough money, the car will be done next spring. But I would't bet on it.....

Dag

Time for a break, and outdoor activity

This is the result of what Egil and I have produced in Egils garage this winter. Egil had a 72 Austin Mini 1000, that he had "forgotten" a few years. In october 2007 we decided to get together and finish it, and then finish the Mercedes. Every monday we met in the garage. And some days in between. We are proud to show you the result of our work! The Mini is ready for registration, and we hope the 220S is finished next spring. I will be working on the interior this summer, and we have planned to install everything next winter.

But first, we are taking a break from restoration and enjoy the norwegian summer.

Thank you Egil for the good teamwork and frienship.

The first drive, ever!!

Yesterday I drove the car for the first time! And this was also the first time I drove a Ponton ever. It is difficult for me to explain in English how I feldt, because this is not my mothers tongue, but in norwegian I would say: Fy f..... for en herlig følelse!! (sorry dad...) What a feeling! The nice view through the windshield (eh. Where it should have been) and the quick trottle responce. The curves on the hood is beautiful from behind the steering wheel. The gear shift worked almost perfect. It is just a little difficult to not hit reverse when I want 1. gear. Maybe I just need some practice? This was a nice experience after nine years with blood, swet and tears. Literally! And yesterdag I also became a member of IPOG. International Ponton Owner Group. I look forward to get familiar with that group.