Super chuffed with my new hi-spec 240 GLT!

[nick_ovlov]

fairly certain i recognise that street...



car is looking good john! cannot wait to get my mitts on it!

Nick

[john h]

Originally Posted by nick_ovlov

car is looking good john! cannot wait to get my mitts on it!

Nick

Yes Nick, it will definitely benefit from some detailing magic!

John

[john h]

Mainly working on the 164 at the moment, but I have also been refurbing my Polaris wheels, which might end up on the 240.

However, it did not go according to plan...

Sanding and prepping. We did my friend's Fiesta RS turbo wheels at the same time


Primed


Flatted


Painted and lacquered. The wheels looked good, but there was some dust in the finish, so we decided to flat down and apply more lacquer




That done, they look good at a quick glance, but...


... up close there are areas of paint reaction on each wheel. I fear that it's start-again-time. Damn and blast.


John

[john h]

Some more progress on the 240...

Rust-proofing is about to happen... arch liners removed, everything behind is in good condition







Jacked up for power-washing underneath




I'm doing a holding repair on the rear arches, until I weld in new ones in 2 or 3 years.






I cut off the rusty lip, cleaned up and de-rusted everything, then joined the inner and outer panels with carbond on the outside and resin inside (from the boot). This is stronger than a few rusty spotwelds! Losing the lip also means a mud trap is removed... and I can run wider wheels .






Primed and flatted


Basecoat. I'm using rattle cans for this, but proper ones made up by my bodyshop supplier.




I stupidly got some runs in the lacquer... still working to correct that... more photos to follow.


I fitted my new steering wheel, which I'm very pleased with.





Getting Galaxies ready for fitting. Steve refurbed these for me ages ago, but the finish was a bit matt so I flatted and applied some lacquer.



Finally, here's the Mercedes in the incongruous role of glamorous parts van!



More soon. Actually, a lot more, because Nick_ovlov is coming down to stay for next week, and he and Steve are due to spend several days working their magic on the 240!


Cheers

John

[Paul240480]

Those wheel arches look very familiar Tank was blasted off & waxoyled last year. I don't think the chap removed those liners though.

Great work, I'm enjoying this

[jetronic63]

Looking good ! - steering wheel is super-nice, cant beat Momo wheels IMO.

I wished I'd de-lipped my rear arches as the combo of galaxys, spacers and speed bumps was not a good one !

[john h]

Originally Posted by jetronic63

Looking good ! - steering wheel is super-nice, cant beat Momo wheels IMO.

Thanks, I agree. It was a shop-display ebay bargain! I like the wheel a lot it its own right, but as an added bonus the brushed metal part is a very similar colour to the exterior.

Originally Posted by jetronic63

I wished I'd de-lipped my rear arches as the combo of galaxys, spacers and speed bumps was not a good one !

If you have a good eye and a very steady hand with the grinder, it could be done without having to paint the wing - just touch up what remains of the lip after cutting and sealing.

I'm interested in spacers for the rear wheels. Can I ask, what type did you use? And did they require longer wheel studs to be fitted to the axle?

Thanks

John

[jetronic63]

I think the 'good eye and steady hand' is the problem - LOL. I might get it done one day as the wider track on the rear improved the ride and handling.

I used a Volvo kit (from SAM in Sweden) which came with the longer studs. Lovely kit and pricey but its sitting in my drawer ready to go back on one day.

[john h]

Originally Posted by jetronic63

I think the 'good eye and steady hand' is the problem - LOL. I might get it done one day as the wider track on the rear improved the ride and handling.

I used a Volvo kit (from SAM in Sweden) which came with the longer studs. Lovely kit and pricey but its sitting in my drawer ready to go back on one day.

Pity we live so far apart; I'd be happy to cut them for you.

If you ever change your mind, first dibs on the spacers!

John

[jetronic63]

Thanks for the offer, I appreciate it. I'll let you know about the spacers but at the moment I am planning to re-fit them.