Mercedes 450sl restore

[Atmobil]

On 25.9.2018 at 9:38 AM, peteski said:

Before I peeked into this thread I didn't even know this model existed.  But now I wanted one!  So I ended up getting an unbuilt kit on eBay, and looking on Google for reference photos I found an older thread here showing another built of this kit:

Atmobil made some interesting modifications to his kit. Between yours and his writeup, I'm learning many useful building hints and modifications.  One think that bugs me about yours is the size of the door mirrors. But I suspect that when the model is seen in-person, it looks ok.  My plan is to scratchbuild the mirrors from some styrene and putty, make master pattern out of those, and then cast them in resin.  I also have couple of ESCI Mercedes 500SLC kits which also have no door mirrors.

Thank you for posting a link of my thread I had a blast building and correcting details on this SL. If only Revell/Monogram would do a reissue of this...

 

On 20.9.2018 at 2:06 AM, montelsc said:

isn't 75 round headlights ??

You are doing some nice work on this one. As others have said already, this can be anything from 1971 up to 1989 with only minor detailchanges over the years. I do think the model is a early one because the steeringwheel has "ribs" on the hornbuttons.

You can see a later one here:

And here you can see more of the interior of a later car:

As you can see, not a lot of changes over the years.
Looking at yours, the way you are building it you could claim it to be both a 70s car and a 80s car.

Here is another one for inspiration, the AMG SL:

[Bob Ellis]

This is one of Monogram's nicest kits. I always thought the 450SL was a great car. 

[Chromecop]

I really like to see this one being restored! You certainly do a good job!

[unclescott58]

On 9/19/2018 at 8:35 PM, montelsc said:

Guess it's a 75 then

Thanks for the info

The box is dated 1976. A simple, but very nice kit. 

[mk11]

On 9/19/2018 at 7:53 PM, Ace-Garageguy said:

No. The Mercedes R107, which is the platform ALL the 450SL- 560SL cars were built on from 1971-1989, had essentially the same headlights and bumpers through all the years of production (though the air dam under the front bumper, wheels, and some trim and engines varied through the years).

YOURS can be any EUROPEAN spec car from 1971-1989.

Round headlights and heavy crash bumpers were on the USA spec cars.   

Has the US spec car ever been kitted or parts thereof ?

[Ace-Garageguy]

12 minutes ago, mk11 said:

Has the US spec car ever been kitted or parts thereof ?

Not as far as I know.

[mk11]

Thank you sir. I'll have to find one to see what I can accomplish with it. Kinda looking for a fair builtup with decent front clip...

[peteski]

ESCI made 1:24 MB 450SLC kit which included the American style quad sealed beam headlight bezels, but the bumper is not US-type.
https://www.scalemates.com/search.php?fkSECTION[]=All&q=esci+mercedes+450*