Mercedes 540K

[NOBLNG]

I picked up this at a flea market last year because I really like the looks of these cars. The Previous Owner had started assembling it and made a few errors. The front axle assembly was installed above the frame instead of straddling it. This led to a huge gap between the frame and the body which the PO tried to fill with glue. The rear springs were installed backwards and both windshield posts were snapped off. One post was gone.

[NOBLNG]

I managed to get most of it separated despite the enormous amount of glue used to hold it together. I pinned and epoxied the one windshield post (which was still glued to the windshield frame) back on. Thankfully he didn't scrape the chrome off before glueing it. I made a metal template of the windshield frame and am using it to shape and locate the new post since the kit piece is very delicate and slightly warped. It still needs final shaping, but I think I will leave it off until I get some other body work done.

[MeatMan]

Nice project! Good luck.

[NOBLNG]

The hood needs a little bit added on at the rear edges where it meets the body and the exhaust slots don't line up properly. There is no lip that I can see on the radiator grill for the front of the hood to sit on, so I made the top hood and sides into a one piece deal.

All comments or suggestions welcome.

Edited April 10, 2019 by NOBLNG

[NOBLNG]

8 minutes ago, MeatMan said:

Nice project! Good luck.

Thanks, I'll need it!

[Modelbuilder Mark]

Looks like you are about to do this kit justice!

[THarrison351]

This builds into a beautiful kit even if it's not based on any 1:1 car in existence. Looks like you have skills to repair the previous builder's mistakes. I built this many years ago from the seventies release. I didn't make any mods, just paint. There were several fitment issues as you are finding out, but they are easy fixes. I have various versions of the Monogram Classics they released from the sixties into the eighties  The Mercedes is the only one I've finished. I don't think you'll be disappointed. Looking forward to the finished car. Good luck!

https://public.fotki.com/tharrison351/mercedes-benz-540k/

Edited April 10, 2019 by THarrison351

[Gramps46]

Looking like good progress.  Well done.

[NOBLNG]

8 hours ago, THarrison351 said:

This builds into a beautiful kit even if it's not based on any 1:1 car in existence. Looks like you have skills to repair the previous builder's mistakes. I built this many years ago from the seventies release. I didn't make any mods, just paint. There were several fitment issues as you are finding out, but they are easy fixes. I have various versions of the Monogram Classics they released from the sixties into the eighties  The Mercedes is the only one I've finished. I don't think you'll be disappointed. Looking forward to the finished car. Good luck!

https://public.fotki.com/tharrison351/mercedes-benz-540k/

Thanks for the link to your build. I hope mine turn out half as nice! This pic I found online is sort of my inspiration.

 

Edited April 10, 2019 by NOBLNG

[THarrison351]

16 hours ago, NOBLNG said:

Thanks for the link to your build. I hope mine turn out half as nice! This pic I found online is sort of my inspiration.

 

That's actually one of the cars I looked at too. Other than the externally mounted spare and colors, most everything is correct!

[randyc]

I like it.  I saw a photo of Tim's a little bit ago.  not really in my range of collection, but I do have the 500K from Franklin mint.  So this is kinda close to that and looks like a nice build.  Looks like you have a handle on the fixes.   

[ismaelg]

Nice rescue!  It will be a stunner when finished.

[robertw]

Few people build these 1930's classics by Mononogram so I look forward to following your build. I have this kit in my stash so your build just might encourage me to bring it to my workbench.

[Dann Tier]

Fantastic restoration going on here, bud!!!!

[sjordan2]

My plan for this was to replace the side louver panels with the more typical horizontal chrome vents from the Johan or Heller kits. 

[NOBLNG]

22 hours ago, sjordan2 said:

My plan for this was to replace the side louver panels with the more typical horizontal chrome vents from the Johan or Heller kits. 

Thanks for the confidence everyone. I have some fine s/s mesh that I am considering putting in place of the louvers (same stuff as on the air cleaner) Although not factory correct, I think it will look nicer than the fake louvers.

[Vince66]

Love these classic cars 

[NOBLNG]

I finished the interior. I wish I had fixed that blemish on the back of the driver's seat. It didn't look that bad to the naked eye and there was a bit of "fabric texture" on the seat back that I didn't want to lose. Oh well!

[sjordan2]

https://www.ultimatecarpage.com/gallery/Mercedes-Benz-540-K-Cabriolet-A-145780.html

 

Check this out from Techno Classico. Multiple shots under the main image.

[NOBLNG]

5 hours ago, sjordan2 said:

Check this out from Techno Classico. Multiple shots under the main image.

Thanks! Some beautiful details shots there. I have only seen one car with the concealed spare tire. Only one that has the windshield wipers mounted on the cowl, and they are a parallel arrangement, not opposed like this model has? This model's are not even on the cowl, they are on the lower side of the windshield frame!

 

 

Edited April 19, 2019 by NOBLNG
add pics

[sjordan2]

Here’s more detail of Paul Russell’s restoration of a 540K Spezial Roadster. Also, look up Hermann Goering’s blue goose.

https://paulrussell.com/rPortfolio/mercedes-benz/37_540K/

[sjordan2]

Note that the covered spare tire appears most often on the Spezial roadster, whereas your kit is an amalagam of a Type A, B or C cabriolet. The Spezial roadster is replicated in the 1/16 kit boxed by different companies.

EDIT: You will also note that the Spezial roadster as a different, split windshield than the cabrios.

 

Edited April 22, 2019 by sjordan2