Hi, I’ve just recently joined the discussion group but have been watching Joes videos for a while and used a good amount of that information.
I have a 1995 SL I got at a junkyard about 2 years ago. It is almost completely rust free. The only corrosion that has been a pain in the rear was the fuel tank and sending unit which was bad enough that I swapped it with a junkyard tank that was nothing to brag about either. I had to clean and coat that tank and combine parts from the sending unit to make a good one.
Also, the cars engine had low compression probably due to stuck rings. It ran but had lots of blow by. So I l swapped it with a junkyard engine. I tidied up the engine and painted a few things and replaced the timing belt, plugs and wires.
I did clean up and touch up (spray can) the engine bay, front frame members and front and rear suspension. Installed new steering components, front bearings, rebuilt the brakes etc.
Interior wise I had the seat upholstery repaired. Installed the factory original radio and CD changer but most everything else was OK.
I got it running and was totally shocked that everything except the ABS is now working.
I found the Cianci Victory hood at, you guessed it, a junkyard. So, I am wondering, is it more advisable to keep the exterior patina or do a repaint? I would probably get the original color and just an exterior paint job. None of the door frames or unseen and mostly still in nice shape areas.
Maybe it just the lazy in me talking but, also, I see it parked in the garage and think the road scars are kind of charming. I have bought a number of well used motorcycles over the years and with the exception of a 78 KZ400 none of them ever saw a new coat of paint on their body work.
