Hood Ornament and Star

[Jim Scozz]

I just removed the top hood ornament and star from my 71 SE 3.5 Cab. Want to rechrome the ornament and replace the star. Received the star from my sourse and it is larger than the one I removed. Mine is 75 mm in diameter and the new one is 80. My old one is 90 mm high and the new 97 mm. Also the base of the new is smaller in diamerer so it does not fit snug in the hole of the ornament. My sourse is sending a new one for comparison. What is correct from anyone with a similar 111 style body?
Also want to rechrome the top ornament, but the retainer for the outer spring (within the ornament, not the inner spring for the star) seems like it must be destroyed to get the assembly apart. Can the ornament be surface chromed rather than dipped. Pleaes bear in mind that this is my first venture into the chroming aspect, so I really don't know a lot about the process. Any help will be appreciated.
Jim Scozzafava

[Don350SDL]

I can't speak about a '72, but newer cars (early '80s) original size hood stars are not available any more, the newer ones are a bit bigger. That may be the case you have.

As far as coming apart: Anything that can be assembled can come apart. I ahve bent retainers to disassemble hood stars, but the always bend back ok...

Don

[badali]

Check with the classic center. The one for my 280SE4.5 was less than $30. This included the spring and hook. That is easier than rechroming. If you take the assembly off the grill you can get the old star off. You need thick gloves and strong hands to pull up and remove the tension. It is hard to explain in writing. I wish I could show you. If I remember right you also need needle nose plyers to turn it to unhook it. A second person could help. Not easy but not impossible. Brad

[AnthroProfessor]

Correct me if I am wrong, but Mercedes has been know to supply parts on any of its models no matter what year. They have a separate factory near the main facility in southern Germany that does this. They are still mass produced relatively speaking, but sometimes there will be a rare part that they did not make in awhile and they can easily accomodate on the spot and make it for the customer.

Spending $1000 for a 40 year old fender is reasonable because that car will be worth thousands anyway once its restored.

I recently inquired about a 1985 300D differential. They do have them for $2000 retail but it is brand new. They do not rebuild them I was told like they do the tranny. This is costly in restoring a W123, but not out of the question depending on the overall needs in restoration.


Maybe writing a letter to Mercedes-Benz of Germany in German requesting a specific part will charm them enough to go ahead and accomodate you. Technically, all of this part production is still possible.

[jfiely]

Jim, I am in the middle of a full restoration on a 3.5 coupe. The chrome base can be rechromed. The stars are better replaced as they tend to be very thin at the base. The chrome process is as follows for the base. 1) Part is chemically stripped 2) Part is polished 3) Copper plating applyed 4) Polish 5) Nickel plating 6) Polish 7) Chrome Plate 8) Light polish......It's quite a process..I am in the middle of replating every piece of exterior trim on this car....LOL