116 body parts

[halldl]

I have bought a very cheap, very rusted 1979 6.9 that runs great and has a rebuilt suspension that stays up for weeks without starting, but the rockers are completely missing, as are the wells in the trunk behind the rear wheel wells. The floor pans are so-so, I probably need a driver side floor as well. Anyone know any cheap sources for replacement parts to weld in? I have a willing body man if I can find the parts. If it's too expensive I'll just drive it as a "beater" as is. You can probably guess that I have bought someone else's abandoned restoration project.

[Luke]

What condition is the rest of the car in? Are you willing to sell it? Luke, in Sanford, NC.

[halldl]

My wife would say "YES!", I would say "maybe". Seriously, I can now say I have owned a 6.9 and I'm willing to talk. Right now it is sitting behind my office. It needs a water pump, which I have a rebuilt one in a box beside me, and rear muffler replaced. I was taking it to my mechanic next week on a rollback to have those things done, which of course would increase the price. It was a daily driver in upstate NY (hence the rust) until recently, so it is in driveable condition. Has a 2005 NY inspection approval (even passed emissions testing!) Starts right up, brakes and transmission seem fine. Suspension stays up. Climate control comes on, though I can't say it all works perfectly. Lights, horn, wipers, etc. OK. Driver door window motor and regulator missing. Sunroof present but I haven't tried it. Blue leather interior is serviceable, a good cleaning and sheepskins on the front seats was all I was going to do. I have a clean NC title. Spray the rockers (what's left of them, anyway) black, shoot a fresh coat of silver on the wheels, wax the paint and it will be very presentable for beater fun but no show car. $2500 with the water pump uninstalled and I can break even on purchase, going to get it in NY, and buying the water pump. You can pour coolant in and run it long enough to drive up onto a trailer. It just all leaks out through the bad pump as it sits. The car gets lots of compliments from my clients, which I can't decide whether that reflects well or poorly on them.

[alabbasi]

The floors cannot be found at the dealers but you can get pretty much everything else. You can get aftermarket rocker panels , wheel arch, fenders and front and rear valance.

The floors are pretty straight forward and can be made using sheet metal and an english wheel.

I suggest that you put some pictures up so that we can see what you let yourself in for. I wouldnt be shy about restoring it. It can be done.

[cth350]

Al, aftermarket rockers are still available for the W116, I need a few pairs for my pile of rusty 6.9s. -CTH

[JPMose]

I don't know what constitutes "cheap" but look within this site:

http://www.car-part.com/

[alabbasi]

Charles

http://rustrepair.com had a set of SWB rockers for $90/side. You'll need to buy one extra one for to make up for the missing 6 inches.

All the best

Al

[Tom Hanson]

I'm not so sure that we can't still get floors and rockers for this car. i'd be very surprised if they were discontinued. I'll check on Wednesday when I get back to the office.

[alabbasi]

I'm not so sure that we can't still get floors and rockers for this car. i'd be very surprised if they were discontinued. I'll check on Wednesday when I get back to the office.

How did that work out Tom? The rockers are available because I bought a set for my restoration project but I had to have the floors fabricated because the floors could not be had.

[JohnHubertz]

Why not buy a rust free donor 116? Tons available right now in the Southwest USA with shot interiors/motors....

[alabbasi]

Why not buy a rust free donor 116? Tons available right now in the Southwest USA with shot interiors/motors....

Now where's the fun in that John?

[JohnHubertz]

Living vicariously through YOUR life, Al!

As you are well aware, you BUY cars, I "pretend" to buy cars.

I am the ultimate cold feet kind of guy.

I'd back out on an iron lung if I found out the guy I was buying from had a cold.

Grrrrrrrrrr

Pray for my 500SE AMG purchase - what are the odds?

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f248/fullhappyfish/newbenzfront.jpg

[alabbasi]

Pray for my 500SE AMG purchase - what are the odds?
http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f248/fullhappyfish/newbenzfront.jpg

That's a nice looking car John, you need to buy it and sell the Loncoln.