1997 Mercedes R129 SL restoration and chassis refurbishment
Pete1978 shares a year of work on a rusty parts car, including engine-bay, interior and front-chassis work, while several major jobs were still planned.
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A parts car becomes a restoration project
Pete1978 initially bought the rusty 1997 M119 car for parts, describing the soft top as its only item in nearly new condition. A few months later he decided to restore the car. After about a year, he listed work on the interior, hydraulic system, water pump, pulleys, radiator, vacuum hoses, ignition coils and spark plugs. His wording groups replacement, refurbishment and cleaning together; it does not give a separate procedure or confirmed replacement status for every item.
Engine-bay and stripped-body work
In his next post, Pete1978 showed a broken component he called “CPS,” followed by water-pump and pulley work, a stripped interior and the original rear brake area. He said the broken CPS had nearly made him give up. The brief account does not explain how it broke, the removal method or a verified diagnostic result.
Rust treatment and front suspension parts
The next photo sequence shows removed front suspension components, an underside after treatment and a collection of new suspension and brake parts. Pete1978 described sanding and cleaning for several hours, applying rust converter and then paint. He listed 330 mm front brakes, Akebono pads, new lines and H&R sport springs. These are the parts and work reported for his project; the thread does not document a final road test, alignment or long-term result.
Work still on the list
At the time of the opening post, Pete1978 said rear suspension work, a new rear differential, a Quaife limited-slip differential, paint and wheels were still to come. His later reply said he was not planning to sell the car and would add more pictures. The thread ends without documenting completion of those planned jobs.