Specializing in the W126 Mercedes-Benz is somewhat a lifestyle when it becomes a business. In the many years we have been working with these vehicles we meet a lot of the serious minded enthusiast. Upon turning someone on to the Mercedes Benz I was shocked to get an order requesting a cloned version of Nomada's Black PANZR sedan. I must admit we have stuck primarily with mechanical repairs in the past however with our robust connections in the body field we took on the challenge and it is now in progress.
Here I am stuck replicating a vehicle that requires more than just mechanical. Cosmetics are not my strong hand but with help from some other professionals I will attempt to clone this 420 SEL as a homage to the inspiring PANZR sedan that is ultimately setting a standard.
For starters the inspiration is a euro sedan with snub bumpers and euro lights, being in the USA we will be using the original US bumpers and lights in an effort to retain the unique appeal that many here in the States are accustom. While I will be handling most all mechanical repairs, and quardnating all of the body work, its important to realize the vast amount of work that is required in this situation. I am unaware of the state of the 500 SEL PANZR when it was started, however putting things lightly this 420 SEL clone is getting a second chance at life and was rough around the edges when it originally come to us.
Broken sway bar, rusted out fuel lines an pumps, rust in the rear quarters with many other small inflammations scattered about including a totally rusted bumper and broken headlamps made this job a real stress on the ole' Auto-Trend private reserve parts bin.
I have informed the owner that I will take him right up to the point of the rims, and from there he is responsible for the matching AMG Monoblock rims with the black powder coated centers and polished aluminum lips.
Many write ups have been done on this vehicle, and the job should help many in the repairs of their own Mercedes. I would hope this clone would be of "Nomada" to the person whom owns the original and he should be truly honored that his vehicle has inspired this request. The original PANZR 500 SEL resides in New Zealand, this conversion is taking place in the USA.
With all that in mind here is a look at what we are to replicate,
Here is the vehicle that we started with-
This is the most serious rust area. I am unsure why it got so bad on this side however the entire quarter panel was replaced with our in-stock OEM used panel.
As you can see a very clean interior was a main reason for this vehicle getting its second chance.
You can see that the front end is not in the best of shape. Good thing we stock these items.
Here are some most recent photos of the paint job after the quarter panel was installed.
Hopefully the owner will sping for the matching rims, but that is the responsibility of the owner. Sorry to say, but we dont stock AMG monoblocks. LOL
Glad to announce that we have this ole' girl back on the road and she is looking nice! The owner assures me the chrome rims should be in next week and once we install them I think everyone will agree that this once almost dead Mercedes turned out to be a real fine daily driver.
Best thing about these cars is the fact that they can run forever when you got someone fixing them that knows what they are doing. Its a shame to see a Mercedes just sit, and this one is a true daily driver that will see many more years of road time.
I know it makes some people jealous like you-know-who, but the fact remains that this vehicle has made a complete 360 turn around! After the chrome rims the owner is buying a flip out LCD head unit with the Navi and given the condition of the interior I think we should be able to best the inspiring vehicle this Mercedes was to replicate. Oh yeah did I mention brand new Bosch lens's and clear corner light are also on the way?
I look forward to posting the final photos.
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What is to give light must endure burning -- Viktor Frankl
Well the vehicle is done! Happy to say that it really turned out nice! The owner decided on chrome aftermarket rims. While I would like to have some AMG's myself, I must admit that these aftermarket chrome Diablo rims really set off the car!
Still have a few repairs here and there that need to be completed, however I think that it turned out REAL nice...
-- Edited by SELLC on Tuesday 24th of November 2009 09:43:31 PM
POLISHED UP TURD..................... CAN YOU SAY GHETTOFABULOUS????????????????? CHECK OUT THEM RUST HOLES.................HOLY SHIAAAAAAAAAAAAAAATTTTT!!!!!!!!!!!!!
WTF ARE DIABLO CHROME WHEELS?????? GUESS YOU ARE IN THE KNOW FOR SOME GHETTO HOOD TUNING.............. SPEAKS VOLUME ABOUT YOUR STYLE AND OPERATION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
TO SUM IT ALL UP...................
ABSOLUTE SHIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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LIKE A PHOENIX RISING FROM THE ASHES.................... HERE TO SHIT ON REX!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I did not do the body/paint work on that car you idiot! I did the mechanical work. We sold the engine, transmission, and most of the rest of the mechanical and scrapped the body.
So it does speak volumes about my work, although I cant say the same for the body guy who cut corners and rushed the project. It also speaks volumes about how ignorant and jealous you must be to know that I have cut up nicer cars than you own.
Now get back in your rusted out Golf and get back to work! The groundsman cant wait for you to leave so he can get back to planting his seeds.
Just like this project and the many others of BW.ORG it was purfume on the pig! A few names come to mind, 48HP, Mcliar, Russo ect... ect....
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What is to give light must endure burning -- Viktor Frankl
UUUUUUUUUUUUHHHHHHUH..................... MORE LIBERAL GAMES BY SLIM ANUS REX!!!!!!!!!!!!!! BLAME IT ON THE OTHER GUY....................... JUST LIKE OBAMA BLAMES BUSH!!!!!!!!! TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOUR ACTIONS DIP SHIT AND ADMIT THAT YOUR WORK WAS SUBSTANDARD!!!!!!!!!!!
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LIKE A PHOENIX RISING FROM THE ASHES.................... HERE TO SHIT ON REX!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You want me to take responsibility for some backyard body guys prep work and Macco's paint job!?
Or maybe I should be responsible for the 19 inch rims 35 series tires that tore the suspension to shreads when the owner was nailing pot holes?
For god sakes man, all the MECHANICAL work that I did was A1, and infact it was pretty much the only stuff salvageable from the vehicle outside of the interior.
Perhaps I should also take responsibility for the guy taking this vehicle to Micky Shorr who drilled holes thru the fuel tank trying to mount an amp? Or the nightmare electrical problems the owner had when he had the same company tried to wire in an aftermarket stereo and alarm/remote start?
LOL! Spare me your BS! I am not accepting responsibility for someone elses poor work.
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What is to give light must endure burning -- Viktor Frankl
How would you know anything about my CD manuals? You could never afford one! LOL
And as for Mechanics, well you might have a point... All the ones I have trained ended up working in oil change places! LOL But that's because that's about all I would teach them..... The basics..
Why train people for them to go use that knowledge to make someone else money? There is no loyalty in business, and this ain't no free school... Ask PowerStroker how much he has wrapped up in his education, and even after all that he's still only half as good as me on my worst day! LOL
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What is to give light must endure burning -- Viktor Frankl
