Garage Find Mercedes Benz R107 'Dallas' SL survivor - sat over 20 yeaes
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- Опубликовано: 24 авг 2022
- Barn Find Mercedes Benz SL R107 survivor - Will its V8 start? For this barn find, the car in question is a Mercedes built during what is widely regarded as the finest era for German robust engineering and build quality. Having owned a handful of 1980s era Mercs, and upon discovering the car was languishing only a few miles from where Jonny was born and raised, he had to film this convertible garage find.
We were contacted on the show by a viewer called Ben Drew, whose parents bought a 1981 R107 380 SL Merc when living in America during the 1990s. Ben was only a lad, but he remembers living in San Diego, and his Mum always fancying a 'Dallas spec' (or Beverly Hills Cop spec, depending on your preference) SL. His Dad has never been a car person, but agreed and they found this car for sale in a copy of Auto Trader. That was 1995.
Being a 380 it is a 3.8-litre V8 - the first of the then-new design alloy V8s - and being a US spec car, said 3.8 isn't the most powerful. US market cars were somewhat strangled for smog regs, which wouldn't be such an issue if Mercedes hadn't decided to use a single row cam chain (as opposed to a duplex). These were prone to failure, and many engines ended up lunching themselves and being replaced under warranty.
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DO YOU KNOW OF A CAR THAT MIGHT BE WORTHY OF JONNY HELPING TO UNEARTH ON VIDEO? DO YOU OWN A CAR IN A BARN/HEDGE/GARAGE THAT MIGHT JUST RUN OR NEED A NEW HOME? Email the Late Brake Show via contact@thelatebrakeshow.com
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Filmed by: Nick Poole www.nickpoolecreator.com/
Edited by: Alex Tyler filmthistyler.co.uk/
Thumbnail by: Matt Tarrant Design matttarrantdesign.com
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Jonny Smith
Creative content maker, car presenter & car pervert for hire since '98
Website: www.carpervert.com
Instagram: / jonnycarpervert
Twitter: / carpervert
CHAPTERS
0:00 Intro
#barnfind #mercedessl #thelatebrakeshow 
Авто/Мото
I really thought when Jonny said “one more time for luck”
It was burst into life.
He looked knackered towards the end, the amount of time and effort that goes into these videos deserves praise.
Thank you Adam. Got to say I was gutted (and tired!), and it is hard to see comments from people when they presume you can turn up to barnfinds with an RAC van full of spare parts and tools. I'm not a trained mechanic, and we do what we can with the tools and time we have. I intentionally don't recce the barn finds first, so that it remains authentic and honest. Thank you for enjoying the films. Jonny
@@TheLateBrakeShow Any upcoming car caves? Probably my favourite series. But who doesn't love a barn find.
@@TheLateBrakeShow For me, this is actually a huge part of the appeal of your barn find series. Sometimes you succeed and sometimes you don´t, but it is always very entertaining to watch the process. What you´re doing here is exactly what most of us would be able to do in a similar situation, not having a crack-team of specialists or bringing every possible tool and a load of parts to a barn in the middle of nowhere. Not knowing the outcome makes it so much more interesting to watch. The way you present this show makes it feel like I´m in the barn with you lot, having a look and getting my hands dirty.
I love this type of content, so please don´t change your approach to it.
Would love to see you do a series revisiting these barnfinds, showing the restoration/recommissioning work done and the cars brought back to life.
Yes Julian, this is part of the plan.
K-Jet really doesn't like being left to sit for years. The injectors need to be removed, pressure gauge attached and fuel pump jumped to just see what's what. There's a better than even chance the warm up regulator will need refurbing and a new set of injectors. Possibly also the meeting head although they can be made to come back to life with a bit of time in the oven on low and a soaking in acetone. It isn't a simple job, but once they're up and running and regularly used, will go for years.
Spot on advice 👌🏽👍🏽
And the pump is not supposed to be running all the time either.Spraying fuel and holding the airflap dwon is a sure fire way to flood and hydraulic lock one.
Yeah but there's not really time to do that in a garage find 25 minute episode.
Agree 100% , injector spray test cabinet at a minimum..
Most likely gummed closed & no activation / spray..
@@Mercmad do you mean hydro-lock ?
We need a part TWO so we can actually listen to this motor that you've tickled and teased our ears with for the last half hour!!
Nice to see the fleece has been collected from the hotel and back in barn find action
After the 'ain't no saint' Volvo, this is also taking me back to being a kid again. Memories of Hart to Hart on the tv lol!!! 😄
There's something lovely about the way you approach these barn finds Jonny. Your attitude and kindness really make the videos.
Cheers Martin
Not for a lack of trying Jonny, we all admire that!
Being a child of the 70/80s Everytime i see a 80`s Merc SL i just think of watching Hart to Hart with my granny even if not the correct spec for that show ,weird is nostalgia innit 😆😏
Its good to see the BFF after the hotel debacle! This is a fantastic story of the SL's history and love for their car.
Great fun! I wouldn't be surprised if the starter motor was the issue. Seemed like it was the weakest link, not able to operate at full speed. Might be the battery cables to it have broken down I suppose, not giving it enough current. Great cars. My dad's oldest mate had one in the 70s, always seemed unimaginably flash to me.
We were on the edge of our seats WILLING to start but sadly not! We can forgive the sleeping beauty after 20 years! Jonny, maybe take a look at Machine Mart & get a lithium - ion jump starter kit ready for your next fantastic barn find? Really enjoyed it never the less👍 Thanks
Thank you Steve. I was gutted. As you say I need a serious power pack. I didn't take one to this as the owner assured me they had one (however it wasn't properly charged, sigh).
What he needs is a 240v 100amp starter/charger. Most of these garages will have electric or just an extension lead and you have all the starting capacity you'll ever need!
I’ve just imported a 1989 560sl based on your DIY import video. Almost all went to plan. Brilliant car drives like a dream on the country Cotswolds roads. Thanks Jonny 👍🏻
Hi John, that's so good to hear. Really chuffed for you.
@@TheLateBrakeShow Come for a drive if you are in the area! 👍
Very Hart to Hart. I quite like these US spec SL's. Probably due to growing up in the early 80s when television was fun to watch.
Another brilliant Barn find episode. I absolutely love these - keep em coming!!!
Definitely need a power pack sponsor too! One of those ones that starts anything!
Very nice! Top tip for storing a car long term, Jonny. I got this from an old bloke with a mint mk3 Zodiac that's been in storage for over 12 years. Leave the doors open & place several cheapo plastic shopping bags on the carpets, in the boot & engine bay. The rodents use them for nests & don't attack upholstery, wiring, etc! His mint Aldrige interior was testament to that. Cheers. Leigh.
You have to count in food supply when wrenching with mates, all the time! I made that mistake often :D
The unique history....one persons rally racing heritage...crazy potential..
These videos are so damn cozy man, never stop doing these!
Many thanks. Glad you enjoy them.
So excited when I seen this car, please come back to it 😭
I've always adored SL cars. I'm on my second one. 2007 SL550 WITH 18,000 MILES. Bright red, black leather. Stunning.
Great story, video and production really enjoy these barn finds and the effort you go through to research and of course the passion. What a RUclipsr and even have the kindnesses to interact with your subscribers. Thanks Johnny 👍
Thank you so much.
Love this episode Jonny. Thank you.
Another great instalment of a find. Thanks Johnny & chaps. The video quality and production is really professionally edited and presented, makes for great viewing.
Worked on those 40 years ago, fuel system was a bugger for water contamination and timing chains, we used to change them in situe, grinding off the old chain links and drawing the new chain through the engine, built like tanks but not without their faults.
Nothing quite like a cinematic fleece toss, well done👌
Nice video Johnnie…I really enjoy how you interact with everyone…just so natural and genuinely friendly…nice one 👍👏
Brilliant episode Jonny, thoroughly enjoyed it. Lovely, interesting car that looks in very good condition. Was willing the old girl for fire up, but as we know there is only so much you can do in the time you have.
I know how hard you try to get these barn finds started.
Thanks also to Ben for sharing this car with us car enthusiasts.
Oh bless you, fella - you looked absolutely exasperated... I was sat here, just willing the old girl to fire up - I imagine the accompanying cheer of success would've been something to behold...!!
I guess we're just going to have to wait a wee bit longer for that moment, eh...
The R107 SL holds a particular place in my heart.
Back in '88, I got a job in a local Merc car sales showroom and the MD ran a 500SL in Blue Black metallic with cream leather interior - the classic MB combination.
And it was in this car, in August 1988, that I took my, now wife, out on our 'engagement date' to a local restaurant where I proposed - thankfully, she said "yes"... ❤
So, thank you, Jonny, for bringing back such a wonderful memory - always great work, fella. 👍
I bloody love these episodes!!!!
Thanks! Always interesting to see the story behind this barnfinds.
It’s peoples life stories that go with these cars…..👍 another top episode👏
My dad had a 280SL back in 1983 , absolutely gorgeous cars ,also in white 😍
Fabulous… my dad had a 350sl back in the day. I remember at the beginning of summer helping him remove the hard top to store in the shed so he could use the hidden soft top. Then heft it back on at the beginning of September. PS I would love to get a hold of that garage and ‘sort it out’👌
Yep never mind the car, I wanna refurb that garage 💜💜
Man everytime I am ready to give up and sell my B3 audi 80 I watch one of these barn finds and it gives me hope! I will fix and daily it!
I’d love that Audi 2.0engine for a certain VW I own!
When Mercedes and words greatest automotive engineering occupied the same sentence.
Another cracking video, always great to hear the family stories behind the cars , such a shame you could not get it to fire up after all your hard work . Definitely needs a part two otherwise it will be the one that got away from you and bug you. This car needs bringing back to life , far too good to leave not working and driving.
Really look forward to watching these Barn Finds. This episode no exception…had thoughts of Dynasty & Heart To Heart & Magnum PI 🕵🏻♂️..such an iconic Mercedes & car. Love to see it’s running again…🤞🏻
Love these cars they always remind me of Dallas and JR Ewing, my mother’s neighbour had a 70s one in the early 80s.
Time to own one?
Oh wow, I love to see this beauty restored to its original specs, I think this car is worth the effort. Happy restoring
Jonny, you're awesome. The Fleece strikes again !!!! 💪💪💪💪 Glad that Premier Inn looked after it for you 🤗 That needs to go in Danny's Mercedes collection !!!
Really enjoy these barn finds. I'm sitting going "come on, come on, fire up".
Shame it didn't but still hugely enjoyable watching your endeavors.
Needed some quick start to spray down the throttle body, and a super sized starter pack!
I was doing that with a bottle of fuel.
many thanks! watching you go through this was much more time / cost / psyche / effort efficient than me doing it for the 53rd time in my life. (but you got quality time w/ your Dad... overrides the rest.) & you aren't far off. you are among the most honest autotubers out there... show us the good, bad, ugly... & beautiful.
Many thanks, appreciate that. I hate it when a car beats us on camera, but that's the way it goes. The next barn find fired up.
Another great episode, I really thought it was going to start on that last try. I had an 1982, same engine. Fuel metering head was the issue for me, took me weeks to find one, finally got a replacement on eBay, came from the US. I don’t have the car anymore, kept the old broken part and use it as a paperweight.
Goodness me, I was willing it to start….how frustrating….great find 👍
Was wanting to jump through the screen and check the starter motor earth!
Another cracking find, damn shame she wouldn't fire but these old cars do like to try us!
need to get yourself one of those big garage type starter packs on wheels...
This might be one of my favourite episodes!
Cheers Ross! Sorry I didn't get it to fire.
@@TheLateBrakeShow still great content regardless 😊
Wow, if I ever had a classic or two, one of those SL’s would be in the collection for damned sure. Lovely bit of kit
Love these barn find vids!
The BFF is in the intro ! You know its going to be good!!👍 thanks for the upload Jonny awesome as always man!!👍
I loved the incidental music after you gave up trying to start the car which mimicked the sad non-starting cadence on the engine! Nice job sir
Such a pretty car!
Ben's garage door entrance aesthetics/summer garage atmos scores quite highly
I am in California happy to see a survivor car, have had a 380 and a 500 both were a lot of work to keep maintained hope this one gets to see service again
Lovely that you were able to share this with u dad, Jonny
Awsome car, story and video😎👏🇳🇴
Love your channel Jonny. Videos like this are just fantastic to watch.
This video is as British as it gets. You blokes are wonderful!
You must promise to continue these Barn Find videos - So relaxing and interesting to watch - Brilliant as always, lovely car too
Yes, promise a follow up.
Hi Johnny brilliant episode this car needs recommissioning and put back on the road where it belongs please keep us all updated wherever this car ends up same goes for all the cars that you rediscover
Love the dedication
What ashame was hoping to hear this one light into life well done for trying though guys 👍🏽👍🏽
Episode 2 possible? Would be amazing to see it fully detailed and running!
Let me see. I reckon it will run. There was a strong spark
@@TheLateBrakeShow Jonny, good tip my brother used to do when he had a a Rover V8 in his A series Manta was use a Truck / Forklift battery to start the bugger. Something so large it doesn't get drained quickly.
As said K-jettronic can be a bugger at the best of times. Fair play for trying though!
Very nice old car
I knew a guy in the oil business years ago who had a 450SL. We thought he was king of the world at that time...
I hear you on that. My dad used to work for Mercedes in Zimbabwe back in the mid-1980s. One day he borrowed a 380SL from the showroom and picked me up from school in it. I was the happiest kid in the world that day!
Was it JR Ewing?!
I own a w116 and another one before this one, but w107 will be always my dream car . Amazing machine!
I like the late brake shop better than normal tv
Fabulously honest entertainment as ever. That car is too good to scrap and will be running again in some form I'd imagine.
Ohhhhhh yes! I really like those barn find videos :D
You need a spin off show. That house looked really interesting, needed a look around!
As an owner-driver of Mercedes-Benzes for 20+ years--including one SL--I found this video interesting. That stated, it baffles me why anyone would not keep such a beautiful car in running condition. It always costs exponentially more to bring a neglected vehicle back into running condition. Either keep it in running condition & drive it & enjoy it, or sell it to someone who will & enjoy the money in another way. This is just common sense.
I suppose the point is, that very often, people who own these old cars don't care about them anywhere near as much as the petrolheads who watch this kind of channel..... !!
.....otherwise, perhaps they WOULD look after them - and then they wouldn't be barn finds.... !!!
@@andymccabe6712 Well put. In fact this afternoon I had a pleasant time doing an interior detailing of my car. I didn't have to, but if we have a nice car my view is we should keep it nice. :)
Great to see the old Mercedes what a lovely car what a shame you couldn’t get it to run love all the information where it come from and where it is now 👍🏻
I had a barn find Euro 380sl with 30k miles on it. The owner was a WW2 U.S. Air Force Vet that had passed away and his kids had left it in the garage for years.
I couldn’t even tell what color it was initially.
Best money I ever spent after the car had a good going through.
As usual Great video 2x👍
Arrgghh! So frustrating. I was sat there getting quite tense, willing that engine to start. A lovely car nonetheless. I hope it gets back in shape and back on the road soon. Also, hello to Jonny‘s dad, OTSOT
My dad was an enthusiastic Mercedes owner and driver. In his time, he was a Ford enthusiast and had a few up until a Grenada 2.8 or 3.0 (top spec) coupe, dark blue vinyl roof... And then he got his first Merc.
So, on sundays me and my dad visited a lot of car dealers and we also had on of the biggest Merc dealers in Germany in town. He always got me something, a car model, a shirt or one of these key chains. Sadly they tend to break.
A proper Bobby Ewing! Love it 😍
Jonny, one fantastic car just love an old Mercedes the bodywork looks spot on so seriously consider purchasing,this can only go one way even if it costs 5k to sort. This is a gem. Have another go, great video 📹 👍
Love the content as always 😀👍
Another good barn find Mr Jonny Smith. Always good to watch. But...You need to invest in a Snap On jump pack. They will start a battle ship. Will make your life so much easier when trying to start something that's not moved in a while.
Everyone on here telling you what you did wrong. I will say, you are doing it right, this video was lovely. You are the only channel I pay for Patreon. Thank you for these gems
You need to get yourself a starter pack Jonny! Give it a bit of umph. Cranking over far too slowly I believe. Nice one.
Made the bank holiday!! gr8 content cheers and what a car !!
lve this sort of stuff
Shame, good effort guys.
I couldn't believe you touched that paperwork with those oily hands though!
I was watching with my dad. It was always one of his favourites. Briefly explained your Mercedes interest and said "i wouldn't be surprised if he put a bid in for it" lol. The end you said you were tempted. Cracking show he was never really into TG but near the end was willing for it to turn over like I'm guessing we all we're lol. Great show and I'm sure if he wants to he won't have any problems with people interested in the car.
Great show as ever, good video drop lol 😉
Brilliant video and great effort trying to get it started. Sadly I think there must have been a bad electrical connection or a big draw somewhere that was causing the battery to drain so quickly. I have the same model and it doesn't have an especially large output battery. Fingers crossed for better luck on the next one! Cheers
I think Jonny should do follow up videos of the ones that got away, and check their progress
Great idea Richard. Hold that thought.
I have a 78 450sl w/ 74,000 miles. in the "American " livery.
great cars!
Sorry Jonny, that car was never going to go. The Ktronic needed a refub, and I think the starter motor and the battery cables needed work too. But that really doesn't mater that it wouldn't start. The video is looking at a barn find and the history behind the car. I am so glad you are now taking the plugs out and putting some lube down each cylinder.
Ohhhh The tension!!!!!! What you need is a trolley with a "Starter Kit"....... Buckets of WD and Tons of 12 volt POWER..... That said... She is a beautiful Motor.... :-))))
I needed all that.
@@TheLateBrakeShow Great to see your attempt though Jonny... Keep em coming.... :-))
Sounds very tight
Check the Earth points and run a cable from Negative battery terminal to the block near the starter
Maybe the starter was a bit gummed up? Best episodes on RUclips👍
Got to love an r107!..