MatraSport Forum

General Matra related => General Discussion => Topic started by: Bart_Maztra on November 22, 2008, 09:49:41 pm



Title: beetle and merc
Post by: Bart_Maztra on November 22, 2008, 09:49:41 pm
Got some more cars now. It's a 1969 vw beetle and a 1970 merc 250 coupe.  They belong to my sister and brother-in-law. The cars have been stationair for about 10 years in a shed.  The shed must be demolished so the cars had to go.  So now i got them.

Both cars had there last apk (mot) about 10 years ago.  My plan is to try to get new mot with a less effort as possible. And have a bit of fun with it the next summer, and then sell them.  If mot is not easily possible, then also sell it.

(http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y96/matramurena/kev.jpg)

(http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y96/matramurena/merc.jpg)



Title: Re: beetle and merc
Post by: krede on November 23, 2008, 11:29:09 am
Ahhh... I have wanted a Beetle myself for quite some time......And I'm gonna buy one... as soon as I have acquired an Opel Manta, a Ford Capri, a Volvo Amazon a Mk II Toyota Supra, a Bagheera, A SECOND MURENA!, a Honda CRX, and, and, and, and.... and a place to keep them all  ;D


Ps: Your merc looks bloody AWESOME!! , If I had a place to store it , I'd take it off your hands right away!!  :-\

Pps: Yes!... surprise.. I like old cars... :o


Title: Re: beetle and merc
Post by: Bart_Maztra on November 23, 2008, 01:49:57 pm
My parents have an old farm with some empty barns. Lots of space to store some extra car's.

(http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y96/matramurena/DSC00809-640.jpg)

(http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y96/matramurena/DSC00812-640.jpg)

The mercedes's issues ofwhich i am aware of are: locked brakes, poor automatic gear and poor running on petrol. It runs fine on LPG (i'm told).  The brakes are sorted now. It was quite a bit of work. All the cups in all calipers were fixed. It was a very big struggle to get them loose.  The calipers were threated with new rubbers and new pads. 
All the brake hoses were blocked. That was a suprise, because they looked ok to me. No dry cracks on the outside. So i replaced the brake hoses aswell.  Next thing to do is an APK (mot). Not that i'm confident that the car will be aproved, but to learn what is wrong with the car. It has some rust, but i hope that's not an issue. If there is any welding needed, or any other major repairs, i will sell it straight away.

(http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y96/matramurena/DSC00819-640.jpg)

The beetle's issues are: brakes and rust.
The drum brakes are in a horrible state.  Very rusty and all the adjusting mecanism were rusted solid.  They needs to be renewed, aswell the brake shoes and hydraulics and hoses and master cilinder.  But i renewed none of this. Just treated the drum brakes with a wire brush and loads of penetrating oil.  The brakes are kind of working now. Don't want to spend money to it.  First i want to do an APK test to see how bad the rust is.  If rust is no problem for the apk, then i will renew the brakes.
The engine starts and runs fine, and all the electrics are working.

(http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y96/matramurena/kaverr.jpg)

(http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y96/matramurena/kaver.jpg)

The difference a bucket of water can make 8)


Title: Re: beetle and merc
Post by: krede on November 23, 2008, 02:45:46 pm
Well.. if you decide to sell the Merc at some point, send me a message.. :)


Title: Re: beetle and merc
Post by: Bart_Maztra on February 21, 2009, 08:41:45 pm
little update,
Both cars went to the apk (mot).
The beetle need some welding underneath. And the front suspension is rotten, and to much play on the steering box, and bad brakes, and rusted brake lines.
Then the mercedes. Overall, not to bad! Only a rusted trailing arm. And the radiator start leaking  :-\, but that's not an apk issue.

The beetle is now for sale. Don't want to spend more time on it.

The mercedes is now on the operation table.

(http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y96/matramurena/DSC01000-640.jpg)

One trailing arm needs to be replaced. Taking off the trailing arm is a bit of a pain. The two bolts which is holding it, can't be reached. The only way to remove them is taking the complete rear suspension frame off.  So now i need to take off both brake calipers, brake lines, springs, dampers, drive shafts, exhaust, parking brake lines, etc.


Title: Re: beetle and merc
Post by: Oskar on February 24, 2009, 09:00:20 pm
omg  nice cars and no sleep at night :)

thats almost as much job as having a girlfriend


Title: Re: beetle and merc
Post by: krede on February 24, 2009, 09:05:38 pm
....AND THIS JUST IN, FROM THE HEALTH AND SAFETY DEPARTMENT!!!

Seriously Bart.. that looks rather dangerous to me!


Title: Re: beetle and merc
Post by: Oskar on February 24, 2009, 09:19:27 pm
hardcore  ;D 8)


Title: Re: beetle and merc
Post by: lewisman on February 24, 2009, 09:41:43 pm
....AND THIS JUST IN, FROM THE HEALTH AND SAFETY DEPARTMENT!!!

Seriously Bart.. that looks rather dangerous to me!

Nonsense.  Safe enough.  There is a bit of string tying the car to the roof of the garage. :)

It probably looks worse in the photo.  Just be careful when you are underneath it!