W116 Convertible

[motec 6.9]

The W116 Convertible project from our Victorian member is now on the road pictured on face book.

 

[Helmet]

Looks very nice.

 

[Michel]

love it....
so Kool

 

[Andrew280SEL]

Wow, I have to admit, the W116 has a sweet-as shape for this look.

 

[260ebenz]

Have seen the W116 convertible on the OZBENZ Forum before.

Very impressive looking car no doubt about that!

http://www.ozbenz.net/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=11271&start=50

 

[Styria]

There is no doubt that this is quite a remarkable and beautiful looking car. Naturally, there have been quite a number of pics. on TK previously (as well !), and the owner has carried out a wonderful restoration, as well as modifications - not to forget.

However, when looking at this picture - what is quite remarkable ? Just looki at the throng of people looking at the car. Regards Styria

 

[motec 6.9]

No need to go to other forums Dave is a member here and has visited this month. http://www.topklasse.org/forums/showthread.php?t=5159

 

[motec 6.9]

Here are more photos from the same day.

 

[Michel]

What can I say more?
The factory should've built one!

 

[motec 6.9]

Apparently he is taking it to another show this weekend. Its even in your style Michel.

 

[Michel]

Its even in your style Michel.

YOU bet it is..

 

[Oversize]

I've seen it here before and on FB. Really beautiful and yes the factory should've made something similar. Great news it's on the road and driving around. I'd be interested to see what was done under the car to compensate for the loss of the roof since the roof structure is amazingly strong on a w116

 

[motec 6.9]

I would imagine bracing and that would probably be hidden where rear doors have been welded .

 

[Oversize]

So anyone know what happened to Dave and his amazing car?? Looks like he was living down Colac way (VIC).

 

[c107]

So anyone know what happened to Dave and his amazing car?? Looks like he was living down Colac way (VIC).

It is still registered according to vicroads, so I guess he still has it but is not active on forums/social media etc.

 

[Oversize]

Well the car is popping up again, so I hope I get to speak to the owner about the build sometime soon!

 

[Styria]

Even though I have responded to this thread previously, I have to admit that I cannot even remember the car, nor having done so. An absolute brain fade. Neat the $200K. mark ? I guess it depends on who one talks to. There are two schools of thought - originality and modified. I will have a little more to say on this subject matter elsewhere, but for the time being, I jealously look at this creation and wish it were mine. As an observation, I am surprised that the two gents in the photo appear take it upon themselves to use the bonnet as a writing desk. Regards Styria

N.B. Mark, as a matter of interest, have you ever been able to fossick out more details about the restoration and modifications that have been carried out. Re-reading my post, it is obvious that my questions should be directed to another person.

 

[c107]

I would be curious how he was able to strengthen it properly to keep the structural rigidity.

 

[Styria]

I share your curiosity relating to stiffness of body and chassis of the 116s. Working on Gleaming Beauty, say with either front or back wheel sections jacked up individually, one will experience a slight binding when opening doors during the process, indicating some twisting of the body. Under normal driving conditions, pottering around the suburbs, or 110 or 120 km/hrs. on a Freeway will not show up any handling issues. However, whilst I have never driven GB past 170 km/hr with no apparent handling issue, I would probably be less confident at 200 to 220 kms./hour.
Just as an aside, when comparing the 6.9 (my own anyway) rear suspension traction on loose or gravel surfaces with the Rover 3500S De Dion rear suspension, the set-up of the Rover is far more tractable and re-assuring. The De Dion set-up, used very much by Sports Cars of the '50s and 60s, is simply brilliant in putting the power down where it counts. Regards Styria

 

[Oversize]

My experience has show the w116 to be extremely rigid to the point I have been able to lift a whole car on one jack stand and a trolley jack (not intentional it just happened)! There was no noticeable distortion in the chassis during the process. Any other car of the era would bend like a banana and there’s no way that feat could be achieved. In addition, when I had the opportunity to cut up a car for spare parts I found it to be extremely rigid and did not distort until I was almost down to individual sections. Some areas are triple layered around the sunroof and pillars which makes them so safe even now…