MOTORING INVESTMENTS' CURRENT INVENTORY LIST

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NEW!  MOTORING INVESTMENTS' ONLINE 280SL BUYER'S GUIDE.

NEW!  VIEW THE PROGRESS OF OUR CURRENT 280SL RESTORATION!

NEW!  WHAT ARE OUR CLIENTS SAYING ABOUT US?

New arrivals are at the top.  Scroll down to see everything.
(note, to see past solds go to the specific "Make's Page".)

1986 Carrera coupe - original survivor!

Finding a 26 year old Porsche in substantially original, unsullied condition is quite unusual. Even rarer is one that has escaped nearly three decades with only about 60,000 real miles and without a repaint. This one even has all of its original leather that is still soft and supple and an interior that smells new inside. It is not technically a show car since it is street driven but it hardly has even a ding on it.

I sold this Carrera to its second owner in 2001 when it only had 35k miles. It came from a collector who had a 27 car collection and was downsizing at that time. Then recently my client came to me since he had other priorities for the money and it entered my stable once again.

The next challenge is to find an example that will pass a technical inspection by a Porsche specialist like this one does; from an independent Porsche shop’s report:

Cylinder leak down test:
1-2% 2-6% 3-4% 4-4% 5-3% 6-2% (all excellent with very clean spark plugs).

Fuel filter was replaced 6-09 @ 58267 miles. Removed and back flushed filter and sample was completely clear with no dirt or moisture. Records indicate a full service and alternator replacement was done at that time.

Brakes are in overall excellent condition. Rotor surface is very smooth and brakes do not look to ever have been used aggressively. Caliper dust boots look good for their and are not torn or cracked open.
Front; rotors 22.90 mm, (min. 22.10mm/new 24mm) pads 8.2mm (min 2mm/new 10mm)
Rear; rotors 23.10mm (min. 22.10mm/new 24mm) pads 7.8 mm (min 2mm/new 10mm)
Brake fluid measures 2% moisture and as a preventative measure should be replaced within the next 6 months.

A/C was converted to R-134a on 9/6/2008 and was last charged on 7-23-2010 @ 60,715 miles

The technician commented that this Porsche drives as if it was four years old and it was 1990 again. He also indicated that: the car has never been abused, engine running and drivability are excellent hot and cold and the transmission shifting and clutch operations are flawless. Service records are included.

Click on the photo to see much more!

$29,500

1964 Corvette Roadster

We bought this from a fellow who spent a reported $70,000 building it as a open road street racer & put just 2000 miles on it. We've since run it through our award winning restoration shop preparing it for street use (New: Alternator, water pump, choke system, lights, performance street clutch, brakes, etc., etc. It features Summit Racing heads, with EPS performance intake manifold, Richmond 5-speed manual transmission, limited slip diff., carbon fiber door side bolsters tied into the roll hoops add stiffness to the structure.

Click on the small photo to see much more PLUS the driving VIDEO!

$34,500
 

1971 Mercedes 280SL

I have the distinct pleasure to represent an exceptionally restored example of a true 1971 280 SL( built Jan. 1971 ). This vehicle, 113-044-12-23247, is a proper restoration that was done at enormous expense. Its extensive file of receipts shows over $54K in restoration work performed by the esteemed Hatch & Sons of Wayland, MA, as well as $15K in interior leather re-trimming and soft top work from Gernold Nisius of SL Tech. Clearly, previous owners sought out only the most respected Mercedes craftsmen to care for this vehicle and it shows.  It’s also important to note that this is a fully documented, low-mileage (66K) Pagoda. As such, it retains rare features like its original cognac multi-loop carpet.

 The paint is a flawless #268 dark green (original color) that could only be described as exhibiting the “depth” that distinguishes expensive paint work. Panel fit is perfect and as-new, including the chrome grill. Sides are absolutely flat and ripple-free. Every telltale sign of originality is preserved throughout the body — spot welds, notches, body numbers, engine number, everything. Chrome work is fresh throughout, as is a full, recent cognac leather interior. The seats, door panels, dashboard, A-pillars, and even the glove box are all wrapped or lined in cognac leather.

 Also in the interior are an original Becker Europa AM/FM radio connected to a period-correct Hirschman antenna, updated inertia-reel seatbelts, re-finished wood, the optional rear defrost unit found in 1971 Pagodas, and even a pair of original soft top/hardtop handles in their original case.

 As you would expect, you’ll find the trunk finished in unmarked satin black throughout with all the original factory mats and interior wall trim. You’ll also see its original Firestone Phoenix spare tire, as well as an original cognac MB-Tex toolkit that’s complete right down to the rare factory fuse pliers.

 A true Coupe/Roadster, this Pagoda comes equipped with its original matching hard top (with optional roof garnishing), as well as a new, flawless, dark brown soft top that fits it like the proverbial glove. The soft top frame itself is straight and operates exactly as it should. (The rear window retains its tension when pulled up and does not flop down as so many do today after almost 40 years of use.)

 Mechanically, this Pagoda is equally impressive. It drives exactly as the factory intended with strong acceleration and absolutely no smoke or undue valve clatter. It sports a fresh suspension, stainless exhaust system, and original floors that have undercoating applied exactly as it looked when it left the factory.

 All in all, this is a pedigreed, no-excuses, true 1971 280SL that is worthy of a world-class collection. It comes with references, extensive paperwork, and even a detailed log of its Hatch & Sons restoration. It can be driven and enjoyed today and needs absolutely nothing except an owner who can appreciate its distinct integrity throughout.
Was $102,500  Now Winter-time sale priced at $82,500!      Photo Page
 

1979 MGB (super original)

This is a very original, unmolested MGB w/Overdrive. Absolutely rust-free and crash-free. It still has its factory original vermilion paint on all of the floors, inside and out. This San Diego, California car has travelled a total of just 83,831 miles and had a top end engine rebuild in '09 with few miles since (new rod brgs, rings etc.). The standard cylinder bore pretty much guarantees the actual mileage. Also quite incredibly, the exhaust system is totally factory original! This is almost unheard of since they are just mild steel and most have rusted away and been replaced. Fully serviced in our shop and drives like a new MGB. Please have a look at the photos.

$12,500

Click on the photo to see more including our driving video.

1958 Mercedes 220SE Cabriolet

This California car has just 48,717 original miles, is stunning in every way and drives outstandingly.

Please see our photo page for more details including an appraisal done in 2009 (almost no miles done since that time!)

$175,000

Photos

1986 560SL

Two California owners, 62,000 actual miles, never damaged, original paint. All books, manuals and records included. 

$22,500

Photos

1973 450SL

This car is only available due to the collector making room for other cars.

With the best Pagodas selling for more than $100,000 it is only a small matter of time before the R107 cars start to move. At the forefront will be the very best, original cars and they will always be more desirable that a restored car. A great one will also be less expensive to buy than a poor one will be to restore.

There are various killers of collector cars, let’s discuss them:

RUST
We all know that cars from the U.S. Midwest, Great Briton or Europe have all nearly rusted into the ground and gone back to their basic elements by now. 

This car has spent its whole life in California and appears to never even have been driven in rain. Its undercarriage still carries factory original undercoating. There is absolutely no rust whatsoever even at the bottoms of the fenders and the wells in the trunk.

SUN
If rust is the biggest killer in cold or humid climates at the other extreme, cars from very warm climates like California tend to have cracked dashes, crispy weather seals and sun bleached paint. 
Interiors suffer the ravages of sun, spilled soft drinks (or the other kind if we are talking of the “old days”), oversized American gluttonous maximi, friction, beach sand or sharp objects in the back pocket. Vinyl is kept flexible due to chemical plasticizing agents blended into the polymer. This is the “new car smell” that we are familiar with. These agents have various levels of volatility.  Bake an interior in the sun for twenty years and a lot of them disappear. Well they don’t actually disappear.  They tend to coat the inside of the glass with a haze that you must clean off periodically. When the plasticizers leave the vinyl it becomes hard, brittle and tends to shrink and crack.

This car has always been garage kept and the fastidious only owner always had seat covers protecting the original upholstery. The interior is 100% original except for the seat padding.  We carefully removed the original seat covers, replaced the pads and then put the original covers back on, photo documenting the whole process. Even the original rubber weather seals are still present some with a “1973” date stamp.

DEFERRED MAINTENANCE
 This is an economic killer. Many interesting cars don’t get maintained due to the fact of the required servicing costing more than the value of the car or the cars are owned by people of moderate means who don’t maintain them.

We have a stack of service records for this car from Mercedes-Benz of San Diego but we went even further.  I pretended I was a fussy client with an unlimited budget and told my shop foreman to go through the car mechanically as if it was his own personal car.  $23,000 later there is nothing left to do but drive and enjoy.

MODIFICATIONS
When cars have multiple owners it is very common to find aftermarket or “incorrect” equipment such as chrome wheel lip moldings, Italian steering wheels, cheap plastic dash caps and more. 

This car has none of that. It features correct, original equipment such as a Hirschman antenna, Becker stereo, etc. More remarkable still is that its early Mercedes cruise control unit (automatic speed control) is intact and still seems to work.

Of course nearly every single 37 year old Mercedes (or any car actually) regardless of whether it is from Los Angeles, London or Berlin has been repainted by now. Rust, crashes, scratches, sand storms, vandals or freezing and thawing plus good old el sol have all taken their toll and we want our precious cars to be pretty so eventually they all get re-painted. If extreme car is taken by the paint shop (read a lot of time and money is spent) a repaint is not a terrible thing.  It is just that a car that survives a long life with its beautiful original paint still intact is at a whole different level than a car with even a very expensive re-paint.  This is such an example.

After nearly 40 years most Mercedes have not escaped someone painting or undercoating the wheel wells black. This survivor still exhibits its original, correct body color painted wheel wells.

In conclusion, how do we adequately value or describe a car such as this that has escaped without needing a re-paint? Some use the term survivor or time-warp original. I’ve used the term, “holy grail” as my quest for perfect originals is rather like that 2000 year quest for the famous religious icon. This car could be the best, most original small bumper 450SL on this planet. It is very difficult to put a value on something like this which is so superior to similar models. I believe history will show this particular car to be an outstanding investment.

$36,900           Photos

1970 280SL - auto

The way we like to find them - an original San Diego car never rusted or crashed.  We have lavished hour upon hour on her in a sympathetic reconditioning to assure that she meets world-class Motoring Investments standards.  Fully documented with books, records, tools and even the original Phoenix Firestone spare tire!

$89,000

Photos

1974 TR6  - Sapphire/Shadow blue - Survivor with Overdrive & Factory Hardtop!

PRESERVATION CAR! This is a one family car with 66,000 actual miles and much original paint. Cars truly this original are quite rare. Take with a grain of salt statements of originality from sellers who have no supporting documents. Also be wary of oxy-morons like "all original - just restored" or boasts of low miles when all of the upholstery and carpet has been recently replaced. This car has an all original interior from the dash top to its wood fascia to its carpeting. Some of the items in this car cannot even be purchased new like the color coordinated velour wind laces in shadow blue. Even the seatbelt tags are dated "1974". Also here but usually long gone in these cars are the seatbelt "ports" for parking the buckle when not in use and the leather jack belt in the trunk. It has been fully serviced and tuned in our shop with consumable items like coolant hoses, etc. replaced. It drives just like Triumph intended and you cannot beat the sound of a straight six going through its gears under a freeway overpass or in a tunnel. VIN: 5018U0

Photos

36,500

1969 280SL - The Holy Grail (all non-service items are 100% original - yes, even the paint)

Probably the best, original 280SL in the world.  Please go to the photo page for all of the details.

This car will be perfect for the "Preservation class" at any international Concours d' Elegance.  There is a recent movement for extremely original cars and many industry insiders believe they should be valued much higher than even a "nut & bolt" restored car.  Auction results seem to back this up.  Recently a very original but tattered 300SL roadster sold for over $951,000.

$175,000

Photos
 

1961 Gyro Gearloose Special

This is a traditional sixties "American" style special.  It is based upon an MGA and features Buick V8 power (aluminum block).  It is very well done and drives great with lots of go!

$36,900

Photos

1968 Camaro Z28

This car is a 1968 Factory correct Z-28 Camaro, Lemans Blue with white stripes and standard blue interior. The car is a #1 show car and is flawless in virtually all aspects. It is a matching number MO302 with original 4-speed.
The car received a complete nut and bolt restoration to factory specs by the second owner.  It is a United States Camaro Club Diamond award winner. It was also the first ever Z-28 to receive the Certificate of Authenticity from the United States Camaro Club and the cover car for Camaro Enthusiast. This car has all original sheet metal, correct interior and complete original drive train. The documentation with the car includes all awards etc. This is one of the finest documented 1968 Z-28’s in the world!

Offered at $132,500       Click the photo for more........
 

Here are the details on some of the awards:
1.) The Diamond Award of Excellence was awarded by the US Camaro Club presented August 14th, 1994 at Dearborn, Michigan.
This is the highest United States Camaro Club Award.
The car received 976 out of 1000 possible points judged by five Camaro experts.

2.) United States Camaro Club Gold Award "Certified Gold" .
955 points High Honors presented to Mike Aldridge and his 1968 Camaro Hardtop.
8th Annual Camaro Nationals Convention-St. Louis, Missouri on July 10th, 1992.
Certification # 10020568NE921 Ken Moorhead, President.

3.) U.S. Camaro Club Certificate of Authenticity VIN # 124378N438730 presented to Mike Aldridge.
The United States Camaro Club documents this 1968 Camaro Hardtop Z/28 as authentic and original without exception.
This inspection authenticates major and minor components as original. The United States Camaro Club certified this Camaro at the 8th Annual Camaro Nationals Convention in St. Louis, Missouri on July 10, 1992.
Certificate of Authenticity # 10020568NE921 Ken Moorhead, President