As outlined in the article linked above, there was a fair amount of body work required on the car.   In addition, we required a good used headlight, the grille repaired and re-chromed, a NOS grille mesh and new chrome strips from the Classic Centre.   During the repair there was evidence of previous minor accident damage which is now better than before.   These cars were very solidly built, so there was nothing that couldn’t be fixed.

Obviously as well as the repair work the front part of the car needed to be repainted.  All Classic Car restorations, who did the work did a great job.  I actually got the car back a couple of weeks ago, and was planning to take a few nice photos.  However, we’re back in COVID-19 lockdown here in Sydney.  The best I can do is the car parked, ready to be used again in a couple of months. I have taken it on a few short drives to buy essentials, but that is all.

While the car was in the shop, I had them fit rear lap/sash seatbelts so my kids can ride in the car.   Despite what I was told, there were original mounting points for the shoulder belt hiding under the trim.

Of course, one of those short drives resulted in a flat tyre, so I hope any back luck I have with the car is now behind me!    I don’t think its related to the crash, but I am still trying to work out the cause of a stutter or miss that the car sometimes has.   Plugs are fairly new, although it would have been started and moved around the workshop a bit when it was being fixed.   A few good long drives might even sort that one out.   I hope I can still display the car at the MBCNSW event later this year.  Unfortunately, it’s looking less and less likely.

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The front chassis, wing and bonnet are now all painted and they look perfect.   The leading edge of the bonnet got a few scratches from the Kangaroo’s head.  the area of the wing just to the left of the grille took the brunt of the damage.   You certainly would not know now.

The front wing is quite an interesting shape with the headlight bucket and the front area next to the grille.   It doesn’t seem like something you could easily just ‘stamp’ out.

The bonnet is going to look really good with the repaired grille on it.   The 250SE is painted 180 Silver Grey.   You can see the difference of the colour when its parked next to a later silver like Astral Silver.

By early next week the panels should be back on the car and just waiting the grille and various bits to arrive.   The grille mesh is coming from Egypt, but it still hasn’t left there for some reason.   Possibly not as many flight options as before COVID.

I’m really looking forward to getting this car back on the road and behind the wheel again.     I’m really happy with how the 250SE crash repair is going.   They are doing a great job on the car.

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As part of the process, I helped them track down some parts.   The grille shell will need to be repaired as they are no longer available.   The two door models are different from the sedans.   However, I was able to find a new old stock mesh in Egypt, and the classic centre still sell the grille strips.     We also found a very good condition used headlight and surround.

The repairs on the car are progressing well.   They are doing a really nice job and the car is going to be even better than before.

The main damage was on the drivers side between the headlight and the grille.   You can see from the picture above that this is now mostly fixed and the bumper support repaired as well.  There was actually a little previous collision damage in this area, not really a surprise for a car over 50 years old with nearly 300,000 miles.

As well as the damage to the front of the car, there was also damage to the passengers side wing.   The area around the headlight had been pushed in and the piece that joins onto the front was quite badly damaged.

After a few final repairs, the next stage will be painting.   There is no rush as we are waiting for the repaired grille to come back as well as some of the parts to arrive from overseas.    I imagine I will be driving the car again in July.

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Along the way I also witnessed a procession of pre-war Rolls-Royce cars on the Putty road.    It is great to see these cars being driven and used on the road.     It is really nice to get out on the open road in such a great cruising car.    I hadn’t actually planned to take the 250SE on that drive, but the day was so nice it was perfect for it.   Sunny and low 20s.

Unfortunately, I ran into another problem – literally.   As the route took longer than I expected, I ended up on some back roads at dusk.  I slowed down because wildlife is very active at this time.     That didn’t stop me impacting a Kangaroo in the 250SE, the car I would have least wanted to damage.

The W111 cars are pretty tough so despite the impact, the damage is fixable.   The drivers side headlight is pretty much destroyed, but spare headlights are easy to come by as they are shared with the sedans.   The bodywork around the headlight is damaged, but is fixable.    There is slight damage to the grille, and perhaps the bumper, although I am not sure at this stage.

For overseas readers, Kangaroos are a real menace on the roads here in Australia.   Their population numbers can swing rapidly in the flood/drought cycle.   They are also unpredictable – they can jump towards cars, and jump into their path.   As they jump rather than walk or run, it can be hard to gauge what direction they are going to turn.   The wheels I have my my 450SLC came off a car wrecked due to Kangaroo impact.

I have lodged my insurance claim, contacted my preferred repairer, and started checking on parts.   In the off chance they still sell them, I contacted the Classic Centre to see if grille shells are still available.  Mine is dented and has three small tears.    Not surprisingly, they are no longer available, so mine will need to be repaired.    The idea that Mercedes-Benz sell all the parts for their older models is a myth.   They are still better than most, but fewer and fewer parts are available as the cars age.     The grille shell is not shared with the sedan, so is extremely rare used.

I’m obviously pretty upset about the damage to my 250SE.   However, I would rather occasionally damage the cars through use than have them sit as garage queens.    The joy of owning these cars is the experiences you have with them, not possessing them.

The Mercedes-Benz club is having a Paul Bracq day in late May.   I was planning on taking this car.   I hope I can have it repaired by then.

Before I hit the Kangaroo, I was able to snap a nice sunset photo of the car.

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