1946 K1 Metro Restoration Thread

[geoffraynak]

so ... time to revive this thread!

I met with Mike at the Binder Bee this weekend ... and had a chance to talk to him about the progress.

Here are a few shots of the rail guides (see below)

I'll follow-up with a few glamor shots later!


cheers,
Geoff

[geoffraynak]

and here are some progress shots.
mostly of just the body.
everything looks amazing
one little wobble behind the passenger door
and one little holes above the rear drip gutter
but everything else looks super smooth, and straight

Next steps are likely:

1) fix the wobble and holes
2) we plan on replacing the existing roll-up door ... since it has the freakin' hole in it. ... but that should be easy-ish.
3) buff the roof
4) make sure the doors rolls straight and smooth
5) empty all the storage bits out of the inside ... then sand/prime/seal the inside


the one thing that still haunts me is the headlight bezels ... if anyone has any clue what type of bezel will fit, please let me know what and where. This one had more oval/point bezels ...not round ones like the KBs...

Okay ... that's all for now!
cheers,
geoff

[ollie]

looking good! I highly recommend investigating inside the belt line at the front, both sides. Huge rust trap on the inside, not too hard to get in there to repair and por 15, the moisture seemed to come down the inside of the windscreen pillars on my 57 and up from the wheel arch. You don't want to paint and then see rust bubbles! Also if you can get the interior tinwork out, the headlining etc, do. Get rid of the ancient asbestos stuff and replace with modern soundproofing and heat controlling materials after painting inside of roof.

I am nearly done with a very convoluted way of adding hidden electric wipes on mine, will share pictures shortly after the two steps forward, one step back process is done...

Be aware body flexes a lot when driving - I glued larger patch panels instead of welding to allow for movement.

[RadRidesByDan]

project is lookin good.....movin right along. Keep us posted on the updates.

[geoffraynak]

The ante has just been upped here ...
With a strange intuitive sense, I started nosing around for used MB 300 engines ... OM617.9XX to be specific. This is going to be the new heart and lungs for the K1M.

I emailed mercedessource in Bellingham, and in about 3 minutes they got back to me. Seconds before my email went through, a gentleman from Canada also sent them a note saying he had a 1981 300SD he had purchased but did not want to import into the Great White North.

A few email and phone calls later ... and this is mine:

I'm going to drive it back to Bend in a few weeks, and make sure it is 100% ready for transplant. I'll then coordinate with Mike and John.

Let the games begin!

cheers
geoff

[G-force]

Wow! subscribed. I'm going to look at a metro this weekend but would love to find an early bird like the one you have. How's the metal repair coming along?

[geoffraynak]

Thanks for the encouragement!

Metal work is going great (I think!)
Mike is a great plastic surgeon!

There is still the roof to complete ...
and the interior cladding
and the doors ...

but really humming along

Honestly, I've never seen anything for sale prior to 1948 ... ever
A few that claim earlier, but obviously older.

If I ever see anything, I'll be sure to share the details with you!

all the best,
Geoff

[geoffraynak]

Mike is done with the big stuff!!!!
Now I've got to go find John D and make sure he's ready.
Just need to put in a new timing chain into the mercedes engine and the marriage can begin.

cheers and happy friday!

[Jeff Jamison]

WOW that looks great.If you didnt notice it looks like there is a dent in the second picture on the roof inline with the back of the door.
Jeff

[geoffraynak]

SHHHHHHH

i know
i know
i know


there is also a hole in the step-up / wheel well in picture 3
as well as a gap in the half-round in that same shot that will be a rust magnet

but still ... i am over the moon and ready for the next step!

cheers
geoff