Quote from: Joesson on September 23, 2023, 13:17I may have mentioned previously of my in period recollections of the Mercedes 190. The first was a UK Client who had a 190 with, iirc a Cosworth engine, very quick.
The next In Germany when I travelled as a passenger, in the rain, a dry clever/ complicated single arm wiper.
A lasting observation that, in the Basque region of Spain and perhaps elsewhere,  they were a very popular choice of car for Taxi work, with durable rather than luxurious trim.

Thanks for sharing the recollections.
The ´Cosworth´ was the 2.3 (later 2.5) 16V head tuned/reinforced sports/racing engine based on the standard M102 engine. Cosworth developed the cylinder head.
The rest of the car is pretty much standard save for lowered/´tuned´ suspension and moderate styling kit.
The success and reliability in extreme competition use was/is a tribute to the overengineered design  of the 190.
Same thing the use of the OM601/602 diesel engined taxis. Both the ´plastics´ and cloth used in the 190 are probably the most durable such in cars ever.
Over here they are still a véry common daily sight everywhere. Several neighbours drive one for daily use.

Here the FL model. Also illustrating the compact outer dimensions in today´s world.




Right will stop here with derailing Belle´s thread 
By all means continue on the old(der) cars thread.

another step





Ran into road block. Periodic inspection will notice the locking mechanism and fault the car on the brake mod. STUPID! Should have caught that from he beginning :rolleyes:
Have to refit the mechanical one and rethink the hydraulic. Probably will need to fit on the outside of the console, passenger side. The OEM seat will when fitted hide the thing but doubt if there is room.

btw, took her out for a spin with the seat/handbrake out and there is no denying I notice the before/after even though the seat weighs half the OEM one.

...and refitted the mechanical handbrake again 

Not figured out (yet) where to put the H-brake 

I am sure I must have a second console plastic somewhere which could be cut a bit if needed.

Again on a side note; took off the windshield wipers and realyréalyREALY  like the clean unobstructed view. The only thing ´molesting´  me now is the mirror bung. If the Lexan does not work out, the wipers will only get back on for MoT.

The windshield is out; IN ÓNE PIECE!! As is the plastic trim







The Lexan needs a wee bit of trimming but the glazing shop on the industrial estate is closed for the weekend. Monday it is.

Have not weighed the two yet but the OEM one is veryvéry thin indeed. It is not going to be much I am afraid. 

Drove it with the glass deleted to/fro the window shop and it was definitely noticeable. Pity I am going to refit most of it :rolleyes:

Weighed the two:

OEM 10.5 kg.
Lexan 5.9 kg.
Saving 4.6 kg.

Setting it against the weight of my car, it is >0.5% and being at the front half, average on shoulder height, I´ll take it.

Fingers crossed for Monday.

Found the spare center console!
Can´t faff with the H-brake with my fingers x-ed though 

Was reflecting my thoughts with charming and she thinks it über if I could manage to get it sort of inside the console sticking up like in rally cars she says.

Don't have to : https://www.spyderchat.com/threads/hydraulic-handbrake-development-megathread.161740/page-2#post-2211579  #39

Quote from: J88TEO on October  1, 2023, 21:29Don't have to : https://www.spyderchat.com/threads/hydraulic-handbrake-development-megathread.161740/page-2#post-2211579  #39

Thanks for the link. I looked at this one several times. 
He uses no center console and thus can lift the hand schifter enough to fit the cylinders below. I need my solution to be easily reverted back to MoT passable.
In the linked example he has one cylinder to the side and that is what I want to do. 

Phew, should be correctly sized now. Easier said than done because abrasion heats the stuff up and melts/distorts. But, done before opening hours of the workshop so as not to mess with the planned jobs on hand.

After that left the windshield with the body shop.  Marking, masking and fitting is tricky enough without a third set of hands of a nervously hovering client complicating things.

Meanwhile I can try do a DIY ´carglass´ repair on another car.

It is in but with using magic words in 7 languages  

The OEM surround will not fit neatly. Will need to think of something. Perhaps have one cut flush off of a scrapper and glue it on. Not many scrappers about here though so    but there is always J-Spec.  Am not cutting mine up in case I want to refit the original glass again.

Just read amusing news. The current F1 cars weigh an astonishing 798 kg and the new engines and chassis adaptations are expected to take it well above 800.

Make me think of the TRD F1 logo   

Yes, we looked that up at the weekend too - my son is just starting to watch "Drive to survive" On Netflix.

What does Southern Belle currently weigh?

Quote from: inigopete on October  3, 2023, 05:45What does Southern Belle currently weigh?

Fueled to the rim 890 kgs.
I have the tank max half full so 

It´s in and bar the finishing touch with the molding, done.
And yes you do notice the kilos in júst a bit less roll but a bit unexpectedly a feeling of more stability when relaxed driving twisties with the constantly changing cambers/crowns.
Ah and of course clear as... no, clearer than crystal:

I want that steering wheel!

Quote from: J88TEO on October  3, 2023, 13:30I want that steering wheel!

Sparco SanRemo with Momo collapsible boss.

The steering wheel  was already not easy to find 5 years ago though.

And another finishing touch: Removed and transferred the non-reusable periodic inspection sticker 

Quote from: Petrus on October  3, 2023, 14:05Sparco SanRemo with Momo collapsible boss.

I know. ...been looking for one ever since!

She's looking good!

I notice you've added another 20HP as well!

Quote from: Joesson on October  3, 2023, 20:20I notice you've added another 20HP as well!

Yésss 

Quote from: J88TEO on October  3, 2023, 13:30I want that steering wheel!

You and me both, I want it, but in 13" which does not seem to exist.

Quote from: Ardent on October  3, 2023, 21:31You and me both, I want it, but in 13" which does not seem to exist.

Indeed, it´s 355 mm.

No, seriously I think the Nardi Classic comes in 13";  it ís the 33.

The El Cheapo ebay ones dubbed ´ Vintage´ come in 13" too.