1935 Mercedes-Benz 500K

I would go for the darker colour for a more subtle contrast. All depends what floats your boat Al.

Looks good Al. I didn't realize the engine sat that far forward in these cars. I bet steering it really built up the biceps.

Looking great !!!

Thanks guys.

Well, something had to go wrong.







Something is sadly amiss here. Front track is far to wide. Rear is the same but less so.

I thought I'd done something wrong but look at the instructions and the chassis, hard as I might, I just don't see it.

Time to get my thinking noggin on methinks.

Oh Boy!!!

Took yet another look at the instructions and the penny finally dropped.

The brake drum backing plates are dished and I got them the wrong way round. The dish should go into the drum and I have fitted them sticking out of the drum. Hence the front track is way to wide.

I've managed to get the offending parts of the front suspension without damage but now I need to separate the stub axle assembly from the backing plate, along this join



in order to reverse them. Trouble is, they are on with MEK.... not CA so the freezer trick won't work I doubt.

Any suggestions gang?

Sacrifice the backing plates & save the the uprights?

I have had success with using a little pressure while applying more MEK. The new MEK loosens the old for a second while its melting. Then pull it apart.

Yes, more MEK. Place lightly at the joint once or twice to soften the joint edge and then try to get an XActo blade into the joint.

Thanks for the heads up guys.

I should've realised that myself as I've had parts come off before, when re-applying MEK. After all, it's a solvent!! DOH!!

Hi Al,

That paint job is AWESOME Sir, such a deeeeeeep shine...

As for the DOH moment, I guess it's just one of those things, I've lost count how many time's I've done similar...

Andy...

I agree, more MEK will soften the parts and make it way easier to get apart.

Well, re-applying MEK worked well. Didn't need to use an Exacto blad to prise them apart either. Just needed to push with my fingers.



I did break one of the steering arms but that is an easy fix.

Just need some cleanup and then re-assemble.

Thanks guys.

Oh man!  Measure twice cut once, the carpenters say.  Check instructions twice, glue once, seems the motto today.  Good luck with repairs.

Well it's fixed.

The front track still looks a tad too wide to me but at least now the tyres are tucked under the wings. I had to narrow the rear axle by 1.5mm per side to get the rear wheels tucked under too.

The front brake backing plates need touching up yet and I also need to re-install the tie rod.

Couldn't resist a mockup. Everything is fitting beautifully!

What a beauty Al !

Looking better and better.  Nice save on the front wheels!

Looks great Al.

It is interesting how far back in the chassis the engine sits. Also to see how far forward the front axle is. The great result of this combination is the flowing lines of the front fenders. Beautiful!

Super nice. I agree with Pete on the engine placement.

Thanks guys.

Beautiful, Al. Are you doing whitewalls?

Thanks Mike.

No to whitewalls Mike. The 60's restoration car had them but the original car as given to Caracciloa by Mercedes Benz didn't have them:

I can see where the front wheels sit in that foto.  I wonder if there's significance to the license number.