USA Junkyard visit

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c107

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I was in the USA for work, las vegas to be specific. I had a little time the afternoon I arrived, so I did what most people would do while in Las Vegas, skipped the casinos and went to a self service junkyard.

I had spotted they had a 560SEL and I had only been there two weeks. In Australia, all W126 models had SLS, but in the USA, it was ONLY on the 560 models. I hoped it would still have the SLS struts, plus other useful things (e.g. EZL).

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It was really hot, 108F in the old units america still uses (42C), but I managed to get the struts out, plus the becker plugs for the radio styria sold me and a few other useful spares that I could get into a bag for my flight home.
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They also had some other old benzes there. There was a 350SDL, a 420SEL (with a bad engine fire) and two W123 diesels. The 300D had suffered a HARD impact to the side and really showed how strong the passenger cell is in these old benzes.

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I had only basic tools I had bought nearby, so the job was a bit slower than it should have been (e.g. no 17mm ring spanner), and I had to use an imperial socket instead of a metric in one instance.

I also managed to find the data card for the 560SEL behind the back seat. the Nevada sun had done a number on the paint so i had assumed it was 040 black, not midnight blue.

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Its a shame I didn't have more time and the ability to carry more stuff as there were more great parts there at very reasonable prices. No Mercedes tax like some of the wreckers here in Australia.

more here:

 

Michel

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Great stuff, wish I knew you were there.
Still after the electric switch seat control.
 
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c107

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Heated seats and car alarm but no first aid kit or warning triangle. That's an interesting set of priorities.
Looks like your trip was worthwhile with the bits you were able to salvage.
Regards,
Brian
The standard spec of the USA models was always interesting.
For some reason they always removed the warning triangle and 1st aid kit. Not sure why this was - if its was legislative, or they thought they would be sued it it didn't work. who knows.

Given so many of these cars were sold in cold states like new york, the heated seats front and back were standard on the 560.
 
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c107

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I’m back in the USA and managed to visit more junkyard 560SELs. The cars had been there longer, but there was a pair this time;


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Michel

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F
I’m back in the USA and managed to visit more junkyard 560SELs. The cars had been there longer, but there was a pair this time;


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Fascinating article as usual! Thank you 🙏
I don’t understand why you would not rent a car rather then spend money and time waiting for Ubers. LA car rentals (from the airport) are dirt cheap!
 

sean sherry

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I'm with you there Bryce with Hotel Parking costs.... nothing has changed.... When I was doing Business in the N. Y. area and always stayed in the down town Hilton. I returned the Rental at Night and picked up another one next Morning . Rental Car's Company to pay the exorbitant Parking costs. Hire costs were less costly back then.
Down Town was convenient to the Holland Tunnel & the Long Island Expressway where my supplies were.
I do remember that travel was much easier back then getting to suppliers in , Skokie in Illinoi, or Mussel Shoals in Alabama... Flying.
 

Oversize

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Nice haul you got there!! Do you take requests lol?
 

Styria

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Bryce, it's like having someone throwing Aladdin's Cave and the goodies therein thrown at you. Many years ago Pick 'n Payless had a 6.9 in their yard, and obviously they had no idea what car they had on their hand. I was like a little boy in a Playhouse, completely forgetting mid '30s temperature and a howling wind for three days. The only real issue when working on the car related to other hombres hanging around like a possible bunch of thieves after my tools. It all ended well. Regards Styria
 

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