81 380SL Mercedes Rebuild

I am new to this site, and am looking for any possible assistance on a project that I may be undertaking.

Approx. 5 months ago, I contracted with a local mechanic/bodyshop to build and install a chevy 350 motor and transmission in my worn out 1981 Mercedes 380SL.

Turns out that the owner of the shop was not reputable, took the deposit and balance that was paid and left me with a car that had been totally stripped down, all parts still available.

The main issue is that the front subframe of the car was cut off at the firewall and is not repairable. The plan was to adapt a 1980 Chevy Camaro front end and attach to the Mercedes.

It does not look like that will work.

My plan is to go backwards, reinstall a new mercedes subframe and reinstall all parts, then find a local mechanic that will install a used motor and transmission.

Does anyone have a specification on a 1981 Mercedes Subframe, part #L1000-71815?

Thanks for the help.


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Welcome to Hotrodders.

you now have yourself a giant heap of german steel, kind of, and possibly but maby not. I'm not farmilliar with the 380's. I had a 240D, the 280's were the gas version I think, the 380's are the gas version of the 300D's? you could get a mustang 2 aftermarket suspension that fits the width of what you need, and modify it to fit. another option is to remove the floor and all subframe/ unibody stuff, getting rid of all the really neat MB suspension and drivetrain parts, build a chassie for the car, use a American rear end like a 9" ford, measure the disc backing plates to disc backing plates on your MB rear end, that gives you what you need for the new rear, seems as though a Maverick 8" rear would allow you to tub the rear wheels, and run wider wheel/ tire, there 53" or 56" backing to backing I belive. redoing a floor wouldn't be hard but keep your old trans tunnel and reuse it, your center colum fits snug to it, any shorter or narrower and it would be noticible. then put an MII ( mustang 2 ) kit for a front end, put it togther. Throw your idea out the window for installing a new MB subframe and used motor and trans, main reason is that would be expensive, and complicated and may not be possible depending on how the old was cut. Don't take offense at this suggestion but, what you were left with is probably better as a parts car. find a good 380 or even a 240D ( that particular model I like ), and I know a 302 ford will fit right in them with little modification, probably make motor mounts to mount them into the cars stock X member without welding up custom mounts. and for driveshaft, you make a small adapter for the rear end so it fits up.