MATCHBOX restoration: 53B Mercedes-Benz 220 S.E

Restoring a Lesney Matchbox No. 53B Mercedes-Benz 220 S.E, in the Matchbox range from 1963 until 1968.
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/ diecastrestos
Can a model simultaneously be one of your favourite AND least favourite diecasts? If so, this is certainly top of that list. It's a gorgeous casting of the W111 Mercedes coupé platform, but it's design is so horribly flawed. I've not found a single model that doesn't have at least one broken joint. There were significant weaknesses along the A-pillars and at the base of the doors. However, there are a few surprises in store with this video...
Audio credits:
/ lately-lui
Amsterdam by Lately Lui
Mercedes-Benz 220SE image credit:
upload.wikimed...
#Matchbox #Diecast #Restoration

[@RoadRunnergarage8570]

A FABULOUS restoration job!!.. Looks better than it did when it left the Lesney Factory!!.. I'll be anxious to see your other two of these you are customizing!! Keep up the great work Bud!!

[@markdobell2677]

Well Done Jason!!! Love End Resault Just Very Awesome!!!

[@Vishkander]

What a transformation Jason! Looks wonderful, that maroon is lovely. Keep up the good work!

[@mattg8369]

Love the color!

[@chriswalker2858]

Had one of these from new, it didn't survive like most of mine! Have found a complete one to restore, no damage just heavily play-worn, hope I can one day do it justice as you have. Well done Jason.

[@joeholloway1386]

Nice restoration and paint job 👌

[@walterroszko6841]

Nice work Jason, good choice of colour.

[@markrobinson8865]

Great job 👍👍👍👍

[@bigboy9706]

Nice job. Can’t wait to see what you do with the others

[@RoadRunnergarage8570]

Nice job on the small fine details too!!

[@diecastsheriff817]

A real challenge, but excellent result!

[@BillsWorkbench]

Love the color choice, I agree it's a better choice.

[@unebaguette2497]

Can’t wait for the convertible. Beatification on Mercedes.

[@MapleLeafCustoms]

Beautiful work. Coincidentally, I just uploaded a BMW makeover in similar condition to to your Mercedes to begin with. The metal body was broken in two, with missing door sills. It's nice to take on a challenging project as you did here and see such a pleasing result. You must be satisfied. Great colour choice with the maroon. I think it's very fitting. I like your clear commentary as well. Such a good channel! Thumbs up. Happy subscriber from Switzerland. Be safe, brother.

[@Lahire-s7l]

Super restorasion tu top taf cool 😊

[@jamesb1717]

Good work. New music!

[@michalbures1]

Lovely.

[@RoadRunnergarage8570]

Nice job on the post repair... You can't tell where you had to repair it once it is painted!!

[@RoadRunnergarage8570]

Nice shiny paint job....

[@customwheelsdiecast]

will wait for the convertible one too. i should do one of those too. great work man

[@RoadRunnergarage8570]

Looks like this casting is A challenge to keep together....

[@briansdiecastthailandstoth6747]

Nice work Jason Brian Thailand

[@DrewsCustomDiecastDrewMSmith]

Excellent job on the restoration of the Mercedes. Shame that the convertible didn't work out. It'll be stunning looking when you get it finally finished. 🍻

[@customwheelsdiecast]

wa classic merc looks beautiful

[@2ahdcat]

Nice job. I just got one of these in an eBay lot. It is a glob of white corrosion.

[@RoadRunnergarage8570]

A decent casting with good bones....

[@bentandre5524]

glad someone came out nice. i have a superfast with transitional wheels and opening trunk, compared to yours its a youngtimer...

[@2H80vids]

👍👌

[@charliedoggcustoms1005]

Fantastic color,very nice. Any ideas what I’m doing wrong when I try to put the axles back on. I seem to keep bending them before the end is mushroomed over.

[@DieCastRestos]

It does happen, but with gentle taps it tends to work best I find. Also holding the axle with your thumb while tapping stops it from bending. Trial and error really!

[@johnkelley9877]

The model looks great and I can see you had a lot of challenges in getting it restored. I am looking forward to the convertible 220. Have you considered soldering the body? I have seen it done before and it is stronger then even the super glue and baking soda. Thanks for sharing this.

[@DieCastRestos]

I am going to give that a try for sure, as my next ‘between-builds’ build!

[@scotthallgv]

If I may be so bold, and I dont know that you have this available in your area, but Gorilla Glue works amazingly well with diecast parts so it might be worth looking into. Cheers.

[@DieCastRestos]

I will give it a go!

[@lrg3834]

That was a challenging project. Just wondering, Jason. What if you used glue sparingly to position parts, then applied hot solder along the joints instead? Wouldn't a metal-on-metal bond be superior to a superglue fix in every way?

[@DieCastRestos]

I think so. I haven’t got a soldering iron at the moment, but I’ll give it a go when I finish the convertible version

[@k.n.o.3558]

Nice restoration out of some seriously damaged models.

[@jacq135]

The same problem has the vw 1600 tl fragile as duck