Pagoda SL Group
W113 Pagoda SL Group => General Discussion => Topic started by: Jonny B on June 06, 2004, 17:16:08
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Yes, yes, yes, I am a 113 owner and fan. But this morning, my friend and mechanic called and asked if I wanted to spend some time driving around in the 300SL he is restoring. It took about a microsecond to say yes, and we spent about an hour and a half touring through the Cuyahoga Valley national park. Oh my goodness, it was a chamber of commerce day, riding in one of THE cars of the 20th century. So if you ever have the chance, or have had the chance, share your thoughts. This was one of those close to once in a lifetime type things. It is an awesome vehicle!
Jonny B
1967 250SL Auto
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Jonny,
LUCKY YOU! That's great! I think any of us would jump at the chance to ride in any classic vehicle. I've seen a gull wing up close and personal, but that's it.
Last year I rode in a Ford Tri-Motor restored airplane (The Tin Goose). In 2001, I was fortunate enough to get a ride in a restored B17 bomber--and watch as it was chased by Jack Roush (as in Roush Racing) in his P51 Mustang. In the late 1970's, a friend in Massachusetts gave me a ride in his original and running 1925 Rolls Royceonly because his Stanley Steamer and the 1932 Fiat were not running at that time! In 1987, I could be seen in my friends restored 1965 Porsche 356SC running at 110 MPH up I5 in San Diego. I am fortunate to have had these opportunities. This year I am involved in a beautiful concours, and there will be all kinds of interesting vehicles there, such as a 1935 Mercedes-Benz 130H, a 1936 Mercedes-Benz 290A Cabriolet, a 1956 Mercedes-Benz 300 SC Cabriolet--and these are just a few of the MB vehicles that will be in attendance. With any kind of luck I'll schmooze up to these guys and maybe get a ride! I tried to attach photos of these beauties but alas it wouldn't work. However, you can see these as well as a few other classic MB's as well as other notable marques at:
http://www.concoursatcranbrook.com
We all should take all opportunities to promote automotive restoration, and if offered a ride in anything like that, take it!
Michael Salemi
1969 280SL
Signal Red w/Black Leather
Restored
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Driving one is even more fun. Much quicker than any 113 but very heavy steering until you get them up to road speed.
The sound....... mechanical music. ( Rush, Red Barchetta From the LP Moving Pictures)
Daniel G Caron
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Hello Jonny,
I go back a little farther than many of you guys. In 1973 I bought a used 1963 300-SL roadster from the original owner. These late versions had an aluminum engine block and disc brakes. The car was red on red had the optional hardtop, Bercker Mexico Radio, etc. The cost was $4,700.00 US dollars! I was a student at the time and used a ninety day note to buy the car. (Very memorable ninety days). After about eighty-five days I sold the car and made a little profit. In later years (1976) I bought a 57 300-SL in lesser condition to restore $2900 with a bad engine. I restored this car somewhat and had it for some years. I remember taking the car on a 100 mile road trip in a light rain. With the hardtop on the windshield wipers were not used. At 75mph the car was so aerodynamic the airflow wisked the rain drops over the car never touching the windscreen.
As Dan has described, these cars ovewhelm the senses with mechanical music, purposeful ride, beautiful form and raw power.
Years later I was treated to a few laps around the Mid Ohio Racecourse in a 300 SL Gulwing driven by Roberta Yakel, who held the women's land speed class record at Bonneville, in the very same Gulwing.
Although these cars are legends and engineering masterpieces they cannot be practically driven these days in most cases. The availability of parts and their extreme expense discourages casual driving.
Joe Alexander
Blacklick, Ohio
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As for parts cost, I was told by someone who knows, that a crankshaft alone costs something like $9,000 ... and we thought WE had to pay dearly (well, I still think $250 for a Mahle piston and rings, when a similar Mahle piston with rings for a Volvo or a VW is $75, is high).
Cees Klumper in Amsterdam
'69 white 280 SL automatic
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Many years agao I had the good fortune of "babysitting" a car collection. My main taske was to see that all of the cars got plenty of exercise. One of these was a 62 300SL Roadster. I put a few thousand miles on this car in a two year period. He also had a steel Gullwing and an alloy Gullwing. The alloy car was clearly the quickest, but the roadster was by far the nicest old Benz there is to drive. A 300Sc Coupe is a close second. 540K is nice too, but a real effort.
tom in CA
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Is the parts costs of a 300SL roadster or gull wing THAT much different then a new Rolls Royce, Bentley, or Maybach? Probably not. So, while I wouldn't want to use one as a daily driver, I don't think one has to have one as a garage queen, either--provided you have the financial ability to maintain one!
BTW, at spring break when in California, I stopped by Caliber Motors and met with our friend Tom Hanson, and saw a Maybach in person--unbelievable!
Michael Salemi
1969 280SL
Signal Red w/Black Leather
Restored
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For us unlucky sods, there is:
Faszination SL SL300 (W194)
Third in the series.
ISBN: 3-89365-133-0
naj
65 230SL
68 280SL