Pagoda SL Group
W113 Pagoda SL Group => General Discussion => Topic started by: Eric280SL on April 08, 2015, 02:54:47
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I attended the auction in Snoqualmie. Prior to that, I had searched specifically for a driver 280SL, white or one that could be reasonably repainted white. This involved multiple trips to Southern California, meeting and then accompanied by Pagoda afficionados with inspection experience. After seeing multiple examples of very pretty "lipstick on pigs", or facing the reality of condition 1 cars going for over $125,000, and extensive research of sales in the past two years, it was clear that the condition 2 market had shifted to a range of $80-100,000. The days of an affordable $20-30,000 vehicle appears to be long gone. Such is the law of supply and demand in our bastion of capitalism.
Analogously, houses in the San Francisco Bay area have quadrupled over time, effectively out-pricing those who cannot afford million $ homes. Apple, Intel, Google, Facebook, etc could be asked to move to say, North Dakota, and reduce the wage/price pressure but doubt it would happen. The same applies to all the retiring baby boomers with high net worths.
I was the one who bought the 280 SL, after obtaining the services of an expert who performed a superb inspection. Yes, it was more costly than it would have been 2 years ago, but such is the market. N.B. I couldn't have afforded it even 5 years ago.
I have already been the recipient of amazing camaraderie by another Pagoda owner at the auction. In addition, the degree of support of this Pagoda group is a rarity in our modern world.
Now I will take pleasure in the drive, and the truly superb lines and character of the car, not for any investment or show-off purposes. My children may experience the same in the future.
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Eric,
Welcome to the Pagoda Group. Nice to see you come on as a Full Member and hope you enjoy the ride. I think there was another post about the car earlier but I could not find it. Have put your post here as a bit of an introduction.
Enjoy
Garry
Membership Administrator
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Eric,
Nice car! Congratulations on finding one that met your criteria after what sounds like an exhaustive search. Welcome and enjoy!
BTW: It reads like you're in the Bay Area of California --- but your heading seems to read Santa Clara, AL (Alabama? or did you mean Santa Clara, CA)
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Yes, should be CA not AL.
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Eric,
Welcome aboard! You're going to love this car. Stay in touch with this site. You'll learn things you never thought you wanted to know. :D And ask whatever you NEED to know. These people are awesome. Funny how a chunk of metal can unite thousands of people in their passion.
Mike Mizesko
Columbus, OH
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Hello Eric,
I second what Garry, Oz and Mike wrote above ... Welcome to our Pagoda SL Group and enjoy your new find.
Always safe and enjoyable travels!
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Congratulations on being the lucky winner!
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Hello Eric,
Had a good time at the Snoqualmie Casino Auction as I'm sure you did as well.
I don't know what you and Siegfried decided regarding repairs but I did noticed an additional issue - your two way valve has been by-passed and is not connected correctly.
There should be (2) vacuum lines running form the two way valve - (1) line from two-way valve to distributor diaphragm and (1) line from the two-way valve to the throttle body housing.
Currently you only have (1) line running from distributor diaphram to throttle body housing - completely by-passing the two-way valve.
Note: Pagoda SL Group Username is "Walter Marsh"
SW
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Thanks! Your mailbox is full. Have answer to your question re mechanic. However your mailbox is full and not accepting messages.
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Welcome to the club! I hope you have many great years of rewarding drives.