Pagoda SL Group

W113 Pagoda SL Group => General Discussion => Topic started by: mdsalemi on May 10, 2017, 12:34:24

Title: See my car in a museum...seriously...
Post by: mdsalemi on May 10, 2017, 12:34:24
I have not even removed my car from this winter's storage, but I've been advised that after application, my car has been selected for winter display starting late this autumn at the Automotive Hall of Fame in Dearborn, MI. It might very well be in the Styling Gallery, which has a section on Mercedes-Benz safety and styling, under the watchful eyes of Bracq and Barenyi.  Will save me the long drive to storage next November!
Title: Re: See my car in a museum...seriously...
Post by: benzombie on May 10, 2017, 14:59:22
Wow!!  Congrats!!  -- Steve
Title: Re: See my car in a museum...seriously...
Post by: hauser on May 10, 2017, 15:19:09
Nice!
Title: Re: See my car in a museum...seriously...
Post by: ja17 on May 10, 2017, 15:22:23
Outstanding Michael!  Is that part of the Ford museum complex?
Title: Re: See my car in a museum...seriously...
Post by: mdsalemi on May 10, 2017, 15:33:31
Outstanding Michael!  Is that part of the Ford museum complex?

Yes and no. They kind of share a parking lot in that you don't need to leave one to get to the other. However, they are separate entities. We've held some MBCA events there, gorgeous building...
Title: Re: See my car in a museum...seriously...
Post by: BaronYoungman on May 10, 2017, 16:16:02
Congrats! you and your car deserve it. 
Bob
Title: Re: See my car in a museum...seriously...
Post by: Rolf-Dieter ✝︎ on May 12, 2017, 00:57:30
Congratulations Michael !!!

Should I drive mine there too to spend the winter with yours? After all they are practically brother and sister or twins anyway having rolled off the assembly line only 3 VIN numbers apart :)

Guess not mine is blue they properly like red better.

Dieter

Title: Re: See my car in a museum...seriously...
Post by: TheEngineer on May 12, 2017, 16:49:49
How about my car? You said they were built the same day. But then, my one is not as pretty as yours!
Title: Re: See my car in a museum...seriously...
Post by: mdsalemi on May 12, 2017, 18:27:04
How about my car? You said they were built the same day. But then, my one is not as pretty as yours!

Your car is probably safer and in good shape in Seattle weather. But, I have a history with your car you know...I loved the picture you took of me with your car, so it was the last photo in Pagoda Style!
Title: Re: See my car in a museum...seriously...
Post by: RAY on May 12, 2017, 19:10:30
What an honour and a privilege and the winter storage bonus is the icing on the cake, as we say.
Title: Re: See my car in a museum...seriously...
Post by: zak on May 18, 2017, 23:25:16
Wow. Congrats.
Title: Re: See my car in a museum...seriously...
Post by: mdsalemi on November 07, 2017, 14:58:38
Yesterday was "placement day" when I put my car away for the winter, on display at the Automotive Hall of Fame in Dearborn, MI. Much to my delight, the car is in the Styling Gallery, tucked into a corner under the watchful eyes of Bela Barenyi and Paul Bracq. The display area is about passive safety engineering, and highlights some of Barenyi's work. Ahead of the car is the one and only photo of both Paul Bracq and Bela Barenyi together; this was taken at the Geneva Auto Salon in 1963.

Getting the car on display was a bit surreal; you see, I drove it into the museum, through hallways and the atrium--like a slow motion practice run for a Remy Julienne car chase to be filmed at a later date. Once we got to the entrance of the Styling Gallery, the car was shut off, and four small wheel dollys were installed, and we pushed the car into position. Sometime in the next day or so, the stanchions with the obligatory [velvet?] ropes will be placed around the car. It will remain there to approximately April 15.

For the first time since restoration, my car will have climate controlled quarters.
Title: Re: See my car in a museum...seriously...
Post by: waltklatt on November 07, 2017, 15:13:21
Congratulations Michael!
Your car looks very cozy and protected there in the museum.
A good way of spreading the word of our cars to the younger people.
How will they dust the car from time to time?
Bet it will be pampered.
Will they start the motor a few times to keep things circulated?
Again Congrats on your achievement!
Wonder if the showroom where both Bracq and Barenyi and the 230SL debut is still there? 
Walter
Title: Re: See my car in a museum...seriously...
Post by: neelyrc on November 07, 2017, 15:54:55
Congratulations Michael. Really an honor. Looking great!!🙂

Is she sporting the new door or is that a project for next year?

Title: Re: See my car in a museum...seriously...
Post by: ja17 on November 07, 2017, 16:00:30
Looking good Michael!  A suitable reward for you and the pagoda.
Title: Re: See my car in a museum...seriously...
Post by: Rolf-Dieter ✝︎ on November 07, 2017, 16:08:08
Congratulations Mike, what a treat ... it will make a nice story for our PW issue do write a short story and send it to Jon.

Best,

Dieter
Title: Re: See my car in a museum...seriously...
Post by: Jonny B on November 07, 2017, 16:32:53
My in-box will be waiting for the words!
Title: Re: See my car in a museum...seriously...
Post by: mmizesko on November 07, 2017, 17:04:27
Wow.  Very Cool.  I come up to Dearborn regularly to see my son and his wife.  Give me the specifics. 

Is that drivers Door hanging right???  Looks off.  LOL

Mike Mizesko
Title: Re: See my car in a museum...seriously...
Post by: mdsalemi on November 07, 2017, 18:43:18
Mike Mizesko, the drivers door is hanging perfectly. It just isn't a proper fit and this issue is in the process of being addressed, meaning I've already got a proper door. That will be next spring's issues. The Automotive Hall of Fame is located on Oakwood Blvd in Dearborn and is adjacent to some Ford facilities including the old Engineering Headquarters, and The Henry Ford Museum. In fact they sort of share a parking lot.

There isn't much of a story here, but I will try to get something together. I'm drafting my professional photographer friends to help with a photo shoot, as the specular lighting in the museum isn't great for a "model shot". I've surely got the camera for it, but my friends have the lenses and lighting.

The car will be cozy all winter long, better to be open and exposed like that than in a cold garage--and it will garner some exposure for the marque and model. The car will not be started periodically, the battery is disconnected, and I have the keys. It has sat all winter long, every winter, for 4-6 months w/o a battery tender or being started, for the past 15 years so I don't think I need to alter that program now.

I don't know if it will be dusted but I assume they'll take care of some of that. If not I can always pop down there and clean it on site with a "thelews" car wash--which means a cloth and detail spray.  ;)
Title: Re: See my car in a museum...seriously...
Post by: Iconic on November 07, 2017, 21:38:13
Fantastic placement for a very well deserving car and curator (you, not the curator of the museum).
Congrats !
Title: Re: See my car in a museum...seriously...
Post by: TheEngineer on November 10, 2017, 00:08:56
This is a wonderful reward for you to have your car on display like that. I have been using a "California Car Duster" (https://www.amazon.com/California-Car-Duster-62447-8B-Mini/dp/B00008RW9V) to keep my car clean rather than wash it. It is somewhat like a duster and has a chemical on it. It leaves the car very clean. My car has not seen water for a very long time. Good Show!
Title: Re: See my car in a museum...seriously...
Post by: Raymond on November 10, 2017, 01:19:34
As an elder Southern lady I knew used to say, "I'm just so proud to know ya'!"
Michael, thank you for creating the opportunity to have such a great example represent our beloved W113s.
And you drove it in!
Title: Re: See my car in a museum...seriously...
Post by: StevenF on November 10, 2017, 15:50:14
Michael,
Seeing your car there is incredible!  You have a lot to happy about.
I am proud that your beautiful Pagoda is representing our group!

Best Regards
Steven
Title: Re: See my car in a museum...seriously...
Post by: mdsalemi on November 16, 2017, 17:05:04
...and now on their blog...

http://www.automotivehalloffame.org/sophisticated-safety/
Title: Re: See my car in a museum...seriously...
Post by: Rolf-Dieter ✝︎ on November 16, 2017, 18:05:10
Nice blog Michaeal .... your cars brother that rolled off the assembly line 3 cars before your car is jealous :)

Dieter

PS. Perhaps we have to put the two again besides one another like we did during the photo shoot (non professional photo shoot) during the 2015 PUB event at Joe’s place :) bet your car has a lot to whisper to mine about the experiences at the museum.
Title: Re: See my car in a museum...seriously...
Post by: Chris Long on November 16, 2017, 18:52:25
Congratulations. Looks great. I’m sure many will get the pleasure to enjoy it over the winter.
Title: Re: See my car in a museum...seriously...
Post by: icebone on January 01, 2018, 02:23:01
Drat! I was just at the Henry Ford museum earlier this week - I parked right near this other museum but, as I had already visited a couple months ago, didn’t go in this time... would have been cool to see your car!
Title: Re: See my car in a museum...seriously...
Post by: mdsalemi on January 01, 2018, 21:01:43
Drat! I was just at the Henry Ford museum earlier this week - I parked right near this other museum but, as I had already visited a couple months ago, didn’t go in this time... would have been cool to see your car!

The AHOF is only open on weekends and Fridays in the winter, I believe...
Title: Re: See my car in a museum...seriously...
Post by: KevinC on January 17, 2018, 02:09:58
Michael,

So cool to see your car in this environment. Kind of a functional museum-piece, if you will. Your devotion to your car and pagodas in general makes you a perfect candidate for this honor.

Perhaps we could start a thread: Unique spaces for (winter) storage? When a new Mercedes dealer opened in my hometown of Springfield, Massachusetts, a buddy half jokingly suggested to the owners that his friend was looking for a place to stash his 230SL for the winter. The rest is history.

Kevin
Title: Re: See my car in a museum...seriously...
Post by: neelyrc on January 17, 2018, 02:57:37
Looks great Kevin.  Congratulations!  The latest edition of "The Star" received today has an article and a picture of Michael's car in the museum.  You should request equal space!
Title: Re: See my car in a museum...seriously...
Post by: UJJ on January 17, 2018, 16:49:25
Very nice Kevin
Regards, Urban
Title: Re: See my car in a museum...seriously...
Post by: KevinC on January 18, 2018, 02:19:45
Thanks Urban!

When did Woodland CA become your new address? Send me a PM when you can!

Kevin