Pagoda SL Group
W113 Pagoda SL Group => General Discussion => Topic started by: k on August 19, 2008, 20:12:21
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Just got back from Pebble Beach...
Sat next to Paul Russell on the plane back and got first hand advice on my 250 SL. Very nice guy and he loves the Pagoda model.
Enjoy
http://www.photoworks.com/members/index.jsp?key=Kaveman_1&cp=shr_pg_Kaveman_1
Other Galleries: Let me know who takes better photos!
http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2008-pebble-beach-concours-delegance/
http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2008-pebble-beach-tour-delegance/
http://www.autoblog.com/photos/monterey-2008-the-quail-a-motorsports-gathering/
http://www.autoblog.com/photos/monterey-2008-concorso-italiano/
http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2008-monterey-historics/
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Thanks for sharing that, K. It's funny how the cars you chose to photograph show your personal bias towards cars from the 60s. I think we all have that in common here. So can you share the advice one of the world's top restorers of Gullwings had for a Pagoda owner?
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It was a great weekend.
Paul Russell was the founder of Gullwing Service Co., now named Paul Russel & Co. He as been featured in countless magazines, cable shows and the famed restorer to Ralph Lauren, Jerry Seinfelt, Jay Leno, David Letterman, etc
I introduced myself and asked him how his client cars fared in the Pebble Beach Concours; he won his class and was a judge in other classes.
I recounted my story of how I saw his tiny ad's in the Star Magazine when I bought my trashed SL in NY City's Central Park 17 yrs ago for $4,500 and even called his shop at age 22 to get tips. He noted, I probably talked to his partner or even him, as they always take time to answer questions and even do pro-bono work.
He quized me on my SL, options, colors, originality, and who has restored it and how often I drive it. He loves the dark olive/cognac/tan canvas combination! You could tell he has a encylcopedic knowledges of all SLs; he is a fan of the 5spd too. I told him how I declined to use the current Cognac replacement leather offered; and went with a dark tan that I hope will age into patina. He noted small batches of Cognac are custom made, but not cost effective.
His primary advice was exercise the car and enjoy it every week if possible. He sees most service requirements and/or deterioratiton come from lack of use and storage.
Overall, he loves the Pagoda b/c it was "sporting and executive"; it had techonological pedigree of 300 SL, yet was attainable beyond just exotic Gullwing buyers. He noted almost all his MB clients, own at least one; and project cars are attainable even by the youngest collectors.
He asked me what other cars I like, and I told him the Gullwing is still my favorite. He looked me square in the eye and said: "You will own one. You have the passion for SLs and will find one, and hopefully you will call me".
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I think the 300 SL Roadster would be my first pick. Gullwings are cool cars, but impractical to drive for long on a sunny day. Way beyond my means, though.
And if we're talking beyond our means, the Ferrari 250 GT SWB "California Spyder" has always struck me as the most gorgeous piece of metal I've ever seen.
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Its been my favorite since I first saw it in Ferris Bueller as a teenager. Even though that one was a kit.
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I have to put in a plug for the other world class Gullwing restorer - cannot let the eastcoasters have all the bragging rights ;) :
http://hjeltnessrestoration.com/index.html
Here is one for Mr. "k" to contemplate once it is back to how it was at birth:
(http://www.sl113.org/forums/uploaded/66andBlue/2008820142833_Gullwing.jpg)
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But the real question to k is...
Did you tell him about this little corner of the virtual universe?