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W113 Pagoda SL Group => Events => Topic started by: Rolf-Dieter ✝︎ on September 27, 2019, 14:20:42

Title: On my way to PagodaFest From London, Ontario CANADA
Post by: Rolf-Dieter ✝︎ on September 27, 2019, 14:20:42
After long deliberation (what car to take for this), I decided to make the 8,000 KM + round trip in my daily driver. Completed my first stretch 835 KM from London, Ontario CANADA (having breakfast near US I 55), some 145  miles from St Louis.

It’s nice to be retired and to take ones time to see the land :) while everyone rushes about.

To be continued

Cheers, Dieter
Title: Re: On my way to PagodaFest From London, Ontario CANADA
Post by: 49er on September 27, 2019, 15:22:59
 Have a safe journey and hopefully good weather all the way. See you soon in Carlsbad.

John
Title: Re: On my way to PagodaFest From London, Ontario CANADA
Post by: mmizesko on September 27, 2019, 17:00:45
Travel Well Dieter.  Will See you in a week.

Mike
Title: Re: On my way to PagodaFest From London, Ontario CANADA
Post by: doitwright on September 27, 2019, 21:13:06
Dieter,

Had I known, we could have had lunch or dinner in Chicago. I am just off of I-55 but north of I 80/94. Maybe on the way back. In any case, travel safe in that rocket car and see you in Carlsbad.

Frank
Title: Re: On my way to PagodaFest From London, Ontario CANADA
Post by: Hugh on September 28, 2019, 03:15:19
Dieter, great start to your trip! Sorry my newer MB Nav discs didn't work in your car to help you find your way. Both have 2011 MBs & same Nav systems, but mine not a AMG, so it doesn't work. We tried! Safe travels & see you soon in San Diego!! Hugh
Title: Re: On my way to PagodaFest From London, Ontario CANADA
Post by: Rolf-Dieter ✝︎ on September 28, 2019, 06:06:19
Thanks Mike will do :)

Frank will certainly try, however, we can do this in San Diego some place near the Pacific Ocean watching the Waves as we enjoy a nice lunch. My plans on the return trip include a visit at the Henry Ford Museum.

No problem Hugh. I will try again when i’m back, perhaps we try doing it together. I’ve learned long ago what the men at the MB Maintenance booking desk tell me is not always right. Also he wanted $149 to give it a try LOL on one side of the coin he told me “it’s not comparable for the AMG” then on the other he said “we can try it during the oil change” when I ask him what that would cost me he said in a straight face “$149 + Tax + shop supply” Go Figure.

I had lunch today in St Louis, this evening I ended up somewhere on I 44 tomorrow I will be on I 40 and will make side trips to some of the still existing Route 66 spots. Traveled from home so far 1,846 KM

Cheers, Dieter
Title: Re: On my way to PagodaFest From London, Ontario CANADA
Post by: RAY on September 28, 2019, 16:33:57
Safe travels Dieter

Ray & Jill
Title: Re: On my way to PagodaFest From London, Ontario CANADA
Post by: Garry on September 28, 2019, 17:27:04
Travel safely Dieter and enjoy the ride.  See you in San Diego next week.
Title: Re: On my way to PagodaFest From London, Ontario CANADA
Post by: Rolf-Dieter ✝︎ on September 28, 2019, 20:02:20
SaturdaySept 28

After a nice lunch yesterday (Friday 27th) in St Luis I had a very light supper in Oklahoma City.

I’m making good time, I don’t know if it is the fun this SL is to drive or if I’m getting better with age. :) Speaking of age, this trip is also to celebrate my 82 year on this planet. What can I say in the 25 + years that I was in business I spend a lot of time on the North American roads (in Canada and the US), there was never enough time for fun. Now finally there is. Somehow my Pagoda keeps me young as does this DD. What a blessing to be able to have fun now and feeling younger then one is.

I am in Texas now and have past the halfway point. I shall slow down a bit for the second half. I tried to attach some photos this morning it was loading for ever then got lost all together, I will try again. If it does not work i’ll Do it later when I find a better connection.

Looks like the photo download worked, however I was only allowed to attach 3 photos, ;) no wirries i’ll find a way around this ~grin~ The pictures are hand painted on the floor of one of the Rest Stops.

To be continued

Cheers, Dieter

Title: Re: On my way to PagodaFest From London, Ontario CANADA
Post by: Rolf-Dieter ✝︎ on September 28, 2019, 20:10:07
Some more Photos;

Title: Re: On my way to PagodaFest From London, Ontario CANADA
Post by: Rolf-Dieter ✝︎ on September 28, 2019, 20:12:35
And one more;

Title: Re: On my way to PagodaFest From London, Ontario CANADA
Post by: Paul & Dolly on September 28, 2019, 21:19:05
Birthday Greetings to you Dieter,

Enjoy the journey

Find wishes

Paul and Dolly
Title: Re: On my way to PagodaFest From London, Ontario CANADA
Post by: Iconic on September 30, 2019, 14:18:59
Happy 82nd Dieter !!
I like the perscription of SL infusion to get younger.
It is definitely working on you.
I wish I was going to see you in San Diego.
Travel safely.
Mark
Title: Re: On my way to PagodaFest From London, Ontario CANADA
Post by: Rolf-Dieter ✝︎ on September 30, 2019, 14:51:00
Thank you Paul and Mike.

Milt there are still 4 single Tickets for PagodaTest ... Remember in Heaven there be never a PagodaFest :) at least it’s the way I see it ~grin~

——- further on my trip along America’s Mother Road ....

Somewhere in Arizona, I think it was Kingman ... hard to keep track this SL is soo fast ~grin~ so far no Tickets ... i got a smile and thumps up from a Police Officer getting Coffee :) no I did not have the Big Mac, only coffee.y

Cheers, Dieter


Title: Re: On my way to PagodaFest From London, Ontario CANADA!
Post by: Rolf-Dieter ✝︎ on September 30, 2019, 14:55:25
Arrived last night in Irving CA, naturally a meeting with Tom H. Is first on the list at the Mercedes Benz Classic Centre is first on the list. Orders some parts for upcoming transmission oil change, some f the gaskets need changing and some of the muffler system support donuts are in need of a facelift. Tom had all I needed right in stock. Tom gave me a privat showing of the shop and storage area where cars are availing a facelift. If you are looking for a Pagoda, call Tom H. He has a few for sale. :) bring your cheque book or part of your investment portfolio 1/4 of a mill gets you a nice one :)

PS ... sorry some photos are upside down ... only have my I pad compuirt is at home ... I know you can turn them around ~s
Title: Re: On my way to PagodaFest From London, Ontario CANADA
Post by: 49er on September 30, 2019, 14:56:32
 Let me add my congratulations to you Dieter as well, Happy Birthday! I was so looking forward to meeting you in Carlsbad, but unfortunately, we had to cancel yesterday. Continued safe travels and I look forward to reading more of your posts along the road and reports from Padodafest.

John
Title: Re: On my way to PagodaFest From London, Ontario CANADA
Post by: Rolf-Dieter ✝︎ on September 30, 2019, 15:07:08
Hi John, sorry to hear this. I hope all is well. Perhaps we see you in Bavaria/Germany i’ll Be your personal translator :) during in depth te hnical conversations.

Unfortunatley all my accommodations are. Oozed for the return. Trip, otherwise I would make a D-Tour  Ort to visit then move inland toward Canada. As said, next year in Europe.

Cheers, Dieter
Title: Re: On my way to PagodaFest From London, Ontario CANADA
Post by: Garry on October 01, 2019, 00:06:23
Well done Dieter. Good to see you made it safe and sound. See you in a few days.


Sorry John you will not be there. I was so looking forward this year to seeing your car as we hold the meeting for the very first time in the west. Sadly it may be some years before it returns.
Title: Re: On my way to PagodaFest From London, Ontario CANADA
Post by: 49er on October 01, 2019, 00:21:57
 Garry there is no one more sorry about this then myself and my poor wife who suffered an injury Saturday evening. She is on the mend with a full recovery expected but broken hearted as you can imagine. We were not taking my car as it was too far for us to have driven (I know, wimps  compared to you and your navigator:-) but I was so looking forward to meeting you and so many others. I will be looking forward to lots of stories and photos from Carlsbad. Maybe the next Pagodafest could be held in Northern CA.     

John
Title: Re: On my way to PagodaFest From London, Ontario CANADA
Post by: Garry on October 01, 2019, 12:20:43
John,


So sorry to hear that news. Hope your wife is well on the mend.  Was actually looking forward to meeting you.  I have always enjoyed your posts and the early engine photos.  Some say “its only original once” which always makes me think “ I should have bought my Pagoda earlier”.  :D :D 
Title: Re: On my way to PagodaFest From London, Ontario CANADA
Post by: Rolf-Dieter ✝︎ on October 01, 2019, 15:37:12
Yesterday I visited Tom H. At the Classic Centre in Irving, CA. Purchased some replacement parts, mainly seals, gaskets, filters and a compliment of new rubber donuts to hold the exhaust system securely in place of my 280 SL. Tom took me behind the doors that as he put it “Sind verboten” translation, only for the eyes of employees. In the garage Restauration is taking place a d in the storage area some cars are awaiting Restauration. 2 of the Mercedes cars are actually “bomb proof having 4 inch glass and a bomb proof body” you don’t want to drive across America in one of those tanks. :)

Anyway I could not resist taking a bunch of photos. Quite a few Pagodas in the building ...  all in all 61 photos, I included photos in the display cases in case someone needs a new keychain or coffee cup. Just call Tom, he will be there for a while longer. I understand the Classic Centre will move to a new better larger location in a year or so not that this location is not perfect. I felt like I was in a candy store ~grinX` you know wat I mean. Enjoy the photos!

Best Dieter

PS i put them into my Smugmug Photo Site (makes for easier viewing).

——-> https://rolf-dieter.smugmug.com/PagodaFest/?fbclid=IwAR2BnYK5JbnozjlkM_WUcEV45LHpC8syH8bvXu7bcqaluiw82V7aN_QkXV0
Title: Re: On my way to PagodaFest From London, Ontario CANADA
Post by: doitwright on October 01, 2019, 21:10:11
Considering how close the Classic Center is to the event I am sure Tom H. will be getting several visitors from our group. I am planning to stop there on Thursday. Also hope to see Frank Lloyd Wright’s Hollyhock house. Why? Wright is the wright in “doitwright”.

Title: Re: On my way to PagodaFest From London, Ontario CANADA
Post by: RAY on October 03, 2019, 18:32:01
Happy Birhtday Dieter

Enjoy PagodaFest as we know you will.

Ray & Jill
Title: Re: On my way to PagodaFest From London, Ontario CANADA
Post by: neelyrc on October 03, 2019, 19:22:29
Congratulations on your 82nd Dieter! Best wishes for an enjoyable event in California and a safe drive home.
Title: Re: On my way to PagodaFest From London, Ontario CANADA
Post by: gimp on October 05, 2019, 13:22:46
Happy belated Birthday Dieter
Title: Re: On my way to PagodaFest From London, Ontario CANADA
Post by: Rolf-Dieter ✝︎ on October 14, 2019, 17:06:22
Thank You all for the birthday wishes ... I made it safely back home final KM count of trip (including drive around in some of the major cities along Route 66) was 9,749 KM.

It was nice to see old Friends and make some new ones, this is after all what this is all about.

Jon and his dedicated PagodaFest Team, along with Technical presentations and Automotive sponsors put on a well organized and great show. We owe them all our thanks for for a memorable 2 days. ThankYou!

Dieter

Most Enjoyable Time (besides the PagodaFest Event).

The hospitality of some of the AirBnB Hosts along the way. The one I stayed at in LA had a nice pool and I had the entire house for $100 Canadian per day for 3 days.

Most disappointing experience in LA

I lost my gas filler cup (forgot to tighten it and close the flap). Well I went to the LA Mercedes Dealership Downtown and purchased a replacement. Cost $59- US including Tax. I drove around to the service department and explained that since I lost my filler cap I have an engine warning light on that needs to be reset. The Service Manager advised that be $200-US I explained to him again all it needs is to be reset since now it does have a new filler cap in place. I just left in discuss and knew that in a short while the engine warning light would reset itself what indeed it did.