Pagoda SL Group

Off Topic => Way Off Topic => Topic started by: Cees Klumper on July 27, 2005, 16:04:54

Title: What's your profession?
Post by: Cees Klumper on July 27, 2005, 16:04:54
To start it off, I am currently the Chief Audit & Compliance Officer of the International Medical Corps, headquartered in Los Angeles. Our organization provides basic health care services to populations in conflict zones and areas struck by natural disaster. We're currently active in some 30 countries, including Syria, Yemen, Afghanistan, South Sudan, Somalia and Haiti. All my career has been in external and internal audit, internal control, finance and risk management in Europe and the United States which has brought an interesting mix of experiences in the developed and developing world.

What kind of work do you do for a living?
Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: Bob G on July 27, 2005, 16:13:31
My perfession is Automotive detailing I like to think of it as cosmetology to the metal mistress of my clients. You can tell I have been in this business a long time since 1970.
However one does not stop at the information he has been given when thermoalastic paint (Lacquer) was used , rather like an doctor he continues to learn and read up on the ever changing nature of coating technology Powder coat clears & ceramic technology.
I like being my own boss, but you have to realize your real boss is your clients and they are the ones you must make happy.
My job is a demanding and one must think when working on an automobile, its not wax on wax off like in the karate kid. The wrong chemical or slice of the buffing pad can cost you plenty.
Bob Geco
Los Angeles, CA
1968 280SL
Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: Raymond on July 27, 2005, 17:33:43
I am a television producer and own a production company in Jacksonville, Florida.

Ray
'68 280SL 4-spd Coupe
Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: peterm on July 27, 2005, 19:21:47
In an effort to attempt to pay for 280 restoration I have gone through graduate school, medical school and residency and have determined it takes an ophthalmologist at least 120 patients a week to keep the pagoda running.
Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: Benz Dr. on July 27, 2005, 21:46:10
I'm still a farmer. We run 500 acres yet and at one time we had 800 with 200 head of cattle. Along with this we had a hay and straw trucking operation. No wonder I'm so sore all the time.
I started working on MB cars as a hobby in 1977 when I bought a '56 190SL. Along the way I bought other cars, 64 220SEb Coupe, 74 280, 69 280SL, 61 190SL, 66 230SL and a host of other cars some of which are only good for parts.
In 1982 I started selling AMSOIL which was my first venture into retail sales. I learned a lot about oil and lubrication. Working away on my own cars I found that a few people wanted me to do odd jobs on their cars too. The learning curve was pretty steep during this time.
In 1987 I went to see Tim Kidder at K&K. I bought some parts and we talked about setting up a dealership in Canada. A year later in June of ' 88 I started selling parts and the response was incredible. I was advertising in the old car trader and calls flooded in from across the country. The following year I started going the the car auctions in Toronto and have been there ever since. At this point I do little if any advertising - it's word of mouth now.
In 1995 I got remarried and started the shop part time. After several tries at finding the right guy to work with me I think I have that sorted out. Now the shop is full time and farming is part time. Shelley does all the paper work, book keeping, shipping and receiving and cat care.
We now have 3 major suppliers so parts are a little bit easier to get.

I still think of myself as just another car guy and wish I could get away more than I do. Maybe even drive the Red Rocket once in a while........

So, I still do what I've always done I guess.

Dan Caron's
 SL Barn
benzbarn@ebtech.net
 slbarn.mbz.org
Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: eboati on July 27, 2005, 23:37:48
Hi,
I work for the United Nations in Geneva (Human Rights. Now on mission in Nepal, while my 230sl is getting some TLC in Milan, with Luca Meroni, known to some of the group.

Cheers,   e.

1964 W113 230SL
1982 W123 240d
Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: mbzse on July 28, 2005, 01:50:53
quote:
Originally posted by cees klumper

Here's a new one: what do you do for a living?

I work as a project manager doing restructuring of the data network (IT environment) in large corporations, as a consultant.
I am a mechanical engineer to begin with, started out designing precision electrooptical equipment etc. Gradually moved to management, then tried to get back to working with technology by becoming a consultant.
I have four Mercedes, to work on them is a great hobby, something solid to work with and one can immediately see the results. This is a good contrast to intangible matters at work.

/Hans in Stockholm
Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: Ben on July 28, 2005, 02:14:41
I started working in the Motor Trade in 1987, 3 days after leaving school. It was my dream to work in a garage, so I started valeting,then did an apprenticeship as a mechanic,then moved into middle management, then sales for a few years.............then left !

I now work for our family business selling Electro-Mechanical Variable Speed Drives to the production/manufacturing Industry. Basically we design and distribute Electric Motors, Servo's, Steppers, Clutches, Brakes, Couplings etc. I travel around the Country 4 or 5 times a month visiting Customers and am office based outside of that !   8)

I drive my Pagoda as much as I can and find it a real "door opener" with my Customers !

Regards,
Ben in Ireland.
'64 230SL 4sp.
Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: enochbell on July 28, 2005, 04:27:44
Twenty five years on the business side of health care, with last 12 of those years using venture capital to buy and grow health care services (home health, occupational medicine, physical therapy, nurse staffing, subacute rehab).  Five years ago, after selling a company, took a year off and had the time to rebuild most of the '64 and to learn that I will always suck at golf.  Just sold another company in July so am taking another "breather" and trying to avoid work altogether.  I am not lazy, mind you, just would rather turn a wrench than a dollar.  Two kids in college (Penn and Emory) will get me back to business soon enough, I guess.

greg

'64 230sl, fully sorted out...ooops, spoke too soon
Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: Jonny B on July 28, 2005, 05:25:26
I work in the health safety environmental and security group for a chemical company in NE Ohio. My specific responsibility is for systems implementation for the corporation. I am a chem engineer by training, and have worked in production, projects, information technology, Six Sigma, and other various and sundry special project assignments.

I have been a Benz owner for 20years, and currently have the 67 250SL, an 05 E 4matic wagon, and an SLK230.

Jonny B
1967 250SL Auto
Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: Kenneth Gear on July 28, 2005, 06:05:07
I am a lobbyist in Washington DC.  I recently accepted a new job in this field as VP of a trade association representing nine Automobile Manufacturers including Daimler-Chrysler.  I still haven't been able to secure a discount on parts but I'm working on it!



Ken G
1971 280 SL
Silver/red
Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: France on July 28, 2005, 07:01:40
Hi Guys,

Some of you may have seen my rants about copyrights...for 20 years I was a licensing executive (patents and trademarks too) for the biggest public licensing operation in the world, licensing mostly healthcare inventions and starting up companies in California.  Five years ago I met the love of my life (well, other than Carling that is ;) ) on a business trip to Scotland.  I took very very early retirement and moved to Europe two years later to marry my car-aholic German sweetie, hoping not to work too hard after that, but my boss lured me back to work for him part time, and my sweetie just talked me into starting work together on Lake Neuchatel for a large Swiss engineering research outfit.  I can thank him for also talking me into buying Carling.  I look forward to making contact with the Swiss W113 contingent. We're a rather interesting group, don't you think?

Trice
1968 280SL US, signal red/bl leather, auto, kinder
Sarasota FL; Alsace France
Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: hands_aus on July 28, 2005, 07:31:58
I started out as an Electrican wiring houses, buildings, rebuilding motors, alternators, switchboards etc.
Then studied to become a Telecommunications Draftsman ending up in charge of a drafting group that looked after the telephone exchanges in the CBD of Brisbane.

Technology changed and I was made redundant in 1992 at the age of 42.

I decided that I wanted a change in direction so I now work for myself in the alternate health industry as a qualified Massage Therapist.

Bring on the sore/bad backs!

An ongoing change for me ... I am a shade tree mechanic in training and loving it.

Bob Smith (Brisbane,Australia)
RHD,1967 early 250 SL, auto
Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: graphic66 on July 28, 2005, 08:45:58
I have owned my commercial printing company for 25 years. I also own commercial rental property. At this point I don't work to hard, late to bed and sleep late. Most of my time is spent maintaining my 406 and 230SL Mercedes. Mostly boating, offroading, and motorhoming, and in winter, a major sickness- snowmobiles. Just taking it easy now.
Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: RickInTex on July 28, 2005, 15:16:59
I'm a university English professor and academic literary critic.  My pagoda was the present I gave myself last year for getting tenure and promotion.  The raise has so far been exceeded by what I've spent on a valve job and rebuilt injection pump, but I can't put a price on the fun that comes from driving the car now.

Rick
Dallas TX
1967 250SL, 4-speed
Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: Ed Cave on July 28, 2005, 15:21:07
I own a commercial interior design firm with a Dutch female partner, Christine Veenendaal. Hence the company name, VeenendaalCave, Inc.

We are 42 architects and interior designers + support staff designing corporate office space throughout the Southeastern United States.

We launched this, our second website in early 2000 and, although one of my primary goals this year is to build a new site, we've been way too busy to even consider it. Besides, I have to have time for my other passions, two from the seventies which are listed below. www.vcave.com

If you happen to be really bored and games like "Where's Waldo" easily amuse you, try to find the Silver Porsche on our website.

Ed Cave
Atlanta, GA


1971 280SL
1973 911S
2004 A4 3.0
2006 GS430
Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: ted280sl on July 28, 2005, 16:32:14
This really is quite an impressive group. I am involved in tax software and accounting applications sales. I attended a sales motivation program several years ago and the point was made the you need to set goals and when you achieve those goals you deserve a clearly defined reward. I decided that a Pagoda would be my reward. I acheived my goal and I went out and purchased my 1969 Pagoda. I have explained this concept to my wife many times but, she still believes I just made up an excuse to buy the car. She may be right.
  It is really great therapy to work on the car.I can work very hard in sales and I am never certain if I have accomplished anything. Fix a part on a Pagoda and you know it.
Ted 1969 280SL
Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: KevinC on July 28, 2005, 16:32:16
I sell pork (somebody has to, right?) Okay, I really do sell everything from bacon to hot dogs to ham to crown roasts to national restaurant chains. I travel all over the US selling to various accounts. The company I work for processes 28,000 head per day...that's the equivalent of 1.1M pounds of bacon! No, I cant get samples.

Kevin
Boca Raton, FL
1967 230 SL Automatic
670 Light Ivory
113 Bronze/Brown MB Tex
Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: rob walker on July 28, 2005, 17:59:49
I am a V.P. for Dubai Ports International.
We are a container terminal owner and operator and we have secured a 50 year concession to build own and operate a brand new facility in Busan, South Korea.
This will be one of the largest and most efficient container terminals in the World, having a quay lenght of 3.2kms and will have the largest handling equipment ever built. The total project cost is over $1.6Bn.
First phase of construction will be complete at the end of this year when we start operations.
I am currently based in Seoul with my wife, but spend a lot of time in Busan.
This means the other newly acquired love of my life remains tucked up in Europe for my home trips and will eventually relocate back to Spain with us where we have our family home.


Rob Walker
Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: German Dude on July 29, 2005, 04:58:09
I work for a German independent record label represented all over the globe. I am in charge of our American distribution. Also, I am responsible for our newest product line: audiobooks. As a kid, I had a Pagoda toy car and decided one day I would own a car like that. Never underestimate a 7-year-old's resolve...

Juergen
64 230SL #2933, 4sp, signal red, white hard top
93 Citroen XM station wagon
Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: Naj ✝︎ on July 29, 2005, 06:02:03
Trained as an Agricultural Engineer but now in a small business with one partner, distributing truck and bus (and a few OEM Pagoda) parts.

naj

65 230SL
68 280SL
Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: Sphe on July 29, 2005, 06:05:02
One more year of college and I'll be a Mechanical engineer with a concentration in Design and Mechatronics. Workin for the pawling corporation this summer as a assistant draftsman.

Eugene
1965 230SL, Max Speed: Zero
Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: J. Huber on July 29, 2005, 08:46:09
Well, half the time I am an academic Reference Librarian at the local College. I teach kids how to research and locate info.

The other half? well, I stay pretty busy with 3 kids, a wife, home, and a couple toys -- (the 230SL being at the top of the list!)...

"life's been good so far..." J. Walsh & Co.

James
63 230SL
Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: ranchomerced on July 29, 2005, 09:03:05
I restore and collect pre 1971 Mercedes Benz. I have been doing this for 25 years; before that I was a navigator on the nuclear powered fast attack submarine USS PUFFER SSN 652 based in Hawaii. See my website: www.ranchomerced.com .  Mark Passarelli
Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: Chad on July 29, 2005, 09:59:17
I am a physician.  I always wear gloves when I tinker on the cars now.  Patients seem to like fingernails that are not soiled with srease and grime.

-CD-
1967 230SL
1983 300TDT
Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: waltklatt on July 29, 2005, 11:01:24
Hello Ed,

Interesting porfolio of your firm.
Found a 356 on a work desk in one of the pictures.  Is that it?

I'm myself an architect-not licensed yet and have been for the past 6 years.  I work in downtown Washington DC.

I have been with our venerated 3 pointed star for better of 2 decades, actually 23 years.  At the age of 12 I helped our family car mechanic at his shop and I tagged around with him learning as much as I could soak in.  My first accomplishment was a complete rewiring of a 230SL, which had a radio dash fire.  
Since then many MB's have come and go with a touch of my hands.
 
Seems that a lot of architects I know, own a pagoda SL.  They say the lines are simple and clean-reminiscent of the bauhaus style.  A few delicate touches of chrome, wood, painted metal create the overall effect and its just right, not too much or gaudy.

Walter
1967 230SL-diesel
1963 230SL-f/s
Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: pablo_o2 on July 29, 2005, 11:39:18
I'm a docking pilot in one of the largest ports of Europe, Antwerp Belgium that is. So it comes to this: when we were kids we played with small boats in the bath and now I have the privilage of doing so with + 200 m. vessels :-) and I love it!!!

Paul Haems
'68 280SL
Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: terry shores on July 29, 2005, 12:14:23
I retired at 46 after selling a chain of fast food mexican restaurants 10 years ago.  Now just collect cars and provide "flooring financing" for a friend of mine who owns a used car dealership.

Terry Shores
Temecula, Cal.
Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: n/a on July 29, 2005, 12:33:38
I am physician as well - I have diecast model cars all over my office so my patients know I'm a motorhead at heart.  A nice drive in the Pagoda is just what the doctor ordered after a long day in the hospital!

Joe
Los Angeles, CA
Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: Douglas on July 29, 2005, 12:50:29
I am a flight attendant. My interests include horses, skiing and people. My turn-offs are people who are mean and my turn-ons are . . .

Just kidding. I am a professional writer. I write ads for a living in Manhattan. I am a partner in a startup agency after spending years working for other ad agencies here in New York. For the past few years, it seems like I've been creating a lot of ads for tech companies. Possibly for the company whose name is on the monitor you're staring at right now.

As many of you know, my wife and I just had a our first child, so I'm hoping my son will adopt my interest in cars and, specifically, Pagoda SLs. I will be patient though, and give him at least 6 months to decide whether this is the hobby for him. :-)

Douglas Kim
New York, NY
280 SL #016220
Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: DavidAPease on July 29, 2005, 20:47:31
I work in the Computer Science department at IBM Research, where I am a Senior Technical Staff Member, and lead research projects related primarily to storage.  I am also a part-time lecturer at U.C. Santa Cruz.  

In a couple of years I intend to leave the corporate world and get a professorship at a university (probably Chico State).  I will have summers off to cruise around in the Pagoda.



-David Pease
'66 French 230SL
Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: norton on July 29, 2005, 20:51:16
David what are you doing online? Where still drinking beer at Joe's

Mike Halleck
Chesterfield Mi
71 280SL
68 250SL (parts car)
94 E320 Coupe
Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: CraigD on July 30, 2005, 17:39:03
I am a mechanical engineer, and for 15 years my career was in the manufacture of electronics equipment and precision machined parts.  5 years ago I left manufacturing and began teaching high school in science, math, and introductory engineering.  I am experiencing the surprisingly difficult (but satisfying) challenge of teaching well, offset by having time in the summer for our 4 children, and for waxing and tinkering with the Pagoda.  :)

Craig
Bellevue, WA
1970 280SL, Euro, Leather, 4-spd.
Silver/Black

 
Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: mille on July 31, 2005, 07:59:56
I'm 48 and hold a M.Sc. in Industrial production planning. For the last 7 years I have been a Product Manager in the United Nations (UNDP) - responsible for long term agreements with most major vehicle manufactures re. procurement of field motor vehicles. Other than that I spend my time with my wife and our two daughters (who are not particular interested in dad's Pagoda...),by driving our Pagoda (which currently are undergoing a major restoration), enjoying our new house at the sea side, travelling and reading books.
Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: Bearcat on July 31, 2005, 10:10:11
I am an airline pilot....a capt on the airbus a320. i own a mercedes 280SL 1970.....I always wanted a pagoda from an early age and was very much influenced by my late father who owned many mercs. Daily driver is a 5yr old S500.
Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: ChrisInNashville on July 31, 2005, 19:52:56
Husband, Father of Two, Sunday School Teacher, and Commercial Banker

...a Pagoda fan from before the age of 10...fortunate to own one for the last year.
Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: dwilli3038 on July 31, 2005, 21:29:02
I am a Mechanical Engineer by education. I am curently the director of North American Engineering for an animal pharmaceutical company.

Daryl
'64 230 SL
Serial # 508
Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: TerenceD on August 01, 2005, 06:01:53
I am a partner in a cellular phone company.  My company specializes in cellular phone accessories and GSM phones.
Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: mdsalemi on August 01, 2005, 09:26:53
In this life I own a car wash, a self serve with one touchless automatic (as if you didn't know that already...) basically an entrepeneur?  A lot of time being a father to a 6 year old girl, and husband to a Ford Motor Company executive (sorry guys--gotta drive them)

In a former life I sold capital equipment into the printing industry, big expensive stuff that now is done on the desktop with Photoshop and a $50 scanner...that's why I don't do that anymore.

In another former life I was an applications engineer for printing equipment...but left to get a Master's.

And in the first former life after college, I was an applications engineer for automatic inspection equipment in the continuous-materials industries.

Michael Salemi
1969 280SL
Signal Red w/Black Leather
Restored
Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: isofast on August 01, 2005, 10:12:01
Tip one for me Mike H
I am a Chicago Teamster[:p]
Ernie Burchall
Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: n/a on August 01, 2005, 11:08:34
I am a Division Financial Officer of a mid-size community bank. Having been with the big banks for the past 12 years, I am now settled in with the relaxed life of a community bank to have more time with my family and my Pagoda.

Prior to my banker life, I was with a giant photographic company in western New York.

I felt in love with the Pagoda when I was growing up in Hong Kong. I bought my "training" Pagoda about three years ago. I sold it to a German buyer about a year ago after getting it to run and done all the repairs to the best of my capability. I bought my current Pagoda about six month ago.

I enjoy driving and tinkering with the car and it is wonerful therapy to end a long day. I have wife and a 6 years old daughter - she already laid claim to the red little sport car when she is ready to drive.  We'll see!

Louis 70 280sl red auto
Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: Dick M on August 01, 2005, 12:20:42
Retirement is my full time job... My last employment was as VP Corporate HR Development and Communications - Boston.  Earlier jobs were as multimedia producer, autoshop teacher (I know nothing about cars newer than 1966) and Peace Corps Volunteer.

Now I volunteer to instruct my fellow senior citizens to use the Internet and I also do video productions for non-profit's fundraising/promotion...(like W113 Pagoda SL Group).

Life does not get any better than this....

Dick Mentzer
1970 280SL
Nevada city, CA
Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: n/a on August 01, 2005, 18:17:05
I am a CTO for a Medical Software Company.

Basically I Surf the Internet all day.


Jeff Abbott
1969 280sl
2005 Acura TL
2002 Jeep GC Ltd.
1976 MG Midget
Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: JimVillers on August 02, 2005, 06:42:06
I am an over educated, Mechanical Engineering and an MBA, retired US Navy Supply Corps Officer (mostly built and ran large computer systems), retired senior Unix system engineer and mostly car guy.  I have owned my 190SL since 1972 and am very active with the 190SL Group (Director, webmaster, operate the Club Store, etc).  I also have a 1971 MGB because of a great local club and I have a 1987 MB 2.3-16 that I supercharged with a SLK blower that I drive on the track.  I rationalized the purchase of my 1967 230SL 5-speed in 1999 "because it was a 5-speed".  One of my better rationalizations.   Cars are fun and car people are super people.

Jim Villers
190SL, 230SL 5-Speed, 190E 2.3-16 Kompressor
Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: TR on August 02, 2005, 09:13:27
Degrees in engineering & business.

Using the model of “former lives”: First life was an intell. officer, with several years spent on assignment in the various garden spots of Asia/Pacific, M-East/Africa (wife was with me on several of these).  Second life was chief engineer for a Fortune 100 company; planning & execution for ~$1B/yr of Capex.  Third (current) life as CEO of a specialty firm advising mega-companies in strategic planning, mergers/acquisitions/disposals, as well as capital deployment with special focus on process automation.

Tom in Boise
'71 280SL 4-spd, signal red w/lt. tan interior, restored/enhanced
Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: glcg123 on August 02, 2005, 11:49:10
I am an engineer by profession but have spent my entire career in sales and marketing management with companies such as Xerox and Westeel Limited. I retired from the corporate world last summer and was able to buy my 230SL from the estate of the neighbour who lived three doors down from me.
 
I am only semi-retired operating a small buisness that specializes in the sale of personnel assessment tools used for recruitment and training needs analysis. My wife, with my part-time assistance has been operating this business for the past 16 years. I am also an inventor having a patent pending on a new product just introduced to market, Notes2Go. It is completely unrelated to the assessment tool business and is a startup which means lots of calls. You can check it out at our website notes2go.ca.

I try to do what I can on the Benz such as shocks and the like. Most of the work I have handled by a great mechanic, Tony Rocca of Continental Car here in Winnipeg. My specialty is detailing, including machine polishing where needed, but with the Benz it is all by hand as the paint is original.

George

1965 230SL
4 speed
Ppyrus white
Acquamarine leather interior
Black tops

Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: Mike Webster on August 02, 2005, 11:58:42
I own a prototype shop in Roseville MI. We basically machine automotive engine and transmission components in small quantities either from billet or a casting. We run conventional & CNC equipment, most customers are the big three and the major tier one's. I've been doing this now for 29 years.

I have a BSME from General Motors Institute. I did my co-op work, and spent my early career at the now defunct Fisher Body Division.

Mike Webster
230sl silver/red
Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: bpossel on August 04, 2005, 18:37:59
I have worked in the world of information systems for over 26 years.  Currently work with medical software & systems at St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN.  Have been married 26 years, & have 3 wonderful children.  My parents took European delivery of a 190Dc in 1965, & we toured Germany for 4 months visiting relatives.  Ever since the factory tour, I was hooked on MBs.
Bob
Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: erickmarciano on August 04, 2005, 18:57:56
I am an in import / exports of kitchen goods from the orient . I am 34 with 2 kids and a 3rd one on the way <joseph 2 years old , Rebecca 10 months old and the my wife Michelle is giving birth in september .as you can see I have my hands full . I have done most of the restoration job on my car < not the bodywork> .I have beed doing cars for around 12 years . when I have a little free time I work on the cars and Vespas

thanks
Erick

1971 280sl
1962 VW
1954 Allstate vespa
1958 gs150 vespa
1962 gs160 vespa
Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: n/a on August 05, 2005, 02:32:13
I'm a TV journalist at Al Arabiya, a 24-hr news channel based in Dubai. No knowledge whatsoever about auto mechanics. I just fill the gas up and drive away.
I got my M.A. in International Relations at the American University in Washington, DC; and a BS in Economics and Business Admin at the University of Maryland.....(a long time ago!)
Mo
69 280 SL, Silver/Black
Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: Malc on August 05, 2005, 02:56:20
Studied Geology, ended up in the oil industry
Now working as a "development engineer" for an oil services company, sound posh but actually means I am involved in the design and testing of new tools, as well as "running" them.
Takes me all over the planet...Not all of them holiday destinations  :)

Malc
Mo, probably down your way again fairly soon.... give you a bell?
Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: gwuisman on August 05, 2005, 04:54:44
At the moment I am deputy City Clark and Director of the Department of General Affairs of the only city in Holland with a modern skyline, Rotterdam (see http://www.rotterdam.nl/smartsite.dws?id=2042622&MainMenu=268958&Menu=2042622, http://www.rotterdam.nl/smartsite.dws?id=266637&MainMenu=266566&Menu=266637, and http://www.rotterdam.nl/smartsite.dws?id=266649&MainMenu=266566&Menu=266649). In my job I feel like being a bit the city’s dustbin. A steady shower of often unforeseen subjects and projects are put on my desk to deal with by myself and my department. An example: I have the end responsibility for the organisation of the Rotterdam stopover of the VOLVO-OCEAN RACE Round the world 2005-2006 in the week of the 15th of June 2006 (see for the other stopover cities http://www.volvooceanrace.org/pages/racinginfo/course.htm and http://www.volvooceanrace.org/pages/ports/assets/images/routemap_highres.jpg ). Quite a nice task for someone who is sailor himself. Perhaps for some of  you a nice opportunity to take your Pagoda and visit the event in your country!
Before my job in Rotterdam I was advisor to the Prime Minister and Secretary of Council of Ministers at the Ministry of General Affairs in The Hague after being lawyer at The Dutch Council of State. I started as aspirant notary public and lawyer at the National Development Bank.

Gerard Wuisman
1970 280sl
Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: Kenneth Gear on August 05, 2005, 08:20:11
Geez Eric,

You've got me beat... I'll have three kids age 4 or younger when my wife gives birth in November.. You've been even busier that us!

Congratulations!

Ken G
1971 280 SL
Silver/red
Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: jsaylor on August 05, 2005, 11:16:43
Almost 30 years ago I moved to the island of Kauai in Hawaii.  I own and operate two jewelry stores.  We design and create fine jewery for local customers, visitors as well as mainland clients.  I still get time on the bench (jewelry bench) to play and create.  I enjoy sailing my 25' wooden sloop, woodworking and am doing a rolling restoration on my '65 230SL.  In my spare time I sit on the board of our local Hospice group and am currently President of  the Rotary Cub of Kapaa.  
 8)

Jim Saylor
Kauai, Hawaii
'65 230SL
Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: saygold on August 05, 2005, 19:18:16
I studied Metallurgical Engineering and have worked in the mining business all over the world for over 30 years.  I bought a 230SL as a present to myself in 1986 when I was transferred back to the states from a mine in Indonesia.  I managed gold recovery plants and helped develop new ones in Africa and Central America while the car stayed in the states.  I retired (too) early and am enjoying life in the Pacific Northwest.

Ken
1966 230SL white (euro)
Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: n/a on August 06, 2005, 22:20:58
Jim,

Do you know a guy name Bob Converse in Honolulu? I bought my car from him about six months ago. The car is a 70 280sl red that was first delivered to Hawaii on 10/69. He spent quite a bit of money in the early '90s to fix the car up.



Louis 70 280sl Red Auto
Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: jsaylor on August 07, 2005, 01:14:34
Louis,

I don't know him, I rarly get to Honolulu and I just bought my 230SL this past Nov.  There is one other 230SL on Kauai and I believe there is a sorry 280SL that I must investigate soon.

Aloha,

Jim Saylor
Kauai, Hawaii
'65 230SL
Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: ja17 on August 07, 2005, 06:57:10
Hello,
I am vice president of operations of "The Artglo Comapany" and it's "Smartwalls" division.

My higher education included 3yrs Architecture, and four years of Industrial Design, with a degree in the later.

While attending colledge I worked as a Mercedes technician, also interned for an Architectural Firm for a few years, and Owen's Corning Fiberglass (tech center).

I owned and operated a vintage Mercedes repair shop for about eight years here in Blacklick in the late 70's and early 80's. We sold parts and specialized in frame restorations on rusty classic MBs.

In later years I owned and operated a re-enforced plastics tooling and prototyping business before eventually becoming involved in Artglo and it's Smartwalls division( a demountable full size wall system). I have been in this business for over twenty years at this point. I have kept my original Mercedes shop in Blacklick during this period for my own hobby (out of control!).

My wife Mary is the Central Ohio Section President of The Mercedes Benz Club.
Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: n/a on August 07, 2005, 17:51:44
Gentlemen:

In response to Cees' question on professions, I am a retired Chief Warrant Officer from the Royal Canadian Air Force.  I was an Aero Engine Technician and later Aviation Technician.  I joined the RCAF in Oct 1957 and retired in 1988.  When I retired, I was the Aircraft Maintenance Chief Warrant Officer at CFB Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, and one of my responsibilities was the maintenance personnel on the Snowbirds Aerobatic Team.  

On retirement, because of my experience in the Air Fore with GE engines, I joined General Electric Aircraft engines as a Field Service Rep for the GE T58 and CT64 engines, retiring from GE in 1999.

Now I keep busy restoring vintage motorcycles, and lately having a lot of fun with my '70 280SL.  One of my old bikes, a 1950 Sunbeam S7 was featured in the Guggenheim "Art of the Motorcycle" exhibit in Las Vegas 2001-03.

Best Regards,

Jim Hunter
Ottawa, Canada

JLHunter
Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: Dash808 on December 04, 2008, 03:30:31
Part time Airline Pilot and full time slacker  ;D

Aloha!
Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: abe280SL on December 04, 2008, 03:57:32
These days it looks like my profession is a taxpayer.
abe
Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: al_lieffring on December 04, 2008, 20:30:30
I've always hated being asked this question.

My ears usually turn red as I look toward my shoes and mumble "I work on cars." :-[
Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: Peter van Es on December 04, 2008, 22:23:31
Amazing how I missed this thread the first time round....

I'm an electrical engineer by training: I built my first computer (PC's didn't exist then) with a Z80 and very expensive RAM chips in 1980. I enjoyed software more, so wrote a Unit Trust Administration system for a broker in London in 1981, when still at university. Upon graduation in 1982 moved into the software development / systems integration business. Got into commercial roles and project management jobs. If the company I worked for had a duff project anywhere in the world, I was sent there. Spent time in the UK and the US. Moved back to the Netherlands in 1986. Married, bought a house, got a kid... ready to settle down in 92. In 93 moved to Hong Kong to run our Asian operations as Managing Director. Moved to Jakarta, Indonesia in 1997, and then to Boston in 1999.

Just before being moved to another troublesome operation (I didn't fix projects anymore... now it was companies) in the Netherlands in 2001 ended up in a fight with the board (as these things happen). Left, worked as a consultant for a bit (didn't like that) then joined Hewlett-Packard as VP in account management. After 4 years got completely fed up with that too.

So in 2007 decided to leave them to try and find a small company to buy. I'm looking for something in the Business to Business market, that makes normal products (i.e. tangible), preferably in a niche market, with a strong technical component. Preferably based near my home in the Netherlands, but with an international component. Live off my investments. Went OK in 2007 but went sort of belly up in 2008... Am a lot poorer now.

The money to buy a company I did not invest (phew...) so I'm currently evaluating lots of different possibilities. But am not in a rush.

Because I am not full time employed, was able to spend a lot of time on the Pagoda SL Group website and the Technical Manual. Even though I've held management roles since 1990, I never enjoyed crossword puzzles... my fun was keeping my knowledge of software development and new Web technologies up-to-date. So I ran the conversion to this new site as a one person development project, but I tried to manage it professionally. Hopefully I succeeded and you didn't notice any problems!

In the mean time, I have non-executive directorships, I coach young managers, and am available for challenging IT projects  ;) I also drive a fair number of classic car rallies, mostly as navigator, so in my drivers 1964 Alfa Romeo Giulia Sprint GT.

I have two kids (14 and 15 years old - so in the expensive school age) and a wife who prefers a one-hp horse over a 170-hp Pagoda.... so I will work for money!

Peter

(ps: in the picture it's me on the left, nose in the road book)
Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: scoot on December 04, 2008, 23:37:32
I guess I'm a rocket scientist.  I've worked for NASA for 22 years and my degree is in mathematics.  I'm really much more of a people-person and don't really care for scientists.  I would like to be employed in social services, but at present, my partner (recently became my legal husband!) is going through the career transition process so I need to stay employed.   I do volunteer work with foster kids and find that to be much more satisfying than my work for NASA.

We've had a number of interesting older cars -- 4 Facel Vegas, numerous Volvos, several Alfas.  Currently we have our 250 SL and a Duetto (and our normal boring cars).   For "normal cars", previous "normal cars" have been 4 BMWs, a 2002 MB C230, a few Nissans and always a stupid pickup truck because we need to haul crap around because we are landlords and fix-it kind of guys.

It is REALLY interesting to read about what the rest of you do.  I also missed this thread until now...
Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: thelews on December 05, 2008, 00:42:54
I'm a financial advisor that enjoys vintage cars to detail, maintain and drive.
Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: franjo_66 on December 05, 2008, 01:55:45
I work as an IT consultant in the Wealth Management (ie financial services) sector here in Australia, mostly providing analysis, design & management input on large projects and programmes.

I started out as a programmer (COBOL / Assembler / CICS / DB2) on mostly IBM mainframes. I completed a double degree in Pure Mathematics & Computer Science at the University of Sydney. But I have been a "petrol- head" forever, restoring and/or modifying old Aussie muscle cars and Mercs of course. Just at the tail end of finishing a frame-off restoration on my 1965 230SL.

I've been married for 13 years with two beautiful daughters (Lana - turns 4 this month, and Lara - 17 months). The older daughter has already claimed the 230SL as hers.......

Really glad I saw this thread, and am amazed at the diversity of backgrounds amongst us.

Rgds
Frank
Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: suzy on December 05, 2008, 02:03:34
Archivist at a research institute in Los Angeles.
Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: dldubois on December 05, 2008, 03:59:12
Account Manager at an Insurance Co based in NE OH (northeast Ohio, USA).   In process of relocating from TX (Texas) (my 280sl is in the back of a moving van somewhere in the US though I should have this Sunday.   Fortunately I was out in it last week in TX w/ the top down 8)   Looks like it'll be in the garage for a few more months up here.
Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: deke54 on December 05, 2008, 05:55:41
I guess one of us has to confess to being a practicing attorney. I have a solo practice with an emphasis on advising clients in the automotive industry.  I also serve as Executive Director of the Spokane New Car Dealers Association.
Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: benzportland on December 05, 2008, 06:20:55
Attorney serving as judge and therefore a fully certified Government Mule........ :D
Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: rob walker on December 05, 2008, 07:00:26
(ps: in the picture it's me on the left, nose in the road book)

Peter really interested to see the picture. I competed on the Limburgia Rally in....erm  mid 80's wow that was a long time ago!!! and it was a closed road special stage event. I drove a Mk2 BDA Escort at that time. What are the regulations for the event now is it still closed road or more navigational?
Rob
Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: Peter van Es on December 05, 2008, 10:53:13
Rob,

it's a bit off-topic here, but it's a classic car rally, with mainly tough navigational exercises.... however, there are speed-sections on closed off roads (we had 4 of those)... although the speed you need to achieve does not sound like much, the driver needs to work hard to achieve it, so pretty satisfying for him too. The Limburgia was fast enough that the 3 Pagoda's that started did not finish... I think one due to navigation problems, and the other two just couldn't keep up the pace and dropped out after one day. There as an Escort Mexico in there participating.... and that thing was very fast also. Pagodas are just a little too heavy for this twisty and winding area, with many sections on sand and gravel roads.


We are working on getting acquainted (we finished the Star Rally, a night rally last week where we came in 5th) and the goal is to do about 4 or 5 rallies this year (including the Tulip) and if we're up for it, the LeJog at the end of 2009.

Perhaps we'll see you in one of these rallies some time soon too!

Peter
Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: Shvegel on December 05, 2008, 11:56:54
Hi,
I have been turning wrenches on cars almost as long as I can remember. I started with my poor brothers car and rebuilt my first carburetor(holly 4 barrel) at age 11.  From there I graduated to poor neighbors cars and my own rag tag fleet of 60s American cars. From there I just sort of fell in to every construction trade and automotive trade you can imagine culminating in a trip to the east coast that turned into a 3 year stint on a private yacht.

I grew tired of traveling a few years ago and returned home and became an instructor for BMW North America teaching new product to their mechanics.

I left BMW 3 years ago and returned to the water. I am once again a chief operating engineer on a large private yacht.
Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: dorian on December 05, 2008, 16:40:12
I've been working in the computer software industry since the late '80s, and spent most of that time in various Software Development and Management roles at Microsoft.  Details here: http://www.linkedin.com/pub/4/165/23a (http://www.linkedin.com/pub/4/165/23a)

Now that I've started consulting, I'm always looking for my next project! :)   I can be reached through LinkedIn.com or via the form at http://sl107.com/feedback/form.html (http://sl107.com/feedback/form.html)
Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: dixy2k on December 06, 2008, 02:04:26
physical terrorist therapist
Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: psmith on December 06, 2008, 04:38:11
Civil Engineer.  I work in the hard hit housing industry  :'(  Hopefully I won't have to sell my car to pay the bills.  Maybe just some spare parts.
Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: badali on December 06, 2008, 09:19:38
I just retired from the US Air Force after 22 years 2 months and 16 days on April 1, 2007.  I was a civil engineer carpenter.  I worked for Home Depot for 11 months then got a job for the US Postal Service.  Now I sort mail 6 nights a week.  It is not a bad job and I have my days to do what I want and play with my cars.  I finally got my 230 SL less than 2 weeks ago.  Life is good.
Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: Martijn on December 06, 2008, 17:49:16
Mechanical engineer. I have worked on various large projects. For example:
- the expansion of the production capacity of a shipyard in Germany where they build cruise vessels of the "Love boat" type and much bigger ones
- movable bridges, such as drawbridges and bascule bridges
- new production lines for concrete products, like prefab walls and floors
- the movable roof of the Multifunktions Arena in Düsseldorf (Germany) and the movable roof of the new Wembley Stadium in London
- expansion of the Amsterdam metro line, the Noord/Zuidlijn (North/Southline)

Since the last few years I work at company that makes special heat exchangers and mixers for the chemical, petrochemical and food industries. We ship our products to almost every country in the world.

I guess I am one the younger members of this group (36). I am single and have no kids. Cars have my interest as long as I can remember and were my favorite toys when I was a little boy and they still are. They only got a little bigger  ;)
My 250 SL is my first "fun" car. It suits me perfectly; I love to drive a an open car. The SL is beautiful and rather exclusive. I hope to drive it for a long time.
Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: Dash808 on December 08, 2008, 01:09:24
 

I guess I am one the younger members of this group (36). I am single and have no kids. Cars have my interest as long as I can remember and were my favorite toys when I was a little boy and they still are. They only got a little bigger  ;)
My 250 SL is my first "fun" car. It suits me perfectly; I love to drive a an open car. The SL is beautiful and rather exclusive. I hope to drive it for a long time.


31 here  :P   ;D  Hope to have my Pagoda for many more years.
Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: seattle_Jerry on December 08, 2008, 05:42:52
Current Life: Estimator/Sales for the family busines...a commercial/residential painting franchise called Certapro (www.certapro.com)

Before that I briefly taught computer programming at an alternative high school while working on a Masters in Education Technology

Before that I was a plastics engineer in the aerospace industry for 10 years.

My first post college job was destructive testing of aerospace materials.

I also was also a musician in a Mambo band playing Seattle clubs.

I was a double major: Plastic Engineering and Automotive Design with a minor in English.

Questions about non-auto painting or plastics...I'm your man.

I'll add that I feel a little out of place without a CFO or CEO in my description. Tough crowd.

Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: john.mancini on December 08, 2008, 14:39:32
After nearly 28 years in private practice I have spent my last three and a half years as a public health dentist. As I inch towards retirement from the dental profession I am preparing to turn my car hobby into a small business. I just purchased a 6 plus car garage with workshop. It's the "hunt" for that elusive unmolested classic car that I enjoy. The minor restoration work that is needed is fun too! Gotta stay busy!
John Mancini/Pagoda69
Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: Tonys113 on December 09, 2008, 13:57:59
 ;D
New York State Licensed Master Electrician.
I own a small Commercial and Industrial Electrical Construction Firm services a 10 County area around Rochester, New York.
I had worked here as an electrical from age 18, (Now 52). The Original Owner came in one day 13 years ago and made me "an Offer You Can't Refuse'
I now have 25 electricians in the field, 10 trucks, a backhoe and Bucket truck. Very nice steady Design/Build Business with a very small, loyal Customer list.

I have wrenched on cars what seems to be my entire life, weather for my own transportation of pleasure. My 69 280SL Euro just arrived at my home on Friday. My first anything but GM car in my life. I am so delighted, I just can't stop staring at it.
My Last car was a 1966 Chevy Nova SS Resto-Mod, Very, Very Fast Car in Sheeps clothing.
I know the SL will turn many more heads that the SS car has, I have not seen one of these Benz around here in some time.

Tony
Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: glenn on December 10, 2008, 00:23:39
Do I detect a latent strain of 'MB disease' here.  The symptoms are there.  (I) understand it is incurable.
Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: lurtch on December 11, 2008, 01:15:37
Wow. Where do I start? 

 - - - with the year of the college drop-out?    - - -  with the three combat tours in VietNam as a Huey CrewChief/Door Gunner?     - - - - with the seven years  spent as an A & P Line Mechanic  with Trans World Airlines?   - - -  with the six years in the construction trades?  - - - with the Matco Tool Distributorship?  - - -  Or with the last nineteen years as an Engineering Technician at NASA-Ames Thermal Protection Labs? 

I have been a warrior, a merchant, a mechanic, a tradesman and a technician.  Enough is Enough - - I will be retiring in early 2009.

Larry in CA

'66   230SL   "ICON 66"
Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: pauldridge on December 11, 2008, 03:14:37
Gainfully unemployed, now full-time car crazy guy.  Nine vehicles under my stewardship, and always looking for that next one!
Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: Eryck on December 13, 2008, 15:56:42
All your occupations seem a lot more interesting than mine!  I work for Deutsche Bank in real estate investments on the acquisitions side.  Keeping my Pagoda forever but straying and looking to find her a friend - a Corvette Stingray! 
Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: Andres G on December 16, 2008, 03:47:55
Very wide range of jobs in this forum.

I've been in marketing and sales for 15 years, which doesn't seem much, except for the fact that I've worked ever since I got out of high school and all the way through two college degrees and now through the MBA. I am now 33 and I now manage part of company's largest retail customers international business.

I noticed some people work in sales as well, so cheers to those pushing cases out the door every day!

Andres
Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: Bob G on December 16, 2008, 05:22:58
Bob Geco

35 years as a master Auto Detailer. mobile and fixed location owned two shops. Retired due to medical problems and became intrested in reproducing the Engineering tags for  the W113 SL . that  is my present business. I am a care enthusiast. I am an avid reader and a member of The Mercedes-Benz Club of America Long Beach chapter and the ford mustang club of America. Concours Judge

Not as intresting as some of you out their ,  but it keeps me out of trouble . Age 53

Bob Geco
Member #15 w113SL group
Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: Witt on December 17, 2008, 02:23:51
Oh my, where do I start ? Maybe at the beginning....sit back, poor yourself a drink, this may take a while !

My training was in the hotel and restaurant business back in Germany starting at age thirteen. Cars where the furthest thing on my mind. After working in several hotels in Germany I spend three years in the Merchant Navy to see the world and I did.....

1965 I emigrated to Canada living in the East first and followed the motto: "Go West Young Man" and moved to Vancouver BC. It was during the long cold winters in New Brunswick, that I picked up Car Magazines for the first time, turning into a "Road & Track" fanatic lasting to the present.

Lack of public transit (Fredericton NB) "forced" me to look for a car. After a disastrous affair with a Nash Metropolitan ( I swear it was designed by Walt Disney....) and test driving several VW Beetles, the sensible choice, I fell head over heel for a fire-engine redTriumph TR4A.  The bank required a co-signer for the loan and being new to the contry......well the car dealer was a customer of the bar I worked. so he co- signed !

Having moved to Vancouver BC I continued to work in several hotels and bars. My love for Dixieland Jazz helped me tuning the pub I managed into "The Jazz Bar". After a few years of that I was headhunted by the local Jazz Club The HOT JAZZ SOC. and managed that place for seven years....but back to cars:

The amazing thing here in the west is the abundance of  older and classic cars, the mild climate is much kinder to the sportscars I loved so much. My next acquisition after getting established out West was a 65 Corvette Stingray  that turned out to be imported from the rust prone East and lasted only a few month. Next in line was a 70 E-Type, a dream come true for only CND$ 6.500.- That turned into a love / hate  relationship. It was a gas to drive but it turned out to be my apprenticeship. As my Brother put it: I was more under it than in it.

I sold the Jaguar for enough dough to cover all my expenses, busted knuckles not included. Still no regrets. Then.......I got the Kit Car Bug and successfully build five of them. Working mainly nights at the club I had tons of time in the day time. First up a dune buggy, Boy that thing was fun, even in the winter with a gas heater.
Next the TIGER by THOUROUBREAD CARS in Redmond Wa. conveniently located only a few hours drive from Vancouver. Next the MERCEDES 540K replica by the same company. I took that car to Monterey in 86 and was invited into the infield of Laguna Seca Racetrack over my objections that it is "only" a replica. Everyone complimented me on the work I done and no snide negative remarks about not being the real thing. I must give this to the Americans: you are very gracious hosts as I experienced also many times during my visits to several Jazz Festivals in the States to book bands for the club.

Correction, my first kit car before any of the above  was a Kellison GT40 replica. A pictorial in Playboy of that car was all I had to work with and it triggered a lasting love affair with anything GT40. It was powered by a dual carbed, roller cranked souped up Beetle motor.That's when the Beetle-Bug struck. Imagine my reaction when Ford came out with the new Ford GT......:What took you so long....?
  
Much later when I build a Porsche Speedster replica at a friends VW shop just across the street from my apartment in the West End, after all the Jazz and Sailing-Instructor business and between jobs, I got suckered in to working on a customer car. At the end of the day My friend handed me some money for doing a tune-up on that Beetle. Well, say no more, you mean I can get paid for what I was doing as a hobby all those years ? The rest as the saying goes is history !

Well not quite, for reasons I still not know my friend disappeared just of a sudden and his mechanic and I where left to run the shop. I had a ball......later we where forced to vacate the premises and I found new digs somewhere else in town. That is when I met Tom, a shop owner / operater in the neighborhood with a huge place wanting to rent out a portion of i........ done. It was the beginning of a great friedship, as the saying goes...

Some years earlier my realestate brother made me buy a little house in the subburbs, promising to sell it for double the price after a few years.....if you cant trust your brother.....well after few years it came true !  I never forget the day he handed me a substantial cheque with the words: "Go ahead, buy your Porsche !" Well if that doesn't bring tears to your eyes.....

After checking out several candidates I got a 1978 911SC and a new love affair started. Finally getting over the "holiness"  that seem to surround the car I got up enough nerve to work on it. How do you improve on a "perfect" design?
First you move the parking position of the wipers to a more convinenet place, like the passenger side.
Then you install two small marine blowers in the door posts to improve the dismal heating.
After removing, installing and having the alternator rebuild THREE TIMES I installed a plain-jane GM alternator in the space left by the non existing air pump: end of problem.
Well the list is endless and includes two engine and trany removal replacing the clutch to fix that awful "shifting-into-first-gear" problem ( needless in retrospect....that's just the way they are.....)  and a very expensive engine rebuild, even though I removed, stripped and re installed the motor.

Well a few days before my Birthday in September 2002 I hit a Van making an abrupt and dangerous left turn in front of me....( her fault not mine !)
After lot of arguing with the insurance it was written off and I got a good settlement. Funny thing happened while I was waiting for the cops..... a pristine white Pagoda drove by....is that an omen or what....

ROAD & TRACK used to compare four high end sportscars every few years in the sixties and seventies, namely the Corvette Stingray, Jaguar E-Type, Porsche 911 and the Pagoda. It was just a natural progression that I would be looking for the missing car in that group that I had never owned previously.
So the search was on and the picking was very slim so I settled for the best (as I thought at the time...) and most expensive one available. After a few disastrous attempts by "experts" and some work of my own I arrived.........at my own shop that I had shared with Tom. Can you believe it, after I closed my business and moved out my successor turned out to be Steve specialized in......Pagodas. He put everything right and I am happy as a pig in....

Presently I am retired but work part time at the HOME DEPOT here in Langley ( he, it's funnnnnnn and keeps me in beer and sauerkraut.......) I am in the progress to strip the car and ready it for the paint shop.....guess what.....I opened another can of worms......But that's   another story, I'll keep you posted.

CHEERS !
WITT !
Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: egggplant on December 17, 2008, 09:31:34
After 25 miserable years writing software, mostly for Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, I decided to switch careers and become what I always wanted to be: a deadbeat.

These days I'm usually either wandering around the neighborhood at any hour, tinkering with my cars or standing around trying to figure out if I have the nerve to paint my 250SL myself.
Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: Cees Klumper on December 17, 2008, 22:14:28
Since I started this thread 2,5 years ago an update is in order.

I have been in internal control, auditing and financial management positions since starting to work for a Big 4 audit firm in Florida back in 1985. Probably one of the most boring-sounding fields to be in, I realize. Still, I like it and 'it's a living'. In 2005 I reported here working as VP internal control for a large retailer; well, summer last year I went back to another Big 4 firm as a partner in the internal control / risk management advisory practice. With the current credit crisis, topped off by the now-breaking Madoff fraud case, I have my work cut out for me, and am talking to several larger companies to become head of internal audit. The only problem is that there are almost no large companies headquartered in The Netherlands remaining (except Heineken, Philips and a handful others), so I will probably have to pick up the family & the Pagoda and move to another country altogether shortly (presently the UK, Italy, Russia and Norway are concrete possibilities). When I lived in the USA it struck me how relatively easy Americans move great distances to go to college or for a new job, whereas in Europe it seems people are still more attached to their home country and region within that country.
Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: mdsalemi on December 19, 2008, 16:54:58
As of 12/18/08 at 3:00PM EST, my 6-year adventure into the Car Wash business has come to a close.  A true victim of the very-real credit crisis; not able to renew the financing because the bail out of Wall Street never made it to Main Street and the banks are tighter than clams now.  With business down significantly this year due to the overall economic climate, I am deeply grateful and lucky that someone with many Car Washes in his portfolio and many more years of experience in the industry came around at the right time and right price.  Whew.  Since we are in the middle of a fierce snow storm as I write this I am sure glad I don't have to figure out how to deal with the ice and snow in the next couple of days.  All the myriad little cuts, scrapes and bruises all over my hands will begin to heal.  Just like shedding a little blood on our car projects, the Car Wash was a never ending repair/triage project that led to hurting hands all the time. (Perhaps my piano teacher will notice a bit of improvement in playing!)  I still have a lot of wrap up with closing a business down, and I am doing that now.

Onto the next chapter of my life, as of yet untitled and unwritten.  I'll be working on the Pagoda Style book of course; I'll be covering some of the North American International Auto Show for The Star magazine; I'm a Contributing Editor of The Star as well.  I've discussed a new identity program and photography and graphics for a local Jazz pianist who is the Steinway Jazz representative for the area.  Maybe I'll do his new CD covers!  My education, skills and experience in Graphic Design; in the printing business; in the technology end of printing combined with graduate business school will certainly find me doing something useful; hopefully sooner than later.  It would be nice to try and make our world a little better place in the process.

I do indeed hope that my wife's position at Ford remains secure for the time being, but with things changing by the hour we never know what the future holds for anything or anybody.  With the Car Wash a source of constant repairs, home repairs fell by the wayside and now my excuses are pretty slim...so you can bet I'll still be fixing some things for some time and then onto Pagoda in the late spring for some neglected items there.

My new journey starts today!
Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: thelews on December 19, 2008, 17:57:49
Sorry to hear this, but with your attitude, education and experience, I'm sure you're far from washed up!  On to new and lucrative opportunities.  Best of luck.
Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: mdsalemi on December 19, 2008, 19:52:29
Sorry to hear this, but with your attitude, education and experience, I'm sure you're far from washed up!  On to new and lucrative opportunities.  Best of luck.

It's a blessing in disguise, of that I am confident.  One door closes, and another opens.  Now, where are the doors...can you direct me?  ;)

No seriously, John--thanks for the kind words.  They mean a lot to me!
Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: Peter van Es on December 19, 2008, 20:01:08
Hey Michael,

I'm sure things will turn out right for you in the end... and looking forward to getting Pagoda Style - as you know. I'm sure it will be great and help you get the sort of things that you really enjoy...

Peter
Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: Martijn on December 19, 2008, 21:06:37
Hello Michael,

It must be hard to lose the business you have worked hard for. But I am sure another door will open for you. For someone with your skills and know-how there are always possibilities. I wish you best of luck.

Martijn
Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: jpressick on December 24, 2008, 00:52:14
I spent 22 years in the United States Air Force as a fighter pilot flying the F-4 Phantom and the F-15 Eagle.  In the Phantom,I completed 100 combat missions over North Vietnam.  Currently I am flying Lear Jets in support of the U. S. Navy and the U.S. Air Force. Part of our job involves towing banners for fighters to shoot  at as well as targets for Navy ships to shoot at.  Very interesting job but still wonder why anyone would pay a pilot to fly their airplane with their gas, especially this kind of fun flying.  I am the original owner of a 250SL with a 4 speed which I picked up at the Mercedes factory in Germany in November 1967.  Jim
Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: psmith on December 24, 2008, 06:02:52
Welcome to the group Jim.  It's great to have an original owner among us to tell us how they came from the factory.  You should check out the story of the featured car on the Home Page (it's under Content on the left side) I think you'll appreciate the background of the car.  My brother flew A4's for the Marines out of Ben Hoa (sp?)
Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: mdsalemi on December 24, 2008, 17:16:47
I spent 22 years in the United States Air Force as a fighter pilot flying the F-4 Phantom and the F-15 Eagle.  In the Phantom,I completed 100 combat missions over North Vietnam.  Currently I am flying Lear Jets in support of the U. S. Navy and the U.S. Air Force. Part of our job involves towing banners for fighters to shoot  at as well as targets for Navy ships to shoot at.  Very interesting job but still wonder why anyone would pay a pilot to fly their airplane with their gas, especially this kind of fun flying.  I am the original owner of a 250SL with a 4 speed which I picked up at the Mercedes factory in Germany in November 1967.  Jim

Jim, Welcome!

I hope you get Air&Space Smithsonian.  This month's issue has an article on the new life of F4 Phantoms...you'll find it amusing.
Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: Dash808 on December 26, 2008, 09:21:25
Welcome Jim!  A friend of mine I work with also flew F4's in Vietnam.  Long shot but his initials are BW, and goes by Wesmo.  Good guy with loads of stories.  Seems the military guys have all the stories and the airline guys are pretty boring, or at least supposed to be.  I guess excitement is generally a bad thing in the 121 world  ;D
Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: marti on January 05, 2009, 02:57:24
Just found this post--what a facinating group of individuals! 

 I am currently a Grad student at California State University Fullerton, getting my masters in Marriage and Family counseling.  Prior to having children (I have three sons 12, 15, 16). I was a paralegal for a small civil litigation firm.   I am also a high school hurdle coach/cross-country coach.  For the last three years, I have help coach a youth cross country/track team called the Equalizers.  I handle the beginning group of runners who range from ages 7 - 14.  Many of our runners are the top youth runners in the United States in both track and cross-country. 

I guess I represent the female pagoda owners.  As many of you know, I bought my 63' 230sl without knowing more about cars then how to put gas in them!  Today, I finally finished a month long project of fixing my passenger door window -- I now am the mom on the street with dirt and grease up to her elbows...but thanks to this forum...I DID IT!  I also replaced the entire weatherstripping around the door as well.  I can't wait to start on the drivers door!!!

thanks
Marti
63'230sl euro
Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: Benz Dr. on January 06, 2009, 00:37:31
I've been a farmer all my life but my second occupation has been auto restoration. I've been doing that for 32 years and counting.
I always wanted to further my education and was planning to do that but the death of my younger brother in 1975 meant that I had to stay home and help my father work the family farm. At the time we worked 800 acres and we also had 200 head of cattle. As a side business we ran a hay and straw operation selling small bales to livestock producers or people with horses. We were always working.....
During the mid '70's I worked for several local musicians writing songs and spent several months on the road with a band running equipment and lighting. This was fun work but farming paid better. In fact, at the time, it paid better than almost any job I could get so I stayed with that. The early '80's changed all of that with 22% interest.
In 1988 I started selling auto parts and still do that as part of my services. I also sell cars on a commission basis. I hope to get into consulting in the next few years and scale back on restorations.
In 1985 I became a director for a farm lobby organisation and spent over 10 years working there and eventually sat on a committee dealing with rural issues. At the time, this was the largest corporate body in North America with well over 100 directors. That training was invaluable and I later went on to be president of the Antique and Classic Car Club of Canada at a local level. I was also a director at the 190SL Group for the Canada region as well as a director at large for this organisation until last spring. Well none of these things are things that are my living they are still part of what I did while making a living.

Today, I'm writing a book about local pioneer life in the early 19th and 20th century's. I expect it will take about a year or more to write and I have 3 other projects that I'd like to complete over the next 5 years. All of them are fictional history based upon real events and real characters.
My current project is called Thornyhurst which is the name of the small hamlet where I live. Anyone who remembers the old school house we own might be interested to know that it also shares this name.
The second book will be called The Last Ferryman. This story is about Ernest Smith, a 1st World War vetran who fought at Vimy Ridge, Pashsendale and Ypres. After the war he settled in my area and ran a hand puled ferry on the Sydenham river. When it was decomissioned in 1975 it was the very last one still operating in Ontario.
The last book is about Second World War vetran Sam Dunsheath. He flew 19 missions over France into Germany as a tail gunner on a Landcaster bomber. They were attacked by a night fighter and he had to jump out of the burning plane. The French underground hid him until he made it back to the allied lines because he was blinded by the fire in the plane. This will be more of a lfe story as Sam is still alive and I hope to get as much as I can from him while I can.

 
Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: France on March 23, 2009, 16:43:26
Hi Guys,

Life gets more interesting day by day.  I note that it was 4 years ago that I last answered this question...and now everything has changed.  I tossed the idea of retiring right after it occurred to me.  We are now stationed in the Middle East, building a large solar array.  We still run our intellectual property consultancy, and we also have a high-tech startup directed to anti-counterfeiting; that is, the authentication of everything from pharmaceuticals to packaging.  Next stop, carbon-credit trading. 8) 
Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: Ulf on May 12, 2009, 09:14:43
I'm a copywriter in advertising (a mix of being a writer, journalist, film director, strategist, inventor and a schizophrenic mix of lots of other real professions).
I started out my classic car adventure with a 1972 Citrôen Mehari - the jeep-like version of the 2CV, moved onto a 1967 Triumph Spitfire Mk III that was crushed in an accident, used the money from the insurance to buy a 1969 Triumph TR6 (that I still miss) and had a 1961 Willys Jeep M38A1 at the same time. Sold both to pay out the loan on my apartment and to buy a dull 1990 BMW 5 series when my wife got pregnant. I missed classics, so I got my hands on a 88" Land Rover from 75', sold it later to make room for a 58' MGA  but also bought another similar Land Rover with my father and brother, sold the MGA 2 years ago to buy a 1965 230 SL - and here we are...
Daily driver is now a 1996 BMW 5-series (one of the last e34-version) that seems to go on forever, so I'll probably keep that until it too becomes a classic....

Ulf
Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: menesesjesse on May 20, 2009, 19:21:40
I am a Navy Sailor of 19 years.  I graduated from a trade school to be a mechanic in CT but relized at 18 the work was tough on the hands and I wasnt interested in changing brakes all my life.  I instead joined the Navy and traveled the world as an electronics technician.  This trade gave me the ability to add to my knowledge base and  keep me close close to older cars.  i love the hunt for electrical problems and am rather good at fixing them.  I bought my 1st Mercedes at 28 (500SL) and then got my Pagoda from my dad who bought his from a person in western CT.  My car still had the Euro plates on it and I am the 1st to register it here in the states.  So far I cant be more pleased since it gives me such a challenge.  Unlike american muscle, these cars have a sophistication that overcomes everything it loses in power.  See you on the road.
Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: Flyair on June 14, 2009, 07:40:32
I am impressed while reading posts of such eminent sl113.org pagoda club. A truly great mix, showing that people can met and communicate around an otherwise irrelevant item in life such as a car. But.... in our case it is not a car...  MB 280 SL Pagoda is a way of life, as Garfield the cat would say, speaking of his lasagna  ;D

In my case I worked nearly 20 years for major US banks and in 2003 founded my own investment advisory company. Today, I am mostly arranging transactions in building and operating wind farms.
As a side business (passion?), as a holder of a ATP pilot license, I am flying General Aviation aircraft, helping a friend to run his air taxi business.
 
Stan
Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: Dash808 on June 15, 2009, 05:56:29
Congrats on the ever coveted ATP! 

The first wind farm here in Hawaii was built not long ago on Maui.  I hear two more locations are currently being evaluated.  Seems like a no brainer with the constant trade winds here.
Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: majothelo on August 20, 2009, 23:30:12
I´m a swedish police officer and leads a group of detectives with main task violence crime. Before that I was a narcotic detective on the international division. Some times I get tired of working with bad guys so if anyone have a proposal or can offer a side business would I be very grateful. Im 42 yo so hopefully I have a couple of years left.
Best regards Thomas
Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: Peter van Es on August 21, 2009, 08:03:45
Thomas,

You must be the first police officer who's 'come out' here. Most of us would probably romanticise your job, but I can imagine you get tired of crooks too. Have you seen that British TV show with a detective driving a Pagoda ? 55 Degrees North?

Maybe sometime I'll do a LeikeLB on the first episode and edit a Pagoda clip out of that for all of you to enjoy...

Peter
Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: Peter van Es on August 21, 2009, 16:19:12
Ok, I've done it... have a look at the last video on our video page:  http://www.sl113.org/Video.html (http://www.sl113.org/Video.html)

There's not much of a story line (as I've deleted most of the programme) but I'm sure you get the drift...

Let me know what you think of it.

Peter
Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: ejboyd5 on August 21, 2009, 16:44:26
What an interesting group of people!  I'm a lawyer by training and profession; spent years as a federal prosecutor (with a speciality in aircraft hijacking cases); retired after 17 years as a criminal court judge; now engaged in private pracrtice of law.  As an avocation. I've spent 29 years in the fire and emergency medical services with over 8000 responses to date and still counting.  I've always been involved with cars (and boats), building on my skills and abilities as I went along.  For about 5 years in the early '90s, I was an owner of a machine shop that did a nice business in babbitt and in performance engine builds, but proved to me that the quickest way to spoil one's enjoyment of a hobby is to try and turn it into a business.  Much time is spent tinkering and keeping the fleet running the way it should while my interest pendulum swings back and forth between automobiles and boats on a most irregular schedule - right now I'm in a marine phase, but that might not survive the winter as I've got more cars than boats and each one requires maintenance. 

Just rediscovered this thread after a lapse of 11 years. I'd forgotten before to mention my time as a fire chief as part of the career path.  My responses to fires and medical emergencies are now over 15,000. How many are enough?
Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: majothelo on August 22, 2009, 08:21:34
Peter,
Thank you. I never heard of this program and glad that you did a good job and edid it. I can tell you that I don´t have the same problems that the guy had with his colleagues and the rear light. Not yet anyway :). But perhaps it may be because I do not have my Pagoda to work...
Btw...Peter, you and your friends do a really nice Pagoda-site. It maintains a nice level and it´s "a live".
/Thomas
Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: dorian on September 08, 2009, 19:53:07
I am a web applications developer, and I run a small consulting business serving clients in corporate IT and data center management.  If you're interested you can read more here: http://GoldCreekGroup.com

Dorian | 1969 280SL
Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: philmas on September 25, 2009, 13:08:18
I'm a radiologist ,working in a private hospital near Paris,France, as a bone and joints imaging specialist.
I deal most of the time with athletes, football teams, tennismen...and amateurs who, like myself, love hurting themselves at sports on week-ends. ;)

Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: w113dude on October 07, 2009, 22:40:37
I'm a freelance industrial designer, with a down turn economy I find my self spending more and more time with my passion, tinkering with my MB's.

Shaun
Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: Jordan on November 02, 2009, 01:12:06
What an eclectic mix of professions.  Surely there must be some way we can pool these together in some easily accessed format so if anyone gets into a jam or needs something, whatever it may be, they have someone to call, or e-mail, or text in the group that could help out.  Sort of like a Pagoda mob.

I myself have been working as a consulting engineer, speciallizing in explosives in construction/mining for over 20 years.  My wife and I bought a vineyard 13 years ago which became my passion, spending weekends and lots of holidays working the farm.  This is not to be confused with a winery, which requires reams more money than I have available.  The vineyard still doesn't make enought money to jetison my engineering job but I am hopeful some day.  Now I have a second passion which will no doubt consume more money and keep me from retiring entirely.  Maybe someday I will have more Pagodas than John Deeres.  I guess we are doing our part to stimulate the economy.
Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: Flyair on November 02, 2009, 19:42:14
maybe we should all confess that we are primarily Pagoda drivers and addicts, while we do dome coincidental jobs such as doctors, lawyers, engineers etc in our (limited) spare time? ???
Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: twistedtree on January 26, 2010, 01:45:40
What a great group of people.

I started playing with cars as a kid, with my parents giving me a junker for my 10th birthday.  Through high school I worked on pretty much any car I could get my hands on and quickly came to appreciate the superior engineering and design of european cars.  Going in to college, I was unsure whether to become a mechanical or electrical engineer - I loved cars and wanted to design them, but had no interest in working for the big 3, so I settled on electrical engineering.  Besides, along the way I discovered computers, especially these new things called microcomputers, and thought they were the coolest thing since sliced bread. But not wanting to get too far away from cars, I ran a small repair shop the whole time I was in college and it funded my tuition.  Computers stuck and I added a masters in computer science to my education, then went to work for Bell Labs.  Suddenly with money for the first time, I set out on a couple of resoration projects.  One was a BMW 2002, and the other an E-type.  I finished the 2002 and my wife drove that for several years, but the E-type i never quite finished.  It was darn close with just the interiar and chrome to re-install, but life and kids prevented me from finishing it.  I let big corporate work torture me for about 15 years, during which time I sold the E-type, and stopped looking at cars as anything other than practical transportation.  In '96 I ventured into the high tech start-up world, got a taste for it, learned I would never work for a big company again, and made a few bucks along the way, all of which went into kids' tuition.  Then in 2001 I started a venture backed company of my own, and over the next 8 years grew it to over 500 people and $125M/yr in revenue.  Late 2007 we filed to go public, and literally the day before our road show we closed a deal to sell the company to one of the big computer companies.  Having learned my lesson about big companies, I arranged to be "left behind" when the deal closed, and have never looked back.  Now, two years later (almost to the day), I'm recently turned 50 and have returned to my early passion of cars.  I always wanted a Pagoda but could never afford one, and for my 50'th my darling wife sent me on my way to get one.  So I might be the sortest time owning a Pagoda here with less than 1 month of ownership.
Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: regal55 on August 10, 2010, 05:56:52
Well i work in a software firm as a software developer.I have been working for three years here now and love my job.
Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: Ron on September 20, 2010, 03:54:02
What a great diversity here.  As to my work, I just retired as a professor at the Physics Department at Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo, CA.  I started in aerospace in San Diego (laser weapons), then 9 years at Humboldt State in the redwoods, then 24 years in SLO.  I love this job and university, so will take an option where I can return for half time for 5 years, and still draw the retirement. The time off is needed because after putting the engine into my car (purchased with "rebuilt" engine out), and driving about 1K miles, I'm pulling it this fall to fix rear seal, find water into oil leak (head gasket?), and install the correct R11 IP.  My R11 is being cleaned and calibrated by one of the vendors from this site.  The car presently has pump for a 250SL on it.  Maybe by the time I start back at work in Jan., I'll have a correctly working 230SL.  Ron
Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: gatorjaws on September 27, 2010, 03:52:17
I am a blue collar "joe" who loves driving & working on his 230. I am a welder/ mechanic in an electric generating station. I have done this for 36 years with 1 to go(10  months actually but whos counting). RETIREMENT!!!! golf, sporting clays, bicycle, & cleaning the house for my lovely bride of 24 years( she has to work a few more years yet) I'm 56 she was born the same year my car was built, 1966. I bought the car from her father 10 years ago.
Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: DaveB on April 01, 2011, 17:31:10
I'm a 44 year old marine biologist/geologist and commercial diver, working for an environmental consultancy in Perth, Western Australia. We specialise in coral reef surveys and monitoring in the Pilbara and Kimberley regions of Western Australia. As long as the weather's good, it's a hard job to beat! I've previously worked in farming and commercial fishing.
I admire design, engineering and architecture and that seems a common thread here. The first pagoda SL I saw made a big impression on me from that design point of view (I'm sure it couldn't have been the first I'd seen, but the first that registered as I began to appreciate stuff like that). I bought my car on ebay while I was living in LA. Drove to San Francisco and back in a long day to collect the car, then very nearly dropped it and the trailer off a cliff while parking it up. It survived that episode but, ten years later, it's still in the same 'rough diamond' shape as back then. Work and house renovations and young kids are a higher priority, but I still spend (way) too much time on ebay and this site, slowly building my knowledge and parts stock. After initially being fairly unconcerned about originality I'm now more or less obsessed with it. Genuine new, unused, no longer made parts have become a minor holy grail.
Thanks to Peter and all contributors to the forums and technical manual for the wealth of knowledge and goodwill. Until I can finally start on the car I will keep learning here and make do with the occasional visit to the shed to sit and savour the smell of the tex and the cycle of the clock.
Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: pj on April 02, 2011, 07:55:30
You all make a fascinating global community. I'm probably the most boring guy here. I have been teaching introductory physics, math and astronomy at a community college for 30+ years. I was born in Germany but didn't think about my heritage much while I was growing up in Canada. Astronomy is my prime hobby, but I think the Pagodas are exciting. I'm not shy in conversation, but I am timid about starting new projects, so this is a big step for me. Dan (Benz Dr.) found me a "reasonably priced" 1965 230SL last fall (i.e. 2010) and he is guiding me through the process of having it improved. I hope I get the opportunity to go places with it because I look forward to meeting you all at Pagoda events. I have a thousand questions.

Peter Jedicke, London, Canada
Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: JamesL on April 02, 2011, 08:20:09
Peter

There's been a couple of series the BBC has put together over the past year: Wonders of the Solar System and Wonders of the Universe presented by a chap called (Prof) Brian Cox. I HIGHLY recommend them. For all the BBCs many and documented faults, it's top TV and fulfills the Ritihian mandate to the letter; Educational, accessible and entertaining. I know the former is on DVD so....





Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: pj on April 02, 2011, 17:25:47
Hello James,
if you let me hijack this thread into astronomy, the rest of the members will lynch us :-)
So I won't tell you what I think of the BBC series. But at least Brian Cox was on Top Gear once, wasn't he?
You flummoxxed me with the reference to "Ritihian mandate." What the heck is that?

Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: 66andBlue on April 02, 2011, 19:18:29
Hello James,
if you let me hijack this thread into astronomy, ....
... or into science fiction.
 Michael, you are a Trekkie, aren't you? Expand your horizon:
http://www.marvunapp.com/Appendix/krithian.htm
Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: stickandrudderman on May 08, 2011, 06:57:40
I joined MB(UK) as an apprentice in 1980 and have worked on exclusively MB cars ever since. One day I'll know a lot but not there yet!
Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: Benz Dr. on May 11, 2011, 03:04:23
You all make a fascinating global community. I'm probably the most boring guy here. I have been teaching introductory physics, math and astronomy at a community college for 30+ years. I was born in Germany but didn't think about my heritage much while I was growing up in Canada. Astronomy is my prime hobby, but I think the Pagodas are exciting. I'm not shy in conversation, but I am timid about starting new projects, so this is a big step for me. Dan (Benz Dr.) found me a "reasonably priced" 1965 230SL last fall (i.e. 2010) and he is guiding me through the process of having it improved. I hope I get the opportunity to go places with it because I look forward to meeting you all at Pagoda events. I have a thousand questions.

Peter Jedicke, London, Canada
Peter?  Asking questions? Is the Pope Catholic? Does a grisly poop in the woods?
Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: Sableco on May 11, 2011, 10:53:36
Hello Everybody
I am an electrical engineer, and the head of electrical maintenance division in the Public Authority for Industry (PAI) in Kuwait. I have been working here for the past 20+ years.
a father to 4 wonderful children (3 girls and a boy). I always had a dream of having a W111 and a 113. which I do now.

My cars are:

1973 280SE coupe (W111)
1967 250SL which I just bought last week
2003 Saab 93
2008 Toyota Prado Jeep
2010 Mitsubishi Pajero Jeep
but you can be sure that I am very proud of my my first 2 cars.

Great to be here
Basem
Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: Peter van Es on May 11, 2011, 20:12:13
Welcome to our group, Basem... share some details on your cars too, please!

Peter
Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: treedoc on May 30, 2011, 08:27:03
My web name is Treedoc because my other half calls me a tree doctor for which I have no qualifications, so what's my profession?, I'm not too sure wether it's engineering or playing with MB cars.

Spent over thirty years working in the industrial hydraulics industry, designing, building, servicesing and selling different types of special purpose hydraulic powered machines and systems. For stress relief I grow peaches and nectarines on weekends.
Got sick of pulling sales engineers out of black holes they ed fallen into and working for companies that where only interested in the bottom line and not how you got there or the people you needed to get you there.

For a change of pace we moved out of the big city, Sydney, to a rural place where the scenery & climate where great and bought an avocado farm, if them hill billy farmers can make a go of it, it should be no trouble for a smart city dude. I now have a totally different appreciation of those folk who can successfully operate an agricultural enterprise for an extended period.

1995 I invented a gadget that the avocado industry and increasing other branch of horticulture and forestry found usefull to the extent that we have exported them to 38 countries, the device is basically a power operated hypodermic injector for trees and succulents see www.treeinjectors.com

Image below is the latest version of our injector head piece, it drills a hole in the tree, screws a self sealing hollow nozzle into the hole and a measured dose of pestercide is forced into the tissue of the tree at high pressure.

So things have gone full circle I'm back to building hydraulic gadgets.
Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: Audiophile on May 30, 2011, 14:07:07
I operate a risk management, employee benefit consulting, litigation management, actuarial and product liability claims adjusting firm.  Prior to that  a SVP for Marsh managing middle market, prior to that with WR Berkley forming captive insurance companies, prior to that president of a risk management consulting firm.  Married, two sons (Anesthesiologist and software engineer).
Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: GGR on December 29, 2011, 12:01:25
Nice group of people indeed.

After completing a Masters in international development (macroeconomics) I went as a relief worker to assist civilian populations in war zones, mainly is Sub-Saharan Africa (Liberia, Sierra-Leone, Somaliia etc.). I then completed a PhD still in Development Macroeconomics and joined the European Commission where I was following up relief and then development funding in the Greater Horn of Africa.  I then met my wife and followed her to the US, and I'm now working at the World Bank into Disaster Management and developing response strategies (currently on the Horn of Africa drought and the upcoming one in the Sahel).

I've been turning wrenches since I'm a kid, first with bicycles, then motorbikes and then cars. I guess I would be playing with airplanes if I had more money. May be it's a blessing I don't have the means for that as I've always been trying to get things go faster, with some unpredictable results sometimes.

My other hobbies are sailing, trecking, and I also like music and History.
Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: GGR on December 29, 2011, 12:17:44
The last book is about Second World War vetran Sam Dunsheath. He flew 19 missions over France into Germany as a tail gunner on a Landcaster bomber. They were attacked by a night fighter and he had to jump out of the burning plane. The French underground hid him until he made it back to the allied lines because he was blinded by the fire in the plane. This will be more of a lfe story as Sam is still alive and I hope to get as much as I can from him while I can.

Dan, do you know where exactly over France this happened? My grandfather was in charge of a "resistance" network which was basically dealing with most things coming from the air: getting to people and materials that were landing (most of the time with gliders) or were parachuted before the Germans did and dispatch them towards the various "maquis". One important part of the job was to get to the pilots and crews that were gunned down before the Germans, hide them and get them medical treatment if needed and then send them back to Britain through resistance networks. They had to cross Britanny from south to north and then sail back to Britain via fishermen networks. Pilots especially were very strategic assets.

South Britanny is not exactly on the way to Germany when flying from the UK but the Atlantic wall built by the Germans to prevent any invasion by sea was a very strategic target that got a lot of bombing and was heavily defended. My father was a kid by then but he remembers these waves of flying fortresses and the ballet of fighters around them - German fighters attacking the fortresses and the allied fighters defending them.
Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: Benz Dr. on December 29, 2011, 16:14:35
Dan, do you know where exactly over France this happened? My grandfather was in charge of a "resistance" network which was basically dealing with most things coming from the air: getting to people and materials that were landing (most of the time with gliders) or were parachuted before the Germans did and dispatch them towards the various "maquis". One important part of the job was to get to the pilots and crews that were gunned down before the Germans, hide them and get them medical treatment if needed and then send them back to Britain through resistance networks. They had to cross Britanny from south to north and then sail back to Britain via fishermen networks. Pilots especially were very strategic assets.

South Britanny is not exactly on the way to Germany when flying from the UK but the Atlantic wall built by the Germans to prevent any invasion by sea was a very strategic target that got a lot of bombing and was heavily defended. My father was a kid by then but he remembers these waves of flying fortresses and the ballet of fighters around them - German fighters attacking the fortresses and the allied fighters defending them.

Sam really didn't want to talk about it all that much. He still has flash backs and I think it upsets him so I probably won't get much of the story from him.
 
I know it was about a month or two after D day. He was part of the bombing effort at Cann. This should of have been somewhere around Later July or early August because his crashed Landcaster set fire to a wheat field. The villagers all ran to put the fire out and they pulled three of the crew to safety. One was able to walk away, the pilot was badly injured and they had to leave him for the Germans to pick up. Sam was moved from place to place mostly at night until they were able to get him behind American lines.
 
I'll find out the name of the village. I think Sam is about 89 and is living at a nursing home. 
Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: pj on January 11, 2012, 06:30:36
I hope it's not too far off topic, but regarding the posts from GGR and Dan C, anyone interested in these stories might enjoy "The Girl in the Blue Beret" by Bobbie Ann Mason. I just happen to be reading it now for my book club. It's not a rip-snorting adventure novel, but more of a fictional memoir about a WW2 pilot who goes back to France in 1980 to re-connect with the citizens who helped him get to safety after his B-17 crashed.

While I'm at it, I might as well mention the 2 other novels that I found most stirring on the topic of wartime memories. One is "Losing Julia" and the other "The Distance to Normandy," both by Jonathan Hull.
Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: Cees Klumper on January 11, 2012, 13:04:56
I have settled down and Iam a private banker but let me tell you what I use to do for 15 years.  I opened 56 different nightclubs in the United States. You mention a city and I have probably opened a club there.  Denim & Diamonds, Graham Central Station, Banana Joe, Margarita Mamas and Cactus Canyons INTERESTING WORK!
Bob

That does seem like it would be very interesting work ... you are probably the only 'nightclub initiator' on the forum!
Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: Bonnyboy on January 12, 2012, 01:15:00
I am a real estate appraiser working for a small municipality (population 55k) in the Greater Vancouver BC area.   Not very sexy job but gives me the time to play with my toys.   I figured that you either need lots of time or lots of money to play with toys. 

I worked in a family business from age 12, 7 days per week as many hours as possible, getting my education and working to pay for my toy maintenance wasn't no picnic, then after working 3+ years in an extreme paced job working 7 days per week - sometimes up to 14 hours per day, I started having medical issues at 24yrs old.  I quit the job and decided to find a job where i got lunch breaks and weekends off. 

I have limited mechanical knowledge, no formal training (never even took shop in high school) but have lots of enthusiasm and am not afraid of much in my garage. I'm happier than a pig in the proverbial mucky stuff and am really enjoying this whole 113 thing.

Ian in North Vancouver
Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: jeblack123 on January 23, 2012, 04:19:13
Practicing Emergency Physician in Southwest Georgia. Frustrated musician. Budding classical car enthusiast.

James
Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: jasonrooney on February 22, 2012, 05:05:18
I am a voice actor.  My voice is in many television & radio commercials as well as online.  The great part is that my studio is at my home so I work about 10 feet from my Pagoda all day.

Jason
68 250SL Auto
Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: 66andBlue on February 22, 2012, 07:17:33
Working 10 feet away from your Pagoda ... what a life!
Have you ever recorded a duet with her?  ;)
Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: Mercedespartsjeff on May 23, 2012, 16:12:04
Currently I sell vintage MB parts for Star Quality and SL Autohaus. Previously I was a General Manager for Aircraft Contracting Companies at BWI. I also worked for US Airways for several years as a Ramp Agent. All have been great jobs!
Jeff
Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: hank sound on June 11, 2012, 01:23:06
 ;D  After thirty nine years in the film business as a production sound man, I retired in 04, a production sound mixer.    My last project was "And Starring Pancho Villa As Himself" for HBO, directed by the fantastic Australian director, Bruce Beresford.   If you movie buffs remember, Bruce was the director of "Driving Miss Daisy", "Breaker Morant" and so many other notables.    Well, my feathers really poof out when I am able to say: I was the production sound mixer on that wonderful "Daisy" film.     Anyway, I didn't really retire as much as I transitioned - into making "tools for my trade" - - little items that I heard myself say: "I wish I had" regarding a certain "item".    That, my friends, is the mother (MOI) giving birth to a possible invention !!  

After getting Rachel, a Valeo equipped (beginning of F1 shifting) Ferrari Mondial t, in 04 - and then just last year, beautiful Ingrid, my 1969 MB 280SL (with my newly added 3.27 rear end !!! :D), I'm now also developing products for the "specialty car" market.

I thank my lucky stars (the powers beyond my understanding) every morning.

Cheers, Hank
Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: enochbell on July 09, 2012, 17:42:40
Last I answered this was 7 years ago, when I was taking a break from real work.  Since then, I spent time helping to build MDVIP, the nation's largest concierge medicine company.  We got bought out by P&G, and I went on to try to apply the same personalized care approach to people who are very sick and very poor.  Only downside is that I am almost full time in Seattle, and my 230sl is in Georgia.  For anyone interested in what exceptional healthcare can mean to people who have never had it, here is a 4 minute clip of our patients talking about their experience with our service.  And no, this is not a third world country.  This is Seattle.

http://youtu.be/MjzfdbKX-84

Best,
g
Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: KevinC on October 28, 2012, 20:18:21
Greg,

Your SL has probably had the LEAST number of miles added in ten years than any other "running" example!

Hope all is good with you!

Kevin
Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: enochbell on October 30, 2012, 14:55:10
Kevin,

Good to hear from you, hope you are well.

Yep my work has always kept me on the road, I have averaged less than 750 miles a year over the last 14 years.  Not by choice, mind you!

Best,

Greg
Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: Jkalplus1 on October 30, 2012, 17:01:10
I am a naval officer.  I acquired my SL from my late father's estate.  Every time I do something on it, or take it for a ride, feels like we are reconnecting in a way. 

I never had classic car budget or time (3 young children and multiple operational deployments) but was always interested in all classic cars through magazine subscriptions and attending shows.  I cannot possibly be interested in a car -or anything material, for that matter- that can be bought in a store, devoid of soul, mass-produced overly sedate transportation appliances.  Which is why I kept the SL.  I drive it, will enter shows, and have fun honouring my Dad's memory in my own way, trying to include my own kids in the hobby.

It's fun to do something Not Everyone Else Is Doing....like listening to music on vinyl records, or keeping honey bees, "just because". 
Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: 71Beige280SL on October 30, 2012, 18:52:10
JKalplus1,

Welcome to the club of people passionate about the Pagoda. You have an even better reason than most. You reconnect with your Dad every time you look at, drive or work on the car. I hope you never sell it and pass it on to your children. It's funny, when I first bought my 280SL, my teenage daughter thought I was crazy. As I improved it, she's driven it and her boyfriends have gone ape over the car, she now wants the car. It also helps that she has seen the car countless times in fashion magazines. The Pagoda is an icon she has come to appreciate. I have to hide the keys when I go on business trips so she isn't tempted to take it out for a spin! Pretty cool actually.

I hope that my Daughter feels the way you do when I am gone and the car is hers.

Best,

Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: kampala on November 02, 2012, 10:42:40
I am a Project Manager for Walt Disney Imagineering.  In Disney-speak we're called "Imagineers."    I work on designing and building new theme-park attractions and rides for Disney.  For the past 7 years or so I've been mostly working and living in Paris France expanding Disneyland Paris and before that I worked mostly in Southern California at our home base expanding the original Disneyland.   Due this dual life between Paris and Los Angeles, it's been difficult to take the plunge with a Pagoda, but this summer we finally did it.  

on a non-related note: I also attended the Euro Event in Belgium this September since I was in Paris and had just acquired a 250sl ....  but I went without my Pagoda as it lives in Southern California.  I have to say, the folks I met at the event were quite wonderful and welcoming.  It's excellent to have found this forum and look forward to learning more about the people and their toys.  

Best,

Oz

Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: Peter van Es on November 02, 2012, 14:53:02
Hey Aslam... we didn't get much of an opportunity to talk at the event... but good to know what you're into. Can you organise "behind the scenes" looks at Disney Paris?

Peter
Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: kampala on November 02, 2012, 20:22:09
Peter,

There may be a way to work out a behind the scenes specifically on the attractions I am working on.  The current one (which shall remain nameless) would be most interesting in about a year.  Will talk to you more about it by PM or phone.

Best,

Oz
Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: Paul & Dolly on January 17, 2013, 16:25:59
Hi all

This really is a Fantastic site with great diverse global contributers ..wonderful..

I am a retired Mechanical / Marine Engineer, and spent most of my very enjoyable working life with Multinational Oil Compnies Mobil & then BP.

I got the Motor Racing bug, at  University, in the early 70s, and worked for Cosworth Engineering for a while. My claim to fame is that before I joined Mobil Shipping Co. I turned down a “Drive” with the Williams GP team - sadly it was to drive their van, and not their Grand Prix Car !

I have always been interested in all types of Transportation, and very “hands on “ with my cars. I had a Lotus Europa, and Lotus a Eclat  in my younger years  before going German with BMW and Mercedes in the 80s, finally an SLK and buying the a 1936 Alvis in 2002, (due to being pi##ed off with all the speed cameras around).

An Achillies Tendon problem forced me to go “Automatic” last year - It just had to be a Pagoda - I love the dash - and the 60s technology - I wish I had bought one years ago - I really love it, and after this winter’s worklist is completed even my partner Dolly, has promised to enjoy it !
 

Paul
Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: 49er on January 17, 2013, 18:30:00
   Back in 1965 I was lucky enough to just walk in off the street to the North American Aviation employment office in Southern California, filled out an application for a job as a draftsman and was hired on the spot. My first jobs were on the XB-70, X-15, Apollo space craft and the 2nd stage of the Saturn moon rocket. The company was then bought out by Rockwell International and I went on to work on the companies F-14 and F-15 proposals (both of which we lost). The company was awarded the contract for the B-1 Bomber in 1970 (later to resurrected as the B-1B). I managed to hang on to my job when that contract was cancelled and was now an engineer in the fledgling CAD/CAM area. Through the years I worked on the Space Shuttle orbiter and engines, various other proposals and finally I ended my career as an IT manager working in the Boeing Phantom Works (Rockwell was acquired by Boeing in the late 1990s). Lots of interesting stuff there for sure ;). I retired in 2000 after 35 years of uninterrupted service and have enjoyed every minute of retirement. We sold our home in Southern California and moved up here to the foothills of the Sierras in Central California. Our Pagoda loves these uncrowded back country roads :)

John
Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: kampala on January 17, 2013, 20:18:24
Paul & John,

Very nice to read your backgrounds ... very interesting.   I have noticed many engineering types on this forum ...  It could just be car guys tend to be engineering types but I am thinking this is particularly skewed to the Pagodas ...

Best,

Oz
Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: Cees Klumper on August 22, 2013, 19:45:54
 *** bump ***
Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: Rolf-Dieter ✝︎ on August 23, 2013, 00:09:04
What a delightful cross section of talent and fine people we have in this forum. Bet most of us could write a book :)

Right now I am retired (finally decided to hang up my hardhead ~ did my last projects in 2011 at the time approaching the age of 74. I did this to help out a former firm I did a lot of work for), At the age of 55 I started my own small little business and for some 20 years, provided field service and engineering consulting in the field of large rotating equipment in the power generation, gas and oil business. I consider myself a self made mechanical engineer (my former superiors always discouraged me from taking time off to get that little ring on my finger so that I could call myself a professional engineer here in Canada ~ there logic was as a qualified Machine Designer my credentials were okay as is). Looks like they were right since I made out okay and was always paid very well. I traveled on business all over Canada, The United States, made it to Australia, Italy, Egypt and several times to the Philippines during my mechanical courier.   

Prior to this I worked for three of North Americas leading manufacturing firms starting as junior draughtsman progressing to chief draughtsman, machine design and finally liaison and project engineer of large rotating equipment. 

I have to admit the very beginning was not easy as it never is for an immigrant arriving in Canada with only a few dollars and not speaking the language. I started at the very bottom washing dishes, making coffee then sandwiches and finally at the steam table in a fine Canadian restaurant. I had no choice in the matter I did this for 3 years so I could do my papers again in English since no one would give me a job in the field of drafting at that time, besides I had to learn English since in East Germany I had to learn Russian.

I’ve been fortunate, North America is a great place to be and this part of the world has been very good to me. I meet many interesting people and if I had to do it all over again I would without any hesitation. Right now I try to enjoy my retirement. As a 75th birthday present I purchased myself this fine 280 SL Pagoda I found in a car collectors garage. Next month I’ll be 76 and I’ll celebrate it by driving my new found friend the 280 Pagoda assembled in 1968/69 all the way down to Williamsburg, WV. to help celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the 230 SL that I test drove sometime in the mid 60s when a Mercedes Sales Manager I then knew let me take one for a test drive. Forgive my grammar and typos for it is well known engineers cannot write. :)
Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: Peter van Es on August 23, 2013, 06:16:15
Thanks, Rolf-Dieter...

And it looks like you have settled into our community pretty quickly too...

Peter
Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: Louiehenry on January 08, 2014, 17:33:16
I work at a body shop, do auto work for cash, and during the summers, I work a ranch
Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: Benzo on December 11, 2014, 19:46:23
Diverse group of people here.

I am the Assistant Fire Chief for a fire department in Northeast Ohio.

On the weekends i pretend to fix things.

Mike

Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: ja17 on December 12, 2014, 06:24:53
Hi Mike !

Your car is definitely the right color for the fire station!

Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: Benzo on December 12, 2014, 14:10:48
Thanks Joe, I can't wait till spring to bring it back down and visit!
Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: mmizesko on December 12, 2014, 21:58:37
Mike,

You just need a Dalmation to ride shotgun!

Mike Mizesko
Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: buspilot on March 12, 2015, 06:37:53
It is interesting to read about the different professions of the membership.  I am a polygraph examiner.  There is never a dull day, and I tend to have some of the best stories at cocktail parties.
Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: JamesL on March 12, 2015, 09:04:40
It is interesting to read about the different professions of the membership.  I am a polygraph examiner.  There is never a dull day, and I tend to have some of the best stories at cocktail parties.


Liar. Your name suggests you're a pilot ;D ;D
Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: Larry & Norma on March 12, 2015, 11:18:48
 :D :D
Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: buspilot on March 12, 2015, 23:33:48
Liar. Your name suggests you're a pilot ;D ;D

Haha.  That's funny.  My username, buspilot comes from my first car passion, which is restoring and driving vintage air-cooled Volkswagen buses.  I love them!


Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: Rolf-Dieter ✝︎ on July 12, 2018, 00:26:22
Hello out there !!! :)

Just giving this fine thread a bump so to speak. I find it's just not fair for a fine thread like this to go by the wayside .... it's been over 3 years so if you read this, why not tell us what you do or did ...

go on, nothing too it.

Looking forward to read your story too. :)

Cheers,

Dieter

PS. I gave this thread a Bump just to let folks that joined us in the past 3 years know it exists. 
Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: Pawel66 on July 12, 2018, 08:35:52
No sexy story on my part. I am just a CEO in FMCG company. So as a CEO I know something about everything and nothing about something really.
Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: ah53 on July 12, 2018, 23:08:22
Grunt retail stockbroker managing about $300mm of client money.  I've been at it for 45yrs now so I've seen the market as low as mid 500 in 1974 to now.  To quote The Dead "what a long strange trip it's been."

Joe
Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: mdsalemi on July 13, 2018, 11:40:34
Advertising Sales and Management for Car Clubs. I manage and sell all the advertising in the award winning Star Magazine, the award winning Prancing Horse Magazine, the monthly News Bulletin, and the Quattro Quarterly.

The Star Magazine is the member publication of the Mercedes-Benz Club of America, published 6x per year. I’m also a contributing editor there, having had some articles published including some award winners since 2007. (Pssst....next up is an article on the winning car of the inaugural 1927 Nurburgring German Gran Prix).

Prancing Horse and News Bulletin are the member publications of the Ferrari Club of America. The former is a glossy quarterly, arguably the most costly periodical I’ve ever seen, and the latter both a digital and printed monthly.

Quattro Quarterly is the member publication of the Audi Club North America.

If my garage were large enough and I had the budget for such things, the Pagoda would probably be joined by an F355 Spyder, and an S5 Cabriolet with Stage II tuning and suspension mods...

I’ve been doing this since 2014. Prior, I was in several facets of the printing and publishing business for decades...and also owned a car wash for a short time.
Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: BaronYoungman on July 13, 2018, 22:06:03
Banker... yes, boring banker.   BUT ASK ME WHAT I DID FOR 12 years.  I opened 52 different nightclubs in 38 states and overseas.
Dallas Alley, Denim & Diamonds, West LA, Cactus Moon, Graham Central Station, Banana Joe's, Mix Factory, Outer Limit, and others.  Chances are if your city had one of these venues, I opened it or managed it at some point.  I partied with Nickelback , drank with James Brown, almost got in fist fight with Joan Jett, had a discussion about life with Ron Jeremy , hung out with Garth Brooks and his 1st wife, employed as a barback Joe Nichols and the Kinleys before they got famous and so many more.  Interesting lifestyle, great stories, but totally non conducive to having a family.  My job may be boring now , but my family fulfills me in a way nightclub life never could.
Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: Dash808 on July 14, 2018, 04:15:01
Banker... yes, boring banker.   BUT ASK ME WHAT I DID FOR 12 years.  I opened 52 different nightclubs in 38 states and overseas.
Dallas Alley, Denim & Diamonds, West LA, Cactus Moon, Graham Central Station, Banana Joe's, Mix Factory, Outer Limit, and others.  Chances are if your city had one of these venues, I opened it or managed it at some point.  I partied with Nickelback , drank with James Brown, almost got in fist fight with Joan Jett, had a discussion about life with Ron Jeremy , hung out with Garth Brooks and his 1st wife, employed as a barback Joe Nichols and the Kinleys before they got famous and so many more.  Interesting lifestyle, great stories, but totally non conducive to having a family.  My job may be boring now , but my family fulfills me in a way nightclub life never could.


Annnnnd what's the story behind the "1988 560sec  Japan "Yakuza Car"?"  Spent some time with them too didja?   :o :-X
Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: neelyrc on July 14, 2018, 05:06:58
When I first joined the Forum I ran across this thread and was impressed with the background of the members.  Having met many of you personally since then I am even more impressed!  The thread was more or less dormant when I first saw it so I didn’t bother to add my own information.  Now that Dieter has given it a bump, here are some highlights:

Civil Engineering graduate University of Alabama, 1961 (Roll Tide!)
Naval officer, U.S. Navy Civil Engineer Corps, Vietnam era veteran: Company Commander, Mobile Construction Battalion Nine (Seabees); Staff Administrative Officer, Commander Construction Battalions, U. S. Atlantic Fleet.

For forty plus years I worked for Chicago Bridge and Iron Company, Metal Plate Structures fabrication and construction, primarily oil patch: Engineer training program, Field Engineer, Pusher, Field Foreman, Superintendent, Project Manager, Construction Supervisor, Construction Manager, Plant Manager, Operations Manager.  Last assignment, Vice President and Area Director of Operations, South East Asia.  Most of my adult life was spent outside the USA living and working in over twenty countries.

Presently I spend about half of each year in my native Alabama where my Pagoda is garaged (and driven) and the other half in Lavagna and Compiano, Italy.  Many of you have met my lovely wife Flora at events on both sides of the Atlantic.  I lost my first wife Elena, the mother of my two children to mesothelioma in 2003. I myself am a cancer survivor now cancer free since 2004.

I bought my Pagoda new at the tender age of 30.  Almost 50 years on we are mellowing together.  See my article in Pagoda World Issue 19 for some details.  My current vehicles in Birmingham consist of the 1969 280SL a 2007 BMW 328xi (E90) and a 1995 Jaguar XJS convertible. In Italy I drive a BMW 330xd Futura Coupe (E92) and a Toyota HiLux, 4WD, 2.4 liter Turbo diesel Pickup.  My favorite departed souls include a 1965 Volvo 122S Amazon, a 1956 190SL Roadster (W121) and a 1974 450 SE (W116).  The latter I consider to have been the best car I ever owned.

Each year I try to participate in or visit a couple of major motoring activities.  Last year it was Amelia Island and one of the overnight stops of the Mille Miglia plus PUB Virginia.  This year it was Amelia Island and MB StarFest2018 where I was a member of the organizing committee.  Our Euro Event in Provence is on the schedule. I am an avid Formula One fan having been a Ferrari tifoso since the early 1970s.  I have been fortunate to be able to attend many races over the years including several at venues no longer on the schedule such as Zandfoort, Kyalami, Brands Hatch, Dijon and Kuala Lumpur.

Present profession: Confirmed car nut!
Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: Rolf-Dieter ✝︎ on July 14, 2018, 17:43:33
Thank you Pawel, Joe, Mike, Bob, Chan and Ralph for adding to this interesting thread. I hope many more will follow, I think it’s great knowing what we have in common with fellow Members. As someone said during dinner at our last PUB gathering in Virginia

 “it’s not only about cars, it’s mostly about people”  everyone around the table agreed, it’s just that wählt makes our Group such a great comunety.

Ralph just a small update to my post in this thread (when I found it originally in 2015; Reply 155 above), I retired in 2013 Ralph, I finally learned to say NO to my former partner and Customers at age 75 when I found my Pagoda and put my hard hat and safety stuff into recycle. Last May I found a Big Brother for my Pagoda a low mileage SL6.3 AMG that has been lingering on my Bucket List since I saw the car in Berlin in 2012. What can I say I’m a Car Nut like yourself Ralph and many others here I’m sure. I count myself very fortunate to own two fine cars at this juncture in my life that I could never afford when I was a young fellow. Looking forward to Euro 2018 in September, see you then. Meanwhile enjoy your Summer in the USA or Italy :)

Dieter
Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: neelyrc on July 15, 2018, 20:41:02
Thanks Dieter, we are in Italy now and will be here until mid-November.  Looking forward to seeing you in France at the end of summer.  You have yourself a very fine pair of motor cars! Enjoy!  8)
Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: johnk on July 16, 2018, 00:53:22
I'm the head bean counter for a nursing home chain. Nothing exciting to share but it affords me to play with my 280 and a few other toys.
Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: BaronYoungman on July 24, 2018, 14:17:14
NO never Japan, car was confiscated by Japanese government and sold at auction, so I assume Yakuza car.  But I have met many "Facilitators" in many states and it was amazing some of them had cousins, son in laws etc that owned cigarette machine companies, fire protections companies, promotions or valet companies that they strongly advised we use...for our own good of course. ;)
Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: MikeSimon on August 05, 2018, 21:25:25
I have a Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering from Darmstadt, Germany university. I used to work for the company who manufactured the power steering pump for the W113, actually for most Mercedes cars since they used p/s in 1962. Transferred to the U.S. in 1988. Brought my 280SL with me. Retired from the industry since 2014. Working with 2 partners selling/buying/brokering vintage and collector cars and motorcycles.
Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: benzombie on August 05, 2018, 22:25:33
As for me, I'm a chemist working at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta.  I started out in polymer chemistry and worked for Kimberly-Clark Corporation for 17 years developing textiles, films, adhesives, and other raw materials for use in consumer products.  About 15 years ago I joined the CDC to work with mosquito control programs focused on malaria prevention, especially those using insecticide-treated bednets.  It makes for a nice balance of lab science and international travel. 

Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: Rolf-Dieter ✝︎ on July 22, 2020, 12:39:09
Nearly 2 years again since the last post in this fine thread (if you joined us since August 2018 have a read then add your own story). :)

Time for another Bump ...

Dieter
Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: GM on July 22, 2020, 16:09:12
Thanks for the bump, Dieter - I didn't even know this topic existed.
I got my degree in physics from UCLA (but today I couldn't derive Maxwell's or Schroedinger's Equations with a gun to my head) and it's great to see so many technical/engineering folks here.
As a lifetime resident of Los Angeles and environs, I worked at Hughes for 23 years, first at the research labs, then in business development for the Space and Communications Group. Spent my last 5 years as one of the founding execs that built DIRECTV for the U.S. and then Latin America, then president of digital media for Sony. As a techie, I've been with startups, etc too.
Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: A-230 on December 19, 2020, 21:12:38
Educated construction engineer, been working as procurement manager for construction of oil rigs to the north sea. Since the last three years converted to procurement manager for carbon capture projects, just now for a cement factory in Norway owned by Heideberg Cement.
Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: Pinder on December 21, 2020, 17:30:33
I work for Boeing in the Digital Services division. Education wise I graduated with a Bsc in Computer Science , 1987 Imperial College London. Windows SDK programmer initially, then many Programming jobs in the US and now Manager of Crew Hosting Services in NYC. Currently working from Home.
Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: jan lauwers on December 31, 2020, 20:56:27
Hi Guys,

I just came across this topic by coincidence. Quite interesting... so I'll add my story:   

As a youngster I wanted to become a pilot...spent a few years pursuing that dream... finally it did not happen. Simultaneously I studied topography.. i.e. geographical surveying and I did that as a job for a couple of years, until, out of the blue, I was offered a job as a trainee in chemicals trading in Paris. So, that marked the start of my commercial career in the chemical industry. I worked for 3 companies, always in commercial jobs, doing international sales and marketing of chemicals. Today at the age of 62, I run my own one man agency. I import 2 industrial raw materials, mainly for the glass industry. One product I import from Turkey, the other from South Korea. Being independent is wonderful, it allows me to spend one day per week to work on the restoration of my 280 SL. It is a full body off restoration and I bet that it will be on the road again next spring, 2021.
My adventures with oldtimers started with a Fiat 500 from 1973. My wife and I, we love Italy… She (we) fell in love with the baby car and bought one in 2007. That led to me starting evening class automechancs…which I did for 7 years. I always dreamt of a Pagoda, purely for its looks. As a kid I had one as a Dinky toy and already then, I knew that it was particularly elegant. In 2012, after some 3 years of searching, suddenly an affordable one crossed my path. I'll post pics here when it is ready! 

Happy New Year, gentlemen!

Jan
Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: Cees Klumper on January 01, 2021, 01:15:48
Very interesting professions, keep them coming!
Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: Duncan200 on January 01, 2021, 06:29:14
Hello All,

After seeing this thread pop up as an unread post, I thought I’d better add my two cents.

My career started as an apprentice mechanic way back in 1991.

Since then I have worked for Mercedes as a tech, Nissan as a Service Manager, Bosch as their Diagnostic Equipment Training Manager and now I work for a small tool company called Snap-on as their Equipment Technical and Training Manager.

I’ve only recently joined this club, but I have owned my 113 for 3 years and I bought it as a Wedding Anniversary present for myself 😂.

I recently completed an extension to my garage to give myself enough room to start the restoration on “Annie” as we call her. It’s also great to have a 4 post hoist and some apparently really good tools to work on her.

Looking forward to seeking and contributing advice on here.

Cheers.
Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: Mike Hughes on January 01, 2021, 14:43:10
It seems that the segue from turning wrenches to being a service manager to diagnostic equipment training is a time honored tradition!  one of my British car club friends was a technician at a British Leyland dealership back in the 70's, they promoted him to service writer, then service manager.  He then went to work for Sun servicing equipment and training technicians.  I have seen Sun equipment on my Snap-On man's truck.  Of course these days a lot of diagnostic equipment that used to be just about as large and impressive looking as a rolling tool chest can fit in the palm of your hand!

As for my profession, I just retired in February after 40 years selling Lincoln's, first at a Lincoln Mercury dealership, and then at a Ford Lincoln dealership after the Mercury brand was discontinued in 2010.  The owner of the Lincoln Mercury dealership where I worked for 30 years and his wife had driven his and hers pagodas since the early 70's, and helped me to acquire my 230SL.
Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: Rolf-Dieter ✝︎ on January 23, 2021, 19:03:50
Happy Retirement Mike, may the sun always shine for you so you may enjoy top down fun in your Pagoda :)

Dieter

One chang you may find (that you will now in retirement) be more busy then ever! :) then you will always have your Pagoda to escape from all that,

Dieter
Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: Nicolas Aristodemou on February 07, 2021, 04:27:06
This is my story... so far....

I graduated as a Mechanical Engineer in the UK in the late 70s and then did an MSc and PhD in Energy Engineering. I work as an Engineering Consultant in Building Services, running my own Company since 1983.

I love all kinds of machines, love to fix and restore them. I have several classic cars and some modern ones. Also couple of classic motorbikes.

I am also a commercial pilot with an instrument rating and love to fly my twin engined plane.

Being close to retirement age I plan to devote more time to classic cars and their restoration.
Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: 114015 on February 08, 2021, 21:35:40
Quote
The owner of the Lincoln Mercury dealership where I worked for 30 years and his wife had driven his and hers pagodas since the early 70's, and helped me to acquire my 230SL

Mike..... ! ;D ;D :D

Couldn't be any better here.
The long-term owner of a Lincoln dealership recommended to you (indirectly): 'Don't drive a Lincoln or Mercury, have a Mercedes. That's a choice ....!'
Do I read this correctly?  ;D ;D :D

All best,
Achim

(never had a Lincoln so far)
Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: Mike Hughes on February 08, 2021, 23:03:30
Hi Achim -

Not exactly.  Like me he suffered from a long term old car disease.  He still had the '31 Model A Ford roadster that he got when he returned from Korea in the early 50's, had played around with T-series M.G.s and then graduated to Pagodas.  He knew of my long term M.G. disease and that my wife and I had his and hers M.G.s since the 1980s.  After I had been working for him for 20 years he thought I should have a Pagoda some day, too! 

He sold his wife's White/Dark Red '69 280SL automatic shortly after I acquired my 230SL.  After 35 years of Pagoda ownership, he sold his Signal Red/Black 21K mile '69 280SL manual and found a 356 to play with.  When he passed away in 2019 the Model A and 356 were out in the garage, road ready.
Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: roymil on February 27, 2022, 19:41:12
I just stumbled on this thread.  Very interesting crew here!  I'm very thankful to you all for the help I've found here during Covid while I brought my pagoda back from its 25 year slumber.  I'm finally getting just enough experience to post some hopefully useful things myself, so I'll try to help out where I can.   

I'm yet another engineer (electrical) 40+ yrs on in his career.  I've worked all over the southwestern US, Singapore, Dresden ... but starting in Las Vegas, where my pagoda was delivered in '68 to my dad in trade for an almost new Mustang he made the mistake of buying (he hated the handling).  I've had good fortune to work on a variety of cool projects including atlas, shuttle, tomahawk, various satellites, microprocessors, solar, black stuff, and most recently the audio chips in the iphone you're holding right now.   All the high tech semiconductor work is fine and fun, but I still am constantly amazed by the incredibly elegant pagoda systems design work, all done without computers.  The best part is that I know for sure I will never have to come home to work on my pagoda and have to debug a firmware or silicon issue.  It has none! and that is so beautiful!       Best to all,  Mark
Title: Re: What's your profession?
Post by: Rolf-Dieter ✝︎ on April 01, 2022, 20:41:23
One entire year between posts ... and on average 20 to 25 New Members joining us here on this great site. If you are reading this now, don’t leave without sharing your story .... what ever it is it will be interesting :)

Dieter