New member introductions

[Dutch]

Hello my name is Henk and I just gave our 1971 280SL to my daughter Anneka, I have owned the car for some 25 y and driven it maybe 1000 m Yes I know that's terrible.
We have too many cars and for the last 13 y also a Ocean going sailboat i.e. too many things
I have raced extensively , mostly Porsche Cup cars and have done a lot of Mille events in various antique cars
We live on a farm outside Washington DC in N Virginia where we raise Bison and where I have converted a dairy barn in-to a car barn.
At the moment the 280 is having some new parts fitted and a general going over done .
Hope she will take it to One of your events soon

 

[Jonny B]

Henk,

Welcome to group for both you and your daughter. There are quite a good  number of Pagoda folks in the DC - Virginia area so I am sure you will be able to find some new friends. Unfortunately mostly on-line for right now. But stay tuned here for updates on events around you.

When you have some time, please post some photos. The folks here just love to see the pictures.

[CharlesorCharlie]

Hello all I'm Charlie. From northern MN. My 90 y/o grandfather's green 1968 280SL with the hardtop has been in my parent's garage for about 5 years, and I don't think has been started until last night! Excited to tune it up and start driving.

Found this website yesterday to try to find tips for restoring.

[Jonny B]

Charlie,
Welcome to the group. After sitting for five years, there are a number of safety items to check, brakes among them. Get familiar with the site and the search engine , there is a lot of information about waking up a sleeping Pagoda.

If you can, post a few photos, this group just loves to see photos.

Is your grandfather the original owner?

[CharlesorCharlie]

I should be able to take some photos tomorrow! I believe he bought it in the mid 70s so 2nd owner. Has just 32k miles on it.

He would drive my cousin and I around in the summers as kids, so I’m very excited to drive it for nostalgia sake.

Yeah I started it it seemed like it was leaking a little coolant from an old hose, but plan on digging in more. Glad to have this resource.

[ja17]

Welcome Charlie and Dutch.  You will find that this is the best group on the web for you and your pagoda. Charlie with just 32K original miles, your car should be a real time capsule. It would be nice to see some pictures of both.

[CharlesorCharlie]

Posted a few photos in the photo thread

[sl113newguy]

Hello everyone. My name is Norm and I live in the San Francisco Bay Area. I'm a long time Pagoda SL Group reader, but just joined as a Full Member...seemed about time since I've received such great information from the site.

I do not own a W113 (I'm guessing unusual here?!). Part of the reason I started reading the forum long ago, and now joined, was is to help me make a good decision in a purchase - to do my homework first. So if you are willing to help me not screw up (er, screw up less) my purchase, I'm ready to listen!

Nice to meet everyone virtually, and hope to meet many of you in person at future GTGs (I was disappointed I wasn't able to make PagodaFest, but already am looking forward to the next)

-------
196? Mercedes 2X0 SL automatic   

[Doremonger]

Hello everyone. Wade from San Antonio, and I purchased my white ‘69 280SL in March. I had some work done at the Mercedes dealer here (not recommended), and it is currently with Gus in Houston, who I would highly recommend. It is a largely original but repainted Pagoda in decent shape.

This forum has been a great help already and the Mercedes Classic center has also been good to work with.

Still surprised at the number of honks and thumbs up I get when driving this car!

[Jonny B]

Welcome to the group.

The looks and thumbs up will never, ever, get old!

[FastWgn]

Still surprised at the number of honks and thumbs up I get when driving this car!

That is why it's a treat to have a classic. Spend the same on a new Mercedes and you get either the "rich douche" look or the no reaction at all.....

[MikeSimon]

That is why it's a treat to have a classic. Spend the same on a new Mercedes and you get either the "rich douche" look or the no reaction at all.....

I think "no reaction at all" is probably the most common. The times when a Mercedes was considered a luxury car that only "rich douches" would own, is long gone.
Every Tom, Dick and Harry (sorry guys!) has some kind of cheaper model Mercedes that they lease for an 8,000 mile p.a. allowance.
As mentioned elsewhere, buying a new MB would not be near the top of my list of vehicles to consider.