Author Topic: Getting to San Diego in Oct 2019  (Read 51110 times)

Rolf-Dieter ✝︎

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Re: Getting to San Diego in Oct 2019
« Reply #50 on: July 07, 2019, 21:38:55 »
Garry,

I plan to visit the Classic Centre is it also your plan that you have te time now?

Dieter

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« Last Edit: July 07, 2019, 21:43:05 by Rolf-Dieter »
DD 2011 SL 63 AMG and my 69 Pagoda 280 SL

Garry

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Re: Getting to San Diego in Oct 2019
« Reply #51 on: July 08, 2019, 02:40:44 »
Rolf Dieter


Am planning a Classic Centre visit and hope to get there .


Garry
The carless
« Last Edit: July 08, 2019, 14:02:29 by Garry »
Garry Marks
Melbourne/ Kyneton, Brisbane. Australia
1969 MB 280SL 5 speed RHD SOLD.
1965 MB 230SL Auto RHD Lt Blue 334G, Top 350H, 213 Leather, Tourist Delivery.
1972 MB 280CE Auto RHD 906G Blue Grey
2005 MB A200.
2006 MB B200
2019 Izuzu DMax 4x4 with Slide-on camper.
2022 Volvo XC40 Twin Electric

cbdesign

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Re: Getting to San Diego in Oct 2019
« Reply #52 on: July 09, 2019, 07:06:41 »
A "must do" is driving up Hwy 1 from LA thru Big Sur to Carmel/Monterrey, CA.  The week of August 11th is Monterrey Car Week - the largest festival of autos in the world.  Book a hotel now as they are hard to get.  Many classic car auctions, Legends of the Autobahn is an all-German car gathering on Friday the 16th.

Garry

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Re: Getting to San Diego in Oct 2019
« Reply #53 on: July 09, 2019, 18:12:20 »
Our plan was to go up Highway 1 which we have done several times before.  It’s a real sham the timing will not be good for Monterey as we will be long gone hopefully somewhere in Canada by then.

Got to visit the MB Classic Centre  and catch up with Tom Hanson and also a visit to the Peterson Motor Museum yesterday. 

My tracking is now telling me the car is off the Coast of California. the closest i have been to it in several months. Now due into Long Beach in next two days.  Will believe when i see it.
« Last Edit: July 09, 2019, 18:16:38 by Garry »
Garry Marks
Melbourne/ Kyneton, Brisbane. Australia
1969 MB 280SL 5 speed RHD SOLD.
1965 MB 230SL Auto RHD Lt Blue 334G, Top 350H, 213 Leather, Tourist Delivery.
1972 MB 280CE Auto RHD 906G Blue Grey
2005 MB A200.
2006 MB B200
2019 Izuzu DMax 4x4 with Slide-on camper.
2022 Volvo XC40 Twin Electric

Garry

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Re: Getting to San Diego in Oct 2019
« Reply #54 on: July 11, 2019, 16:52:53 »
Some good news at last.


The ship carrying the car docked in Long Beach at 0630 this morning.


All i need now is to be told when i can gain access.  Maybe tomorrow, maybe Monday but at least it is near by at last.


Celebrating tonight in Arrowhead CA by the lake.

Garry Marks
Melbourne/ Kyneton, Brisbane. Australia
1969 MB 280SL 5 speed RHD SOLD.
1965 MB 230SL Auto RHD Lt Blue 334G, Top 350H, 213 Leather, Tourist Delivery.
1972 MB 280CE Auto RHD 906G Blue Grey
2005 MB A200.
2006 MB B200
2019 Izuzu DMax 4x4 with Slide-on camper.
2022 Volvo XC40 Twin Electric

49er

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Re: Getting to San Diego in Oct 2019
« Reply #55 on: July 11, 2019, 17:41:49 »
Great news Garry. Finally!   I told this story here before but when my 280 made to Long Beach back in '68 I actually walked onto the lot of of 40 or so Mercedes that were off loaded from the ship and saw 4 SL's but only one was white. I opened the door and sat in my car for the first time. No Fences, no guard (maybe he was asleep somewhere :)). Simpler, less complicated times for sure. Hope you are enjoying your time here in CA and looking forward to meeting you in October.

John

 
« Last Edit: July 11, 2019, 23:14:46 by 49er »
1969 280SL 003820
Un Restored, All Original, including the paint
Original Owner, Purchased September 18, 1968
4 speed manual, PS. 77094 miles
7157 miles since awoken from her 20+ yr "nap" in 2010

Garry

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Re: Getting to San Diego in Oct 2019
« Reply #56 on: July 11, 2019, 18:03:43 »
Hi John,


Went to the dock yesterday to just see how it all worked,  They were very helpful but pointed out i will need an escort to get in.  Have arranged with a local to go with me when i find out i can collect it.  Times have changed, I remember doing a similar thing to you back home once about 25 years ago on a car i shipped home from USA.  I just got in it and drove away.
Garry Marks
Melbourne/ Kyneton, Brisbane. Australia
1969 MB 280SL 5 speed RHD SOLD.
1965 MB 230SL Auto RHD Lt Blue 334G, Top 350H, 213 Leather, Tourist Delivery.
1972 MB 280CE Auto RHD 906G Blue Grey
2005 MB A200.
2006 MB B200
2019 Izuzu DMax 4x4 with Slide-on camper.
2022 Volvo XC40 Twin Electric

UJJ

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Re: Getting to San Diego in Oct 2019
« Reply #57 on: July 11, 2019, 22:23:49 »
What is the escort all about Garry?
Urban Janssen
Grass Valley, CA
1968 280 SL - 4speed manual
173 anthracite grey

Garry

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Re: Getting to San Diego in Oct 2019
« Reply #58 on: July 11, 2019, 22:30:34 »
UJ,


You are not allowed to enter any port which is a bonded area with out what is called a TWIC permit or someone who has one can escort you. They charge $75 to do the escort after you have arranged the pickup from the Port Authority.
Garry Marks
Melbourne/ Kyneton, Brisbane. Australia
1969 MB 280SL 5 speed RHD SOLD.
1965 MB 230SL Auto RHD Lt Blue 334G, Top 350H, 213 Leather, Tourist Delivery.
1972 MB 280CE Auto RHD 906G Blue Grey
2005 MB A200.
2006 MB B200
2019 Izuzu DMax 4x4 with Slide-on camper.
2022 Volvo XC40 Twin Electric

JamesL

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Re: Getting to San Diego in Oct 2019
« Reply #59 on: July 12, 2019, 08:32:04 »
And breathe...
Though save some breath for the check over that all is as it should be ( and they didn’t find that hidden stash you put under the parcel shelf ;) :D )
James L
Oct69 RHD 280 in DB906 with cognac leather

Garry

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Re: Getting to San Diego in Oct 2019
« Reply #60 on: July 13, 2019, 03:18:54 »
It has arrived and cleared bond.

A phone call whilst eating breakfast out on the deck of the cabin we have in Twin Peaks and off to Long Beach to be reunited with Bella the Beautiful.

It didn’t want to start initially but finally got going and into three hours driving out of Long Beach to the mountains and Twin Peaks/ Arrow Lake again.

Tomorrow to San Diego to take the HT off and on a stand at Jon B’s till October and then head north towards Santa Rosa to catch up with a couple more Pagoda Members, Art and Larry on Monday.
Garry Marks
Melbourne/ Kyneton, Brisbane. Australia
1969 MB 280SL 5 speed RHD SOLD.
1965 MB 230SL Auto RHD Lt Blue 334G, Top 350H, 213 Leather, Tourist Delivery.
1972 MB 280CE Auto RHD 906G Blue Grey
2005 MB A200.
2006 MB B200
2019 Izuzu DMax 4x4 with Slide-on camper.
2022 Volvo XC40 Twin Electric

66andBlue

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Re: Getting to San Diego in Oct 2019
« Reply #61 on: July 13, 2019, 03:59:17 »
👏👏

Wishing you and Kate godspeed and happy travels !
Alfred
1964 230SL manual 4-speed 568H signal red
1966 230SL automatic 334G light blue (sold)
1968 280SL automatic (now 904G midnight blue)

Rolf-Dieter ✝︎

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Re: Getting to San Diego in Oct 2019
« Reply #62 on: July 13, 2019, 04:56:48 »
Safe travels Garry and Kate, see you in London, Ontario next month.

Dieter
DD 2011 SL 63 AMG and my 69 Pagoda 280 SL

neelyrc

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Re: Getting to San Diego in Oct 2019
« Reply #63 on: July 13, 2019, 05:37:04 »
Garry, glad to see you finally liberated it!! Wishing you and Kate a pleasant journey in North America.
Ralph

1969 280SL, 4 Speed Manual, Dark Olive (291H), Parchment Leather (256), Dark Green Soft Top (747)
1972 Mercedes-Benz 280SEL 4.5
1988 Mercedes-Benz 560SL
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kampala

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Re: Getting to San Diego in Oct 2019
« Reply #64 on: July 13, 2019, 09:23:55 »
Garry

Glad you got Bella sprung!  Was very nice to have met up in LA while I was there (back in France now).  Enjoy the 5000 mile run and expect to see you in San Diego in October. 

Best


250sl - later - manual
280sl - 1971 - Auto - LSD

Aslam

JamesL

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Re: Getting to San Diego in Oct 2019
« Reply #65 on: July 13, 2019, 13:24:26 »
Safe travels

We expect many updates and pictures from your journey.
James L
Oct69 RHD 280 in DB906 with cognac leather

Garry

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Re: Getting to San Diego in Oct 2019
« Reply #66 on: July 13, 2019, 13:25:25 »
Thanks all.
Only damage was a big bird poo on the rear deck lid that appears to have eaten the paint a bit. It must have happened early in the shipping.
It will be interesting to see if it starts again this morning.  The battery was dead flat and may need replacing but i have a small jump starter battery pack just in case this happened.
Garry Marks
Melbourne/ Kyneton, Brisbane. Australia
1969 MB 280SL 5 speed RHD SOLD.
1965 MB 230SL Auto RHD Lt Blue 334G, Top 350H, 213 Leather, Tourist Delivery.
1972 MB 280CE Auto RHD 906G Blue Grey
2005 MB A200.
2006 MB B200
2019 Izuzu DMax 4x4 with Slide-on camper.
2022 Volvo XC40 Twin Electric

wayne R

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Re: Getting to San Diego in Oct 2019
« Reply #67 on: July 13, 2019, 14:50:03 »
Thats great news Garry and Kate,.
You will be really looking forward to driving up to your friends  at Santa Rosa,
and on north, The drive up towards Portland is a fantastic drive,.
A little bird poo ,is nothing  to what i have had  ,with cars coming back to
Australia,and  your battery if its not good, like me a few times over the years
have purchased a new battery before shipping back here, mainly Interstate  batterys
they are a really terrific batterys.My present Pagoda has one now 7 years old,holds 12.6 volts
even after not driving for a month.
Many thanks for that last email, have a great safe  trip.

BaronYoungman

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Re: Getting to San Diego in Oct 2019
« Reply #68 on: July 14, 2019, 18:22:55 »
This is been a soap opera to my wife who is ask me everyday if your car has been sprung and you are driving it. Today I showed her the picture and she broke out into the song reunited and it feels so good by Peaches and Herb .... so that'll play in your head for quite some time
Bob
Bob "Baron" Youngman
1971 280 SL silver  1 car 0 boxes
1983 500sec Wheeler Dealer AMG Widebody
1985 500sec Paris Autoshow AMG coupe
1994 320sl wifes car
1988 560sec  Japan "Yakuza Car"

Garry

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Re: Getting to San Diego in Oct 2019
« Reply #69 on: July 14, 2019, 23:46:57 »
Not only reunited, but also apparently sprung with a photograph from behind in San Diego by one of JonB’s spy network. 


I cannot go anywhere now without being noticed.


We did a quick hot two day run up inland and now at Santa Rosa for a couple of nights and recovered  one of the lost weeks.


From now on it’s slow as we go up the coast toward Seattle.
Garry Marks
Melbourne/ Kyneton, Brisbane. Australia
1969 MB 280SL 5 speed RHD SOLD.
1965 MB 230SL Auto RHD Lt Blue 334G, Top 350H, 213 Leather, Tourist Delivery.
1972 MB 280CE Auto RHD 906G Blue Grey
2005 MB A200.
2006 MB B200
2019 Izuzu DMax 4x4 with Slide-on camper.
2022 Volvo XC40 Twin Electric

doitwright

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Re: Getting to San Diego in Oct 2019
« Reply #70 on: July 15, 2019, 01:29:58 »
Gary,

How does it feel to be driving on the “right” side of the road?
Frank Koronkiewicz
Willowbrook, Illinois

1970 280SL Originally Light Ivory - Now Anthracite Gray Metallic

Garry

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Re: Getting to San Diego in Oct 2019
« Reply #71 on: July 15, 2019, 06:30:46 »
It is easier driving a rhd car on the wrong side than driving a Lhd hire car interestingly enough because it just feels wrong sitting in the hire car with everything in the wrong place and trying to keep your passenger in the gutter.


Boy does it get some funny comments at the lights when you look over at the car beside you and say g’day..


I tell my wife to sit with her hands behind her head or read the news paper. Confuses the car following, like who is driving this thing......
Garry Marks
Melbourne/ Kyneton, Brisbane. Australia
1969 MB 280SL 5 speed RHD SOLD.
1965 MB 230SL Auto RHD Lt Blue 334G, Top 350H, 213 Leather, Tourist Delivery.
1972 MB 280CE Auto RHD 906G Blue Grey
2005 MB A200.
2006 MB B200
2019 Izuzu DMax 4x4 with Slide-on camper.
2022 Volvo XC40 Twin Electric

Garry

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Re: Getting to San Diego in Oct 2019
« Reply #72 on: July 16, 2019, 23:46:45 »
Spent yesterday arvo with Art and Larry having a look at a Santa Rosa Mercedes Collectors (Pat) collection of beautifully restored and some very original MB.  Was a fantastic shed full.  Some shed. Fires burnt down the house but shed survived thankfully.


Today travelled in perfect weather, top down on to Fort Brag further i\up the West coast.  Car running well with a new battery installed yesterday, it did not like sitting for nearly three months with alarm on. I should have got one when i had my doubts initially and was at Classic Center with Tom last week.
Garry Marks
Melbourne/ Kyneton, Brisbane. Australia
1969 MB 280SL 5 speed RHD SOLD.
1965 MB 230SL Auto RHD Lt Blue 334G, Top 350H, 213 Leather, Tourist Delivery.
1972 MB 280CE Auto RHD 906G Blue Grey
2005 MB A200.
2006 MB B200
2019 Izuzu DMax 4x4 with Slide-on camper.
2022 Volvo XC40 Twin Electric

Garry

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Re: Getting to San Diego in Oct 2019
« Reply #73 on: July 18, 2019, 05:14:28 »
Had the most stunning drive today from Fort Bragg north up coast then inland, following the Avenue of the Giants back road for fifty miles. Absolutely perfect top down driving conditions on some roads that rival the Big Sur drive and in some ways better than that.
Garry Marks
Melbourne/ Kyneton, Brisbane. Australia
1969 MB 280SL 5 speed RHD SOLD.
1965 MB 230SL Auto RHD Lt Blue 334G, Top 350H, 213 Leather, Tourist Delivery.
1972 MB 280CE Auto RHD 906G Blue Grey
2005 MB A200.
2006 MB B200
2019 Izuzu DMax 4x4 with Slide-on camper.
2022 Volvo XC40 Twin Electric

ja17

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Re: Getting to San Diego in Oct 2019
« Reply #74 on: July 18, 2019, 06:27:28 »
Beautiful Pictures !
Joe Alexander
Blacklick, Ohio
1969 Dark Olive 280SL
2002 ML55 AMG (tow vehicle)
2002 SLK32 AMG (350 hp)
1982 300TD Wagon turbo 4spd.
1963 404 Mercedes Unimog (Swedish Army)
1989 flu419 Mercedes Unimog (US Army)
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