Author Topic: 51 years since delivery  (Read 4908 times)

49er

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51 years since delivery
« on: September 18, 2019, 20:43:01 »
 Drove it home on this date 51 years ago but it raining today so the car gets to spend the day in the garage. Yesterday I took it down the hill to Ernie’s shop in Sacramento for the car’s annual checkup and to get the battery replaced. It is a “World Source one” model 24F-MF and is a perfect fit. My old battery lasted 9 years so I am pretty satisfied with their products. It is always fun to get the car up on the lift and check things out on the underside and happy to report all is well. Took these photos yesterday and the car doesn’t look much different than it did 51 years ago.

John
« Last Edit: September 18, 2019, 22:27:18 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

teahead

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Re: 51 years since delivery
« Reply #1 on: September 18, 2019, 22:27:39 »
Awesome!

Just curious, but what have you all done to it in 51 years?

Anything on the engine?  Trans?  Paint?  Looks like the overriders were removed???
1970 280SL auto, AC - aka "Edelweiss"

calhippie

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Re: 51 years since delivery
« Reply #2 on: September 18, 2019, 22:42:31 »
Where's the "like" button?  John, you are a prime example of the kind of stewardship these machines deserve.  Kudos to you.   :)
Geoff
1970 280SL
Light Ivory

Benz Dr.

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Re: 51 years since delivery
« Reply #3 on: September 18, 2019, 22:50:53 »
It has been my view and will continue to be well into the future that it's the original cars or the ones that were restored many years ago that are still in great shape that deserve all of the awards. A freshly restored car can be breathtaking but one that's been done years ago yet still looks fresh is actually a more significant car. It would need constant cleaning and care with ongoing restoration work required to keep it looking as new. This is a laborious and expensive undertaking so a conservation award should be more highly prized and regarded than best of show.
1966 230SL 5 speed, LSD, header pipes, 300SE distributor, ported, polished and balanced, AKA  ''The Red Rocket ''
Dan Caron's SL Barn

1970  3.5 Coupe
1961  190SL
1985   300CD  Turbo Coupe
1981  300SD
2013  GMC  Sierra
1965  230SL
1967 250SL
1970 280SL
1988 560SEC

neelyrc

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Re: 51 years since delivery
« Reply #4 on: September 18, 2019, 23:53:08 »
Many Happy returns John!
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
2007 BMW 328xi (E90)
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Mike Hughes

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Re: 51 years since delivery
« Reply #5 on: September 19, 2019, 00:02:00 »
Original unrestored cars rule!  Just to reinforce the increasing recognition of the significance of "it's only original once" an unrestored 1931 Bentley won Best of Show ad the prestigious Chantilly Concours d'Elegance in France this summer.  Actually Chantilly awards twin Best of Show accolades:  one for pre-war and one for post-war cars.  The post War award went to a 1948 Talbot-Lago that many thought should have won Pebble beach last year.  The Bentley is the first unrestored car to win top honors at a European concours event.
- Mike Hughes  -ô¿ô-
  1966 230SL Auto P/S
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49er

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Re: 51 years since delivery
« Reply #6 on: September 19, 2019, 01:24:21 »
Awesome!

Just curious, but what have you all done to it in 51 years?

Anything on the engine?  Trans?  Paint?  Looks like the overriders were removed???

 Thanks, The car’s paint, upholstery, top, and all hardware is original. The short block was replaced under MB factory warranty early on (oil consumption issue). Hose clamps, ignition wires, and SS exhaust are not original. Car has never been touched other then two dime sized door dings that occurred in the first couple of years of ownership. They were both successfully removed by dingmasters recently. Headrests were not installed due to it being a very early ‘69. Same for overiders which came later anyway. For more info and background, https://www.sl113.org/wiki/uploads/Restricted/PNv7i2US.pdf

John
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

49er

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Re: 51 years since delivery
« Reply #7 on: September 19, 2019, 01:25:53 »
Many Happy returns John!

 Thanks Ralph, your car’s turn next😄

John
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

Iconic

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Re: 51 years since delivery
« Reply #8 on: September 19, 2019, 19:27:59 »
Congratulations John.
Thanks for posting !! Looking fresh as always.
Take care,
Mark
1970 280 SL Automatic, USA version, Grey-Blue (906G/906G), Blue leather (245)
1968 SS396 Camaro Convertible (owned since 1977 -- my first car :D)
1984 Porsche Euro Carrera coupe, LSD, SlateBlueMet/Blue
1998 BMW M-Rdstr Estoril Blue
1970 280 SL Automatic, Anthracite Grey-173G, Red Interior-132 - sold

Mike K

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Re: 51 years since delivery
« Reply #9 on: September 22, 2019, 17:19:31 »
John- thanks for sharing the pics and info. The car looks wonderful, congratulations!

Best,
Mike
Feb. 1971 Mercedes 280SL Auto  LHD (Last of W113 Series)
Aug. 1989 Mercedes R107 300SL RHD (Last of R107 Series)
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Rolf-Dieter ✝︎

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Re: 51 years since delivery
« Reply #10 on: September 22, 2019, 23:54:34 »
John, the car looks great, actually more like brand spanking new! You certainly gave her TLC over the years. Will you ever in the future, take her back to Germany and retrace the routes from long ago when you visited small towns in Germany and Europe with your then VW? Just wondering.

Cheers,

Dieter

Congratulations !!! May she bring you many more years of joy.
DD 2011 SL 63 AMG and my 69 Pagoda 280 SL

Rothko

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Re: 51 years since delivery
« Reply #11 on: September 23, 2019, 13:38:01 »
Very nice looking car.  Congrats to you!

49er

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Re: 51 years since delivery
« Reply #12 on: September 23, 2019, 14:48:30 »
 Thank you all fellow forum members for your kind comments about my Pagoda. Every time I drive the car, which is not often enough these days, it takes me back through the years of ownership and as I have said before, it is the real "Time Machine" allowing me to be, in spirt anyway, a 24 year old kid again. Dieter, much as I would love to drive the car in Germany, California is it's home and both the car and driver are more comfortable driving on the quiet country roads that surround the area where we live these days. I do hope to keep driving it for many more years, as long as the left knee holds out anyway ;)

John
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

superfahrt

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Re: 51 years since delivery
« Reply #13 on: September 24, 2019, 23:50:11 »
Really nice.  I'm in the SF Bay Area.  If you would like to do some Sierra drives, let me know.

707dieseldean

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Re: 51 years since delivery
« Reply #14 on: September 25, 2019, 17:36:58 »
Superfahrt, don't know if you are aware of this gathering in Marin :https://www.facebook.com/Marin-County-Cars-and-Coffee-160155830753455/
First sunday of the month , averages between 200 - 300 cars. Advise to get in early for a good spot (they start rolling in at 6:00am)  They have a photographer that will photo the cars on the way in and usually posts them on Mondays. Good times with like minded gear-heads !
« Last Edit: September 25, 2019, 19:20:06 by 707dieseldean »
69 280SL / Manual 4 speed
 904 - Lower Midnight Blue
 158 - Upper White/Grey
 145- Vellum Interior