New member introductions

[Jonny B]

Grip,

I would highly recommend you splurge (only a small amount) and sign up as a full member of the forum. The technical manual provides a wealth of information about the car, how to get it going, how to keep it going, etc.

Well worth the $30/year

[NewToW113]

Hi sl113.org members.

I'm a new w113 owner as my username suggests.  Looking forward to interacting here as im sure I'll have tons of newbie questions.

Mine is a relatively rust free Euro 67 230SL 4 speed.  Definitely a ok-maintained driver imported from France in the 70s, lived its life in the US in DE.  Originally Mercedes blue/ black mb-tex interior, now Dupont gold with olive top and hub cap centers (repaint back to original may be a part of future plans).  My most immediate punch list is:

1) replace or rebuild water pump (original 2 bolt serviceable unit) as it is mildly leaking from the shaft when running
2) address a misfire/ fuel issue evident at 2500-3000 rpm
- replace points with elect ignition
- check fuel pressure/replace injectors
- new plugs
3)  PO had his mechanic wire a toggle switch to activate CSV, bypassing the CS relay and TTS.  Will return this to original (looks like he ran new wires to solenoid so harness appears to be intact
4) PO had his mechanic wire a start button b/c the ignition switch stoped activating starter.  Will return this to original/ replace or repair ignition switch
5) replace US spec headlights for Euro (PO did this in 70's)
6) troubleshoot heat blower fan/ mixer controls
7) normal break check/ chassis lube

My goal is to create a reliable dry weather driver not a restoration, but I want to keep it as original as possible.  If anyone has comments on my plans, or additional suggestions, please let me know!
Thanks

[NewToW113]

Thanks - I actually did pay for a full membership, but it says it takes a few days to validate my PayPal?  Anyway, hoping to get access to all of the content ASAP

[Jonny B]

Your information in the comment window shows "Full Member" so you should have complete access. If not please let us know at admin@sl113.org.

[Garry]

Hi Joseph,


Welcome to the Group.  Your full access kicked in when the payment was made.  You have full access to all parts of the Forum and Tech Manual and will in future receive Pagoda notes and the Pagoda World magazine.


Ask lots of questions and post lots of photos. There is a wealth of knowledge here and plenty of members willing to help you maintain and improve your Pagoda.


Garry
Membership Administrator

[Basabe]

Good morning,

new member and my first experience owning an older Mercedes.  I live in Bellingham, Wa, and recently retired after 32 years in the Marine Corps.  Single and no kids so I have to buy toys for someone, figured it might as well be me.  I do a little contracting work overseas when needing extra funds for projects but other than that I am finishing my college degree after dropping out 32 years ago.

1964 230 SL
1964 Corvair convertible
1970 Plymouth 'Cuda
1980 International Scout Traveller
1984 Toyota FJ Land Cruiser
2003 CL 55 AMG #1-2 condition

Thanks,

Pete

Could really use some help with the VIN for my 64 230SL if anyone can point me in the right direction.

[BobH]

Hello Pete, hello and welcome

I'm new to the group as well and i've found a wealth of knowledge and experience on here, from the simple to the technical

If you search the technical manual you'll find most information that you need, information about the VIN is under "data card", here's a quick link to it

Good luck!

https://www.sl113.org/wiki/DataCard/VIN

[Smcconomy]

Hi, I think I was a member of this forum many years ago. A little about me, I own a fabrication company in Ottawa Canada specializing in hot rods, customs and race cars. I owned a 1968 250SL for a few years until 2015. It was my grandfather’s, I sold it to help finance a hit rod build. If I was doing European sports cars I would have kept it but such as life. I joined as a few years ago I did an engine swap in a 1965 230SL, he spun the bearing in #1 connecting rod. In any case he no longer has the car so I am parting out the engine. I will be posting in classified in the next day or so.

Thanks,
Sean

[TorNOTL]

Hi Everyone,
I am a new member from Niagara on The Lake, I live in Toronto full time and part time in Niagara.  I am about to purchase a 1964 230SL, a true barn find that has an amazing back story.  If my purchase goes through I can share more of that information with all of you, trust me, it's an amazing story, a bit sad, a bit uplifting too.
I have been doing a lot of research on here and through a few other you tube channels and a very heartfelt thank you for having such amazing information.  I feel comfortable with what I am about to do and really would love to connect with any "local" members, in Toronto or Niagara region.
My name is Michael, I am 51. I drive a mercedes as a daily driver, but this will be my first vintage car and I couldn't be more excited.

[Jordan]

Welcome to the family Michael.  Looking forward to your story.  My Pagoda was my first vintage car as well.

I am in Jordan, between TO and NOTL, just west of St. Catharines.  Drop me a PM if you want to touch base. 

[Rolf-Dieter ✝︎]

Hi Michael,

Welcome to the Pagoda SL Group, you have found and joined a truly International group with Members from all around the world.

I organized a weekend event last September you may have seen it. For your Info I am attaching this link we had several Ontario Members get together on that weekend and had a wonderful time. The highlight of our event was a lunch and wine tasting at the 13 street winery. Hope all goes well with your purchase of that 230 SL.

---> https://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=33518.0

The 2 photos were taken at our lunch at the 13 street winery.

Good Luck

Dieter

[Swissomatic]

Just joined group. Have just purchased a 1971 automatic on Bring a Trailer. Bit of an accident really as had been watching for a couple of years, put in one bid and ended up a proud owner. Named Pandora for fairly obvious reasons…I find something interesting every time I open a door or compartment. Sadly all of her history has disappeared under previous ownership. Can’t prove mileage or experience but kind of fun. Appears to be almost original with repaint to factory color in early 90’s. Maybe some front end damage as headlight grooves and Mercedes’ hood badge missing during repaint.
Runs fine, starts and stops, maintains charge and all electrics work. Air conditioner may need some attention but runs and blows warm air.
For some reason there is no major rust, original glass, engine and transmission, full tool roll, full factory books including parts book and radio books. Tool roll included original plastic fuse box with original fuses in place which was kind of amazing after 50 years. Picture attached by lake in French quarter Charleston SC.

[Cees Klumper]

Welcome Swissomatic!
Nice color combination and if any questions, we're here to help (and check out the Tech Manual for lots of useful information).

[Jonny B]

Welcome to the group!

Great setting for the photo, Charleston is a wonderful place.

[JJD69SL]

Hello everyone. My name is J.J Daigneault and I have just upgraded from associate to full member. I have been using this site on and off for a few years and have always been curious/appreciative of owners posting meaningful and helpful content. I bought my car at the age of 19 years old in Vancouver Canada and have been driving it for 37 years now. although I don't know much about mechanics, I have, in the past two years replaced my alternator and the bushings of my "69 280 SL manual stick shift. I am now retired as an NHL hockey player and coach residing in Scottsdale AZ. This group and the knowledge shared will help me to upgrade my red #576 MB,  as I look to educate myself on doing some of the minor repairs.

Regards, J.J

[TJMart]

JJ,

Welcome to the group and I'm sure your full membership will be of great benefit to you! I also own a #576 Red! Just reach out for any help you need.

Tony

[kampala]

JjD69Sl,

You got your pagoda at age 19 !!!   I think you will win the award for youngest Pagoda owner ever. 

There was guy in college named Fred (gallo?) that had a light blue pagoda - it was probably about 1989 — he might have been 21 or so.

Amazing that you still have the car.  Great. 

[114015]

Hello J.J.,

What a great story - love it. Welcome to the group.
I was already 23 years old when I got my 1st Pagoda...; so, pretty old. 

You have to write down your story of you and your car for our Pagoda World magazine...;
Jonny B - our editor - will get in contact with you.

Great story, enjoy - and ask questions whenever you feel for it.

Take care,

Achim
(SL owner for 36 1/2 years)

[Rolf-Dieter ✝︎]

Hello Jean-Jacques,

Welcome again and thanks for taking my advice to introduce yourself here in this thread that I included when I prepared your welcoming package. As a former Montrealer myself having lived there from 1957 to 1979 and a great hokey fan your name did ring a bell when I prepared the envelope with your welcoming package.

We have many great peole on this site Doctors, Lawers, Engineers etc. (Cees started a tread on this way back in 2005) and it has grown and is a very interesting read on a rainy day

see it here -----> https://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=3825.0

I do agree that your story along with the attachement will make a great story in our Pagoda World Magazine. A back copy ofthe magazine along with a welcoming letter from our President including 2 logo window stickers for your car should have arrived  in your inbox by now.

Once again welcome to our group! and happy Pagoda driving

Dieter

[oneoff]

Hello!
Just joined as a full member. I am driving a 1970 280SL, one that my dad purchased at Lloyd Peasons, Pasadena Ca. in April 1970. I attached a photo of me in it on the day he brought it home!
It was his daily drive for many years, and it continues to this day in fine running condition. I respectively keep the SL up to the same standards that my dad would find pleasing.
I look forward reading others stories about one iconic Mercedes-Benz.
Mike

[Pawel66]

Good looking car and it is great she is in the family since the beginning!

[Rolf-Dieter ✝︎]

Nice looking car Mike, as Pawel68 mentioned nice when a car is keept in the famaly like this.

Welcome to our Group !

Dieter

[neelyrc]

Welcome to the group, Mike.  Lovely car!

[A-9294]

Hello to you all!

I am a proud owner of a '65 230 SL (manual with a M130 engine). Bought it 10 years ago from a man who had imported it from Sweden unseen. He was no mechanic, and found it to expensive to repair a Pagoda in Norway. It was in a reasonable state, but had some issues. I am a hobby mechanic and got it in a driveable condition and used it for a few years. But, because of more and more blue smoke I found it was time to refurbish the engine. This has been a long process... The enige is now as good as new, which includes balancing of the crankshaft and weighing of the piston with conrods. My goal is now to have it ready to the spring arrives here in Norway. 

Looking forward to have the opportunity to use your knowledge on the W113 to sort out some questions I have when I now put it all together, and fixing some issues that I have found during this process with restoring the car.

[Jonny B]

Welcome to the group! I am sure you will be able to sort through the issues you see with your 230 SL.

There is a nice contingent of Pagodas in Scandinavia. They even have a regular meet up.
You can check it out at www.skandinaviskpagodetreff.wordpress.com

I would suspect the pandemic has slowed their meetings down.