Author Topic: New member introductions  (Read 807105 times)

Jonny B

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Re: New member introductions
« Reply #825 on: November 29, 2014, 18:01:39 »
Coochas - very nice, great story. Welcome to the group!! We stand at the ready to assist.
Jonny B
1967 250 SL Auto, DB 568
1970 280 SL Auto, DB 904
1966 Morris Mini Minor

Coochas

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Re: New member introductions
« Reply #826 on: November 29, 2014, 18:53:55 »
Coochas - very nice, great story. Welcome to the group!! We stand at the ready to assist.
[/quote

Thanks!
1971 280SL Signal Red
Dave B.
Sudbury, MA USA

49er

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Re: New member introductions
« Reply #827 on: November 29, 2014, 20:02:55 »
Great story Coochas and welcome to the Forum. Your SL looks to be in great shape we will look forward to hearing of your progress on getting her back on the road again.

John
1969 280SL 003820
Un Restored, All Original, including the paint
Original Owner, Purchased September 18, 1968
4 speed manual, PS. 77217 miles
7280 miles since awoken from her 20+ yr "nap" in 2010

Coochas

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Re: New member introductions
« Reply #828 on: November 29, 2014, 22:03:14 »
Thanks John!  Despite the coolant leak, I just drove it around a few blocks.  Ahhhhhhh.   Tomorrow I'm putting it up on jack stands and will start inspecting what's going on.
It looks like the coolant is coming from the water pump and mainly AFTER the car is turned off.  I'm wondering if the gasket simply dried out since it sat idle for 5-6 years.  I'll probably start a separate thread detailing my progress.
1971 280SL Signal Red
Dave B.
Sudbury, MA USA

Rolf-Dieter ✝︎

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Re: New member introductions
« Reply #829 on: November 30, 2014, 01:18:44 »
Hi Coochas, welcome to the forum. Great story and a very nice looking car! Happy travels always! you are properly right the water pump gasket is most likely dried up over the years, I would start there to see if a new gasket will stop the leak. Good luck.

If you need help don't be afread to ask, there are very knowledgeable individuals on this forum that are willing to lend a helping hand.
DD 2011 SL 63 AMG and my 69 Pagoda 280 SL

ja17

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Re: New member introductions
« Reply #830 on: November 30, 2014, 16:07:27 »
Welcome,

Looks like a very nice 280SL!
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)
1998 E430
1974 450SLC Rally
1965 220SE Finback

Coochas

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Re: New member introductions
« Reply #831 on: November 30, 2014, 19:17:40 »
Thanks Rolf and ja17.
I put the car up on stands this morning and drained the coolant.  I spend about 2 hours cleaning off grease that was 1/2 inch thick in some places.  Wow. 
1971 280SL Signal Red
Dave B.
Sudbury, MA USA

BarryD

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Re: New member introductions
« Reply #832 on: December 14, 2014, 18:31:28 »
Hi Bob, it's Barry Dorr in Carlsbad. I have a '67 250SL that my mother bought in 1976. Largely with Jon Bernardi's (Jonny B) help, I'm doing a leisurely rolling restoration of the car (suspension and brakes 2012, engine 2013, dash and heater core currently...) In addition to this great website, we have a small group of local pagoda owners that get together informally throughout the year. It's a great community and I just wanted to say "welcome." - Barry

Brian in NL

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Re: New member introductions
« Reply #833 on: December 26, 2014, 20:21:00 »
Just read Coochas' story of his car ... I wonder how many of our W113s were similar "hand-me-downs."

My car, like yours, was purchased slightly used for my mother. It's a 1967 230SL that my parents purchased from the local Mercedes dealer in Long Beach, Calif., in January 1970. She adored the car and made frequent trips from Southern California to Las Vegas with her best friend. It was always garaged and well cared-for.

A decade later, I was just out of college and living in Grants Pass, Ore., when my parents decided to sell the car. I always loved it. I had washed it from the age of 13. I had driven it to the prom. I persuaded my parents to sell it to me for $10,000, at a rate of $125 a month. One of the smartest purchases I ever made!

I drove it for a couple of years in Oregon, but eventually drove it back down to Southern California and put it in storage while my career as a journalist took me to Portland; Juneau, Alaska; and finally Detroit. I finally had the SL shipped to Ann Arbor, Mich., where I put it in storage again while taking it out for a drive now and then. By this time, it needed some work, and by the time I had saved enough money, I got some engine work done and had it resprayed. Then I left journalism and moved to Finland to take a job as a speechwriter at Nokia, but the car had to stay behind. Finally, after moving to The Netherlands for another job in 2011, I decided I wasn't getting any younger, and it was time to complete the restoration and enjoy the car. Fortunately, there is a shop nearby that specializes in '50s and '60s SLs, and they crew there did a great job getting the car back in like-new shape.

My only regret is my mother died last year before getting a chance to ride in her fully restored SL. She would have loved riding in it again, but at least she knew it was still in the family and in good hands. I had it appraised for insurance purposes last year at EUR 80,000. Not a bad investment, though I'm not sure I will ever sell it. I consider it a family heirloom. :)
Brian Akre
1967 230 SL, U.S. spec, 050 White, Black top, 116 Kaviar interior, #17,030 of 48,912;
1997 SL 500 Sport, U.S. spec, 269 Tourmaline Green, Parchment interior, #145,506 of 204,940;
1991 Nissan Figaro, Emerald Green, #15,717 of 20,073;
2014 VW GTI, White, daily driver

Coochas

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Re: New member introductions
« Reply #834 on: December 26, 2014, 22:09:39 »
That's a nice story Brian.  I'm sorry for your loss.  Apparently both of our mothers shared excellent taste in autos!
1971 280SL Signal Red
Dave B.
Sudbury, MA USA

Rolf-Dieter ✝︎

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Re: New member introductions
« Reply #835 on: December 27, 2014, 02:47:52 »
Fantastic story Brian and thanks for sharing it with us!

Welcome to the Pagoda SL Group

Do post some photographs of your treasure and happy Pagoda travels always.
DD 2011 SL 63 AMG and my 69 Pagoda 280 SL

Panzer82

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Re: New member introductions
« Reply #836 on: December 30, 2014, 00:01:30 »
Hi Coochas... glad you'll be the next steward of that car, always good to keep them in the family. You didn't take any photos of the car when you were back in high school did you... those kinds of old photos are always fun. I have some of some of the old cars we had when I was growing up, always fun to look at those.

Re: your water pump... I took a 700 +/- round trip drive from Minneapolis to Elkhart Lake, WI last year, to the vintage races at Road America. When I went out to my car the next day I saw a huge pool of coolant underneath. Alas, the water pump had finally given out and spewed fluid all over my garage floor... I replaced it, it was the original pump for my 1965 230SL, pretty incredible... and really nice of the car to decide to start leaking fluid once it was parked in my garage after a 7 hour drive back from the racetrack! The water pump wasn't too expensive, although it requires removing the hood and fan for replacement.

Good luck with your car... looks great. The orange 911 doesn't look bad either (I just sold my kiln red '84 911 last year...)

tkarttrev

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Re: New member introductions
« Reply #837 on: January 04, 2015, 01:42:33 »
Hello
I am Trevor of Essex, Connecticut. I am in the process of performing a complete overhaul on a client's 1963 230SL engine and I have found that the people here are knowledgeable and helpful.

I have a road racing background SCCA, Grand AM, and work in the world of marketing, coaching and training for auto manufacturers. I recently took over the running of my family's foreign car repair shop and with it came this 230SL project. I race karts as well and build t-karts (www.grasspass.org) and I am half way through building a 1987 Mercedes 190E-16 valve track day car.

I am excited to be able to share pictures of the rebuild which I will do in a thread in the General Discussion area.   

Thanks for the great forum.
Yours,
Trevor

Rolf-Dieter ✝︎

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Re: New member introductions
« Reply #838 on: January 04, 2015, 06:33:47 »
Welcome to our Pagoda SL Group Trevor, You will find super people here and good luck with your projects !
DD 2011 SL 63 AMG and my 69 Pagoda 280 SL

Raymond

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Re: New member introductions
« Reply #839 on: January 04, 2015, 14:20:21 »
Welcome!  We look forward to hearing about your progress and helping where we can.
 
Ray
'68 280SL 5-spd "California" Coupe

douglasdolphin

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Re: New member introductions
« Reply #840 on: January 14, 2015, 06:18:03 »
will post pics, just have to figure out where on the site is appropriate.  In my introduction I said 71k miles, it actually has 71 thousand kilometers or 40 some thousand miles.  It is a euro car

douglasdolphin

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Re: New member introductions
« Reply #841 on: January 14, 2015, 06:34:30 »
yes, lots of trucks and rednecks here and it takes months to get the dirt and pebbles off the road in spring so a nice car has a short window to drive.  We have had many days over 40 degrees this winter and most of the lower 48 states are colder.  Amarillo had a -6 wind chill last week and we were +40.  Warmest winter I can remember

A buddy in the bush has an amg ML 6.3 he leaves in my hangar as a town car.  I just cant warm up to the Mercedes suv's, but I do like the unimog and the g-wagen is interesting if a real military rig.

My lawyer showed up with a new cayenne when they came out and wanted a picture with my racing 930 and my other 911's.  I just cant seem to relate to the cayenne a Porsche.  Not a purist or snob mind you, just don't get  it
 

Bobmog

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Re: New member introductions
« Reply #842 on: February 04, 2015, 19:35:34 »
Hello my name is Bob.  I am a car guy with a very understanding wife. I have a 1968 280SL which I bought in 1981 in Denver. I drove the car for years without doing much to it.  3 or 4 years ago I was having some fuel issues and had the FI pump pulled and sent it in for rebuild it, when it was reinstalled it started and ran great but would not warm start. I would let it set for an hour or so and it would fire right up. I know there is a lot of information on the forum about warm start issues. This spring I am anxious to get her going and back on the road. I have had my hands full and my attention directed to other projects the past couple of years but this is the year. In addition to the Pagoda I have a 280GE, a G320 2 diesel Unimogs, several gas Unimogs, a 911 and a few other weird European utility vehicles. I appreciate all of the wisdom and advice on the forum and look forward to being more involved. All I have right now is this crummy cell phone photo.  I will get some better photos once I get it running.
Bob

Garry

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Re: New member introductions
« Reply #843 on: February 04, 2015, 20:05:41 »
Welcome aboard Bob, a nice pair of cars.  I have been trying to convince a guy to part with a 911s for years that just sits in ayard where I get my Pagoda work done. 

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

buspilot

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Re: New member introductions
« Reply #844 on: March 07, 2015, 00:06:57 »
Hello,

I just joined the Pagoda SL Group and thought I would post an introduction.  Three days ago I purchased a '66 230sl.  It is my first Pagoda, but I've admired them since I was a child living in Augsburg.  I live in Idaho and look forward to connecting with others who might belong to regional or local *gasp* vintage Mercedes clubs.

Although I am new to the Pagoda, I have owned numerous air-cooled Volkswagens (mostly busses, and beetles, but a few Karman Ghia convertibles too) and so turning wrenches has long been a passion. 

I look forward to my membership here.

--buspilot

ja17

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Re: New member introductions
« Reply #845 on: March 07, 2015, 02:37:55 »
Welcome buspilot,

You'll find a lot of friends and help here. Just speak up when you have any questions.
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)
1998 E430
1974 450SLC Rally
1965 220SE Finback

kampala

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Re: New member introductions
« Reply #846 on: March 09, 2015, 03:26:45 »
Buspilot,

Congrats on your Pagoda acquisition.  You will enjoy your Full Membership --- As you have probably noticed, there are incredibly knowledgeable folks here and many of them are very generous with their expertise.   When you have a chance, please post some photos.   

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

Aslam

Garry

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Re: New member introductions
« Reply #847 on: March 09, 2015, 03:57:50 »
Welcom Buspilot to the Group. 

There are many here with ‘other’ collectable cars’ as you will see from the signature blocks of many.

Enjoy the full use of the forum, a welcome package will no doubt be in the mail to you in the near future.

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

Rolf-Dieter ✝︎

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Re: New member introductions
« Reply #848 on: April 08, 2015, 14:40:35 »
Hello Buspilot,

Welcome to our Pagoda SL Group as mentioned above you will find many helpful and knowledgeable folks here to lend a helping hand when you start turning wrenches on your new find :) Mind you, your Pagoda engine is a bit more complex to work on then the VW air-cooled engines that you are used to :)

Nice to see a newcomer like yourself come in as a Full Member to our Group, you obviously made your research well.

Enjoy your new find and always safe travels :)
DD 2011 SL 63 AMG and my 69 Pagoda 280 SL

rwassily

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Re: New member introductions
« Reply #849 on: June 26, 2015, 05:19:53 »
Good day everyone; I live in montreal and I came across this site/forum after seeing a 70' 280SL for sale; I fell in love with the car the moment I saw it but I have no clue how much it is worth; seller is asking for 75000CAD and car has only 30k km, that's what they claim anyway but I have to investigate further.

It would be great if someone can help me out getting as much information from chassis# 113 044 12 014049; I am open for suggestions and useful tips

B.regards
Rafik