Author Topic: New member introductions  (Read 806726 times)

cgbenz773

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Re: New member introductions
« Reply #1350 on: December 16, 2020, 19:48:47 »
Hi everybody,

My name is Charlie. I currently own a '68 280 SL. I'm new to anything car related (I'm a cameraman by trade) and am currently deciding what I'm going to do with my SL. If you have any experience restoring or selling this model, please feel free to reach out with any tips or ideas. Thanks again!

Iconic

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Re: New member introductions
« Reply #1351 on: December 17, 2020, 19:00:29 »
JM, Your car looks really nice !!
cgbenz773, Welcome to the group from another Chicago area member. You came to the right place. Just search for answers to your questions or just ask if it is a tricky one.
Enjoy the ride !
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

JM Girardot

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Re: New member introductions
« Reply #1352 on: December 17, 2020, 22:17:41 »
Thank you for your welcome to the site and the car looks nice but more work to be done, this is what it was intended for.   :)
2004 S500
1972 280 SEL Blue/silver top. SOLD
1972 280 SEL Light green. SOLD

Vincenzo

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Re: New member introductions
« Reply #1353 on: December 22, 2020, 14:42:35 »
Hi everybody,

I joined a few days ago.  I do not currently own but hope to one day purchase a driver.  I currently have a DeTomaso Pantera which I picked up in 2013 and put it on jack stands for 5 years of updates.  I joined their mail list before my purchase and got a lot of tips and help. I drive it now and find satisfaction in the work that was done. 

I have been looking for a pagoda owners group like this for a while and look forward to expanding my knowledge from the collective.
Vincenzo
‘75 DeTomaso Pantera
‘79 Merc 450SL
‘08 Jag XK

Garry

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Re: New member introductions
« Reply #1354 on: December 22, 2020, 22:06:22 »
Welcome Vincenzo to the Group.


Make sure you have a good read of the Tech manual and in particular the area on what to look for when purchasing a Pagoda.


https://www.sl113.org/wiki/Buying/Start


Happy hunting..
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

Hugh

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Re: New member introductions
« Reply #1355 on: December 24, 2020, 05:12:55 »
Vicenzo, Welcome to our group! As Garry said the resources we have for members will help to educate you on what to look for & watch out for in buying a Pagoda.

I have always been fascinated by the Pantera. Great looking cars. In Canada we have coffee shops all over called Tim Hortons. He was a well known hockey player who died driving his Pantera back to Buffalo after a game in Toronto. From what I remember it wasn't a failure caused by the car, but maybe a driver error after a few too many drinks. A sad ending for a Canadian hockey/business icon.
1967 Mercedes 250SL
1988 Ferrari Testarossa
1930 Ford Model A coupe
2011 Mercedes e350 sedan

Risto

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Re: New member introductions
« Reply #1356 on: January 30, 2021, 18:46:20 »
Hello everybody!
My name is Risto and i am from Finland. I am always interested pagoda Mercedes and six months ago i deside have one. It is white 1967 250 sl automatic. We are same age😄. You have great information these sites. I like to repair it myself so i will visit here often.👍

Garry

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Re: New member introductions
« Reply #1357 on: January 30, 2021, 20:23:58 »
Hi Ristorante,


Welcome to the group.  There are lots of people here with very good advice from original owners through to those that have done nut and bolt restorations and all in between.  Ask lots of questions and photos are always welcome.


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

Jonny B

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Re: New member introductions
« Reply #1358 on: January 31, 2021, 15:32:34 »
Welcome Risto! I am also a 250 SL owner (and a 280 SL) but I am a bit older than the car -  :D

Did you find the car in Finland or did you need to search a bit further?

Lots of people here ready to help with questions. I also recommend becoming familiar with the search function.
Jonny B
1967 250 SL Auto, DB 568
1970 280 SL Auto, DB 904
1966 Morris Mini Minor

Risto

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Re: New member introductions
« Reply #1359 on: February 02, 2021, 18:23:33 »
Thank you for you welcome.😊
I found it in Finland. It is ex us car and brought here about 15 years a go.

Echopb@sbcglobal.net

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Re: New member introductions
« Reply #1360 on: March 26, 2021, 19:22:41 »
My name is Peter Battles from Mystic, CT, USA. I own a 1966 230SL (red w/grey hardtop and interior) that I purchased in 1968 as a used car from the local MB dealer. Used it as my daily driver for a few years before going off to graduate school, when my Mom got hold of it and wouldn't let go. She drove the car for decades as her regular Spring thru Fall transportation. Eventually, through her failing health and then passing, I got the car back and used it occasionally but was more into a '67 Sting Ray I had at the time. Now the Corvette is gone, and after a 10-year span of neglect, I'm getting the 230 back into shape. I've had it gone through mechanically and am about ready to tackle the cosmetics - the interior is shabby at best. In that regard, I'd be interested if anyone seeing this knows if grey upholstery was available in vinyl in 1966? Mine appears to be MBtex but the World Upholstery site indicates grey was leather only. Thanks.

Jonny B

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Re: New member introductions
« Reply #1361 on: March 26, 2021, 19:38:19 »
Peter, Welcome on board!
You have found the right place for starting this journey. I would highly recommend you get familiar with the search function (the one in the row starting with "Home").

I just tried using "grey vinyl upholstery" - without the quote marks when you do the search (the quote marks limit the search to the exact phrase in the quotes). I came back with a single page of threads, would be a good place to start.

Also, since you have had the car from long term family ownership, do you have the data card? This will be very helpful as it answers questions about paint code, interior, options, etc.

Good luck, we are all here to help
Jonny B
1967 250 SL Auto, DB 568
1970 280 SL Auto, DB 904
1966 Morris Mini Minor

DavidAPease

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Re: New member introductions
« Reply #1362 on: March 26, 2021, 19:50:31 »
Welcome to the group, Peter!

Since you are a full member, you have access to the Technical Manual.  Here is a page from it that shows upholstery codes and colors:

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

As you can see, upholstery code 118 was light grey MB-Tex and was available for 230SLs.  I have a '66 with upholstery code 119, white-grey.  I have just been through the process of trying to find a supplier of replacement vinyl in that color, and failed; only the more "standard" colors appear to be available now.  (I wound up ordering a custom-matched dye and re-dyeing my interior, which is in good shape even after 55 years.)

Good luck with your restoration!

           -David
-David Pease
 '66 230SL (Originally sold in Paris)

Echopb@sbcglobal.net

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Re: New member introductions
« Reply #1363 on: March 26, 2021, 20:00:22 »
Thanks to you both, David and Johnny, for the immediate responses. I think I'm going to like this group! It seems clear that what I need is the data card for my car. Can you direct me to the source here in the US? MB classic center in CA? David, in your experience, will a dye application hold up on the seats. Also, who was your supplier?

Garry

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Re: New member introductions
« Reply #1364 on: March 26, 2021, 20:51:09 »
Hi Peter,


Welcome to the Group.  Interesting history on your car and gives incentive to bring it back to its former glory. The data card is available from MB Classic Centre in Irvine CA.  They will charge you $150 i believe nowadays where a few years ago they were happy to give them for free. 


I have also done some recolouring but in leather  in my 1965 230sl with success about five years ago and it is standing up just fine at this point.


Garry
Membership Administrator
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

DavidAPease

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Re: New member introductions
« Reply #1365 on: March 26, 2021, 21:28:25 »
Peter,

Near the end of this thread I have a couple of post with photos and details of my re-dyeing project:

https://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=25288

The dye seems quite durable, and I expect it to hold up well.

       -David
-David Pease
 '66 230SL (Originally sold in Paris)

willymo

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Re: New member introductions
« Reply #1366 on: March 27, 2021, 13:56:28 »
Greetings All - I have been the proud 2nd owner of a 1967 230sl since 2014. I refer to the original owner as my second father, as he and my dad were best friends since the age of 3. He bought the car new in Dallas, Texas with a hard top and AC, no radio (I actually love the factory 190sl name plate in lieu of the radio). It was always garage kept, and was parked in the late '70's with clogged fuel injectors. He threatened to sell the car in the early '80's, and I told him he could not do that, because I couldn't afford to buy it then, and I could not bear to see it go. He held on to it for me, and in 2014 we had the injectors cleaned and some other miscellaneous items taken care of, and she has driven like a dream ever since. It currently has 72K original miles, and I don't put more than a-hundred-or-two miles per year on it.
I have been a longtime member of the International 190sl club, and have found that group to be an amazing resource of valuable information. I am in Baltimore, MD, and was was excited when they had a national event in PA, affording me the opportunity to drive my 190 to PA to participate in the activities; it was a ton of fun. I only recently heard about this club while looking at a 230sl on Bring-A-Trailer.
My two sons seem to enjoy the lines/look of the 190 over the 230, but as I tell them, the 190 has a lawn mower engine in it when compared to the 230. And at 6'4", the 230 accommodates my frame far better than the petite 190. I LOVE driving my 230; I love the sound, the feel, and of course the multitude of boyhood recollections of being in the passenger seat of the same care are irreplaceable.
I am happy to join the group, although I hope I don't need many of the resources, as that would suggest I might be having problems with the car! :) Thanks for having me. All the Best!
Willy Moore
1967 Red 230sl
1962 Ivory 190sl
1951 Chevy Woodie

kampala

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Re: New member introductions
« Reply #1367 on: March 27, 2021, 15:58:27 »
Willy

Very surprised it took you 7 years to find this club!   But then again, since you did not have to “find” your car, you didn’t have a need to find this club. 

Sounds like you have a nice history with the 230 and a couple of other wonderful cars. 

Welcome

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

Aslam

TOM250SL

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Re: New member introductions
« Reply #1368 on: March 28, 2021, 01:30:25 »
Hi Everyone.

Reading all of these great introductions compelled me to add mine.  My name is Tom and I live in Chicago.  I have a '66 250SL that I bought over 20 years ago.  I only remember how long ago because it has a kinder seat in the back, and when the kids were young I could double-buckle two in the front seat and one in the kinder seat to take them to T-ball and soccer.  Like some of you, I certainly could have done more research before I bought it . . . but that's ancient history.  Generally it's been and remains a good car, though not entirely original.  But it looks and runs good at 118,000 miles and I won't ever sell it, so I'm not really worried about concours or perfection or how much it is or isn't worth.

I've maintained it well over the years but never had any restorative work done, but now I'm seriously considering a restoration on the interior as the MB tex has a few cuts, the seat springs are shot, the wood is parched and I'd also like to find an original Becker radio to replace the bad 90's cassette deck the previous owner installed.

Bottom line - I love the car and have enjoyed it all these years, and looking forward to more to come.  Thanks to everyone who wrote intros - what a good idea to do this!

Best Regards!

Echopb@sbcglobal.net

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Re: New member introductions
« Reply #1369 on: March 28, 2021, 16:05:59 »
Thanks, Garry. $150 seems a lot but if you needs it, you need it!

Echopb@sbcglobal.net

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Re: New member introductions
« Reply #1370 on: March 28, 2021, 16:13:17 »
Good info, thanks. Once I have a data card to be sure, I contact your supplier and see if they can help. May have to find a small piece of vinyl I can send them to match.

RJHD3

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Re: New member introductions
« Reply #1371 on: March 28, 2021, 18:56:33 »
Long time dreamer, first time poster!

Learned of the site through a BaT auction.  I’m still hunting my first Pagoda, but looking forward to diving into all the context and learnings from the group here!

Rolf-Dieter ✝︎

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Re: New member introductions
« Reply #1372 on: March 28, 2021, 21:02:51 »
Hi Long Time Dreamer, :)

Welcome to our site, here you will find help with most of the questions that will surface and you will find the folks here quite helpful. Unfortunately, our Technical Manual is restricted for Full Members only. Membership to our International site is only pennies per day ($30/Year) and provides great savings to our Members.

Anyway you are looking for a Pagoda I wish you good luck with this task. There are a few to be found out there. I recommend once you found one, take it to a knowlagable Mechanic and have it checked out. Ask for a report as to what needs to be done including estimated costs for each task. It will give you power once you negosiate the price. In the meantime have a look into our Technical Manial under Prepurchase ... I believe it is one area that is not restricted to Associate Members.

https://www.sl113.org/wiki/Buying/PrepurchaseEvaluation

Good Luck with your hunt!

Dieter
« Last Edit: March 28, 2021, 21:07:45 by Rolf-Dieter »
DD 2011 SL 63 AMG and my 69 Pagoda 280 SL

kampala

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Re: New member introductions
« Reply #1373 on: March 28, 2021, 22:29:39 »
Tom250sl

The main point is to enjoy our hobby cars and it reads like you really do.  From your photo it’s not easy to tell if you have an early 250 or a late 250.  Typically a ‘66 would be an early 250 but I recall seeing a dash photo under radio help and your dash pad looked like a late 250.  Doesn’t matter which you have except when you are looking for parts as some parts are not interchangeable. 



Good that you posted your story. 
250sl - later - manual
280sl - 1971 - Auto - LSD

Aslam

Richo00175

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Re: New member introductions
« Reply #1374 on: March 29, 2021, 14:57:30 »
Hi yes I would be very interested Uk member
Many thanks Kevin