Hello Everyone,
My name is Dale and I just joined so I'm new to this site, but have owned my 1968 250 SL for about 8 years. I believe I'm the 4th owner of this white-with-red-interior beauty, having been kept for it's first 30 years by a Chicago socialite who kept it as her summer toy. When I bought it it had about 53,000 original miles and everything is original except the paint and top, which I just had replaced due to mouse damage while in storage last winter. Due to the Illinois climate I store it at least 6 months every year from November to May, disconnecting the battery. Every spring for 8 years now I've reconnected the battery, it starts with the first turn of the key, and the clock starts up again. The clock usually loses a little time, but the fact that it still runs after 42 years is, to me, nothing short of amazing. This year I had the radio restored to original condition by a firm out in New Jersey or Pennsylvania who did an excellent job. I also had the dashboard wood, radio speaker grill and center console restored.
I know I have a rusting-out floorboard under the driver's seat which I'm hoping to have repaired soon. I'm 55 and plan to hang on to this for the rest of my life if possible, then pass it along to my son someday. I only drive it on the nicest of days, averaging about 1000 to 1500 miles per year maximum. I'd really like to research the history of my car since everything I "know" is just heresay from the previous owner. Though a good friend and trustworthy, he buys and sells many cars and I don't think he ever "bonded" with this one the way I have. The paint job is ok, but someday I hope to have it stripped and give it a first class paint job.