Pagoda SL Group

W113 Pagoda SL Group => General Discussion => Topic started by: suzy on September 03, 2008, 13:05:38

Title: How long have you owned your SL?
Post by: suzy on September 03, 2008, 13:05:38
Having had my 280 SL stolen after 8 (short) years of ownership,  i was delighted to meet a guy the other day who has owned his 280 for all but its first year of life (36, if my math is right).  

now that's what i call hanging on to a car  :D
Title: Re: How long have you owned your SL?
Post by: abe280SL on September 03, 2008, 13:33:37
Suzy, I am 48yo and I bought my 280SL in 1990.   I almost sold it during the childraising years...now that our kid is off to college I am enjoying this old love again. In fact, I bought a 83SC Porsche from a guy that is raising his kids....I know he will regret selling his car 10 years from now.
btw, sorry about your loss...
abe
Title: Re: How long have you owned your SL?
Post by: scoot on September 03, 2008, 13:58:12
4 months.
Title: Re: How long have you owned your SL?
Post by: loizou on September 03, 2008, 15:14:06
3 months
Title: Re: How long have you owned your SL?
Post by: Cees Klumper on September 03, 2008, 15:43:50
Since 1999 ...
Title: Re: How long have you owned your SL?
Post by: Paddy_Crow on September 03, 2008, 15:57:24
1 year
Title: Re: How long have you owned your SL?
Post by: gilles82 on September 03, 2008, 16:59:10
In January 7 years :)
Title: Re: How long have you owned your SL?
Post by: franjo_66 on September 03, 2008, 17:11:44
11 years
Title: Re: How long have you owned your SL?
Post by: Rolf on September 03, 2008, 18:02:08
This passed August, 2 years.
Title: Re: How long have you owned your SL?
Post by: thelews on September 03, 2008, 18:08:41
9 months

Previous owner, 37 years.
Title: Re: How long have you owned your SL?
Post by: Benz Dr. on September 03, 2008, 18:57:26
Only 15 years for the Red Rocket. I bought a 1961 190SL the same year so I've had that car little bit longer.

I bought a '74 280C back in 1982 and I still haven't even used it yet. I tend to hang on to cars a long time. It's the pack rat in me that says ' never throw it away '.
Title: Re: How long have you owned your SL?
Post by: PnHi on September 03, 2008, 19:12:04
Ten years this month.  Hard to believe.

"68" 250 SL
Dark Olive/Cognac
Title: Re: How long have you owned your SL?
Post by: hk280sl71 on September 03, 2008, 19:50:46
19 years that have gone by very quickly. I am now starting a slow restoration on my 62,000 original miles, 71 280sl. It looks nice next to my 1989 Porsche 911 Carrera Targa with 15,000 original miles.

Howard
Title: Re: How long have you owned your SL?
Post by: BaronYoungman on September 03, 2008, 20:50:23
7 months now...
down to 3 boxes of parts
1986 last year it was driven...
hope to have it going this month!
Title: Re: How long have you owned your SL?
Post by: Mark in KS on September 03, 2008, 21:36:24
Bought mine from a nice woman in CO, 6 years ago.  My son and I flew one way to Denver and drove it back over the weekend.  It's the most fun purchase I've ever made.
Title: Re: How long have you owned your SL?
Post by: hands_aus on September 04, 2008, 05:42:27
since June 2002, Queens' birthday weekend
originally a Sydney delivered car
Title: Re: How long have you owned your SL?
Post by: harleydan on September 04, 2008, 12:25:52
27 years.

1970 280SL Euro silver manual
Title: Re: How long have you owned your SL?
Post by: bsimaz on September 04, 2008, 13:00:20
About 4 years.  1 1/2 fixing, 3 driving.

Title: Re: How long have you owned your SL?
Post by: LFrank on September 04, 2008, 13:55:11
Six years; previous owner, 37.
Title: Re: How long have you owned your SL?
Post by: Richard S on September 04, 2008, 20:16:16
Going on 36 years now!  Been shipped across the Atlantic 3 times; driven from Norway to Italy, (East) Berlin to Wales, across the US, and all points in-between.  It's a treasured member of this family.

250SL, Euro, RHD
Midnight Blue
Title: Re: How long have you owned your SL?
Post by: Bob G MN on September 05, 2008, 09:39:13
Going on 42 years.  Also been shipped across tha Alantic three times.

Bob
Title: Re: How long have you owned your SL?
Post by: al_lieffring on September 05, 2008, 17:18:58
I dragged mine out of a Texas salvage yard 32 years ago.


Title: Re: How long have you owned your SL?
Post by: Amy McKenna on September 05, 2008, 18:18:36
Our 230 SL has been in family since 1977; purchased by my father 31 years ago, then handed down to my sister 16 years ago, and I was fortunate to be the last in the line to receive almost 2 years ago! :D
Title: Re: How long have you owned your SL?
Post by: bogeyman on September 05, 2008, 18:28:45
WOW!
I thought I'd be the "old guy" here...
I got my '70 in 1982 and my '69 IN 2004.
I'm middle aged!!

Rick
Title: Re: How long have you owned your SL?
Post by: GTMSJ on September 10, 2008, 13:49:51
My father bought his 1970 "silver classic" in 1984.  It was stolen, recovered, and restored in the early 90s. It was passed on to me in 2000.  Its been up and down the state of California too many times to count and continues to be a wonderful highway cruiser!
Title: Re: How long have you owned your SL?
Post by: Mike Hughes on September 10, 2008, 13:58:42
I've owned my 230SL for almost five years.  The previous owner had it for 14 years and the first owner (whom I met before the second owner acquired the car) had it for 23 years.  

Today there is a one owner Tobacco Brown 1969 280SL in our body shop for some minor cosmetic work!  I wonder how many original owners are out there?
Title: Re: How long have you owned your SL?
Post by: namruts on September 11, 2008, 01:31:01
I bought mine 1n 1982 for £3500.Approx $6000.I use it regularly and it is a great car.

Richard.(England)
Title: Re: How long have you owned your SL?
Post by: J. Huber on September 11, 2008, 11:31:00
Like a few of us, mine joined the family before it became mine. Good part was I was in High School when it arrived so I "offered" to keep the cobwebs off. And got to!  :)  1980. Dad threw me the keys for good in 1987.
Title: Re: How long have you owned your SL?
Post by: martin luke on September 11, 2008, 13:55:11
Hi Ive owned my '66 230SL for 37 years I paid £1340.00 for it.My Bank Manager thought I was mad and told me I could buy a  brand new Ford Escort for the same money! the guy had no class!
Title: Re: How long have you owned your SL?
Post by: George Des on September 11, 2008, 21:35:21
White DB050 with ZF 5 Speed---2nd owner-purchased in Vicenza, Italy 31 years ago for $1800.00. 3 trips across the pond and many, many hours on the autobahns and autostradas.

George Des
Title: Re: How long have you owned your SL?
Post by: al_lieffring on September 18, 2008, 06:49:54
quote:
Originally posted by George Des

White DB050 with ZF 5 Speed---2nd owner-purchased in Vicenza, Italy 31 years ago for $1800.00. 3 trips across the pond and many, many hours on the autobahns and autostradas.

George Des



George

In 1976 I paid $1750 for my 4 speed 230sl, your extra $50 must have been for the ZF 5 speed.

Al
Title: Re: How long have you owned your SL?
Post by: 114015 on September 18, 2008, 15:37:26
Middle aged too.

The "hellbeige": for 22 years,
the "dunkelbordeauxrot": for 13 years,
the 114015: 37 years with family from new (uncle, parents, me)



Achim
Title: Re: How long have you owned your SL?
Post by: Shvegel on September 18, 2008, 18:31:34
About 8 years. Bought it as a 5k special that had sat for 23 years and had been crustorated badly. Last 2 years in Northern Minnesota at a friends shop being set right.
Title: Re: How long have you owned your SL?
Post by: ejboyd5 on September 21, 2008, 08:34:53
44 years, bought 01/31/64 to be exact.
Title: Re: How long have you owned your SL?
Post by: deacon on September 22, 2008, 17:50:01
22 years - my dad 15 years.  I cannot believe J Huber's dad "threw him the keys".  I paid my dad his asking price and my son will pay mine! (only slightly below fair market)
Title: Re: How long have you owned your SL?
Post by: J. Huber on September 23, 2008, 10:15:35
quote:
Originally posted by davidg

.. I cannot believe J Huber's dad "threw him the keys".

David, you sound just like one of my six siblings! What can I say -- spoiled or charmed. Probably both. Now, just to set the record straight, the deal was -- I graduate from UC and I get the keys... so I sort of earned it?  :)
Title: Re: How long have you owned your SL?
Post by: rhersberger on September 23, 2008, 17:47:37
I've had mine about 15 years.
Title: Re: How long have you owned your SL?
Post by: Ulfi on September 24, 2008, 02:15:43
Just one year come December, but it will be a keeper for sure
Title: Re: How long have you owned your SL?
Post by: ddodson1 on October 03, 2008, 13:51:13
My 230SL had been in the family for 30 years...It became mine in 2001.  Finally put some serious work into a restoration this year and got it back on the road.  My father bought the car in 1978 (in Munich, Germany) and shipped it home when transferred back to the states.  He too "threw me the keys" when he got tired of it sitting in his garage, waiting for a restoration he never got around to.

Drake
1965 230SL
Maryland
Title: Re: How long have you owned your SL?
Post by: jpressick on November 05, 2008, 20:02:52
I picked up my 250Sl from the Mercedes factory in November 1967 and still have it. Jim
Title: Re: How long have you owned your SL?
Post by: dixy2k on November 05, 2008, 20:57:18
since 2005
Title: Re: How long have you owned your SL?
Post by: tobacco on November 07, 2008, 18:12:01

I can't beat 44 years, 42 years or 1967 -- good Lord, you guys! --  but I was only 22 when a generous Air Force credit union helped me buy my '71 280 SL exactly, let's see, 13,721 days ago.   Were any of you original owners younger when you bought yours?

Title: Re: How long have you owned your SL?
Post by: Cees Klumper on November 07, 2008, 18:43:25
So the average of the responses so far is ... 21 years!
Title: Re: How long have you owned your SL?
Post by: Douglas on November 07, 2008, 21:14:11
This is an interesting and somewhat unexpected way of looking at the value of a collector car today. Naturally, market price is one indicator for how desirable a car is at any given moment, but there's also length of ownership as another barometer. If there were a way to measure collector cars against each other, it would be an interesting comparison. Some cars are  a flash in the pan and are satisfying to own for a relatively short period of time, whereas others tend to foster a longer relationship for any number of reasons. Surely it says something good about the fact that W113 owners tend to stay owners for a long time.
Title: Re: How long have you owned your SL?
Post by: marti on November 12, 2008, 05:45:52
I have owned my 230sl for 15 months.  Due to an accident, time in the shop and other repairs, I have driven her for 4 months!  I almost considered selling her (AGAIN!), but drove her yesterday for the first time in three months and said NO WAY!  I even performed my very first car repair, other then putting gas in and checking the oil...I put in an air filter.  Of course, I was on the phone with Ray at Ray Benz alot to get it done!
Title: Re: How long have you owned your SL?
Post by: gugel on November 23, 2008, 07:24:12
7 years -- the first 2 to restore it.

The previous owner had it for 16 1/3 years but didn't drive it for the last 9 years of that.  The owner before that, who imported it to the US, had it for only a year and a half.  Before that the first owner had it for 18 1/2 years in Germany.
Title: Re: How long have you owned your SL?
Post by: badali on November 25, 2008, 01:19:54
I just bought mine today.  It is a 1966 230SL with 56,298 original miles as stated on the title.  There are  a few oil change and service stickers in the door jam that help verify the mileage.  The car is white with 115 trim code navy blue interior MBtext seats.  It came from California and is rust free with what appears to be one repaint.  The paint is show condition right down to the notch near the head light chrome.  I am sure I will have questions as I get to know my car better.  I also have a 61 220 Sb (since 1987)and a 73 280 SE4.5 (since 1997)
Title: Re: How long have you owned your SL?
Post by: thelews on November 25, 2008, 13:05:56
I just bought mine today.  It is a 1966 230SL with 56,298 original miles as stated on the title.  There are  a few oil change and service stickers in the door jam that help verify the mileage.  The car is white with 115 trim code navy blue interior MBtext seats.  It came from California and is rust free with what appears to be one repaint.  The paint is show condition right down to the notch near the head light chrome.  I am sure I will have questions as I get to know my car better.  I also have a 61 220 Sb (since 1987)and a 73 280 SE4.5 (since 1997)

That looks like original carpeting and seats like mine.
Title: Re: How long have you owned your SL?
Post by: Douglas on November 25, 2008, 15:43:12
Looks to be a nice example from the pix. You may want to investigate the history of the transmission. Pagodas have "park" at the bottom of the shifter, so I'm guessing this is another transmission?
Title: Re: How long have you owned your SL?
Post by: thelews on November 25, 2008, 16:13:12
Looks to be a nice example from the pix. You may want to investigate the history of the transmission. Pagodas have "park" at the bottom of the shifter, so I'm guessing this is another transmission?

It looks like the gate is correct, but that the car is turned off in gear.
Title: Re: How long have you owned your SL?
Post by: badali on November 25, 2008, 16:19:26
Park is at the bottom the person I bought it from turned it off in gear.  Good eye for detail.
Title: Re: How long have you owned your SL?
Post by: Naj ✝︎ on November 25, 2008, 17:42:00
I just bought mine today.  It is a 1966 230SL with 56,298 original miles as stated on the title.  There are  a few oil change and service stickers in the door jam that help verify the mileage.  The car is white with 115 trim code navy blue interior MBtext seats.  It came from California and is rust free with what appears to be one repaint.  The paint is show condition right down to the notch near the head light chrome.  I am sure I will have questions as I get to know my car better.  I also have a 61 220 Sb (since 1987)and a 73 280 SE4.5 (since 1997)

Looks like a very original gem.
More detailed pictures of interior, engine bay and under floor would be very very welcome

naj
Title: Re: How long have you owned your SL?
Post by: Dash808 on November 25, 2008, 18:29:18
We found our '67 250sl in Naples Italy in 1981.  So about 27 yrs. 
Since then it has seen the world.  No telling how much $ in just shipping! 
Title: Re: How long have you owned your SL?
Post by: badali on November 25, 2008, 18:40:54
Here is one of the engine.  I still have to detail it.  When the weather gets nice I will detail the whole car.  I did wax it the day I got it home and the paint is nearly flawless.  I will take some pictures of the interior and post them soon.
Title: Re: How long have you owned your SL?
Post by: Eryck on November 30, 2008, 13:00:04
About 4 years and will own it forever.  My 'Pagoda' friend in Hong Kong, Alex, has owned his since 1968.
Title: Re: How long have you owned your SL?
Post by: dorian on December 01, 2008, 05:04:55
10 fun-filled years!
Title: 18yrs
Post by: k on December 03, 2008, 21:29:06
18yrs, bought for $4500 (3 paychecks) @ age 23 in 1991