I guess that I've become a Pagoda snob

[ctaylor738]

One of the tasks associated with my 280SL project is to look at high-priced cars to see how they have handled the details. 

Tonight, there is a bumper crop of $50K+ cars on eBay.  It's amazing.  All of them except one have a cheese-slicer hose clamp on the heater inlet hose.  None of the have decent decals on the anti-pollution relays.

I finally found a car advertised by Daniel Schmitt & Co. of St. Louis.  Supposedly a 38K original car, for the breathtaking price of $62,770.  This must be the real deal, I thought.  Here is a part of the description:

Finished in classic and desired Silver Grey Metallic with beautiful Black leather interior and matching convertible top. This magnificent motorcar comes well equipped with nearly every option; including power steering, leather interior, hard top, soft top, and much more! This is without question one of the finest 280SL’s we have seen in many years! We are proud to offer this investment grade Mercedes to the most astute collector, investor, or enthusiast who demands the best. Bid with confidence—you will not be disappointed in this truly spectacular motorcar!


So I looked at it, and there was another engine compartment with a cheese-slicer.  Not to mention black under-hood and inner fenders! For $62K+! Along with a whole bunch of other stuff that's just plain wrong.  You can see it for yourself at:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Mercedes-Benz-SL-Class-STUNNING-1971-MERCEDES-BENZ-280SL-CONVERTIBLE-ONLY-38-000-MILES-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem5addf18485QQitemZ390270649477QQptZUSQ5fCarsQ5fTrucks

Here's  a picture of the engine compartment, though, to save you some time.

[TargaNfld]

I might be wrong ... my impression is that Pagoda owners are not overly fixated on being "rivet counters".

They leave that sort of thing to the Ferrari and Jaguar aficionados.

Pagoda owners seem to be happy just driving with the top down, enjoying a reliable sports car with just the right amount of Elan.

I suppose if my interest was in "Trailer Queens" or Concour events, then the cheese slicer would bother me ... by the way what the heck is a cheese slicer ... is that what I attach my pool pump hose with ?

I much prefer to be driving the back roads of Wales on a rally ... that being said I agree that if one pays full pop for a restored example it should be done correctly.

Cheers ... bb

[TargaNfld]

Chuck ... follow up ... I just took a look at the engine bay ... Yup ... my pool pump hose clamps , clear as can be ... mind you they do work pretty good.

What would annoy me more, the clamps can be replaced, is that they push the low mileage ... then further down toward the end of description where all the fine print is the say that the mileage cannot be verified due of the age of the car.

So forget the age, then determine if the car is worth buying ... it would depend on who did the restoration and documentation to show before and after.

Other than the above, seems like a pretty nice example, in the right colours with the right accessories.

Cheers ... bb

[MichaelB.]

I do hope it sells for that. Daniel Schmitt has a very bad reputation for customer service but I like the looks of some of the inventory. Nevertheless kudos to you for putting your car together better than the rest. Bravo.

[badali]

For the money they are asking they should at least have a correct gas cap and battery tray cover also.  I'm sure a closer look will reveal more. There are allot or details that my $15000 purchase had that their 60K example does not have.  My car is more correct for originality than the ones they are trying to sell.  Sure, they look nice on the surface but we know better.  My car is not perfect but I use MB and period correct parts on everything to keep it as correct as possible.

[Witt]

One of the tasks associated with my 280SL project is to look at high-priced cars to see how they have handled the details.  
...
So I looked at it, and there was another engine compartment with a cheese-slicer.  Not to mention black under-hood and inner fenders! For $62K+! Along with a whole bunch of other stuff that's just plain wrong.  You can see it for yourself at:

.....yes, you have become one of those....

CHEERS !
WITT !

[Bernd]

perhaps a stupid question, since mine is a '68; The car looks to me like it has a 280SE engine. If you look at the intake housing, it is definitely more like the sedan's. Also, the thermostat housing, the thermo time switch etc is very different on mine. Since I have a friend's 280SE engine in the garage like now I am thinking that is what I am looking at. Can the real 71 owners please comment and educate me? I don't want to do the car injustice.

[mdsalemi]

Here is the deal guys [and gals] in case you have not figured it out.  Apparently Chuck Taylor has.

If you repair, restore, replace, or otherwise work on your car, and do it properly, you eventually end up with a "Concours Quality" car...whether you realize it or not!

Doing it properly can be as simple as buying your parts at or from Mercedes-Benz; and simply ensuring you have done a bit of research about what you are doing.  Many owners, usually that dreaded "PO" (previous owner) did not take the time to do it right.  Others in the interest of cost and time do the minimal amount of work necessary or the easiest work.  How often have you heard or seen someone say, "I'm not interested in Concours quality, just...[fill in blank]"?  Then, people do things as mundane as buying hose clamps at Home Depot, or getting incorrect sedan parts from a parts car, bondo instead of metal replacement, et al, ad nauseum.  The end result is the cars that get so roundly critiqued here--particularly the eBay specials.

Know what you are buying (if you are buying) and know what you are doing, (if you are doing).  That is precisely why this group exists; to help preserve the model and share the knowledge.

In the interest of holiday spirit, regarding Daniel Schmitt and others like them, "Forgive them for they know not what they do." (Luke 23:34; did I get that right Al?)  They really do NOT know what they are doing.

...which of course means YOU need to!!!

Chuck, my guess is you have not become a snob; you have simply become very smart and very educated because of what you have accomplished.  Congratulations.

[hkollan]

Bernd,

That's a very late production car(1971), as the plastic coolant tank indicates. A look at the VIN number 11304412021768 confirms that.
From the pictures that looks like the correct type of intake manifold for car produced that late.

[thelews]

One of the tasks associated with my 280SL project is to look at high-priced cars to see how they have handled the details.  
....

Which is why the pictures are mostly of paint and chrome.  I've never been a fan of Schmitt cars, seem to be more show than go, the pretty dress on so-so bones.  I've never dealt with Schmitt, this is just my observation from many varied offerings of their's that I've looked at online over the years.

[Nate]

Daniel Schmitt = Aventura Motors.  Need I say more?