Last topdown ride for 2011

[49er]

 Our son and his fiance are down for Christmas from Seattle and as promised, we went for a ride today with top down. The weather cooperated and we were blessed with clear sunny skies and temps in the mid 60s. He told me the last time is was in the car with the top off was when he was 5 or 6 (about 27 years ago). We had a great ride together. Unfortunately, being just a two seater his Fiance was left behind. Later however she and I also had a nice ride. I still am enforcing the old rule of only Dad (or Mom:-) get to drive the SL, at least for now.
 Cloudy weather returning to this part of California next week and hopefully some much needed rain so the HT will get put back on for the winter.

I would like to wish all my friends on this Forum a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays along with a great New Year!!

John

[thelews]

I still am enforcing the old rule of only Dad (or Mom:-) get to drive the SL, at least for now.
 John

Hard to believe at 32 years old.  My son has driven all my cars and I encourage it (with me).  He was 17 then, 22 now.  So has my daughter driven at least one of them, she's 2 years younger.  Last night at dinner my brother was asking if I'd sell any and buy some others.  My son piped up that the 190 SL is his.  If you want the legacy of your car to live on, you'd better let your kids drive them and get hooked.  Frankly, I couldn't care less whether they keep or sell the cars after I'm gone, but it was nice to hear that my son has an interest in the hobby.

Happy New Year.

John

[49er]

Believe me there is a strong interest and love of this SL from both my son and daughter. The problem is neither have much experience with a stick shift. I am not quite ready to hand over the keys yet but know that some day it will be in very good hands, my wife's :-)

John

[thelews]

Believe me there is a strong interest and love of this SL from both my son and daughter. The problem is neither have much experience with a stick shift. I am not quite ready to hand over the keys yet but know that some day it will be in very good hands, my wife's :-)

John

Well, both my kids learned to drive on sticks and my daughter took her driver's test (and passed) with a stick when her mother's car broke down the day before the test.

Teach them how and let them drive the 113.  It makes the Pagoda experience that much more enjoyable watching them drive the cars and enjoying the ride.

[J. Huber]

Nice pics 49er... The weather has been amazing this December. I did a quick detail today, and while enjoying the scenery (of the car) never got on the road for a spin. Like you said, it will be clouding up soon -- maybe, just maybe, I can get in a Christmas drive in the AM...

As for kids and driving... my oldest daughter Jena is 15 -- and frankly, the thought of her driving the SL would lead me to post in the other thread about "Pagoda fear factors"!! I recently took her out in my truck to a nice wide, (abandoned!), street for her first lesson... (darn those were my best jeans)... actually I guess she did ok -- but the thought of real driving is going to take me a while to get used to.

Now, I was lucky enough to get to drive my parent's Pagoda when I was 17... and the keys were mine a few years later -- so watch yourself all you Dads...

Merry Christmas all.

[pj]

I'm so glad I'm not a parent 

[thelews]

As for kids and driving... my oldest daughter Jena is 15 -- and frankly, the thought of her driving the SL would lead me to post in the other thread about "Pagoda fear factors"!! I recently took her out in my truck to a nice wide, (abandoned!), street for her first lesson... (darn those were my best jeans)... actually I guess she did ok -- but the thought of real driving is going to take me a while to get used to.

In the case of 49er, the "kids," in their 30's know how to drive.  They just need to learn how to shift, not so hard to become functional, but lots of experience to become very smooth upshifting and downshifting, especially at high rpms.

I enjoyed teaching my kids to drive.  With my son, we went to a college parking lot on Sundays and with my daughter, we went to a cemetery on weekends and evenings.  Since the car she wanted, a Volkswagen Beetle was a stick, she learned to drive that at the same time.  She shifts as smoothly as her Daddy, it's what we would work on.  Took a bit to get her to understand the mechanics of what she was doing with the engine, transmission and clutch so that she could intellectually conceptualize the process.  My son got it right away.  They both still have their first cars, she the 2000 Beetle, he a '91 BMW 318is (but, he drives a beater Suby at college).

That said, my daughter did have a little incident in the driveway when she was learning to drive!

LOL!

[Atazman]

Very nice pictures, 49er.  I was considering driving my Pagoda up to Nevada City today (Christmas), but changed my mind.  Hard top is on, though..... and the heater works.

Best wishes to you guys.......

[paults1]

Temp. 50 & sunny, went for drive - no traffic. Got up to 150KM & sight shimmy developed -backed off.
Tme for Hunter wheel balance.  Hope its not the drive shaft.
Paul, '63 230SL

[J. Huber]

Success! I was able to take a nice spin on Christmas morning! Nice gift to myself.

Atazman, perhaps sometime in the Spring, you could come up here to Nevada City -- we have a few owners who like to gather -- including 49er, who is due for a visit to this side of the Gold Country anyway

Cheers all.

[49er]

Good morning James, Glad to hear you had another ride in before the weather changes, but from the looks of things, that might not be happening any too soon. I will probably get the HT off the dolly next week and hoist it back on very carefully. We were up in Nevada City a week ago Sunday for the "Victoria Christmas" street faire. Sure were LOTS of folks there! Left the SL home for that trip:-) Maybe next year we venture north on Hwy 49 and get together. Hope you had a Merry Christmas and looking forward to great 2012

John

[J. Huber]

Hey John. Yes the Nevada City Victorian Christmas Faire's are always jammed. Usually we have at least one shrouded in snow which makes it even more festive. Good not to bring SL for that -- only because parking is a nightmare. There is a summer version as well.

Now about your dolly. I remember liking it -- where did you get it again? Thanks. See you in 2012!

[Atazman]

Hi James.....

Thanks for the invitation to your "neck of the woods".  Sure beautiful, and I would like to take you up on your offer to get together next Spring.

Don

[49er]

Hey James, Got the dolly at www.rockauto.com and they (at that time) included the cover for $102. Did it's job fine.

John

PS Great picture of Nevada City. My daughter went up the Wednesday night before we did and got great photos as well. Really pretty up there for sure!

[CraigD]

On the topic of letting sons and daughters drive or not... My son has also developed an interest in cars and really appreciates the 280SL.  He has a careful approach to the car, had been taught how to handle a manual transmission smoothly and carefully, and had driven it a few times.  So when he wanted special car to pick up his girlfriend for the prom a few years ago, and asked if he could use the 280SL, I let him take it... at least for the ride TO dinner and the dance.  At 10 pm I dropped off his car and took mine back home.   

I also like cultivating an appreciation of special cars in the younger generation, so I enjoy the fact that he likes the car.

[pj]

Hi Craig,
for all the right reasons, that picture helps me believe the next generation is going to be okay. Which is part of why I still have faith in humankind.

[Peter van Es]

That said, my daughter did have a little incident in the driveway when she was learning to drive!

Well, the advantage is that this way you can fit many more cars on your driveway!