SL Tech - Remarkable!

[Douglas]

On a drive up the coast this week, I stopped by Gernold Nisius' famed Pagoda shop, SL Tech, outside of Kennebunkport.

It was one of those 2-hour visits that makes you wonder if your clock is working properly. It seemed to go by in only a few minutes. If, however, it was a matter of a broken clock, Gernold could pluck one of his 10 or 12 clocks off a shelf and have you up & running in no time.

The shop is like a Pagoda owner's candy store. Everything you could possibly imagine is in there — Getrag 5-spds, limited slip, luggage racks, trouble lights, ski racks, every piece of trim, soft tops lined up 10 deep, etc. Literally everything.

I can't imagine there's anything else like it here in the States. It's totally 113-focused.  I recommend a visit to this amazing place if you ever get the chance.

Here's the man himself in his storage space:


Download Attachment: gernold1.JPG
76.26 KB

And here's just a sample of his inventory:


Download Attachment: gernold2.JPG
70.34 KB

Download Attachment: gernold3.JPG
66.91 KB


One last thing worth pointing out: Many of the items in Gernold's inventory are not for sale. Perhaps eventually they will be, but don't assume he's willing to part with some of his rarer items!



Douglas Kim
New York, NY
280 SL #016220

[hauser]

Doug you are so lucky to have met the Master himself!  Gernold is the ultimate guru when it come to the W113. I have yet to have the pleasure of meeting him in person  although we have had numerous conversations and emails. I have purchased a few items from him in the past some new some refurbished. When I tell him what I'm looking for he's got it!

  Gernold is not one to toot his own horn even though he has earned the right. I learned a few things about him through another shop owner, Paul Kaminski of Star Service in Topsfield, Mass. These are some of Paul's statments. "Gernold runs the shop alone by himself. He is the sole worker. Everythig is highy organized, Gernold always knows where to find things. His shop is spotless."

  This guy is so good that when a car comes into his shop he takes a look and sometimes within a few minutes he has diagnosed the problem.

  Let me share a story with you. One day a flatbed pulls into the driveway. On this is a 280sl that is not running. The owner of the car had it at a different mechanic and they did everything they could to get her running. No such luck! Solution take it to Gernold. Well here's this flatbed at the entrance to the shop, Gernold goes outside to meet and see what's going on. They told him it wasn't running. Gernold then climbs up on the truck pops open the hood takes a look and knows right away what is wrong. A couple wires or somethig. The car started right up.  Guess what! They drove that car off the the truck and into the shop.

  Gernold is the one who gave my car the final once over. He installed the all red tail lights, realigned the glove box and spring, installed the passenger mirror and one of his specialties, the retactable seatbelts. By the way the seat belts look as if it was always a part of the car, a would have been installed at the factory type installation.

  I haven't talked to Gernold since Christmas I think I'll call and see what he is up to.

  I wouldn't be surprised that a new Pagoda book may be the near future. The author Gernold Nesius .

1969 280sl 5 spd        1999 ML320          Gainesville,Fl.

[A Dalton]

Gernold is a Living Legend in these parts....

[hauser]

Dalton, you said a mouthfull

1969 280sl 5 spd        1999 ML320          Gainesville,Fl.

[hauser]

Doug 2 hours! That's it! I wouldn't mind spending a month over at Gernold's SL Tech  Jokeing in an email to Gernold I told him I'd come over and sweep the floors just to hear him talk about the Pagoda. His reply, "I wish you could my floors are dirty"

1969 280sl 5 spd        1999 ML320          Gainesville,Fl.

[hands_aus]

I spoke to him one day for 45 minutes and I am in Australia.
He was friendly, informative and nothing seemed to be too much trouble for him.

He is an international guru for Pagodas!

Bob (Brisbane,Australia)
RHD,1967 early 250 SL, auto

[n/a]

Hi folks,
 I'm a lucky guy, I only live 70 miles away from SL Tech and I've been there a few times in the past couple of years. Gernold is the greatest.I put alot of time and effort into making my 230 a nice driver, he's had the parts I needed,good advice,and has always been generous with his time on or off the phone.For the past year my car has been running sweet after a visit with him last summer.I was there yesterday
(it's always great to be around so many pagodas in one place) my steering needs tweeking and yes,I am having the seat belts installed,(my new grandson needs a ride!!) The sad part is I had to leave without the car in this great weather,but it will be better when I get it back.Not too long I hope.
 We are very fortunate he likes these cars....HEY Gernold,thanks.....
       DRIVE IT!!!!

[hauser]

Slugger you will be very happy with the seatbelts. For me this is a must have. It's a very clean looking setup.

1969 280sl 5 spd        1999 ML320          Gainesville,Fl.

[Douglas]

Here are a couple more pix from my visit last week.

Here's a very rare over-the-trunk ski rack that I have only seen in photos before:


Download Attachment: rack.JPG
46.67 KB

And here's a 113 that Gernold uses just to fit soft tops. You can actually send him your frame & he will attach it to this car and fit a new soft top. I've got to believe this is the only place in the country that's doing this:


Download Attachment: top.JPG
53.28 KB

Douglas Kim
New York, NY
280 SL #016220

[hauser]

I had heard of this car through Paul Kaminski. I was dicussing soft tops with Paul one day and I mentioned Gernold. I told him that I thought Gernold was using some type of a jig to this and he said "no he uses and an old car to do the soft top work."

1969 280sl 5 spd        1999 ML320          Gainesville,Fl.

[Bob G ✝︎]

When You hear the name SL-Tech it doesn't mean much more than another Mercedes-Benz shop, oh contar! for the master mechanic behine the works is Merlin the magic man for Germany. He has learned a way to wave his magic hands accross the sterling grill star and refresh the life that keeps these  automobiles alive.
No this is not another Mercedes-Benz shop though it be it is Gernold's toy store packed with goodies and extras to run your 280SL and play The one you wanted when you where just 16 but could not afford Well come to Gernold he will make you one a 230SL , 250SL or a 280SL with five gears or four or even an automatic for the wife.
Be it the master is quit  at works from early morning to night. If your looking for something special as are we all call Gernold Nisius at 207-985-3001 treat your self and your car to something special.This man's reputation is gold.

Bob Geco

[Sphe]

where is this magical shop??

Eugene
1965 230SL, Max Speed: Zero

[hauser]

Sphe this is Gernold's website www.sltechw113.com

1969 280sl 5 spd        1999 ML320          Gainesville,Fl.