Last summer, there were quite a few messages on the Yahoo Group discussing the problems with the Yahoo site and some possible alternatives. Taking these comments as a starting point, several Yahoo Group members have been working very hard to create an alternative.
Several of us who are active members and supportive of the Yahoo! W113 Group agreed that something better was possible. The Yahoo! Group site suffers from intrusive advertisements, a weak and frustrating search mechanism, the inability to easily follow a discussion thread, the limited number of database files that can be created, the inability to customize the site as needed, and more.
After many e-mail discussions, internet chats and some face-to-face meetings, we believe we have developed a much improved way to enjoy Pagoda W113 cars: the W113 Pagoda SL Group, The International Club for Mercedes 230 SL, 250 SL, and 280 SL Roadsters. It’s a new Group with a better focus and a better web site.
The new web site will allow more convenient ways to share our knowledge and information, organize and enjoy W113 events, and assist one another in improving, maintaining, and enjoying our cars. The new site will be the home of a new W113 club that will be able to support the international preservation and appreciation of the W113 cars. With enough membership, we can even encourage the production of unavailable parts and accessories for 113's and accomplish other historically difficult feats. Basic membership, which includes access and participation in the forum discussion, is and will always be free.
Improvements to the site over Yahoo! include the ability to participate in a new message forum, follow discussion threads by topic, access a database filled with technical information derived from the best Yahoo! Posts, access a W113 Owner’s Registry, and advanced search engines that will accurately and quickly search the site including databases and messages. On the site you will also find listed all the benefits of becoming a member, including the added benefits of becoming a full member.
We have received a great deal of support from around the world. Officers from the National MB Clubs of the UK, The Netherlands and Spain have provided support and encouragement. Prominent MB personalities are behind this effort as well. We have even visited with Daimler-Chrysler in Stuttgart and they, too, encourage this initiative. Most importantly, there is an incredible amount of enthusiastic volunteer support from the founding members. This is a true not-for-profit organization. We believe that forming an organized international group with a proper charter and an elected Board of Directors is the best way to preserve the information and promote the preservation of these fine cars for generations to come. A successful Group must be self-sustaining and we believe this is the best way to do accomplish that goal. Other clubs dedicated to perpetuating the knowledge of a single model or series which have achieved notable success include the Gullwing Group and the 190 SL International Group.
We hope you will consider joining us on our new site and becoming an active contributor to what we hope will be an improved center for W113 information and preservation.
We welcome your comments!
The Founding Members of the W113 Pagoda SL Group:
- Cees Klumper
- Rodd Masteller
- Achim Ahlert
- Doug Kim
- Jan Dikken
- Tom Sargeant
- Roger Polls
- Richard Madison
- Albert de la Torre Chavalera
- Bob Geco
- Peter Ruehl
