Finally Started After 23 Years : Thanks to Pagoda SL Group

[mistral66]

After 23 years of aggravating frustration, I finally heard the wonderful sound of a 280SL after 23 years of garage storage. Although my 280SL still needs some fine tuning before being totally driveable (plus interior and cosmetic work), the help, suggestions, and encouragement from the Pagoda SL Group made an invaluable contribution for me to take on this restoration project on my own, without having any serious auto mechanical background. Although much of my work unfortunately was due to a badly rotted rear suspension, the engine and injection system/linkage connections were by far the most baffling. Thanks to Shvegel, MrFatBoy, Benz Dr, Baron Youngman, and schroderhaus, I was able to systematically troubleshoot problems in a somewhat logical fashion and avoid a parts buying frenzy. A special thanks to wwheeler who diagnosed the weirdest problem of all: a polarity reversal on my fuel pump connections that I never would have suspected. Again, many thanks to this Group and Joe Alexander!

[Pawel66]

Congratulations! 

[Mike Hughes]

Way to go!  That has to be an immensely satisfying milestone.  We can't wait to see a photo of your first drive...

[mistral66]

Thank you! All my chrome plating work has been sent to Classic Chrome in Warsaw. Are you familiar with their work?

[Rolf-Dieter ✝︎]

Well done, Congratulations! This is what our Group is all about

Happy trails once you get her on the road, nothing more reliable then a well looked after and fine tuned Pagoda

Dieter

[mrfatboy]

It's a a great feeling to hear that sound👍👍👍👍

[Pawel66]

Thank you! All my chrome plating work has been sent to Classic Chrome in Warsaw. Are you familiar with their work?

To be honest - no. I did chrome for my Pagoda and for 190SL, but this was what my mechanic was handling and I have no idea where he did that. But if it was recommended by a fellow Member, I am sure it is fine - there are some good chrome plating shops around.

[MikeSimon]

Thank you! All my chrome plating work has been sent to Classic Chrome in Warsaw. Are you familiar with their work?

Help me here, you sent parts to be chromed from Florida, USA to Warsaw, Poland??? Or is there a "Warsaw" near you?

[Pawel66]

Good question, actually...

I answered before I thought of that.

[Benz Dr.]

Good cars are like good used parts; they're not doing much sitting around collecting dust. Always nice to hear another one is back on the road. 

[49er]

I will add my congratulations as well. Mine sat for about the same amount of time and although I didn't bring it back personally, I was there when it fired up for the first time. great sound for sure. I wish many enjoyable miles ahead in your Pagoda.

John

[MikeSimon]

I should probably put that in a different thread, but while we are here:

I am not quite there yet, my 280SL is still waiting to come alive again, but... In the two months (or so) since I joined this forum, I learned more about the W113 than I knew in the 36 years that I have owned it. Mostly thanks to all of the members here, who were patient with a newbie and answered questions that had been asked a zillion times before. The resources in all areas for the forum are invaluable and it would be a terrible loss if for any reason, the site would crash and disappear - god forbid.
Thank you, guys!

[mrfatboy]

I'm sure Peter has this website and all of its data backed up and stored underground right next to the  Svalbard Global Seed Vault😜

[mistral66]

While on my last trip to Germany in July, I found an ad in a classic car magazine for a chrome plating shop in Poland, ClassicChrome.pl. Out of curiosity I sent this place a photo of a corroded piece of brass trim for my '65 Maserati Mistral. The owner, Hubert Michalowski,  quoted $60 which is an incredible price for restoration and plating. I sent him this piece and several other small parts and he quoted $190 for everything. I've had chrome plating done here in the States and had a bad experience with a supposedly reputable place in Alabama, took forever for the plating and they nearly lost the parts.

[Pawel66]

I see.

Whan are you expecting them back? Let us know the result.

[neelyrc]

After 23 years of aggravating frustration, I finally heard the wonderful sound of a 280SL..........

Congratulations mistral66!  It is a wonderful sound!

 In the last 50 years I have had only a very few short periods of two to three years without this music, mainly due to separation from the car for work reasons. Wishing you all the best in sorting out the remaining issues.  Please post a few pictures as you move forward.