Mid-Atlantic Gathering on October 30, 2005

[Tom]

Please join us for the 4th Annual Mid-Atlantic W113 Gathering at my home in Alexandria, Virginia on Sunday, October 30th.  The event starts at noon and runs until about 5:00, but feel free to come earlier or anytime during the day.  This is a “short-notice gathering” which should give you some indication that it is a more casual outing as contrasted with an “event”. However, it is always held on the last Sunday in October so you can pretty much calendar this ahead of time.

A number of Pagoda owners showed up for some technical "triage" for minor ailments, fellowship and good chili. We generally have between 10-15 cars and 20+ owners (not counting neighbors I never met before!).

My garage and lift will be available for minor mechanical work. Fellow owners will help other owners with issues they have, show their cars and see some interesting vintage accessories. We will have ski racks, original luggage, a luggage rack and original trouble lights.  A very nice top with Webasto sun roof will be on display courtesy of SL Tech (Gernold Nisius).  Original Continental tires with rub stripe will be on display. Other than the 15 minutes taken to review accessories, there is no formal program.  We may perform a coordinated drive to Mount Vernon (8 miles from my house) for photo's, etc.

Finally, hot chili and cider will again be the featured menu item.

Please e-mail me (classic280sl@yahoo.com) if you can attend and I will be in touch with details.

Tom Sargeant
Alexandria, VA

1971 280sl Tunis Beige Metallic (restored & enhanced)
1971 280sl Tobacco Brown (low mileage stock)
1970 280sl Deep Red (Project Car)

[Jonny B]

Tom,

Looking forward to the event. I will be bringing along a bunch of historical type stuff, paint chips, manuals, parts book, sales literature, uphosltery samples, etc.

I will contact you off line for directions etc.

Jonny B
1967 250SL Auto

[Peter van Es]

Please note this event! Just moved to the general forum to alert everyone!

Peter

[TR]

Tom -- Wish I could be there.  As you know, a few of us in the west just had a small get-together in N. Calif. wine country, and it was a total blast!

Tom in Boise
'71 280SL 4-spd, signal red w/lt. tan interior, restored/enhanced

[Jonny B]

A fine time was had by all! Many, many thanks to Tom S for hosting this event. The weather was absolutely picture perfect! There were about ten 113 cars present, and a number of other members as well. The chili and fixings were well done, a lot of information, fellowship and only semi bruised knuckles. Jim Villers changed out the sway bar on the front of his 5 speed to a 30 MM bar. Will be curious to hear how the drive home went.

Jonny B
1967 250SL Auto

[Tom]

Jonny,

Glad you could come-enjoyed visiting with you again and I really appreciate your help with the event.  The material you brought was very interesting-a number of members seemed interested in the color samples and brochures.  Thanks also for the maintenance book and help handling the hard top.

We had a good turn out for this Pagoda SL Group event, although some members were not able to bring their car due to mechanical projects in process (brakes, etc).  I counted 10 cars at the event.

1971 280sl Tunis Beige Metallic (restored & enhanced)
1971 280sl Tobacco Brown (low mileage stock)
1970 280sl Deep Red (Project Car)

[JimVillers]

First .... Thanks to Tom for another fine Gathering.  It is always fun to see other Pagoda people and swap stories and information.  I learn something new at every event.

Tom had a "spare" 30mm sway bar in his garage and it attracted my attention.  After passing on the purchase option, Tom and I decided to swap sway bars on a loan basis to evaluate whether I liked the "monster bar" and whether Tom liked my 230SL bar (slightly stiffer than his current 280SL bar).

From my viewpoint, I REALLY like the much stiffer suspension resulting from the 30mm sway bar.  As most of you know, I have been working my suspension to tighten up handling by installing a stiffer front spring and Koni adjustable shock absorbers.  This stiffer bar is the final piece in puzzle.  The tighter steering accented that I have the front shocks set too firm for this combination.

In response to Jonny, The stiffer sway bar is a great item if you enjoy a more "sports car feel" than the "touring feel".  


Jim Villers
190SL, 230SL 5-Speed, 190E 2.3-16 Kompressor

[Chad]

I agree with you Jim.  This car had Konis on it from the PO.  Installed new springs.  The feel is very tight.  Pleasing.

-CD-
1967 230SL, 113.042 10