Vince... I can only say that before you can comment on whether or what the author describes, and what documents he shows or quotes from the MB executives and minutes of executive meetings, and engineering charts, you need to
1. Learn to read German (if you don't already), and
2. Get the book or borrow a copy and read it.
I think you're trying to say you don't believe the author's sources are valid or verifiable. I believe they are. That's the only difference in what I perceive to be your disagreement with what I've posted on this topic.
BTW, the author gives exclusive and total credit for the entire SL series (beginning with the 190SL's conception and execution) to an American... and the influence he had with the Executives and Board of directors at MB to design and build it... for the American Export market!!!!! Had this American not gone to MB and addressed the Board (at the Board's request), the entire MB "sports touring" SL's would never have existed.... according to the author. That's not to say however, that the American market was using the cars like the Europeans were... and the sports car market competition was determining that HP was king... which was the reason for MB's emphasis on HP improvements since the perception --- emphasis is perception ---- of the American market buyers as well as Europe's was that the higher the HP the better the car, all other things equal... what MB and the American Import market knew however, was that the American's proof of performance was "off the line acceleration"... while the German's was high top speed and high speed acceleration.
And, I haven't read anything in the book, nor reported anything that said the American export market didn't matter to MB... and in fact the American market was a major reason for the decision to replace the 230SL with the 250SL, despite the marginal improvement in HP, but with a 10% improvement to torque... which improved the 'performance' in low speed application as in "0-60" times, etc... the MB Export Sales Chief argued vehemently that there could be no delay with replacement of the 230SL... with the 250SL, as the 250SE was already on the market nearly a year earlier than the 250SLs introduction, and he, and the BOD feared the loss of sales in the growing US market if the rumor's persisted that the 230SL was being replaced with the 250SL.
So it's not my understanding from the author that the US market 'didn't matter'... it sure appears to have mattered to the MB executives that ran the business... and the engineering leads that directed the engine development. It was the MB board that invited the American to address the Board with what would sell in the US market... before there was even a clue within MB (not even a concept drawing or sketch... not even a set of performance criteria or outline... not even a concept) as to what came to be the 190SL and it's follow-ons... 230SL, thru the SL's of today.! I think your acquantances from "within MB" were not those that had to do with decision making since, as you said, "...the Germans would act like the US market didn't matter and that US drivers didn't understand the cars, yet behind the scenes they were furiously working to address US complaints (as in the development of the V-8s that took place all through the 60s)." So those acquantances of yours were ill informed with respect to their leadership's perceptions of what was important... apparently. "Behind the scenes" is how all company's work in a competive market place isn't it? At least that's been my experience in development... we sure never leaked or marketed anything before it was ready to go into full production in my business... even before we had any competion (since it would halt or vastly diminish current sales)... and in the current highly competitive market it's even far more critical to make sure our development activities remain "behind the scenes".
Your argument isn't with me... at least I don't think it is... it's with Engelen and his documented sources from within MB.
Like I said... I can only suggest you read the book before you take exception to it's content. What you'll find is that the decisions made were business decisions... based on market competition and market perceptions, and those decisions dictated the technical ones related to chassis, rear suspension, and engines, and timing (i.e. time to market). MB broke the sports car concept mold with the sports "tourer" SL series... a blend of a sports car and a GT... comfortable accomodations & drivability with sports car appeal. The engine problems I've described limited MB's options in market timing and what they could offer.
Longtooth
67 250SL US #113-043-10-002163
'02 SL500 Sport
