First big drive.

[bsimaz]

Well this past weekend I had my first major drive with my new SL.  Up until not it has been pretty much to work and back with a few trips to town (just to show off).   I went golfing with my brother who live about an hour away.  Clubs just fit in the trunk, woohoo.  Traveling down the hiway is a great feeling.  Although driving for 45 minutes doing 70 - 75 mph and turning 4000 - 4500 rpm's is a bit unsetteling until you get used to it.   Even sped up a little over 80 at one point.   Ran great the whole way.  And, fuel economy about 21 mpg, I am quite happy.  

I love my car.....

Bill Simaz
'66 230sl
Back on the Road

[J. Huber]

Good Job Bill...That's what its all about! And, I realize this is insignificant to the bigger picture but...what did ya shoot?

James
63 230SL

[joelj]

congratulations bill.

Yeah, it feels so good to "show off" our pagodas.

I look for any excuse to drive mine, even taking it to the corner starbucks and parking it where I can admire it throught the window while sipping my mocha latte

Cheers

Joelj

1969 280sl auto
White exterior
Blue interior

[keesing]

Yea, driving in freeway traffic can be quite unsettleing... especially when you end up boxed in between a couple 18-wheelers!
Every once-in-awhile after I spend too-much money on my babies, I get thinking what a mistake I've made and gotten into a "money-pit" hobby... then my wife and I go on a road trip into the mountains... all the angst disappear and I congratulate myself on making such a terrific decision - buying two Pagodas! :mrgreen:    

1967 250SL Signal Red
1969 280SL "Tweety Bird Yellow"
1987 260E Charcoal

[al_lieffring]

quote:Originally posted by bsimaz

Although driving for 45 minutes doing 70 - 75 mph and turning 4000 - 4500 rpm's is a bit unsetteling until you get used to it.   Even sped up a little over 80 at one point..  

My wife's 2002 beetle "Schatzi" turns around 4000 at 75mpg in overdrive 5th, I always want to shift up one more time.

When I was driving my pagoda it was in the Jimmy Carter era, 55 mph strictly enforced. Cant wait to get it back on the raod again

Al

113-042-10-014715
built 11 Jan 66
904/396 blue, Ivory Tex
condition- rust bucket

[miltnme]

hi bill

congratulations! one of these days my wife and i will have our PAGODA and beable to share in the fun, in the meantime, enjoy!

your car looks beautiful!

all the best
jonathan and heidi

[Amanda]

My speedometer is in km, and I'm still figuring out the conversion, but I think we were passing most of the traffic on the freeway last weekend!

Amanda
1966 230SL
Manual
Red/Tan
Los Angeles

[JamesL]

Amanda

As a rule of thumb...
50kmh = 30mph
70kmh = 40 mph (43 to be precise)
80kmh = 50mph
90kmh = 55 mph
100kmh = 60mph (62, to be precise)
115kmh = 70mph
130kmh = 80mph
after that, youre just past caring!
 

[bsimaz]

quote:Originally posted by J. Huber

Good Job Bill...That's what its all about! And, I realize this is insignificant to the bigger picture but...what did ya shoot?

James
63 230SL

92 :-(   Lost by one.  But it's better than working.....

Bill Simaz
'66 230sl
Back on the Road

[harleydan]

Amanda,

To get from kmp to mph, jut multiply kmh by 0.6 to get mph.  The answer will be close enough:

kmh x 0.6 = mph

If you want to more precise, then use 0.621; however, 0.6 will do the trick considering all speedometers will have some error.  If you travel at higher speeds, then the .021 difference will be significant.

Cheers,
Danny
1970 280SL silver Euro manual

[rhersberger]

I think most of us in the Forum know the feeling of getting the Pagoda out of town.  I had the front suspension completely rebuilt on my '68 280 SL this summer and it is a dream to drive now. (Still have some work to do on the rear in another year.)  With it's wide stance and new tires, it handles and corners very well.  It can be a little unsettling on freeways with the top down, but sometimes you have to suck it up to get to the good roads. The car surely could use an overdrive, though, to lower those rpms at 70 mph and to run a little quiter.

Rod Hersberger

Santa Barbara

'68 280 SL, red, tan, 4sp, two tops
'01 Jag S Type brg
'07 Cayman S Carmon red, sand beige (on order)

[rhersberger]

I think most of us in the Forum know the feeling of getting the Pagoda out of town.  I had the front suspension completely rebuilt on my '68 280 SL this summer and it is a dream to drive now. (Still have some work to do on the rear in another year.)  With it's wide stance and new tires, it handles and corners very well.  It can be a little unsettling on freeways with the top down, but sometimes you have to suck it up to get to the good roads. These cars surely could use an overdrive, though, to lower those rpms at 70 mph and to run a little quieter.

Rod Hersberger

Santa Barbara

'68 280 SL, red, tan, 4sp, two tops
'01 Jag S Type brg
'07 Cayman S Carmon red, sand beige (on order)