More press this month -- some good, some bad

[Douglas]

Did anyone see that article in Classic & Throroughbred Cars this month? They compare a 280 SL, XKE, Corvette & Lancia Coupe.

One of the writers betrayed obvious inner turmoil and insecurities about his masculinity by asserting that the Pagoda wasn't "blokey" enough. (Sad, but nothing a little therapy couldn't cure.)

And on another note, this month's "Mercedes Enthusiast" has an article on significant post-war Mercedes and devoted a page to the W 113.



Douglas Kim
New York, NY
#018260

[LFrank]

I did read the article and was equally unimpressed (A MBZ more feminie than a Jag? PLEASE! - It went on to mention the 113's "doe-like eyes/headlamps and firm rear-end, so I agree there's couch-time in the author's future).
The basic premise was "what would a swingin' 1960's bachelor buy" and I think the mag was off the mark as to what someone then would have bought. A goy checking out a Chevy Stingray back then probably wouldn't have even HEARD of Lancia; and of course the reverse would be true as well.

LFrank
Washington DC
65 230 sl
DB334/Hellblau

[n/a]

Well, let's not be "snobby" about those other 3 cars...
This is only the point of view of one guy (who probably doesn't own any of the 4 cars mentioned anyway....).
But last time I was at an auction, I saw 2 males buying a Pagoda for themselves whereas this guy bought this beautifull E type for his wife....SEE!! the E type was the woman's car!! (auction was the Bridgehampton Classic..).

I do agree with LFrank as regards to the choice of the 4 cars in the magazine: just remember what you were looking at when you first thought about the Pagoda...
For me, with a budget constraint and type of usage in mind, the StingRay was never an option, the Lancia is too rare in good condition, the Jaguar is too expensive.
I had always liked very much the SL, but before I found mine looked at a few other models in similar price range: 190 SL (but not in great condition), MGA or MGB, Porsche 911 S (pre 1973), 280 SE coupe or convertible, Mustang from 60's.

I am curious as to what others would have considered.


Fabrice
Silver 1971 280 SL
New York City

[George Davis]

Last night I read a reprint of a Road and Track comparison article, originally done some time in the late '60's.  They compared a 280 SL, Porsche 911, Jag XKE and Corvette.  Overall, the 911 came in first, but the 280 SL came in a solid second, despite having the worst handling (!) and least power of the four cars tested.

Now, in my not-in-the-least humble opinion, every automotive writer will always prefer a Porsche over everthing else, so OF COURSE the 911 came in first...which means it was really only a 3 car comparison and the 280 SL came in first!

George Davis
'69 280 SL Euro manual

[Peter van Es]

Of course I saw the article. And I reckon it's been well known for a long while that ladies appreciate a Pagoda's looks. That of course doesn't mean that us guys can't like them either.

I have a small list of cars I really like, and might like to own. The Lancia Flaminia GT Touring is on it, and so -- and probably at the top of the list -- is the Ferrari 250GTC Cabriolet (Series II) by Pininfarina. That, however, is probably a US$ 250K car, with the added benefit of running costs associated with a Colombo 12 cylinder engine -- i.e. second mortgage territory. Have a look at this photograph from the Classic & Sports Car 2002 calendar by Tony Baker: Ferrari250GTC.jpg
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The really interesting thing is, if you start comparing these cars, they have certain similarities:

• a long bonnet
• squarish -- but rounded -- looks (I don't really know how to describe the look better, but I'm sure you guys will know what I mean)
• a completely folded down hood (invisible)
• and, for both the Ferrari and the Pagoda, a slight fold or bump in the rear fender just behind the door

I believe someone in one of the Forums here once said, comparing his Pagoda with an open Ferrari: "All the fun and looks of the Ferrari at a quarter of the costs".  I for one would be worried about maintenance costs, reliability, being able to use it to drive to the office occasionally. But for those Borranis...

Both Thoroughbred & Classic Cars, and the UK magazine Classic and Sports Car have reviewed the Pagoda, or the 280SL, quite a few times (have a look at "reviews" on my web-site). In most cases they were very positive. This particular reviewer is"just afraid of getting in touch with his inner feelings", to coin a phrase.

Peter

Check out http://bali.esweb.nl for photographs of classic car events and my 1970 280 SL

[Albert-230SL]

quote:Originally posted by Douglas

... this month's "Mercedes Enthusiast" has an article on significant post-war Mercedes and devoted a page to the W 113.

Douglas Kim
New York, NY
#018260

Yes,

that article is a Mercedes Enthusiast's selection of the 10 most significant post-war Mercedes... including racing cars, so it was a hard-fought, and the Pagoda is there!

Regards,

Albert de la Torre Chavalera
Barcelona (Catalunya/Spain)
Feb.'64 230 SL Euro 113042-10-002432