It's a crying shame, all those very expensive and very neglected autos, but that's the way the world works, I'm afraid.
The capsule history of my car, for those that don't know, was that it was a daily driver (belonged to my uncle) from 1969-1979; occassional use as it was falling into rust and disrepair 1979-1985; 1985 was the last registration, and it was put in the garage, some sheets thrown over it and that was it. Uncle died in 1998, the 280SL never getting the attention it needed. There are a lot of indignities as life as a daily driver in NY--salt air, salt roads, weather. Car worth less, service cost more as it ages, no wonder it fell into disrepair. Every car indeed has a story, and those that are candidates for restoration have colorful ones, usually.
Many of you have seen the car; you have not seen the before:
Nothing worked, rust in every place that Tim Kidder told us about at PUB, (and more he doesn't know about!)...would barely roll as the brakes were mostly seized. 2x4 props the hood which didn't fit. Missing trim, lots of bondo, etc. Better candidate for the crusher than restoration.
Nothing time and money can't fix.
It's when there's an element of sentimentality that overrides common sense that cars get saved.Paddy_Crow: you should add the REST of that Benjamin Franklin quotation to your signature!
Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch...
Liberty is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote!"And, is theengineer Pete the only one who noticed the oversized risque Avatars on that site? My goodness.
Michael Salemi
1969 280SL
Signal Red 568G w/Black Leather (Restored)
President, International Stars Section
Mercedes-Benz Club of America
