Dr. Benz's radiator cap

[rmmchl]

So finally, I get to meet the infamous Dan Caron. Also known as Dr. Benz.  We have talked many times on the phone. He has gotten me out many of jams, and my wife knows of him , by me talking about him.

I wasn't making the drive to Williamsburg, but I am excited because many members that post on this site, like Alex D.,  Dan Caron and Joe Alexander. along with all the others, will be coming through my hometown of Charleston WV to stay a night on the way to Williamsburg. Joe and Dan are probably two of the best mechanics in the land for our cars, and I get to meet them together.

Dan was supposed to meet for dinner with the rest of the gang at 6:00. He took a 200 mile detour and didn't make it until 11:00 PM. I came home after dinner, and my wife asked me all about Dr. Benz. I told her he hadn't come in yet. Then the phone rings, it is Alex D telling me that Dan and the "Red Rocket", are a 150 miles away and he lost his radiator cap, and is leaking fluid.

I jump for joy! My wife asks what's wrong. I told her that I had an extra radiator cap, and Dr. Benz needs one. I drove back down to the hotel waiting for him to drive in. I gave him my extra cap with the same enthusiasm, that I would if Peyton Manning needed a football for the super bowl!  We met the next morning at the Clay Center for photos, and the Charleston Gazette took pictures, and we were on the front page of the Saturday Newspaper. My 250 Sl's  interior photo was featured, and the other photo show Dan and Joe standing next to one of the cars talking. What a classic. Joe and Dan in a photo, talking "shop" over one of the cars.

Hours before Dan arrived, Joe Alexander had to pull from his knowledge, for an unexpected Pagoda emergency. His friend locked the keys inside his car. I provided Joe with tools and got to assist him while he entered the car through the trunk, and then unlocked the car, by releasing the soft top hatch, then removed the door handle, and re-keyed the lock. What a magician!

I felt as important as a surgical assistant would for an important heart surgery. I provided  copies of the newspapers to Joe Alexander to distribute. WHAT A GREAT 24 HOURS

[pj]

Dan can not only tell great stories, but he creates them for other folks to tell. Thanks, Michael.

[Flyair]

Michael,

Great story. Shows that this forum creates relations, close to guru and followers ones . But seriously, can you post those pictures you mentioned on this forum for the many that weren't there?

[rmmchl]

Many members took pictures. I didn't, and really don't know how to post them. I also forgot to mention that Joe and Dan were checking out my engine bay, and my hood release cable broke . What are the chances of that happening when the 2 best mechanics in the country are under my hood?  Joe noticed it. Can you imagine if I would have shut my hood with the cable broke. I would have to cut a hole in the hood to open it. Karma was present!

[ja17]

I should mention the great hospitality which greeted us when we arrived at our mid-way stop in Charleston WV.  Mike was there to greet us and had our dinner location and reservations all ready made. His enthusiasm and excitement made us all feel welcome and privileged to be part of this group! Thanks Mike! Also thanks Alex for helping to co-ordinate our Canada/Ohio caravan.

[GGR]

Nice story!

Can you imagine if I would have shut my hood with the cable broke. I would have to cut a hole in the hood to open it. Karma was present!

Wow! Is that true? One has to cut a hole in the hood to open it if the cable is broken? I'm scared now as my handle is a bit hard. I would need to look into that!

[Rolf-Dieter ✝︎]

Michael, it was nice to meet you and thanks for arranging everything for us Canadian and US visitors to your fine town. Dr. Benz made all those calls from my cell phone and his face was one big smile when my cell phone rang with the good word that there was a radiator cap waiting for him at the hotel.

BTW. Do you have a copy of the Saturday paper? Can you scan it and post it here? Someone said that the Charleston Gazette would have a copy of the paper for us, I don't know if that is true or not.

[rmmchl]

I left Joe 12 copies at the hotel. He has them

[Rolf-Dieter ✝︎]

Thanks Michael, Alex will mail me a copy. Many thanks!

[ja17]

Hello Dieter,

I sent copies onto Alex for you guys up north.

[Rolf-Dieter ✝︎]

Hello Joe, The paper arrived "many thanks for doing this" I owe you $6.64 US next time we meet lunch is on me!

Thanks again.

PS shows you how much it costs to mail a simple news paper to Canada from the US ... both the Canadian and US Postal Services can use a makeover LOL

[ja17]

Hello Dieter,

Thanks for the lunch offer, however I sent all the copies to Alex in one package for a smaller fee. He then paid to have your copy sent to you. So you actually owe him and a very less amount to me.
To add to the confusion, originally Mike in Charleston, purchased all the newspapers in the first place so we all owe him. Sounds like we may need the US Congress to unscramble this fiscal mess    Or we can just all get together next time and buy each other beers till we feel compensated and leave Congress out of it!

[Rolf-Dieter ✝︎]

Sounds like a great plan to leave your Congress out of it and just organize a nice Beer fest in Ohio

Thanks to all Mike, Alex and Joe ... what a bunch of great guys.

[Benz Dr.]

I received mine on Friday. Thanks to all who made this happen - a very nice keep sake.