I have had my car back in Ohio for a few weeks. As weather permits, I have been driving the car as much as I can (biblical rains here). I drove it to the golf course the other day (taking care to keep it out of the flight path of any errant golf balls!). An elderly gentleman walked up to me as I was getting in the car to leave. He had a huge smile on his face and a sparkle in his eye. He told me he had a white 280 SL back in 1971...bought it new and wished he had kept the car. I enjoyed the conversation, as we all do when someone asks about our cars. Yesterday, I was having lunch in the grill before going out on the course. The same gentleman saw me and came over and said "please wait here, I have something for you". He came back a few minutes later and handed me a 1970 Chilton's Repair & Tune-Up Guide for Mercedes Benz. I was absolutely floored! This book is beautiful! Take a look at the pictures attached. The graphics are fabulous. It even has a "7 color peel away insert". I offered to pay him for it. He refused to take anything but, we settled on a ride in the car. I'll even let him drive.
It just goes to show, the Pagoda is something special. The joy of owning one is something you never forget.