43 years old today

[49er]

Today, we celebrated the 43rd "Birthday" of our 280SL, or as my wife says "adoption" since the car was built a few months earlier:-) Took it out today for a drive and still get the same thrill that I did when I brought it home all those years ago. It is also almost a year to the day that we got our SL back on the road after all those years of hibernation and we have put nearly 1400 miles on the odometer during the past year. Tonight we will give it a toast with some fine Mosel Valley wine from a winery in Bernkastel (right next to Peter H's home, Enkirch).
 Here are a few pictures including one taken 34 years ago. Car hasn't changed much but the driver sure has:-)

Glad to be part of this Forum where we all share our common love of this great car!

John

[280SE Guy]

Congratulations !

Its got to be a great feeling after all of those years together.

Regards,

280SE Guy

[Iconic]

John,
Were glad you are part of the Forum too.
Hey, you are off of your average a little. You drove it 1400 miles in the past year and your average is about 1650 miles per year.
You better pick up the pace a little.
How about a big road trip to East of the Mississippi to bring the average up? 
Congratulations !! 
Mark

[49er]

Hi Mark,
 Well, I am a stickler for details. Here are the milage totals by year for my car....

1968-1969   16055
1970           16038
1971           9900
1972           7553
1973           4632
1974           5420
1975           3267
1976           1970
1977-1981   4387
1981-1987   505
1987-1990   85
1991-2009   74
2010           648 (Back on the road Sept 25)
2011(YTD)   780
Total miles   71314

As you can see, milage really dropped of in the late 70s (Marriage, New Home, Dog, and Children in that order:-). When the front Left brake cylinder "froze" in early '91 it basically wasn't driven anymore until last year when we got it on the road again. I would love to get back to Ohio to meet up with all of you guys but I am afraid I would have to leave my car behind. I am sure the car would make it but not so sure it's owner would:-)

John

[Peter h]

Hallo John
Congratulations !!!

from Enkirch

Peter

[49er]

Hallo John
Congratulations !!!

from Enkirch

Peter

Thanks Peter. The Spätlese was delicious too. Brought back memories of that beautiful part of Germany where you live:-)

[Sirasila]

Congratulations!

As a 43 year old man, I am happy to see a car from the year I was born still with the original owner. 

My Pagoda is older than me at 48, but I'm trying to keep it strong to honor my father who passed the car down to me, and I hope to do the same when my son reaches the proper age.

[49er]

Congratulations!

As a 43 year old man, I am happy to see a car from the year I was born still with the original owner. 

My Pagoda is older than me at 48, but I'm trying to keep it strong to honor my father who passed the car down to me, and I hope to do the same when my son reaches the proper age.

That is a great honor to your Dad. My son (and daughter) have eyes on mine but I have told them they will have to wait awhile:-)

John

[Sirasila]

Ahh.. I understand why they would have their eyes on the car.  Your car is in pristine condition.  My dad gave me the car when he stopped driving at 75.  He passed away earlier this year at 84.  I drove his ashes to place in the sea and consider it his last ride.  Here in Thailand, we Thais traditionally place our loved ones' ashes to rest at sea.  Maybe one day my son will do the same for me in this car.

[douglas dees]

John: You have a pristine car that you should be very proud of. I enjoyed visiting you. My sister Linda has been cured of her cancer but her 1987 420SEL died of a broken timing chain last week. I did a wine tour with the Toronto Section on the weekend and I should have taken my son's pagoda which was 42 last May because of threatening  rain which did not happen
 Doug Dees

[49er]

 Hello Doug,
 That is wonderful news about your sister. Too bad her 420SEL "died" but all in all, good news for sure. We drive our SL up through Camino often and always think of her:-) I read your post about the wine tour you did and it sounded delightful. As you know, we have many wineries in our area as well and it would be fun to get a few Pagodas together and do a wine tour of our own.

John

[Khaleesi]

Wow, congratulations.

I think it is very rare for someone to be able to keep a car that long..

[Sirasila]

Wow, congratulations.

I think it is very rare for someone to be able to keep a car that long..

I sure hope it continues to thrive in your family.  I intend to make mine 3 generations at least.  My 7 year old son is starting to appreciate it now with w113 models of all scales.