What have you done to your Pagoda today?

[Rolf-Dieter ✝︎]

-3 C today up here in Canada, the sun is out in all her might so I took my little Blue Tornado for a ride. People waving and turning thumbs up all I wanted to do is circulate the engine oil as I do a few times during our winter months. She's back now in her cozy garage to continue her well deserved winter slummer (photo was taken a few summers ago, I forgot my camera).

PS. Too cold in the garage to do any work, guess I have to get a heater or wait for spring

[Jowe]

Funny Dieter, I did se same myself today. Also about -3C and dry roads here in the Gothenburga area. Took the beauty out for a winter-warm-up-spin for 27 km. Started after only a few seconds of cranking and then set off. What a joy to listening the purring in the front  .

[Rolf-Dieter ✝︎]

I know we are not alone Jowe on a lovely day like this. Bet many of our members do the same when the roads are dry like today. I took her out with the top down, guess that is what made people turn and wave with thumbs up unlike you I only drove around 10 KM

Mine also started just like that, I like to do it every 8 weeks or so weather permitting.

I did nothing more to her today then check all fluid levels and gave her a light dusting after removing her winter cover.

Dieter

[neelyrc]

To celebrate the 48th anniversary of my car’s delivery at Sindelfingen on February 12, I had her spruced up a bit.  Amazing what can be done to paint and leather this old with the products they use today!

Her other present was a new rear license plate mounting.  Since the car was new I have used a fairly crude rear license plate attachment.  The two factory holes in the valence are spaced 11 inches apart, one inch narrower than a standard USA license plate, and I have always drilled holes in the license plate two inches down from the top for attachment.  The original oval Zoll plate was attached directly to the valence in the same way with no bracket and was notched to fit around the trunk lock.

I fabricated an intermediate mounting plate from 22 gauge steel plate with measurements slightly smaller than the license plate and drilled it to match the valence holes and the license plate.

My brother gave me an original 1969 Alabama license plate for Christmas.  I had the plate registered with DMV for official use, along with a vintage vehicle sticker.  This was attached to the car with the new mounting plate and finished off with a thin line chrome frame. Voila!

What a pleasure it has been to own this car!

[neelyrc]

......and a couple of more pics.....

[Jonny B]

Absolutely wonderful Ralph! What a great touch with the 1969 plate.

Will we see this out in the wild for PUB??

[neelyrc]

Thanks Jon,

Yes I am booked for PUB Virginia and plan to drive her up from Birmingham.

[Bonnyboy]

Actually it was yesterday but joined the local Mercedes club for a drive and tour of a restoration shop an hour+ away.  My latest work on the car proved to be effective - car ran flawlessly for an hour of heavy stop and go traffic and once on  the highway it was pure bliss.   Got home and shovelled enough snow to get the car near a garden hose - hosed down the underside of the car to get the salt off, sprayed the mud off the rockers and then pushed her back into the warm garage. Found a nice streak of seagull poop on the soft top and with the garden hose and a stiff brush it all came out just beautifully. 

I took a friend to the event so I put the top up for him - as a rule I don't drive with the top up unless its raining and couldn't believe how comfortable the car is with the soft top up.  I may have to try it again sometime soon. 

The only issue was I forgot how to turn the squirters on for the windshield and smeared road grime all over the windshield.  Once I stopped and realized everything was working fine I figured it out and it stopped drizzling.


Heading down to the states now to celebrate Lincoln's birthday at the Ross and Harbour Freight. 

[neelyrc]

A few days ago I purchased a new 2lb dry chemical fire extinguisher for my car.  I decided I would mount it in the dead space under the front edge of the driver's seat as have some other members.  The extinguisher came with a plastic mounting bracket complete with holes for mounting screws and a two piece plastic strap for securing the extinguisher in the bracket.

I made use of the existing angular metal clip between the seat rails for attaching the unit by removing the horizontal screw and using it to attach a vertical metal plate extending downward to which the extinguisher mounting bracket was attached. This positioned the extinguisher low enough to allow the seat to be moved fore and aft without fouling the extinguisher. Picture attached.

Being a perfectly beautiful and sunny 65 degree day, I treated myself to a short excursion on completion of the job!

[Shvegel]

Ralph,
You might want to consider sourcing a metal headed fire extinguisher for storage inside the passenger compartment.  I am not the safest person on the planet and have had many injuries to prove it but something about plastic holding back 200 PSI nitrogen then being subjected to all the temperature cycles of the Deep South gives me the willies.   

[Shvegel]

After spending the Summer cleaning up part after part I finally am getting around to the fun part.

[neelyrc]

You might want to consider sourcing a metal headed fire extinguisher for storage inside the passenger compartment.

Good thought! Thanks for the suggestion Shvegel.  Your engine is looking great!

[JamesL]

I have one of these on the floor at the front of the passenger seat. Looks good and will hopefully never ever be needed
http://www.demon-tweeks.co.uk/motorsport/fire-extinguishers-hand-held/lifeline-polished-hand-held-fire-extinguisher-1-75-ltr

[Shvegel]

Made a new bushing for my tachometer / oil pump drive gear.  Only took me three tries! I am a much better mechanic than a machinist. 

[Tyler S]

Hi Shvegel, Did you make the new bushing the same length as the original MB part? The reason I ask is it looks to be a bit long. When I replaced my thrust bushing with a new MB one I still had excessive play in the drive gear. There is another bushing below the drive gear in the block that also wears out. Part #615 181 00 26. If you made your new part bigger than original to get rid of play then the oil pump drive gear will not be riding on the intermediate shaft gear at the correct location. Just a thought.

[Shvegel]

Tyler,
The picture shows it pre-adjustment.  I made it a little long since i didn't have the exact length so I drove the busing into the housing, bored it to final size then faced it off to the proper length to give the proper end clearance.  I did look at the lower bush and I didn't see any wear on the upper end.

[neelyrc]

The new tires are on! 

For some years now I have had black wall tires on my car.  I decided last year that at my next tire change I would revert to the narrow band whitewall look as originally delivered.  The Firestone Phoenix 185/14 with the WW and curb ridge was special.  The Coker Phoenix is a fairly close reproduction but some comments about the ride quality are not positive and they come at a premium price.  I have not had experience with them,

My car is not a show car so I looking down market.  I narrowed my choices to the Uniroyal Tiger Paw AWP II and the Maxxis 92S RWW MA1.  I went with Maxxis.  I ordered on line and had the tires shipped to my local tire shop for mounting.  After mounting I took the car straight out for an hour drive and the feel is great.

When I got home, I measured the new Maxxis 195/75R14 spare against my unused, original Firestone Phoenix 185R14 spare, both inflated to 30psi.  The results were as follows:

Maxxis 195/75R14:  Advertised Diameter - 25.7” (653 mm), Circumference (calculated) 80.7” (2050mm). As measured: Diameter 25.5” (648mm), Circumference 2044mm.

Phoenix 185R14:  Tech Manual - 650mm diameter (25.6”).  As Measured: Diameter 25.5” (648mm), Circumference 2040mm.

Basically there is no measurable diameter/circumference difference between the new 195/75R14 and the original Firestone Phoenix.

Obviously the new 195 tires have a fatter look.  There are also differences in the white stripe.  The Phoenix stripe width is approximately17mm (almost 11/16”).  The Maxxis stripe is advertised as ¾’’ but actually measures 7/8” (22mm).  The ID of the stripe on the Phoenix is 16 1/4 “ (413mm) while the ID of the Maxxis stripe is 17” (432mm).

Not withstanding these differences I think the look on the car is great and I am well pleased with the purchase.   

[neelyrc]

.....and on the car.

[neelyrc]

...and one more!

[ohoraherecaptain]

I'm on the aesthetic phase, which means I'm now being painted!
JOH.

[neelyrc]

Good progress JOH.  I like the color.

[ohoraherecaptain]

Cheers.
Cream top & interior next................
Sort of model'd it on the one attached.

[Jordan]

JOH, looks fantastic.  You should paint your hub caps cream as well (same as hard top) and it will really pop.

[Jonny B]

JOH, just love the color! What is the color code?

[WRe]

Hi,
afaik hardtop and hub caps had the same colour when the car was delivered in two different colours.
...WRe