Author Topic: See my car in a museum...seriously...  (Read 11452 times)

mdsalemi

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See my car in a museum...seriously...
« on: May 10, 2017, 12:34:24 »
I have not even removed my car from this winter's storage, but I've been advised that after application, my car has been selected for winter display starting late this autumn at the Automotive Hall of Fame in Dearborn, MI. It might very well be in the Styling Gallery, which has a section on Mercedes-Benz safety and styling, under the watchful eyes of Bracq and Barenyi.  Will save me the long drive to storage next November!
Michael Salemi
Davidson, North Carolina (Charlotte Area) USA
1969 280SL (USA-Spec)
Signal Red 568G w/Black Leather (Restored)
2023 Ford Maverick Lariat Hybrid "Area 51"
2023 Ford Escape Hybrid
2024 Ford Mustang Mach Ex PEV

benzombie

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Re: See my car in a museum...seriously...
« Reply #1 on: May 10, 2017, 14:59:22 »
Wow!!  Congrats!!  -- Steve
Steve Smith
Decatur, GA

hauser

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Re: See my car in a museum...seriously...
« Reply #2 on: May 10, 2017, 15:19:09 »
Nice!

ja17

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Re: See my car in a museum...seriously...
« Reply #3 on: May 10, 2017, 15:22:23 »
Outstanding Michael!  Is that part of the Ford museum complex?
Joe Alexander
Blacklick, Ohio
1969 Dark Olive 280SL
2002 ML55 AMG (tow vehicle)
2002 SLK32 AMG (350 hp)
1982 300TD Wagon turbo 4spd.
1963 404 Mercedes Unimog (Swedish Army)
1989 flu419 Mercedes Unimog (US Army)
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mdsalemi

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Re: See my car in a museum...seriously...
« Reply #4 on: May 10, 2017, 15:33:31 »
Outstanding Michael!  Is that part of the Ford museum complex?

Yes and no. They kind of share a parking lot in that you don't need to leave one to get to the other. However, they are separate entities. We've held some MBCA events there, gorgeous building...
Michael Salemi
Davidson, North Carolina (Charlotte Area) USA
1969 280SL (USA-Spec)
Signal Red 568G w/Black Leather (Restored)
2023 Ford Maverick Lariat Hybrid "Area 51"
2023 Ford Escape Hybrid
2024 Ford Mustang Mach Ex PEV

BaronYoungman

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Re: See my car in a museum...seriously...
« Reply #5 on: May 10, 2017, 16:16:02 »
Congrats! you and your car deserve it. 
Bob
Bob "Baron" Youngman
1971 280 SL silver  1 car 0 boxes
1983 500sec Wheeler Dealer AMG w AMG coupe
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Rolf-Dieter ✝︎

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Re: See my car in a museum...seriously...
« Reply #6 on: May 12, 2017, 00:57:30 »
Congratulations Michael !!!

Should I drive mine there too to spend the winter with yours? After all they are practically brother and sister or twins anyway having rolled off the assembly line only 3 VIN numbers apart :)

Guess not mine is blue they properly like red better.

Dieter

DD 2011 SL 63 AMG and my 69 Pagoda 280 SL

TheEngineer

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Re: See my car in a museum...seriously...
« Reply #7 on: May 12, 2017, 16:49:49 »
How about my car? You said they were built the same day. But then, my one is not as pretty as yours!
'69 280SL,Signal Red, 09 cam, License BB-59U
'67 230SL, 113042-10-017463 (sld)
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mdsalemi

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Re: See my car in a museum...seriously...
« Reply #8 on: May 12, 2017, 18:27:04 »
How about my car? You said they were built the same day. But then, my one is not as pretty as yours!

Your car is probably safer and in good shape in Seattle weather. But, I have a history with your car you know...I loved the picture you took of me with your car, so it was the last photo in Pagoda Style!
Michael Salemi
Davidson, North Carolina (Charlotte Area) USA
1969 280SL (USA-Spec)
Signal Red 568G w/Black Leather (Restored)
2023 Ford Maverick Lariat Hybrid "Area 51"
2023 Ford Escape Hybrid
2024 Ford Mustang Mach Ex PEV

RAY

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Re: See my car in a museum...seriously...
« Reply #9 on: May 12, 2017, 19:10:30 »
What an honour and a privilege and the winter storage bonus is the icing on the cake, as we say.

zak

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Re: See my car in a museum...seriously...
« Reply #10 on: May 18, 2017, 23:25:16 »
Wow. Congrats.
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mdsalemi

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Re: See my car in a museum...seriously...
« Reply #11 on: November 07, 2017, 14:58:38 »
Yesterday was "placement day" when I put my car away for the winter, on display at the Automotive Hall of Fame in Dearborn, MI. Much to my delight, the car is in the Styling Gallery, tucked into a corner under the watchful eyes of Bela Barenyi and Paul Bracq. The display area is about passive safety engineering, and highlights some of Barenyi's work. Ahead of the car is the one and only photo of both Paul Bracq and Bela Barenyi together; this was taken at the Geneva Auto Salon in 1963.

Getting the car on display was a bit surreal; you see, I drove it into the museum, through hallways and the atrium--like a slow motion practice run for a Remy Julienne car chase to be filmed at a later date. Once we got to the entrance of the Styling Gallery, the car was shut off, and four small wheel dollys were installed, and we pushed the car into position. Sometime in the next day or so, the stanchions with the obligatory [velvet?] ropes will be placed around the car. It will remain there to approximately April 15.

For the first time since restoration, my car will have climate controlled quarters.
Michael Salemi
Davidson, North Carolina (Charlotte Area) USA
1969 280SL (USA-Spec)
Signal Red 568G w/Black Leather (Restored)
2023 Ford Maverick Lariat Hybrid "Area 51"
2023 Ford Escape Hybrid
2024 Ford Mustang Mach Ex PEV

waltklatt

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Re: See my car in a museum...seriously...
« Reply #12 on: November 07, 2017, 15:13:21 »
Congratulations Michael!
Your car looks very cozy and protected there in the museum.
A good way of spreading the word of our cars to the younger people.
How will they dust the car from time to time?
Bet it will be pampered.
Will they start the motor a few times to keep things circulated?
Again Congrats on your achievement!
Wonder if the showroom where both Bracq and Barenyi and the 230SL debut is still there? 
Walter

neelyrc

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Re: See my car in a museum...seriously...
« Reply #13 on: November 07, 2017, 15:54:55 »
Congratulations Michael. Really an honor. Looking great!!🙂

Is she sporting the new door or is that a project for next year?

Ralph

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ja17

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Re: See my car in a museum...seriously...
« Reply #14 on: November 07, 2017, 16:00:30 »
Looking good Michael!  A suitable reward for you and the pagoda.
Joe Alexander
Blacklick, Ohio
1969 Dark Olive 280SL
2002 ML55 AMG (tow vehicle)
2002 SLK32 AMG (350 hp)
1982 300TD Wagon turbo 4spd.
1963 404 Mercedes Unimog (Swedish Army)
1989 flu419 Mercedes Unimog (US Army)
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Rolf-Dieter ✝︎

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Re: See my car in a museum...seriously...
« Reply #15 on: November 07, 2017, 16:08:08 »
Congratulations Mike, what a treat ... it will make a nice story for our PW issue do write a short story and send it to Jon.

Best,

Dieter
DD 2011 SL 63 AMG and my 69 Pagoda 280 SL

Jonny B

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Re: See my car in a museum...seriously...
« Reply #16 on: November 07, 2017, 16:32:53 »
My in-box will be waiting for the words!
Jonny B
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mmizesko

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Re: See my car in a museum...seriously...
« Reply #17 on: November 07, 2017, 17:04:27 »
Wow.  Very Cool.  I come up to Dearborn regularly to see my son and his wife.  Give me the specifics. 

Is that drivers Door hanging right???  Looks off.  LOL

Mike Mizesko
1970 280SL 291H Dark Olive

mdsalemi

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Re: See my car in a museum...seriously...
« Reply #18 on: November 07, 2017, 18:43:18 »
Mike Mizesko, the drivers door is hanging perfectly. It just isn't a proper fit and this issue is in the process of being addressed, meaning I've already got a proper door. That will be next spring's issues. The Automotive Hall of Fame is located on Oakwood Blvd in Dearborn and is adjacent to some Ford facilities including the old Engineering Headquarters, and The Henry Ford Museum. In fact they sort of share a parking lot.

There isn't much of a story here, but I will try to get something together. I'm drafting my professional photographer friends to help with a photo shoot, as the specular lighting in the museum isn't great for a "model shot". I've surely got the camera for it, but my friends have the lenses and lighting.

The car will be cozy all winter long, better to be open and exposed like that than in a cold garage--and it will garner some exposure for the marque and model. The car will not be started periodically, the battery is disconnected, and I have the keys. It has sat all winter long, every winter, for 4-6 months w/o a battery tender or being started, for the past 15 years so I don't think I need to alter that program now.

I don't know if it will be dusted but I assume they'll take care of some of that. If not I can always pop down there and clean it on site with a "thelews" car wash--which means a cloth and detail spray.  ;)
Michael Salemi
Davidson, North Carolina (Charlotte Area) USA
1969 280SL (USA-Spec)
Signal Red 568G w/Black Leather (Restored)
2023 Ford Maverick Lariat Hybrid "Area 51"
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2024 Ford Mustang Mach Ex PEV

Iconic

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Re: See my car in a museum...seriously...
« Reply #19 on: November 07, 2017, 21:38:13 »
Fantastic placement for a very well deserving car and curator (you, not the curator of the museum).
Congrats !
1970 280 SL Automatic, USA version, Grey-Blue (906G/906G), Blue leather (245)
1968 SS396 Camaro Convertible (owned since 1977 -- my first car :D)
1984 Porsche Euro Carrera coupe, LSD, SlateBlueMet/Blue
1998 BMW M-Rdstr Estoril Blue
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TheEngineer

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Re: See my car in a museum...seriously...
« Reply #20 on: November 10, 2017, 00:08:56 »
This is a wonderful reward for you to have your car on display like that. I have been using a "California Car Duster" (https://www.amazon.com/California-Car-Duster-62447-8B-Mini/dp/B00008RW9V) to keep my car clean rather than wash it. It is somewhat like a duster and has a chemical on it. It leaves the car very clean. My car has not seen water for a very long time. Good Show!
'69 280SL,Signal Red, 09 cam, License BB-59U
'67 230SL, 113042-10-017463 (sld)
'50 Jaguar Roadster XK120, #670.318 (sld)
tired engineer, West-Seattle,WA

Raymond

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Re: See my car in a museum...seriously...
« Reply #21 on: November 10, 2017, 01:19:34 »
As an elder Southern lady I knew used to say, "I'm just so proud to know ya'!"
Michael, thank you for creating the opportunity to have such a great example represent our beloved W113s.
And you drove it in!
Ray
'68 280SL 5-spd "California" Coupe

StevenF

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Re: See my car in a museum...seriously...
« Reply #22 on: November 10, 2017, 15:50:14 »
Michael,
Seeing your car there is incredible!  You have a lot to happy about.
I am proud that your beautiful Pagoda is representing our group!

Best Regards
Steven
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Red Metallic
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mdsalemi

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Re: See my car in a museum...seriously...
« Reply #23 on: November 16, 2017, 17:05:04 »
Michael Salemi
Davidson, North Carolina (Charlotte Area) USA
1969 280SL (USA-Spec)
Signal Red 568G w/Black Leather (Restored)
2023 Ford Maverick Lariat Hybrid "Area 51"
2023 Ford Escape Hybrid
2024 Ford Mustang Mach Ex PEV

Rolf-Dieter ✝︎

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Re: See my car in a museum...seriously...
« Reply #24 on: November 16, 2017, 18:05:10 »
Nice blog Michaeal .... your cars brother that rolled off the assembly line 3 cars before your car is jealous :)

Dieter

PS. Perhaps we have to put the two again besides one another like we did during the photo shoot (non professional photo shoot) during the 2015 PUB event at Joe’s place :) bet your car has a lot to whisper to mine about the experiences at the museum.
« Last Edit: November 16, 2017, 18:18:26 by Rolf-Dieter »
DD 2011 SL 63 AMG and my 69 Pagoda 280 SL