51 years since delivery

[49er]

 Drove it home on this date 51 years ago but it raining today so the car gets to spend the day in the garage. Yesterday I took it down the hill to Ernie’s shop in Sacramento for the car’s annual checkup and to get the battery replaced. It is a “World Source one” model 24F-MF and is a perfect fit. My old battery lasted 9 years so I am pretty satisfied with their products. It is always fun to get the car up on the lift and check things out on the underside and happy to report all is well. Took these photos yesterday and the car doesn’t look much different than it did 51 years ago.

John

[teahead]

Awesome!

Just curious, but what have you all done to it in 51 years?

Anything on the engine?  Trans?  Paint?  Looks like the overriders were removed???

[calhippie]

Where's the "like" button?  John, you are a prime example of the kind of stewardship these machines deserve.  Kudos to you.   

[Benz Dr.]

It has been my view and will continue to be well into the future that it's the original cars or the ones that were restored many years ago that are still in great shape that deserve all of the awards. A freshly restored car can be breathtaking but one that's been done years ago yet still looks fresh is actually a more significant car. It would need constant cleaning and care with ongoing restoration work required to keep it looking as new. This is a laborious and expensive undertaking so a conservation award should be more highly prized and regarded than best of show.

[neelyrc]

Many Happy returns John!

[Mike Hughes]

Original unrestored cars rule!  Just to reinforce the increasing recognition of the significance of "it's only original once" an unrestored 1931 Bentley won Best of Show ad the prestigious Chantilly Concours d'Elegance in France this summer.  Actually Chantilly awards twin Best of Show accolades:  one for pre-war and one for post-war cars.  The post War award went to a 1948 Talbot-Lago that many thought should have won Pebble beach last year.  The Bentley is the first unrestored car to win top honors at a European concours event.

[49er]

Awesome!

Just curious, but what have you all done to it in 51 years?

Anything on the engine?  Trans?  Paint?  Looks like the overriders were removed???

 Thanks, The car’s paint, upholstery, top, and all hardware is original. The short block was replaced under MB factory warranty early on (oil consumption issue). Hose clamps, ignition wires, and SS exhaust are not original. Car has never been touched other then two dime sized door dings that occurred in the first couple of years of ownership. They were both successfully removed by dingmasters recently. Headrests were not installed due to it being a very early ‘69. Same for overiders which came later anyway. For more info and background, https://www.sl113.org/wiki/uploads/Restricted/PNv7i2US.pdf

John

[49er]

Many Happy returns John!

 Thanks Ralph, your car’s turn next😄

John

[Iconic]

Congratulations John.
Thanks for posting !! Looking fresh as always.
Take care,
Mark

[Mike K]

John- thanks for sharing the pics and info. The car looks wonderful, congratulations!

Best,
Mike

[Rolf-Dieter ✝︎]

John, the car looks great, actually more like brand spanking new! You certainly gave her TLC over the years. Will you ever in the future, take her back to Germany and retrace the routes from long ago when you visited small towns in Germany and Europe with your then VW? Just wondering.

Cheers,

Dieter

Congratulations !!! May she bring you many more years of joy.

[Rothko]

Very nice looking car.  Congrats to you!

[49er]

 Thank you all fellow forum members for your kind comments about my Pagoda. Every time I drive the car, which is not often enough these days, it takes me back through the years of ownership and as I have said before, it is the real "Time Machine" allowing me to be, in spirt anyway, a 24 year old kid again. Dieter, much as I would love to drive the car in Germany, California is it's home and both the car and driver are more comfortable driving on the quiet country roads that surround the area where we live these days. I do hope to keep driving it for many more years, as long as the left knee holds out anyway

John

[superfahrt]

Really nice.  I'm in the SF Bay Area.  If you would like to do some Sierra drives, let me know.

[707dieseldean]

Superfahrt, don't know if you are aware of this gathering in Marin :https://www.facebook.com/Marin-County-Cars-and-Coffee-160155830753455/
First sunday of the month , averages between 200 - 300 cars. Advise to get in early for a good spot (they start rolling in at 6:00am)  They have a photographer that will photo the cars on the way in and usually posts them on Mondays. Good times with like minded gear-heads !