Celebrate your uniqueness...

[mdsalemi]

Gents,

David Pease got a lot of "nice car!" comments on his long journey from California to Ohio.  It's time to celebrate our uniqueness with such a beautiful and yes, rare, car.

Last week was our 18th anniversary (thank you thank you) and as per usual we went to our favorite Italian restaurant, a local place filled with high rollers, CEO's and other well to do folks...and yes they let us in.

When we drove up in the 280SL, heads turned, the valet's eyes popped out, and they literally pushed aside the bevy of late model Porsche, BMW, Mercedes, and even the Ferrari's to make room right up front. They called the kitchen crew out to see it.  Astounding treatment for a beautiful car they don't see that often.

A couple of days later, I was looking at the DuPont Registry magazine, and realized that you have your choice of literally HUNDREDS of Ferraris, Lamborghinis, Maserati's, Rolls, Benz and Bimmers--your choice of nearly any high end marque and model.  There was only two of our "lowly" 113 on its pages.

Those of you with a penchant for old cameras (like I have) will note in a similar fashion, that at old camera shows, and in all the classifieds in the camera magazines, there are thousands of old Leicas available, every model and style.  Like the aforementioned Ferraris et al, all it takes is money.  But, find a collector with a rare old Contax or Zeiss-Ikon or any number of old wonderful German cameras of the 1950's and you'll find someone with a certain uniqueness...

Celebrate our uniqueness.  All it takes is money to drive a Ferrari, it takes a bit of panache to choose to care for a 113.

Michael Salemi
1969 280SL
Signal Red w/Black Leather
Restored

[JamesL]

In a similar vein, we pottered around Monaco in our 280 a couple of weeks back

In the company of rollers/bentleys, an Enzo, a Gallardo/Murcielago (I cannot tell the difference) and the like, we got just as many stares and heads turning

Mind you, they may have thought I was David Coulthard (who also has a 280 in db906)

[TR]

Michael -- Nicely & well said.  Sounds like you & your wife had a wonderful evening...exactly as it should be, on all counts.

I just read the 280SL article of the current issue of Hemmings.  Even though this issue is now on the news stands I have to wonder if they may be a wee bit behind the times in terms of values for the best examples of W113s.  I mean, while this is rare, I know of one beauty that went for $79K only a month or two ago...Another was recently listed for $99.5K.  Can 6-figures really be that far off for the finest W113s?

Tom in Boise
'71 280SL 4-spd, signal red w/lt. tan interior, restored/enhanced

[hauser]

Mike, I have a couple questions.  Did you actually allow the vallet to park your prized and oh so sweet Pagoda?

Were you able to see it parked from your seat at the restaurant?

I must say that the first thing that popped into my mind when I read your story was the movie Ferris Bueler's Day Off!  I'm not sure if you have had the chance to see it.  It may give you second doubts about handing over your keys to a vallet.

1969 280sl 5 spd
Gainesville, Fl.

[mdsalemi]

quote:Originally posted by hauser

Mikebut I have a couple questions.  Did you actually allow the vallet to park your prized and oh so sweet Pagoda?

Were you able to see it parked from your seat at the restaurant?

I must say that the first thing that popped into my mind when I read your story was the movie Ferris Bueler's Day Off!  I'm not sure if you have had the chance to see it.  It may give you second doubts about handing over your keys to a vallet.

1969 280sl 5 spd
Gainesville, Fl.

Yes, I have no problem having a valet part the car--Ferris Bueller not withstanding.  Like most nice cars (the aforementioned Ferraris, Bimmers etc.) they don't go far.  Park a Chrysler--even a 300C and it goes to the back lot.  My car, nice though it is, isn't a museum piece, it does indeed get driven.  I refrain from malls however![:0]

I give them the keys and say "it doesn't go far, OK" and that's all I need to do.

It just so happened that on this day we did indeed keep the car in sight, but that was mere coincidence as we were able to sit outside and they did just barely move it, keeping it right in front where they too, could keep an eye on it.

Michael Salemi
1969 280SL
Signal Red w/Black Leather
Restored

[Bob G ✝︎]

Speaking of Valet Parking  there is a restraunt in Beverly Hills my wife and I like we always get preferrinal treatment in parking our daily driver up front and not down in the basement. But again this is because I tip the head guy well, when I bring my Mercedes-Benz SL or my 300-E their I would expect to get the wall spot in front of the restraunt, but that will cost me more as I expect it too.
Many of the clients who come to this restraunt have very expensive cars but you can tell they are not car crazy like me and only pay the minium to park their automobile.
I like the food and the atmisfer  and knowing my car is in good hands.

Bob Geco