This morning I stopped by Mercedes Centre in Santa Cruz to talk to the owner (Herb Eder, originally from Germany) about replacing the pinion seal in my differential. (My regular mechanic, Steve at Silver Star in San Jose, is still busy rebuilding Chuck Gale's 250SL.)
As I drove up, I saw Herb talking with an "Older Gentleman" around a pretty nice looking dark green 113 (turned out to be a 230SL, serial number 0186xx). Of course, I parked next to them and proceeded to strike up a conversation, which I document here:
Me: "Hi! What year is your car?"
OG: "1967. How about yours?"
Me: "1966."
OG: "Have you owned it since it was new?" (This is a question I hear distressingly often.)
Me: "No, I was only 16 when this car was built." (I know, some of you weren't born yet, but let's not discuss it.)
OG: "I've owned mine since new. Herb's the only mechanic who's ever worked on it."
Herb: "I've grown old working on this car."
Me: "How many miles on it?"
OG: "592,000"
Me: "592,000!!! Wow! Is that the original engine?"
OG: "Herb just put in a short block. I've had it repainted a couple of times, too."
Herb (apparently checking the specifc gravity of the coolant): "Minus 30 degrees. Will that do for Wyoming?"
OG: "I think so."
Herb: "When are you leaving?"
OG: "Friday."
The Older Gentleman (I'll ask Herb his name next week) didn't strike me as a computer user type, otherwise I'd have advertised our group. Anyway, thought folks might find this a interesting testament to our cars.
-David Pease
'66 French 230SL
