New member introductions

[A-9294]

Thank you, Jonny B.

I will check the site you mentioned

I have used som time today to check the different forums here, and found useful information regarding a length on the rod between the heater core (to the cabin ventilation) and the fresh air "flap". It is missing on my car. I've tried to find information on this rod on the internet before without any luck.

The Technical Manual is just awesome!! I've been looking for a colour coded wiring diagram for a long time. The Haynes manual is not suitable on this matter.  Now I know which loose cables i must connect to the fusebox to fix my not functioning fog lamps...

[TorNOTL]

Great news!  I was able to buy this '64 230SL.
It's a true barn find.  It's been in storage since 1981. heated, dry garage, covered and driven and kept running by a mechanic throughout it's storage.  Turns over on the first turn of the key.  Needs a lot of work, but I'm buying it for fun and will slowly fix it up.
The back story on the car is a bit sad.  It was purchased in 1979 by a 17 year old that fixed it up for a few years,  he called it his baby. Tragically, he died in a car accident the summer before going to college (not in this car).  His Mom kept the car in storage since 1981, and in my friends' barn since 1996.  She's in her last stage of cancer and decided to sell the car.  I promised her that I will make sure to honour her sons' wishes and fix the car up, not for a flip but to enjoy it.  Once I get it repainted I plan on putting his name in the glove box or somewhere in the car  so he's not forgotten.  This was his dream and I just want to make sure it's honoured.
As a parent I couldn't imagine the heartbreak and completely understand why she could never bring herself to sell the car until now.

[Rolf-Dieter ✝︎]

Hallo Michael,

Welcome to our Group, yes it is indeed a great story as you pointed out. Too sad that the previous owner lost his life at such a young age.

We had a get together last year with some 15 plus Members at NOTL and the Falls. You may or may have not seen the posts ....

Here ----> https://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=33518.0

(copy and paste the link into your browser)

It ended up somewhat complex since the original Events were canceled due to Covid 19, however, in the end all turned out well. We had a great time at NOTL, the Falls and the surounding area. We might just do it again in the Fall of 2022 or 2023.

We organized also a wine tasting and lunch in a secluded area for our group of cars at the 13 Street winery and a lunch at the same t=ime with intertainment, each bottle of wine we tasted was opened (using members' wives) in the old traditional way using a special sord (see photo's). It was a great weekend.

I see from your Profile that you joined the Group here in Dec. 2021. You may have noticed that many topics are Restricted and are only available to Full Members. If you like to safe a few thpisand dollars in your endevor to fix up some of the issues on your car then I encurage you to join our group as a Full Member it will open up this site to you 100%

Best of luck with your car, we see you in the forim

Rolf-Dieter

[TorNOTL]

Thank you!
Just joined as a full member.  I look forward to the journey!

[Rolf-Dieter ✝︎]

Micael, Looking forward to meet you. I was in the middle of posting the photos when you replyed to my post.

I will post to you this afternoon our Welcoming Package.

Regards,

Dieter

[TorNOTL]

Thanks Dieter, also here is a picture of the vin plate. I'm assunming this would be a very early model

[Rolf-Dieter ✝︎]

Hi Michael,

Yes, it looks like an early model. I send you a PM with two links on our site you will find interesting (check your e-mail). The area here is the open forum area and I don't like to post the link here, however, if the area is restricted only Full Members like yourself can access it.

Your friend here is the Search Function, use it when you need something. Don't be shy to ask questions in the appropriate forum areas, you will find some very helpful and knowledgeable folks here.

Best,

Dieter

[kx2467]

Hi - My name is Olaf (like the snowman ;-) ) and I'm from Germany and since a couple month I enjoy this community. I live close to brunswiek in the middle of Germany. Since years I own a US classic car (1970 Mercury Cougar XR7 Convertible) but since last septemper there is also a 1966 230 SL Pagoda - to be restored. At this way I hope, I can learn mor about the Pagoda all over the world. Every year I spend time in the US to visit friends and look for new projects.

[Rolf-Dieter ✝︎]

Hi Olaf,

Welcome to our truly international site. As you may know by now here you find members from all around th e world. Once you decide to join us as a full member the entire site will open up to you and it will provide for you information that will help you with your restauration project. Fine looking cars by te way.

Grüße aus Kannada

Dieter

[Mike Hughes]

Nice Cougar!  I had a friend who had a green one with white interior and top that he bought new and kept for over 30 years until someone made him an offer he couldn't refuse.  Frankly, the color of your car shows the lines off much better! Is the engine a 289 or a 351 (4.7 or 5.7L)?

[kx2467]

@mike Its a 351 Cleveland with 2 barrel carb and fmx automatic. 🤩

[Oski98]

Making my introduction.  Handle is Oski98. Real name is Billy.  I have been fortunate to have already interacted with a few long-standing members of this community.  I inherited my Pagoda passion from my father and am in process of passing it down to my sons.  My objective is to drive and enjoy these cars with my family and friends.  I'm in the Los Angeles area and happy to connect with any other members if they are so inclined.  Cheers.  For those that are interested, I post pictures of my travels on Instagram using the handle @lostrespagodas.  See you on the road or at Cars and Coffee.

[DaveB]

Thanks Dieter, also here is a picture of the vin plate. I'm assunming this would be a very early model

At #71 this car must have been built in the first few days of production!
Hello Michael, Olaf, Billy!

[fguelfi]

Hi everyone! thanks for having me lurk in such good information pool

Just bought my first Pagoda! actually my first MB as well. I live in Mexico City and have about 10 cars in my collection. Long time Peugeot fan and have raced rallies and circuit.

Bought a 1968 280SL in Los Angeles, getting her(?) fixed for a Pacific Coast trip and then importing it to Mexico.

Cheers!

[DrinkMan]

Hi,

My wife and I are long time lovers of W113 and it looks like we are finally able to consider buying one. We collect, enjoy, and mostly drive European cars. I hope that some of you can help guide us in our search. In preparation of getting an SL, a few years ago we bought a 1968 Mercedes-Benz 280S sedan and have been driving it, working on it and getting acquainted with the brand and experience.

Here is our Mercedes that our SL will share a garage with (alongside one of our other German cars - 1973 Opel GT):


Current collection: 1966 Lotus Elan S2 S/E roadster, 1968 Mercedes-Benz 280S (with 4 speed column shifted manual), 1968 Lancia Fulvia Rallye Coupe 1.3, 1969 Alfa Romeo 1750 Spider Veloce,, 1973 Opel GT, 1973 Triumph TR6, 1973 Porsche 914, 1979 Triumph Spitfire (with GT6 engine conversion - a Spit6), 2003 Jaguar XKR, 2005 Lotus Elise

Thanks in advance for guiding us on our Pagoda path.

Dan

[Jonny B]

Dan,

Welcome to the group. You are no stranger to the wonders of old cars, and I hope you find a great experience with the Pagoda. The folks on this site are always ready to assist.

I would strongly recommend you become familiar with the search function. This is the search that is accessed in the row of items beginning with "Home". Using this search will look at all the forum posts. The search shown at the top right will only search the forum you are currently reading.

Kind regards, and good luck!

[Mechagon]

Hullo,

My name is Calvin and I live in Alberta Canada. I've owned lots of 1970s and newer MB's and I'm looking to acquire a W113 within the next two years or so. I currently have a 1966 250SE W108 and my ideal Pagoda would be a European headlamp 250SL with manual shift, no AC, and no PS.

 I've also had an R107, C140, W124, W123, and W220 in the past. I'm currently on my fifth W210 and have a w221 I use in the summer.

[kampala]

Calvin

Welcome.   If you find a North American 250, changing the headlights to Euro is easy.  If it has AC, it’s easy to remove and sell it to someone in Florida  .  Finding one without power steering may not be easy. 

Good luck and keep this group informed.

[Mike Hughes]

With regard to finding one without power steering, it is worth noting that the power steering on a Pagoda is nicely weighted, with good road feel, in contrast to the numb "twirl the wheel with one finger" power steering more common to most North American cars of the era.  I own plenty of sports cars with "armstrong" steering and find that I often gravitate to taking out the Pagoda simply because one of the many joys of driving it is its ease of handling in parking situations.

[MikeSimon]

Agree with everything that has been said about P/S. Having worked for most of my corporate career for manufacturers of P/S pumps I am a huge fan of P/S in a car. Especially, if it is finely tuned as in the W113. The only car I own that does not have P/S is my 914-6 and because of the light front end does not really need it. P/S is not only for parking. It provides easier control at high corner speeds. It should have a good "positive center" feel. The P/S in the SL checks all the boxes.

[Rolf-Dieter ✝︎]

Welcome Calvin,

Nice that you joined our fine group. Good luck with the hunt for your dream Pagoda.

Calvin, as you are looking for that Pagoda have the PPI list near by here is the kink -----> https://www.sl113.org/wiki/Buying/Start

Rolf Dieter

[rbarr]

My name is Robert, I’m 71 and I reside in Ben Lomond CA & Mililani HI. I have had this 1967 pagoda since 1984. Have enjoyed it daily from taking it skiing in Tahoe to driving down the mountain roads from San Francisco to Santa Cruz. In 1991 I had my father’s mechanic install a used engine and put the original engine on an engine stand and there it stayed. Now the used engine is old and I’m attempting to rebuild original one. I keep the pagoda here in CA and have a 1946 Chevy coupe in MililaniHI. I’m excited to be a new member and converse with others who love their Pagodas like I do!

[Rolf-Dieter ✝︎]

Welcome Robert,

Nice to see you followed the link and introduced yourself here! I will be posting tomorrow your welcoming package as I stated to you in my welcoming e-mail it will contain a back copy of our Pagoda World Magazine, a Letter from our President and 2 window stickers for your car.

Stay safe and happy sunny Pagoda top down drives!

Dieter

Membership Director
Pagoda SL Group

[Revelstoke]

Great site…I’ve wasted no time becoming a full member as the information provided is amazing! Just picked up a 4 speed 1965 230SL from Silver Arrow Motors in Victoria, BC. I’ve always loved the W113 design and I too was born in 1965 and have wanted to have a vehicle from the same year and this just presented itself! Not a pristine concours car but it drives well and I’m not necessarily going to worry endlessly about it. Picked it up this last Saturday and promptly did a 650km trip back home at 32C temperatures with 200km’s at 38C over the Coquihalla Highway where there was no lack of cars parked prior to the summit with hoods up! No a/c and the hard-top was on so I seemed to feel the heat more than the car. The 230 was given a good go over by Coachwerks in Victoria so I have confidence but I do want to keep up on things in order to have a car that is as reliable as it can be. Any suggestions on parts that I can keep in stock that would make any ‘down-time’ shortened would be gladly accepted. I look forward to gleaning as much info as possible from The Pagoda SL group!

[mdsalemi]

Welcome!  You are in good company! Congratulations on your purchase!