New member introductions

[Ph2ocraft]

Thanks for the warm Welcome!!
I've removed the original wood and I'm having it refinished.
The quote about the wood is what brought me to this fine forum.
I get the satin finish over the gloss but I'm still curious as to the actual wood used.
I know the underside is basically plywood but that very thin finished strip glued to the base has me curious.
The e-bay and aftermarket stuff is mainly a plastic base and I personally think it will warp over a short time.
This still has the original blue plastic nuts so I'm thinking I should keep whatever I touch the way it was meant to be :-)

Thanks for the tip about the light source, I'll check at what point I get power and ground to the connector and make a light specific to the car until I find the real deal.  I'll measure it but I'm assuming it's going to be 12 volts.
I repaired the trunk wire because I couldn't stand not having light back there.
That of course has me looking for the wire covering... No luck yet :-)
Again, thanks for the information!!

[Flyair]

for the wood, I've done mine at the shop called Autodrewno (Car-wood).
Here is their website, for me it is a pure enjoyment looking at those rotten pieces turning back to live. Hope you enjoy it too. There is one example of Pagoda wood, unfortunately, it is a glossy one. But he does original aspect too, obviously.

http://www.autodrewno.com/en/index.php

[Rolf-Dieter ✝︎]

Hi Al,

Welcome to the Pagoda SL Group ... congradulations on your fine car! Happy trails in your fine State of the USA ...

I hope to take mine all the way to US Costal Highway 1 (have done so with several of my former cars), perhaps next year to Pebble Beach time will tell.

[louisz]

Hi,

Im Louis.  I registered before and even posted, but somehow it only showed me as a guest.  Anyway, Im in Houston TX and have a 1971 280Sl, automatic, Blue on Blue

[kampala]

Louis,

Welcome ... you will find other active members in your area that you can hook up with.  Also there are some very helpful people here and a lot of info in the Tech Manual. 

Please post some photos of your "blue on blue" 

[Ph2ocraft]

Hi Louis
Welcome from another newbie!!

[louisz]

I will try to get some pics up.  Like I said, I joined once back in 2011, but somehow all my posts are showing up as guest...nuts, anyway, Norm was very helpful to me as well as others here

[Flyair]

Louis,
sometimes it works better and that mention "Guest" is replaced by "Full Memmer" once the dues are paid

[Rolf-Dieter ✝︎]

Hello Louis, Welcome back, nice to see another blue on blue even if it is on the southside of the border

Enjoy the summer driving, I had mine out 2 times this past week, this weekend I only managed to clean the garage

[280Sl]

Hello,

First of all thank you for creating and keeping this site alive. I have just bought a 1970 280sl and am in the process of restoring it.

What seemed like a few things to fix has turned into much...much...much more. I guess once one part looks its bets the rest just has to be improved. I hope to have the car ready soon, assuming funds last that long.

This site has proven an invaluable resource for research into even the most obscure subjects about these cars and i thank you all again.

Having used this site to answer such existential questions as "Should my engine compartment be black or body colour" or "what colour are the heater switches originally" i thought it was only polite to join and thank you all.

Another thing i have picked up on is this group's insatiable appetite for pictures, so here goes my attempt at before (as bought) and now (hopefully not the final state).

[Jonny B]

Welcome! And you did pick it up correctly about the photos! What is the color, anthracite Metallic? Hard to tell from the computer screen. Interior color change?

[280Sl]

Correct, 172 anthracite metallic i hope it will show off the chrome nicely. Interior will stay black with a black steering wheel.

A few more photos

Will post more once finished!

[Rolf-Dieter ✝︎]

Great stuff 280sl, I've never seen a clean engine like that one ... You should set it up for a nice photo shoot before you install the engine

[RobSirg]

Hi,

My name is Robert and I live in a bayside suburb of Melbourne, Australia and am a self-confessed Pagoda tragic. I can often be seen driving up and down beach road in Melb., in 'my girl' ('69 280SL)

I first came across the marque over a dinner discussion with friends about classic cars (mostly Italian variety) when my wife, who grew up in the UK, stated that her classic car of choice would be a 'Pagoda' (I'd never heard of them). That night following some internet research..... I fell in love.....and had to have one.
We decided we wanted a less common colour and after a 1+ year search, in 2010, I ended up bidding in haste for a my girl ...car unseen! ...apart from some exterior photos. I had no idea the UK cars were renowned for their rust. The elderly gentleman seller had only covered 3000 miles in the 19 years he owned it and seemed genuine...thankfully he was. I didnt sleep for 3 months waiting for the delivery of it. The car was very good but not great and for one reason or another I ended up restoring it again in a totally illogical order. Almost everything I learnt about these wonderful machines was from this forum / website. I cannot beleive the information and support that was/is available. What's funny is that other owners / new friends now turn to me as some sort of expert on them.
This year my car was runners up in the MB (Vic) concours event. Like the rest of us, I never tire of the attention and praise these cars receive in the public.

I have enjoyed this experince so much that I recently purchased a stable mate for my girl. (an older boyfriend if you will....being a stick shift  ) as this is an Australian delivered manual in Dark Red (Burgundy). This will be my project car and I intend restoring him in an orderly fashion without the urge to drive it unfinished (thanks to my girl).

No idea how I will find the time as I have 4 daughters including twin (2 year olds)  - but I know I will somehow.

Sorry to boast about my cars ..........pleasse allow me to share some photos (as I love admiring everyone else's). The first photo is 'that' ebay photo that reeled me in, and the last is the recent purchase.

Thanks again to this forum for being so informative.

[ja17]

Beautiful cars Rob! Thanks for the pics and Welcome!

[Garry]

Hi Rob,

Welcome to the Group.  Bet you are not driving it today in the wet and cold
I didnt enter my car this year in the MBCV Concourse competition due to ill health.  Congratulations on runner up.  Mine did the same last year at Flemington.

You will find this Forum a great resource as you start the restoration on th second car.  Full Membership will give you full access to the Tech Manual where such things as the Linkage Tour is essential if you are going to do some of the work and maintenance your self

Look forward to seeing you around town in your Pagoda.

Garry
Membership Secretary
 for ‘other than Americas'

[Rolf-Dieter ✝︎]

Welcome Robert to the (happy and content bunch forum, guess you know already there are knowledgable Pagoda owners here that are happy to share there experiences with you when issues surface.

Nice set of cars you have!

[kampala]

Robsirg,

Welcome (even though you've been here quietly for some time).  Really nice looking cars. 

[RobSirg]

Thanks All,

I will get around to upgrading the membership in time as I could surely use the extra benefits for the project.

Yes Garry, not driving it this week......I was also at Flemington in 2012 and picked up the encouragement award - I guess it worked as it encouraged me to redo the interior and tidy up the engine bay.

I will surely bump into you at some future event.

Cheers

Rob

[Milly]

It was in storager for the past 10 years and owned by the previous owner since 1989 . It was purchased with 58,0000 miles and it nowe has 66,000 miles
I started replacing hoses and wires and general lubrication while at the same time driving daily. kind of what I would call a break in period.   gone through four tanks of gas and am very pleased with the results so far...any tips or things I should be looking for would be greatly appreciated.  having some trouyble getting the wiperts to work properly...any help would be appreciated. spark plug gap would help to....

[christoph]

Hello, my name is Christopher Wright, I've bought a beautiful (at lest I think so) 1970 280 auto, this a acquaintance with the w113, I had a 230 back in the late 80's. my 280 is a 2 owner car  the last owner for 42years, White /white hard top, black soft top, black mtex. the po, a  lovely guy from Nokomis FL unfortunately he didn't keep any receipt's, except for the oridginal data card,  and metle plate for the first owner, service book, ect ,I,ll post some pics up elsewhere when I get myself sorted out, just wanted to say Hi for now. Chris.

[Rolf-Dieter ✝︎]

Welcome, Milly and Chris to the forum and happy driving with your Pagoda!

Milly, Nice Car!. Make a search about "Wipers" and "Spark Plugs" I am sure this has been discussed in other sections of this forum or post a separate thread stating your problems with the wipers for example. You find members here are a great help when it comes to issues on our cars. Good Luck!

PS. I think the gap is set at .04 inches (approx 1 mm).

Chris, looking forward to see the photos!

[rosemeyer]

Hello All,

I am a long time lurker and finally signed up for the site this evening.

My name is Paul and I am located in Toronto Canada.  Since I was a kid the Pagoda series Mercedes have held a special appeal for me. They possess, in my eye, a combination of sportiness and elegance matched by very few cars made before or since. For as long as I can remember, I've wanted one and have now decided to become a bit more serious about taking the plunge. Before I can buy though, I need to take some baby steps first by learning more about the cars (and by actually taking one for a drive). Since I am new here and new to Pagodas in general, I will appreciate members' patience as I ask questions and learn. In future, as I become more knowledgeable, I hope to be able to contribute more actively to forum discussions.  I welcome any members, especially those in the Toronto area, to contact me at any time.

Best Regards,
Paul

[Jonny B]

Welcome Paul!

There is a LOT of information on the site about what to look for, check for, listen for, etc during the (pur)chase process. I would highly recommend you get familiar with the search function and read through the information about how to go about inspecting a car.

That typed, the folks on the site will simply fall all over themselves to help you with your decision.

[rosemeyer]

Thank you Johnny,

As I've been told in the past "search is your friend" so I'll definitely be starting there first when something comes up. From what I've seen this is indeed a site of very kind and helpful enthusiasts so I've no doubt I'll enjoy the time I spend here.

Best Regards,
Paul