New member introductions

[Rolf-Dieter ✝︎]

Hi Chris,

From the photos you posted it looks like this car needs a lot of work. Have a look at his section in our manual, put a dollar figure (even ball park will do) then decide if you want to proceed or not.

Link to pre-inspection have a read ---> https://www.sl113.org/wiki/Buying/PrepurchaseEvaluation

In the end you be better off purchasing something that needs less work, you be the judge.

Good Luck

Dieter

[neelyrc]

Chris, welcome to the forum.  A lot of help is available here. 

There are several members here with Marietta, Georgia addresses.  Perhaps you could contact them via private message (PM) and make contact for assistance locally with your buy decision.  If you click on "Members" at the top of this page you will find a membership list which can be sorted by location. Take a look at those in Marietta, GA and try to make contact by PM.

Some Marietta members may see your post here and contact you or respond to your post here but it is worth a try to send a PM. 

Best of luck with your ourchase decision and again, welcome to the group.

[kampala]

Chris,

Welcome.   The headrest, bumper over-riders, firewall pad etc, are non-issues compared to the RUST.   If you can provide more photos or more description of the rust it would help.  From the one photo I can't identify where that rust is so can't be clear on what has been eaten away -- it appears really bad, but I could be wrong as not able to judge it without more context.    That is your big issue.   Be very careful with rust.   Post more photos if you can.

Best,

[Chris_ATL]

Thank you for all the feedback.

It's a bit of a strange situation, as my friend and neighbor(in her late 80's) has had the car in her family since new (it's 1 owner). She doesn't want to sell it, but it's sitting on her driveway and will rot away if nothing is done to save it. As i mentioned, I'm new to the Pagoda world, but love 60/70 cars and feel it should be saved. I don't like to talk about money, but she declined a what i think was a very high offer, but has offered it to me for a low amount (given what it is). I want to research, understand the total costs and then hopefully offer her a fair price for it, with the promise that she gets to drive it once restored.

I will for sure search and find local members in the Atlanta area; that is a brilliant idea. Thank you.

The rust is mostly the floorpans. The car was in a garage near the beach in Florida; it generally looks ok apart from that. the rust appears to be surface otherwise. I will for sure be taking it to a professional SL specialist to assess...

Thank you again for all the help and I apoligise for the stupid questions.

[Bonnyboy]

Chris, welcome to the group.  After looking at your pictures all I can say is "yep - thats where they rust"   don't worry about accepting her lower offer to purchase the car - you will spend it in the restoration.    These cars are a real hoot.  If you have done a rusty TR6 you will be in familiar territory with the pagoda. 

If you can afford it - go for it.  Its just time and money and these cars really kick butt on the British Cars in terms of comfort.   

[Zum 230SL]

K&K Manufacturing makes replacement panels.  I had all new floors put in a while ago.  It wasn't cheap, but now I don't have to look at the road going by under my feet!

[brasil]

Hello SL Drivers..
Hope this is the right place to post my introducion..
I am a new member here.. so I will introduce myself . My name is Juergen and I am living in Duesseldorf / Germany. I just bought a 1971 280SL that was bought to Germany 9 years ago from my brother. The car was originaly from Montana .. " 3 something ranch" ..
I can say, that I love the sandmet. colour with the dark brown top. I hope that I will have a lot of fun with this beatiful car- which is still unwelded ( also no need to think about ! )

Greetings Juergen

[Jonny B]

Juergen,

Welcome to the group! I think you will find it quite an informative and friendly place.

I am curious about your comment "-which is still unwelded" Is the car in pieces, does it need some rust repair??

[Cees Klumper]

I think he means 'never been welded' as a sign of 'never any rust'. Although technically all cars were welded during production. But in Europe 'never been welded' is a way to promote rust-free cars.

[Jonny B]

Aha! I continue to learn. Thanks for the explanation.

[ah53]

Second time around with a pagoda,  I owned one from 1990 t0 2011 which my wife drove almost daily.  Unfortunately it began to turn to dust and was trade for another vehicle.  I just bought this today, a 2 owner car with 69,000 original miles.  It's a 4 speed with the optional kinder seat, though I don't know what I will do with it.  The car will be joining a small collection of American, British and Italian iron I own.  I look forward to the groups wisdom and hope to contribute what little I know about these cars.

Joe

[Jonny B]

Welcome, welcome, welcome!

The group stands at the ready to assist. I would also suggest you play around with the Search function (the fourth one to the right of "Home") this will search the entire forum.

It looks like a pretty nice car! Can you post a few shots of the engine?

[ah53]

This is the only one I have for now.  It will need some light detailing .  Thanks for the kind words.

[Rolf-Dieter ✝︎]

Hello AH,

Welcome back to the dark side may you have fun and safe driving always. Looks like a fine car that will keep you busy in your spare time to put her back into shape the way you wish it to be.

Best,

Dieter

[Rolf-Dieter ✝︎]

Hello Jürgen,

Welcome to our group, you find many Members here from all around the world.

Nice that you found a rust free Pagoda, we look forward to see some photos when you have a chance.

Rolf-Dieter

PS. last month I spend a few days in your fair city and visited the Classic Remise (formerly known as Meilenwerk), I'm sure you been there. I spotted a few Pagodas there also meet someone that stores his Pagoda there and drives it every day. 

[Charles 230SL]

..The car will be joining a small collection of American, British and Italian iron I own...

hello Joe, welcome to the group. I noticed your user ID AH53; would you happen to have a '53 healey BN1?

[ah53]

Charlie

   I own 3 Healey:

'53 BN1 #923 Coronet Cream
'56 BN2 Factory 100M undergoing restoration
'67 BJ8 Blue Baby since 1981

The '67 was my toy and the original SL was the wife's toy.

To all above

   Thank you for the encouragement and kinds words.  The car will be in my position in a week or so and I promise to follow with better pictures and a story behind the car.

[rosemeyer]

New member (kind of) from Toronto Canada.

I've been lurking on the Pagoda site for many years, signed up back in 2015, introduced myself in this section with the intention of looking for a Pagoda then I disappeared! Life has a funny way of interfering with our plans.

I've now decided to get serious about searching for and finding a Pagoda and decided to re-introduce myself to members of this forum. In the early going I'll likely be asking questions as I learn more about the cars and hope to be able to contribute more as my knowledge base grows.

For those who might be in a position to help, I'm in the market for a very high level driver/near concours car, what might otherwise be described as a high #2, low #1 car. I'm flexible on colour (no black interiors) and not too particular at this point about auto or manual transmission. My preference definitely leans to the older 230/250 series cars in European specification  but ultimately condition and colour will trump other considerations if compromises need to be made.

I welcome any comments or advice on the buying process and am happy to hear from anyone who might have leads. In particular, I welcome contact from any local owners who might be willing to share their expertise and talk Pagodas. Looking forward to the search and to becoming a more active participant in the community.

Best Regards,
Paul

[Rolf-Dieter ✝︎]

Hello Paul,

Welcome back to our Pagoda SL Group. It is always nice to see another Canadian looking for a Pagoda and wanting to prolong the life of this fine automobile.

Since you are inviting comments to your plans for the search it may be more appropriate for you to start a link at the "General Discussion Forum or "Wanted To Buy" forum area (see links below). I mention this for 2 reasons,

1) this is a Introductory thread dedicated for new members like yourself

and

2) you will get input form other members based on a "Subject Topic" like "Looking for a nice Pagoda" in our "General Discussion" forum or more to the point in our "Wanted To Buy" forum area.

---> https://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?board=2.0

---> https://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?board=5.0

I wish you luck with your hunt for the right car.

Dieter

[rosemeyer]

Thank you Dieter, I will follow your suggestions. They say the hunt is half the fun. We'll see!

Yours looks really nice and I see that it's had work done at RM in Chatham. They are a first rate group of folks and do world class work. If you're ever in Toronto (we're near the airport) and would like to drop by our shop/office please send me a PM.

If the weather co-operates I'm also going to be at the Cobble Beach show next weekend for those forum members who might like to meet up. I was at Cobble last year. An unbeatable setting on the shores of Georgian Bay and a very well curated and presented show. Well worth the trip. 

Best Regards,
Paul

[smackYYZ]

Welcome Paul!

I'm also new to the Pagoda world, I got mine through inheritance. Over the next few years will slowly get restoration work done on her.

I'm in Brampton, so very close to you.

Mike

[rosemeyer]

Thank you for posting, Mike. I've sent you a PM

Best Regards,
Paul

[114015]

rosemeyer....

"Rosemeyer ...!"

A relative to this Gentleman here?
 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bernd_Rosemeyer

https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Datei:Bernd-Rosemeyer-Denkmal-2.JPG

[rosemeyer]

No relation, I'm afraid. I read the story of Bernd Rosemeyer years ago when I was a teenager and it really captured my imagination. He seemed special in many ways and his marriage to famous aviator Elly Beinhorn (who passed away in 2007!) only added to the aura that surrounded him.

I've visited the stone memorial to Rosemeyer on the Frankfurt-Darmstadt autobahn a couple of times and because of him I have a habit of always referring to Audis as Auto Unions

Best Regards,
Paul

[Charles 230SL]

Charlie
   I own 3 Healey:
'53 BN1 #923 Coronet Cream
'56 BN2 Factory 100M undergoing restoration
'67 BJ8 Blue Baby since 1981

Joe, that Coronet Cream really looks great on your 53. My dad has been restoring a 54 BN1 for several years now; production date 17 Dec 53, body #1169, it too was Coronet Cream (w/blue trim) when it left Longbridge.  After seeing your car I wish we had left it the original (CC) color - it's now BRG.