New member introductions

[BaxterBenz]

Welcome. May be able to give you some good news about your differential. It is supposed to be checked with wheels on the ground in normal position. If checked while on a frame lift, the axles angle down, oil level goes lower and can give a false low reading. I had a shop who didn't know this, they believed differential was almost empty, and were going to refill with oil. Turned out they were wrong. Of course the rubber diff seal is known to fail or tear, so you may have an actual problem. I'm sure there are more knowledgeable people on this site that can confirm or dispute my statements.

[MikeSimon]

Hello all!

New member here, just signed up. I own a 280SL since 1982. I bought it in Germany and brought it with me to the US in 1988. It has chassis number 22774 and was first registered on December 6, 1970. It was a present from a Frankfurt/Germany fur dealer to his wife.
I am working on it right now and hope to get some help here to get the car back on the road. It has been parked for 20 years due to a driveability issue.
Will post details in another section 

[Arthur58]

My name is Arthur Poole and I live in Virginia Beach.  I am retired Navy and a civil engineer by profession.
I just purchased a 1970 280SL one family car which essentially had not been not driven (88K miles in total.) since 2003.  The last state inspection was in Aug 2012 and the car had not moved from the garage (at all) since then.  The body and paint are exceptional as is all chrome...no rust or past body work other than a pushed up left bumper upright which I believe was done while stored.  The interior is all original with really good leather and like new carpet.  Also has the Frigiking AC.  Body color is a soft yellow with red (maroon) interior, a maroon hardtop and maroon wheel stencils.
First chore is to get engine running.  So far that means a new fuel pump and gas tank.  No idea whats coming next but I hope to see it running in the next two weeks.  My goal is simply to have a good looking, reliable "driver" in which to have fun and enjoy the envy of younger guys as I am 82 years old.
This is my third MB after a 68 220D and a 450SEL.   My previous sport cars included an 03 Toyota MR2 Spyder, three Alfas, all of which I restored  and an Austin Healey 100/4 which I bought in 1958.  But I am really excited about this 280SL..

[Mike Hughes]

Welcome Arthur!  Have fun re-commissioning it and then enjoy it.  There is nothing like a Pagoda for putting a smile on your face going down the road, and putting smiles on the faces of the people who see you as you go by.

[EeVeeWee]

Hello SL owners and SL lovers.
My name is Eric Verkaik, I'm 51 years old and I am new in the Pagode SL world.
As many people I nearly bought a Pagode some 15 years ago, but somehow didn't and now I will try again.
Only with completely different prices. 
I'm searching in The Netherlands, Belgium an Germany, but I already know there are is lot of mess on the market.

Last three years I did a complete overhaul of a Volkswagen T1 (Split Window) bus
It started once as a closed bus but now it is a camper with a lifting roof.
I have done the disassembly, welding and building myself, but I hope to find a Pagoda with less work. 
For those who are interested, here is a complete photo overview with more than 1000 photos:

https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipNzAkuBjFcaxokkL_RuSu3dG8vvXX2E_NIe-xgG3AWO6pJp9Ihr8rhHPgRpfS3IMw?key=dnNUbXd5VW1qRm9GZU9mTkd4NDE3d0xOano0cjZ3

I hope to learn a lot here and as soon I have found one, I also want to make a topic with the overview of my project.

[neelyrc]

Welcome to the Forum Eric.  Wishing you success in finding a Pagoda that meets your needs.  When you find something that interests you, be sure to consult the Forum on any questions that come up.

Your Volkswagen looks great.  Congratulations on the quality of restoration. 

Again welcome.

[DaveB]

That Volkswagen restoration is top notch, it must be working nicely as a camper. I'm sure Garry here will like it.

[Garry]

Yep, I saw it and drooled over the pictures.  I wish.  Looks like a great job.  Mine is back in workshop having rear axle changed to a non reduction hubs one and fixing a gear box problem.  Its never ending with an old VW.  New ones on the other hand are the bees nees..

[wayne R]

Hello Rolf  Garry and members,
My introduction, i join as full member today. main reason was   at 72 years old, my wife and i sold our
stock original 84 Porsche Carrera 3.2 only 43000 miles,and wife was never that happy driving it,
so about a month ago we purchased  65 230SL automatic that she can drive alot better.
Ex CA and alot of items to make right, but its a good driver and we love it.
Born in NewZealand lived in Sacramento  for 10 years, then moved to Australia.
Have owned  dozens of all makes and model cars ,over the years.
love to get support here and help others with  all classic car related  topics ,.
Thank you---Jeanette and Wayne Robson.

[Rick Katucki]

Hello everyone.  My dad had a 64 230SL as his daily driver until he remarried.  His new wife had trouble getting in and out of the car so in 2002, the car was parked in the garage and never used again.  Every time I came home to visit, he would ask me to get the car to start. Every time, all I had to do was charge the battery and the car would turn over and start. Don't know why but he never drove it.  In 2015 he shipped the car to me. I was working lots of hours and never did anything with it, until now. I just last week got the car on the road after a couple of frustrating months of making it roadable again.
The brakes were sticking and consequently difficult to disassemble and clean. The worst was the leaking fuel pump ( the original tall pump). I found a rebuild kit for it but had a very hard time disassembling the old pump without damaging it; screws were breaking and the body sections were almost impossible to separate after all the years and corrosion.  Finally the car was ready for the road! After a brief test drive I offered to take my wife to dinner in it.  Part way to the restaurant, the car overheated and we cam home in a tow truck!  I cured that condition by replacing the thermostat.
I have about 500 local miles on the car now and am really enjoying it!  I live in Idaho and cars have always been an interest of mine.  Looking forward to learning more about these cars from the participants of the forum.
Rick Katucki
Eagle, Idaho, USA

[mdsalemi]

Welcome, Rick--

One thing you have possibly discovered is these cars don't like to sit for long periods of time...my guess is there is still a bit of sorting to do.  You'll find lots of information here and friendly people to deliver it.

[Rick Katucki]

After only a couple of days, this site has been invaluable in getting the car sorted. Saved me a lot of 'figuring out'. Thanks to all who contribute to the forum and the tech info.

[PWRH813D]

Hello Pagoda people

I've just acquired a 230SL which I bought at auction. A bit of a risk going down that route, but having done the appropriate due diligence on the car it all looked good, and it's now tucked away in the garage alongside it's stablemate - TVR Chimaera.

Whilst the bodywork was all restored, the engine did not come within the scope of works, and so not being mechanically minded, I will be wanting to get the car thoroughly checked over. Thus far just the one issue has come to light in that it was over-fuelling which my local specialist has adjusted but recommended that someone more skilled that they recalibrate the fuel injector pump. From my reading of the forums over the last few months suggest Colin Ferns in the person to go to.

Anyway enjoying the ride so far

Peter

[Garry]

Welcome to Pagoda ownership.  Nice looking Car.

Yes Colin is a well recommended Mercedes Restoration workshop and also a Full Member of the Group here.

Garry
Membership Administrator

[neelyrc]

Welcome to the group Peter.  Your car looks very nice.  We hope your problems under the bonnet turn out to be minor.  Keep us posted. 

[Hugh]

My 2 daughters are now finished University, so good timing to add another car to my "old car" collection. I started with a 1930 Ford Model A. I think the fact Henry Ford built it 2 hours from where I live in London Ontario Canada inspired that choice. Next I thought I should get something a little newer and faster. During Trips to California in the past, I always admired the Pagoda I would sometimes see on the streets as a good looking car that was very classy. Couldn't find any for sale in Canada, but did find a nice white 1967 250SL near Cleveland Ohio. Bought it & exported it home before Trump puts tariffs on Pagodas. It has been so much fun to drive! I have attached a picture of my 2 cars sharing a "bunk bed" in the garage. Also thought I'd share a link of my car's match starring in a new french perfume advertisement... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xmZ12A86kdE

[neelyrc]

Welcome to the group jehugh and thanks for posting the link!

You will find the forum hospitable and full of information that you can put to use.

We look forward to seeing pictures of your 250SL on the road. 

[Rolf-Dieter ✝︎]

Hi Ralp,

Hugh will be replacing me as Membership Director for  North America . He lives about 2 miles from my residents. I had the pleasure of welcoming in my home. I’m sure we will take many sunny short drives together.

 Best Dieter

[gimp]

Welcome to the group. You will not regret joining

[neelyrc]

........Hugh will be replacing me as Membership Director for  North America........

Thanks Dieter, I had read about Hugh taking your job as membership director but when I read his post just above I did not tie his site name to the other threads where this was spelled out.  Now I know. 

Again, welcome Hugh!

[peterch]

Greetings to all the members of this forum from Montevideo, Uruguay!
 

[49er]

Hugh, Welcome to this great forum and congratulations on your position as membership director and thanks to Dieter for the great job he did. You have a great combination of cars in your garage and I took particular interest in your '30 Model A. Back in 1960 I was only 16 when I drug one home out of a field and spent the next couple of years restoring it. It was a great learning experience for sure. I did most of the mechanical work and body work but the final product was done at a body shop. Looks pretty similar to yours with Tacoma Cream wheels I only kept for a few years as it was not really practical as daily driver.

John 

[Hugh]

Hello John, thanks for welcoming me! Great story/pictures about your Model A discovery in a field at age 16 & doing the restoration. Wow! Great way for a young person to learn about automobiles! They are great to learn on and have the simplicity of things like Henry used gravity as your fuel pump. Yes, our cars look very similar.

But when we get older & want a real challenge we get a Pagoda with advancements like a fuel pump and mechanical fuel injection to get more of a challenge?  Happy holidays! Hugh

[bstreep]

I just registered, and here's a quick intro.  I've owned MB cars since the mid 70s (1966 250S).  I joined here because I'm looking at selling my 190SL and buying a W113.  We are a MB family, here are the cars we own or have owned:  1957 190SL, 1966 250S, 1992 300E, 1994 C280, 2003 CLK320, 2004 E500, 2005 E500, 2006 SLK 350, 2007 S550, 2009 CLK550, 2012 GLK350, 2013 E550, 2014 GLK320.  Carp, that's a lot.

I'm a long time 190SL Group member, and I was the Webmaster and Director when we brought the group out of near-bankruptcy into solvency.  Today that club is very, very healthy.  I've also had several articles published.  I was also the MBCA Forums Admin for several years, until the idiots decided to go spend mid-6 figures in a crappy attempt to fix what wasn't broken..  Anyway. 

I'm looking for a decent driver, with a stick.  HAS to be with a stick.   Prefer A/C, but I could add that.  In the very unlikely event you happen to be looking to unload your driver W113 for a driver 190SL, please see my post under "Wanted".   It's just too hot to drive a 190SL in South Texas, and with San Antonio's growth, the drivers have gotten even more crazy.  I need an easier car to drive on a regular basis.

Thanks,

Bill Streep
San Antonio, TX

[neelyrc]

Welcome to the group Bill, wishing you success in finding a W113 which meets your needs.  Keep us posted.