quote:
Originally posted by glennard
Can somebody translate the part about 'reimports from the USA' section? www.pagode.info
The Pagoda as a re-import from the USA:
Like all other Mercedes-Benz SL types, the Pagoda was also built in large part for export to the entire world. Most of those vehicles were sold in the USA. You can find the exact export figures at
http://www.pagode.info/2.htmIn the 1980’s, as the Pagoda was increasingly no longer perceived as a used car, but rather as a classic, people began bringing back vehicles that had originally been exported to the USA. Even though there was a surplus of Pagodas at that time, the count of reimported cars climbed rapidly. US Pagodas were popular because they had less rust. Complicated welding work and costs for body parts were unnecessary, so restoration within a manageable budget and without special knowledge of body work was possible.
In general, one cannot say whether Pagodas imported from the USA are better or worse. It always depends on the particular automobile. Vehicles of very high quality are also expensive in the USA, whereas Pagodas offered for bargain prices require corresponding investment [for restoration]. Price advantages can also stem from current exchange rates. The actual final price consists of purchase cost, fees, freight, duty, import tax, and conversion costs for Tüv compliance. As a rule, headlights, tires, and speedometer must be changed. Often other measures and investments are necessary in order to be able to enjoy a trouble-free first drive.
One should note that the cooling systems of re-imports from the USA were often filled simply with water (that is, no antifreeze or corrosion protection) [Ed note: nonsense!!], which can lead to corrosion damage to the motor over the long term. Many returning cars suffer a sudden fatal heart attack with their first high speed drive on the Autobahn; others need a motor overhaul after the first season.
Furthermore, damage due to low humidity together with strong ultraviolet radiation can be a problem. In combination, the two factors lead to faster aging of the interior (leather, MB-Tex, wood, sun visors, top, carpet) as well as all plastic parts (seals, cables, levers, handles), so here also higher investment should be planned for.
Besides that, there is also the often-overlooked problem that because of the low humidity in some US states, even unpainted metal scarcely rusts. With the higher humidity in Germany, such a rust-free vehicle will develop small rust spots in all the hidden pockets within a few weeks, and will rust through in the long run. A rust-free California Pagoda makes sense only when the rust-free body and frome areas are professionally sealed immediately after its arrival in Europe.
Whoever opts for a late 280SL Pagoda from the USA should from the beginning make friends with its special characteristics (US headlights, soft door pockets with rubber covering, thick bumper guards, performance-robbing emission controls, air conditioning, speedometer in mph, other instruments with US units, side lights in the fenders). Conversion back to a 100% German version would be a very expensive undertaking.
Someone who is disturbed by these details should either simply choose a European model, or decide on an early Pagoda. A 230SL from the US differs only slightly from the German model, except for the headlights and instruments. You can find an illustration of the external pecularities of a US-version 280SL at
http://www.pagode.info/18.htmOne should also note that US vehicles were often delivered with shorter rear axle ratios. One who will drive his Pagoda fast or make short trips on the Autobahn should be aware than many US models are geared too low for anything faster than average Autobahn speeds. A 280SL with a 4.08 rear axle is capable of enornous acceleration between 90 and 110 km/h, but above 120 km/h one urgently wishes for a (missing) higher gear.
You can see which car is equipped with which rear axle ratio at
http://www.pagode.info/22.htm You can see where on the vehicle the axle ratio appears at
http://www.pagode.info/57.htmChris Earnest
