Thanks to general forgetfulness, PH Editor Ollie didn't find a Shed of the Week last Friday, and he's taken a week off in a huff after I mentioned it to him.
This means Shed has fallen into my hands again, and as we all know PH has a theoretical £1000 to spend each week, but as Ollie has missed a week, I have treated myself to a little big extra this time around- an extra £490 to be precise.
Anyone who has read my SOTWs before will realise that I have a thing for barges, I make no apologies about that- in fact I am proud to be a barge lover. Unlike Rosie and Jim however, I prefer my barges on the road instead of in the Grand Union.
Many moons ago, I tooled around for a couple of days in a blue/black 1988 Benz 300SE that had come in as part exchange at the dealer where I worked. It smelt of dog- enough to make you green in fact but Ian the valeter worked his magic and it was restored to its former glory- and less like the local kennels. As soon as this transformation was complete, I took it upon myself to use it as my 'smoker' until the Dealer Priciple told me to get it on the forecourt
Now, any of you who have driven a W126 will know that the door is made of the heaviest materials known to man. Simply opening and closing one a few times means that trip to the gym is no longer needed, and the way it clunks shut- I can still hear it now. It is like no other car, and nothing has come close since then.
It wafted around with grace and elegance, lifting it's nose as you accelerated and generally took up more road space than was generally accepted. The comfort was exceptional, no unnecessary buttons of gimmicks, just well built luxury and a feeling that yes, you actually do own the road thank you very much.
Recently at the PH Show, PHer and all round good bloke Phil James (BossCerbera) had parked his W126 560SEL in the gangway and it needed moving. I went to ask him to move it and as I wanted to sit in one again I asked if I could move it for him. He chucked me the keys and I moved it all of 300 yards but it was all I needed. It still felt great and I still wanted one. Phils is a very well looked after example, and with FSH and everything still working it would fetch a very good price indeed were it for sale.
My lowly and sadly imaginary budget will just stretch to this rather lovely 300SE, with a barely run in 162,000 miles on the clock. It looks very presentable indeed and what about that interior? I can smell the leather just looking at the pictures.
It's not the most powerful SE made, with just the 3.0 'six' under the bonnet, but I reckon you could get this for just over £1000- it even comes with 12 months MOT thrown in. As Bernard Matthews might say, Bootiful.
Advert says: 1989 Mercedes Benz 300SE. Automatic, 162,000 miles, Steel Grey, Steel Grey Metallic with grey leather interior, Air conditioning, Electric windows & mirrors, Electric sunroof, Electric adjustable seats, Cruise control, Front and rear armrest, Foglights, Remote central locking, Alarm, Blaupunkt radio/cassette player, Everything working, Full service history, manuals, spare key, 12 months MOT, no TAX. £1,490.
Next week, find out what we have bought after selling out 205 GTI- we've been searching for a while and found nothing that takes our fancy. It's about time we pulled our finger out and bought something and by this time next week we will have.
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