1973 Mercedes SLC
Discussion
Today's treat was to take the car to the Fairford Airshow. The show, the aircraft and the flying were terrific, even though as a soldier I feel compelled to dismiss the work of the various air forces as gimmicky posturing. A very pleasant day.
However, in SLC news, I realised that the odometer has stopped working. I know it's only recently happened, but it's definitely stopped. Any ideas? The speedo works fine.
I also discovered a slightly sticky sunroof switch, which had me concerned that it wouldn't close although it eventually worked normally after several tries.
Those small things aside, and notwithstanding the ongoing lumpy idle when cold, the car is running very well indeed. Managed to take it to an indicated 120 at one point, and the car is stable and true. With the sunroof open and windows half down, it's frankly a rather more pleasant but just as airy drive as my convertible.
However, in SLC news, I realised that the odometer has stopped working. I know it's only recently happened, but it's definitely stopped. Any ideas? The speedo works fine.
I also discovered a slightly sticky sunroof switch, which had me concerned that it wouldn't close although it eventually worked normally after several tries.
Those small things aside, and notwithstanding the ongoing lumpy idle when cold, the car is running very well indeed. Managed to take it to an indicated 120 at one point, and the car is stable and true. With the sunroof open and windows half down, it's frankly a rather more pleasant but just as airy drive as my convertible.
idiotgap said:
I've been enjoying the story and pics... Just to say, mine has a more conventional stalk affair for the washers, maybe it's the older or the coupe cars that differ.
Someone said that the foot operated stalk (which he accurately described as 'treacherous'!) was only on cars from the first couple of years. I accidentally squirted it again yesterday as I was adjusting myself prior to setting off - it's very easily done.
The car is running nicely. Took it to the Silverstone Classic at the weekend and it was the only C107 on the MB stand. Lots of SLs, but only my SLC – that must mean they’re really rare and about to appreciate massively, yeah? Yeah?
Here, amongst the other MBs.
In other random old car news, the odometer has once again stopped working. Whilst mileage on these old things is slightly irrelevant, I like all the things to work properly on my cars, and I have a sneaking suspicion that a non-working one might be illegal. That’s added to the list of ‘next jobs’.
After my inadvertent windscreen squirt discovery of the foot switch for the screen washers, and after setting them off accidentally a number of times, the one time I wanted them to work they didn’t. Having just checked, the bottle had come off its mounting and the hoses had come unplugged, so a quick repair and reconnect and all seems well. In fact, repairing it has made me feel like a proper home mechanic, which rather flatters my somewhat poor diagnostic and repair skills.
Here, amongst the other MBs.
In other random old car news, the odometer has once again stopped working. Whilst mileage on these old things is slightly irrelevant, I like all the things to work properly on my cars, and I have a sneaking suspicion that a non-working one might be illegal. That’s added to the list of ‘next jobs’.
After my inadvertent windscreen squirt discovery of the foot switch for the screen washers, and after setting them off accidentally a number of times, the one time I wanted them to work they didn’t. Having just checked, the bottle had come off its mounting and the hoses had come unplugged, so a quick repair and reconnect and all seems well. In fact, repairing it has made me feel like a proper home mechanic, which rather flatters my somewhat poor diagnostic and repair skills.
I also become one of those men at the Silverstone Classic, and spent ages browsing the stand with old car brochures. For the princely sum of £25, I bought a 1973 brochure which is really lovely. Open-out pages with colour pictures, technical detail, period advertising blurb, and a picture of an attractive smiling 70s chick driving a car just like mine. Fantastic.
Just returned from a touring holiday of Wales in the car. It really is made for trips like this. Fabulous roads, sensible (but swift) pace, and a stable, comfortable ride. Without a functioning radio, Madame deG had to tolerate my singing, and the poor weather meant that the wipers were on for some of the trip, but the sunroof was open often enough to make it fresh and fun. And to force me to stop singing.
The car looked splendid parked outside the nice country hotels we stopped at for coffee, lunch or overnight, especially compared to the monochrome 'executive' stuff that filled the car parks.
The only down-side is what appears to be a leaky boot, and the carpet in there was damp and there’s a stale smell. I’m in the process of drying it out, but I’m not entirely sure how or where the water’s getting in.
The car looked splendid parked outside the nice country hotels we stopped at for coffee, lunch or overnight, especially compared to the monochrome 'executive' stuff that filled the car parks.
The only down-side is what appears to be a leaky boot, and the carpet in there was damp and there’s a stale smell. I’m in the process of drying it out, but I’m not entirely sure how or where the water’s getting in.
The highlight of our trip to Wales was staying and eating here:
http://www.tyddynllan.co.uk/
A delightful restaurant with rooms. Obligatory shot of the car outside:
http://www.tyddynllan.co.uk/
A delightful restaurant with rooms. Obligatory shot of the car outside:
Strela said:
... a rusty little channel back to the rear light cluster. It's obviously been coming in there due to a badly fitting seal since well before my ownership.
Thanks Strela, I'll have a good poke around. There were some drips on luggage that had very obviously come from the top seal - although it looks fine and there's no apparent tear or kink - but I think most of the problem is coming from somewhere else, so I'll check the lights.
Edited by CharlesdeGaulle on Friday 4th August 18:07
Just had a good look around and lifted some more carpet. The carpet was damp, but the metal floor is clean and dry and the drain holes are clear. The spare wheel well is dry and solid. I'm wondering if a capilliary-action might be the problem, transferring moisture away from the point of ingress. I really can't work it out.
I've put the car in the garage and have lifted and am drying the carpets. I've placed a dessicating pad in the boot to draw out the moisture and dry it all out. It was an 8 quid jobby from Halfords; cat litter does the same apparently but I don't have a cat.
I've put the car in the garage and have lifted and am drying the carpets. I've placed a dessicating pad in the boot to draw out the moisture and dry it all out. It was an 8 quid jobby from Halfords; cat litter does the same apparently but I don't have a cat.
Jimmy Recard said:
As far as I know a broken odometer isn't a legal issue, just an irritance. Unless you're trying to sell the car, I suppose
Anyway, it looks great. I really like the SLC
Thanks Jimmy - supportive comments really help actually! Anyway, it looks great. I really like the SLC
The odometer bothers me simply because I like things to work properly on my cars, and because come eventual sale I'd like to be honest with any potential buyer.* A non-working odometer would make me suspicious if I was looking to buy, and I rather pride myself on playing with a straight bat as a seller so I'll get it sorted with the next tranche of work.
- The trick of course is never to sell it. That may well be an option; I really like it and heartily recommend them to anyone with deep(ish) pockets and an overwhelming desire to have the unfancied sibling of the prettier and more desirable (but common, natch) floozy that is the SL.
The decent look I've given the boot as I continue to investigate the boot leak revealed some rot along a boot-lid seam. I don't think it's got anything to do with the leak, but I will have to get the rust removed and then the boot repainted. Another job to add to the list. The picture is of the inside of the boot-lid lip, and the raised paint indicator of a growing rust bubble is just becoming visible through the paint on the outside.
The boot rust and the non-working odometer are really the only things bothering me at the moment. The car is running well, the lumpy idle appears to have settled, and I'm enjoying it.
The boot rust and the non-working odometer are really the only things bothering me at the moment. The car is running well, the lumpy idle appears to have settled, and I'm enjoying it.
Crap arty photos and what a pity it hasn't got glorious golden velour! And, why oh why hasn't the seller replaced the wheel bolts?
Notwithstanding, if it checks out in the metal, that could be a really good buy. Not over-priced at around 15k if it's as good as it looks. The danger of course is if it's been tarted-up and corrosion covered. Looks great to my eyes though.
That's a good spot - these really are getting rare.
Notwithstanding, if it checks out in the metal, that could be a really good buy. Not over-priced at around 15k if it's as good as it looks. The danger of course is if it's been tarted-up and corrosion covered. Looks great to my eyes though.
That's a good spot - these really are getting rare.
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