1973 Mercedes SLC

[CharlesdeGaulle]

The SLC goes to a chap in Germany in 2 weeks time to get the lights converted and then it'll go for the Controle Technique test.

[JeremyH5]

Glad you’ve found a solution to that “opportunity”. I hope the cost is suitably reasonable.

[idiotgap]

I've been out of touch for bloody ages, for which I apologise!

Anyway very pleased to hear you still have the 107 CdG. I have a soft spot for the 124 too, nearly bought a RHD conversion from DTR in Mortlake years ago but someone else beat me to it.

[CharlesdeGaulle]

Will head off to Germany this afternoon to collect the SLC with it's re-lensed lights. The garagiste is an engaging chap with an alarming Germanic mini-ponytail. It's pretty corny, even by COVID barber standards.

More positively, he knows his stuff and has an interesting little workshop and car collection.

[CharlesdeGaulle]

Car collected, with new lights.



Managed a V-max run on the way back and sat at an indicated 120 mph for around 5 miles. Car is rock steady and very smooth at those speeds.

[CharlesdeGaulle]

The only car to match my pace and pass on the autobahn was a Passat estate. I've driven a lot in Germany and the fastest car - without fail - is always a Passat.

[CharlesdeGaulle]

Total bill came to 350 euros. Compared to the 1600 for the new lights alone, seems like a bargain.

[tobinen]

Excellent news. Also an impressive speed - I imagine it had some left as well.

[RC1807]

I'd like to think that for the princely sum of an additional €50 your car will be adorned with a personal plate?

[paulyv]

Lovely to see the lights shining the direction you need them to. Any further plans for the SLC now you are the owner of two classics? It's like having an extra mouth to feed I imagine.

[CharlesdeGaulle]

paulyv said:

Any further plans for the SLC now you are the owner of two classics? It's like having an extra mouth to feed I imagine.

It's a good question actually. I am beginning to wonder if I might have been better off trying to sell it rather than run three cars out here. The Fiat 124 Spider is a more practical proposition as it's LHD, but the SLC is running so very nicely and is so practical that a Continental road trip* in it would be fun. I know this has been an odd year but I've only done a few hundred miles over the past couple of years.

* I have 'form' for these in the Lexus, and have done 3 big trips this year; something more sedate and stylish in this old thing would be rather charming.

[Shaw Tarse]

JPvanRossem said:

Some 107 ramblings here pour votre divertissement et plaisir (go to the start of the video) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2NGOHDXTV_w&t=...

I thought I recognised the car

[alabbasi]

Nice video, aside from the Continental GT, I own a version of every other car in that video.

[ferrisbueller]

It's been Les Dennis'd. Remarkable.

[paulyv]

ferrisbueller said:

It's been Les Dennis'd. Remarkable.

I wonder if he would like to be in a Holden again.

[ferrisbueller]

[CharlesdeGaulle]

The car once again did a cross border dash this morning as I took it back to the German chap that did the lights. He cracked an indicator lens back then and the replacement is in. He is also going to deal with some rust around the front jacking points.

The other big job is to deal with the rusty boot-lid, either through repair or replacement, I strongly suspect the latter. It doesn't look too bad from outside but it runs along a seam on the inside and he's not hopeful a good repair will be possible.



I've also asked him to investigate a strong smell of petrol.

In other news, the flaky odometer has started working again.

My oldest car next to my newest.

[RC1807]

Ooh, get you and your "corp diplomatique" plates

Good to see you've adopted, almost, the colours of your residency flag.



(BTW, I was out cycling with Mr LoudLashAdjuster last weekend. He lives pretty close to you at the moment. We should arrange beers in a 'not more than 4' group sometime?)

[CharlesdeGaulle]

Lux beers sound good to me.

[paulyv]

I agree a replacement would likely be the way to go. Getting it sprayed would give you the opportunity to be confident it is sound, and to prime it so rust never blights the rear of the car again. There are some deals to be had:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Original-Mercedes-Benz-...