No birthday cheque this year. Enter Caroline.

Yah its my b-day. Just another day for me. Meh, whatever. My mother always enjoys it though. As I became sort of an adult the gifts stopped. Instead she would write me a check for my age x 10 usd. Thats what Chinese mothers do lol.

Bad news my mom told me this year. I wasn't getting a check. Remember that car I bought in 1990? I haven't driven her (Sweet Caroline) for 4 years. Come get her. I don't know if she still works but she is all yours.

Caroline is a black/black 1979 M-B 450SL my mom bought 26 years ago at 35k miles (now 102k). Back then the car had Zenith wires and was essentially like new. I told my parents (in 1990) to get a ppi because I knew that someday someone on a car forum would lecture me if I didn't. Phil Smart Mercedes told her the car looked great but the clock didn't work.

This was my mom's "I've made it" car to drive around while she pretended to have a realtor job haha. The job didn't last but the car stuck.

In 1990 I was underwhelmed by this vehicle. Way too country-clubby for my taste. Back in the day my younger more energetic self was tasked with sourcing/installing German made chrome Centra wheels with gold M-B star centers. Plus... you've got to have the stainless trim pieces on the fender lips because thats what Asian ladies like yo!
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

I fully expected to have to flatbed Caroline out of there. For the heck of it I grabbed a new battery (what a freaking monster!) and popped it in there. The fuel gauge barely registered but I turned the key anyway. She roared to life like she had never been asleep. How the fuel in the car even made the engine work I'll never know, but I drove her 4 miles to the gas station before the 24 mile drive to Seattle from the P's house.
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

This past week I spent 3 days solid sorting her out. All new fluids, filters, shocks, shift bushings, throttle linkage bushings, tires, brakes, plugs, tranny service, diff service, coolant service, etc., etc. That servicing combined with some trips to redline and Caroline has never run better. My mother never went over 2500 rpm I'm sure in 26 years.

My parents always kept her up so really there was not much to do other than deferred maint. I can safely say they don't make them like they used to.

Its funny how tastes change. I hated these back in the day. Now its fun as heck to cruise around in. Literally EVERYONE gives a thumbs up or wants a ride. I'm actually considering euro lights/bumpers and keeping her around for the long haul.
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

Oh yah. That song is on there although I prefer "Shilo".

You're right about time with mom... I see her all the time.

As far as the ppi goes... the car has been on a lift at no less than 3 shops in 10 days. I know what I'm up against lol.
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login