Classic meets classic. A tale of two pretties | FerrariChat

Classic meets classic. A tale of two pretties

Discussion in 'Mondial' started by Valenzo, Mar 15, 2014.

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  1. Valenzo

    Valenzo F1 Veteran

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    Ted
    #1 Valenzo, Mar 15, 2014
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    So as some here know, ive been on the hunt for another classic to keep my Mondial company. My object of desire was/is the 1988 Mercedes 560SL. For a few reasons.

    1. It was an SL (380) that sealed the deal with me and spawned my love of classic cars. You see, my mother purchased a new one in 1983 and at mature age of 16, she relied on me to go pick it up at the dealership. What a beauty! I spied it instantly as the salesman walked me back to the service bay, freshly prepped and dawning two custom details... Flat euro headlights and dayton wire wheels. Man, i still remember the awe.

    2. It was the first car i learned to drive in and the first car i kissed my very first woman in. A raven headed beauty with points all her own sitting firm and high :)

    3. The 380 would be the emotional choice but the rational choice would be the 560 because of its overall improvements and the 88 is the cosmic choice because of the never ending symbol of life that it represent.

    I bought mine today. A 1988 560SL in desert sand and linen. An original owner but now deceased (god rest his soul) and from all indications, a Hank & George type caretaker of this beauty. Exactly what i was looking for.

    As the son of a gentleman, the seller accepted my offer, received my deposit and took down his ad. I will retrieve her on April 8th, using my Sprinter and trailer. Ironically , she is located just a few miles from my home in IL.

    The following are not actual picture of my SL since the seller took down the ad before i could save them, but rather the same color and eventual appearance when i put my touches on.

    Ill update this thread when i retrieve this classic and hopefully some of you will enjoy the journey with me and the eventual acquaintance when one beauty meets the other. Man can not live on Mondial alone.

    Lets see your stable mates.
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  2. Valenzo

    Valenzo F1 Veteran

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    #2 Valenzo, Mar 15, 2014
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  3. Valenzo

    Valenzo F1 Veteran

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    #3 Valenzo, Mar 15, 2014
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  4. porphy

    porphy Formula 3
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    Wow! Cherry.
     
  5. ronfrohock

    ronfrohock F1 Rookie
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    Beautiful car.
    Good for you.
     
  6. jjmalez

    jjmalez F1 Veteran
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    Funny you bring this up. It was a red Mercedes-Benz 560SL that made me decide to go to college. Quick history. As children, my parents (and grandparents) immigrated from the Soviet Union in the 1940's. Neither of my parents graduated from high school and I grew up in a blue collar working class family.

    Upon graduating from high school in the late 80's, my first job was working in stockroom. After cashing my 1st check at my local bank, I was walking back to my [dad's] car when a bright red 560SL pulls up right in front of me. A "yuppie" jumped out with a briefcase and walked past me into the bank.

    That following week I started requesting college catalogs.

    True story.

    Joe
     
  7. Valenzo

    Valenzo F1 Veteran

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    Great story. Funny how my story actually takes place around your house. Another first memory is getting arrested in this car, on springbrook rd in front of the fire station. You know, that notorious rd for speed traps and apparently my license was suspended for non payment of a ticket back in high school.
     
  8. adamae82

    adamae82 Karting

    Nov 22, 2011
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    Al Peralta
    Good job Ted. IIRC you ordered a European head light. Make sue you have the right light connector as the US version light has a different connector. Congratulations!
     
  9. Valenzo

    Valenzo F1 Veteran

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    No. Haven't ordered them yet. Still looking for them. They're pricy so ill make sure I get the right ones. Thanks for tip
     
  10. guygowrie

    guygowrie Formula 3

    Sep 19, 2011
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    Love them... We had a 1978 450se growing up with over half a million miles when I sold it - that generation on Mercs were so good.

    When living in Germany my boss had a manual 320sl then the 560sl. On a wet autobahn, with just the soft top up, he stretched his legs out and the 560's. With one hand on the wheel his other hand gestured ( he was a very Italian german) a wave/flick away from himself and he said (looking at me, not the road!) " now it runs, now it goes" as we passed 260km / hr on the way to 270 something......
     
  11. gt4me

    gt4me F1 Veteran

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    That's a really nice SL.
     
  12. Valenzo

    Valenzo F1 Veteran

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    #12 Valenzo, Mar 16, 2014
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    It just does it for me.

    It will be the alternate with my Mondial and hope to never put the top up. My Mondial is going to spend a spring/summer camp with Dave Helms in CO so ill get plenty of time to get to know this ole girl.
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  13. B11ocx

    B11ocx Karting

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    #13 B11ocx, Mar 16, 2014
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  14. hank sound

    hank sound F1 Veteran

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    Congrats Teddy !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    This being Fchat, you must promise to use our email connection to send pictures of your beautiful new family member. I can't wait to see them !!!!!!!!

    BTW, Rachel is presently in Eugenio's capable hands :)
     
  15. Valenzo

    Valenzo F1 Veteran

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    Oh you know I will. I agree with you however, I'm breaking two cardinal rules here, posting only renditions of my actual car and on a site of another marque. I'm toeing the line.

    But as soon I pick it up, you'll be the first to have a looksie.
     
  16. Valenzo

    Valenzo F1 Veteran

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    That's awesome Jon. I searched for a 500 but only well used versions surfaced. Gorgeous views and a great looking car there!
     
  17. hank sound

    hank sound F1 Veteran

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    BTW, you must also promise to take care of her "for me" :):):)

    Drive her in the very best of health, my friend.

    Hankie
     
  18. RoPo54

    RoPo54 Karting

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    #18 RoPo54, Mar 16, 2014
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  19. Brian420

    Brian420 Formula Junior

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    That's beautiful, Ted. Enjoy it.

    Regards,
    Brian
     
  20. DavidJ

    DavidJ Formula Junior

    Feb 12, 2012
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    Very nice, Ted.
    You truly are a man with style and good taste.
    Enjoy it.

    DavidJ
     
  21. ceb39

    ceb39 Formula Junior

    Sep 17, 2012
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    Ted:

    Nice car, should have many good times driving that with the top down, along the ocean.

    Only suggestion I have. Have a plan B for transportation, just in case Moter Nature still feels the eastern part of the country needs more snow. Put it on a big truck and head her south.

    Chuck
     
  22. Valenzo

    Valenzo F1 Veteran

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    No thunder stealing here, but isn't it the lighting that's more interesting? This is a thread about other equally intriguing passions comparable to the Mondial or like. Your interior is Exquisite. I thought about white, this car does white well but every one I found has the blue leather and I detest blue leather. Sorry on the blue fans out there but it's just not me. Mwhite and palomino is very nice. Much like that powder blue kaman ghia over your shoulder, that's cool too.
     
  23. Valenzo

    Valenzo F1 Veteran

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    Chuck.. If I could fly home and drive it back, I would. But I've got some other chit I need to pull out of the other house so it only makes sense to tow it back. Plus, I can't wait to see it on my trailer, and in my rear view mirror.
     
  24. hank sound

    hank sound F1 Veteran

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    #24 hank sound, Mar 16, 2014
    Last edited: Mar 16, 2014
    And having spent time with this individual, I must add, he is a man made of goodness and grace.

    When I find people that are made of "lead" ........... OK - fine, they're gone - done deal. But when I discover a person, made like a diamond, I'll treasure them forever. That's you, Teddy !

    :)Hankie
     
  25. Valenzo

    Valenzo F1 Veteran

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    Please. I'm going to take this beauty to charm school and bring her back to the pageant. Then she will be driven and be the belle of the ball. I'm bringing sexy back, baby. She currently has 4 pimples .. For now.
     

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