[NRaad]

A couple of weeks ago on my way to work i pulled up next to a guy driving a brand new matte black SL63..now as i pull up beside the guy who looked like he was in his mid 40's he checks out my car (black 89 560 SEC) a few times the way you check out a hot girl..looks up at me and cracks a huge grin and mouthes the word "DAMN"

about a week before as im leaving the mall this guy sitting in the car parked next to mine says "thats the sickest car ive ever seen!" to make things better he shows his phone because he had taken a picture and made it his background..

 

[satx78247]

To All,

I own TWO old MB: a 1986 300SDL & a 1982 300CD. - BOTH need considerable restoration but still every week somebody tries to BUY one or both.
(I'd bet that few people EVER try to buy a late model used MB at the gas pumps.)

Btw, I'm about to buy a 1963 220SEb 4-door sedan with 55,000 actual miles on it & that was once owned by President LBJ's family.
(It was stored in 1969 in a hay barn, is RUST-FREE & still LOOKS pretty fine, under about a 1/4 inch of red Texas dirt.)

I suspect that that little fin-tail will turn heads, once it's cleaned-up, when I drive it on the weekends.
(I just cannot resist buying it, as I owned one that look the same, when I was a 2LT in BRD, 1970.)

yours, tex

 

[satx78247]

wooky chew bacca,

Fwiw, I talked to a retired USSS agent, who once worked for the Johnsons. - He said, "YEP, I remember that little car. It seems to me that Lynda Bird was the one who mostly drove it, after they brought it home from Germany. 'The Boss' didn't like it & seldom drove it, so it got parked & forgotten."

A little piece of history, I would presume & a piece that's worth saving.

yours, tex :grin

 

[Josh]

Nice to see another SA member on the boards.

 

[xlimodriver]

Old boring thread, but I'll add to it.
2 years ago after working for 6 days in Toronto at the Film Festival I decided to go home early because I'd already put in my "wife mandated" 100 hours.
On the way out of town I wanted to stop at the 4 Seasons to thank my boss who was there organizing cars and stars for a screening.
As I pulled into the hotels driveway in the coupe at least 3 or 4 of the parking valets came running over wanting to park the SEC.
Their enthusiasm diminished when they recognized me as the dude that has been sitting in a black Suburban with one of Jennifer Aniston's bodyguards at the hotel for 16 hours a day for the past 5 days.
Anyways, for guys who have access to many new and old exotic cars they said they loved mine.

 

[Daniel Coe]

So I've always enjoyed brotherhood, comradeship, and sense of belonging to a "group." I have the idea that Mercedes-Benz owners are part of this group. I find myself nodding to other individuals driving a Mercedes, showing them a little more courtesy in traffic (not that I'm not curteous in traffic, what an asshole ) and enjoy checking out their cars.

The flipside of this positive feeling of community, is that I'm driving what many Mercedes drivers look "down on." Are older Benzes not part of the "in-crowd" when it comes to MB drivers? Are they too readily available to the "common" man? This common man being someone who doesn't recognize the prestige, the quality, and history of these cars. Someone who doesn't care for their car as enthusiasts do, but simply treat it like a vehicle?

I suppose it comes down to the individuals behind the wheel. Is the other person one to appreciate such comradeship, or even the person to appreciate the fact they are driving a MERCEDES-BENZ.

I almost scoff at my former self, driving around in my father's 560 SEL, regarding it as just a "hand-me down," not acknowledging compliments in an effort not to seem boastful, but deep down I only knew it was nice to wax it once in a while and change the oil. I knew nothing about the history or the WHO WHAT WHEN WHERE AND WHY! Ever since the accident I've come to appreciate this car, and the entire Mercedes lineup.

What are your insights?

I always admired a Mercedes-Benz, but around L.A. certain obnoxious populations would roar around the neighborhood in beautiful new Benzes. Where they got the money for them is anyone's guess. I felt like complaining to MB, that their brand was being tarnished because of these rascals…

I love my 87 560 SEL, but if I had the means, I'm sure I'd love a brand new S 550. I drove them frequently in L.A. and boy are they nice.

 

[fanboy]

around L.A. certain obnoxious populations would roar around the neighborhood in beautiful new Benzes. Where they got the money for them is anyone's guess. I felt like complaining to MB, that their brand was being tarnished because of these rascals

Are you for real, dude?

 

[Daniel Coe]

Are you for real, dude?

Unfortunately, yes. Let me clarify.

In my old neighborhood of East Hollywood (ca 2009) there was a small group of able-bodied eastern-european immigrant young men that bilked the welfare system and rode around in beautiful new Benzes. I saw them with my own eyes and learned about their schemes from their own peers. The situation was known throughout the neighborhood. I mentioned this referring to the 'prestige' factor mentioned in this thread's original post, and was merely referring to a very real scenario from my own experience that sullied the Benz reputation in my mind. Perhaps a bit petty on my part, but I was busting my hump at the time also and wasn't driving around in a Benz! I meant no offense otherwise.
:grin

 

[560 newbie]

I can tell you that I brought my 1990 560 SEC into the MB dealer in Manhattan to pick up a second key that I ordered. People of all ages that worked there and customers were oohing and ahhing all over it. The manager of the used car dept offered me 10k on the spot for it. He said they are so rare in that condition and they dont make them like that any more.
I didnt do anything but park it in the drop off area so I could go to the parts dept and pick up my key. I never asked anyone if they wanted to buy it.

I had it detailed there once (a friend got me a good deal) and when I went to go pick it up it was parked with the Maybachs. Not too shabby for a 26 year old car!

 

[bflobob8]

If I drive mine down the road for a pack of smokes and don't get a thumbs up or comment it is an off day,. They are just fairly rare to see and people take notice if they are car Guys/Gals.