My Dad's Merc
Moderator: Bootsy
My Dad's Merc
Back in 1972 my dad was in the market for a new car, preferably a Mercedes.
Always up for a bargain his ears pricked up when the local main dealer Rose and Young in Caterham called up to say that they had a cancelled order for 6 cars originally destined for Kenya
They were all 280S cars, pretty basic spec, vinyl interior,manual transmission no electric windows but fitted with air con and stronger suspension.
Dad chose the smartest one a dark blue model and arrived home with it to much excitement.
I was 13 at the time.
Dads first outing was eventful as trying to fill it up at the petrol station he couldn't locate the fuel filler.
Everyone he asked couldn't find it either and it was only a chance passing taxi driver who said that the filler was behind the rear number plate.
The car went on to take us on several European road trip holidays and family trips away at weekends.
I got to drive it when I was older and as a special treat take girlfriends out in it but by 1987 with about 45000 miles on the clock dad decided to sell to make way for a smaller more economical car
Some 25 years later I was able to track the car down by a chance posting on a Mercedes forum to the person who had bought the car from dad all those years ago.
Derek Wells is an independent Mercedes specialist, he had sold and bought back Otto ( as he had christened her/ him) several times but now she was sat in a barn looking rather sorry.
Derek wasn't a seller normally but agreed to sell her back to us and also gave us a fixed price deal on the refurbishment and restoration necessary.
That took 18 months or so and we finally got Otto back in January.
It's great to relive the memories, see dads name and signatures in the log book and take him out for the odd spin.
My parents will be using the car over the summer, it was always mums favorite car.
Today just after washing Otto:
The drivers view:
Always up for a bargain his ears pricked up when the local main dealer Rose and Young in Caterham called up to say that they had a cancelled order for 6 cars originally destined for Kenya
They were all 280S cars, pretty basic spec, vinyl interior,manual transmission no electric windows but fitted with air con and stronger suspension.
Dad chose the smartest one a dark blue model and arrived home with it to much excitement.
I was 13 at the time.
Dads first outing was eventful as trying to fill it up at the petrol station he couldn't locate the fuel filler.
Everyone he asked couldn't find it either and it was only a chance passing taxi driver who said that the filler was behind the rear number plate.
The car went on to take us on several European road trip holidays and family trips away at weekends.
I got to drive it when I was older and as a special treat take girlfriends out in it but by 1987 with about 45000 miles on the clock dad decided to sell to make way for a smaller more economical car
Some 25 years later I was able to track the car down by a chance posting on a Mercedes forum to the person who had bought the car from dad all those years ago.
Derek Wells is an independent Mercedes specialist, he had sold and bought back Otto ( as he had christened her/ him) several times but now she was sat in a barn looking rather sorry.
Derek wasn't a seller normally but agreed to sell her back to us and also gave us a fixed price deal on the refurbishment and restoration necessary.
That took 18 months or so and we finally got Otto back in January.
It's great to relive the memories, see dads name and signatures in the log book and take him out for the odd spin.
My parents will be using the car over the summer, it was always mums favorite car.
Today just after washing Otto:
The drivers view:
Marcus
1967 RHD 911S
1958 Fiat Abarth Zagato 750 Competition Corsa
1956 356a "die Ratte"
1972 Mercedes 280S
2014 BMW X3 2.0SE
1974 914 2.0
992 C2S
1955 Continental Cabriolet
1968 Citroen DS21
1967 RHD 911S
1958 Fiat Abarth Zagato 750 Competition Corsa
1956 356a "die Ratte"
1972 Mercedes 280S
2014 BMW X3 2.0SE
1974 914 2.0
992 C2S
1955 Continental Cabriolet
1968 Citroen DS21
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Re: My Dad's Merc
Lovely story Marcus.
The car is looking great, you should be proud of yourself.
The car is looking great, you should be proud of yourself.
Paul
'74 Porsche 911 Carrera 2.7 (MFI) - Lime Green
'94 Porsche 911 Carrera 2 (993) - Mexico Blue
'74 Porsche 911 Carrera 2.7 (MFI) - Lime Green
'94 Porsche 911 Carrera 2 (993) - Mexico Blue
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Re: My Dad's Merc
That's great .
DDK Member1243 07741 273865. Now booking Spring '24. Home of the RY Austin 7 Trophy's
- Bootsy
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Re: My Dad's Merc
Superb! I learnt to drive in my Dad's old Merc not dissimilar to yours
1972 911T | 1994 993 Carrera | 1999 986 Boxster | 1990 T25 Camper
Vintage Heuer, Omega, Zenith and other vintage watches - http://www.heuerheritage.co.uk
Vintage Heuer, Omega, Zenith and other vintage watches - http://www.heuerheritage.co.uk
Re: My Dad's Merc
Thanks Paul
Funny thing is back in the day My dad used to drop me off at school ( a dodgy comp) on his way to work
I used to ask that he dropped me round the corner so as not to be seen in it, you could get into all sorts of Aggro for just looking at someone a bit funny let alone rocking up in a new Merc in those days!
Funny thing is back in the day My dad used to drop me off at school ( a dodgy comp) on his way to work
I used to ask that he dropped me round the corner so as not to be seen in it, you could get into all sorts of Aggro for just looking at someone a bit funny let alone rocking up in a new Merc in those days!
Marcus
1967 RHD 911S
1958 Fiat Abarth Zagato 750 Competition Corsa
1956 356a "die Ratte"
1972 Mercedes 280S
2014 BMW X3 2.0SE
1974 914 2.0
992 C2S
1955 Continental Cabriolet
1968 Citroen DS21
1967 RHD 911S
1958 Fiat Abarth Zagato 750 Competition Corsa
1956 356a "die Ratte"
1972 Mercedes 280S
2014 BMW X3 2.0SE
1974 914 2.0
992 C2S
1955 Continental Cabriolet
1968 Citroen DS21
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My Dad's Merc
Lovely car, great story
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
The simple things you see are all complicated
I look pretty young but I'm just backdated yeah
I look pretty young but I'm just backdated yeah
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Re: My Dad's Merc
Thanks Marcus, that made my evening. I like the fuel filler incident, nice to remember that cars were once quirky.
Great that you found it and better still, put it back on the road to enjoy it with your folks.
Great that you found it and better still, put it back on the road to enjoy it with your folks.
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Re: My Dad's Merc
Wonderful story Marcus…thanks for sharing
Darren
72T 2.5... http://ddk-online.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=56183
73 2.4E ... http://ddk-online.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=44242
77 Carrera 3.0...to 74 3.0RS ... http://ddk-online.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?f=28&t=63389
72T 2.5... http://ddk-online.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=56183
73 2.4E ... http://ddk-online.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=44242
77 Carrera 3.0...to 74 3.0RS ... http://ddk-online.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?f=28&t=63389
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Re: My Dad's Merc
Cool story!!!
----------------------------------------------------
Jason
https://www.SweepingHand.co.uk
Rolex & Omega Watch Purchases & Sales
Jason
https://www.SweepingHand.co.uk
Rolex & Omega Watch Purchases & Sales
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Re: My Dad's Merc
What a great story Marcus, cool car to !
Keith...
73 911e sporto
73 914 2.0l
86 928s S2
85 Mazda Rx7 (TWR)
85 Mazda Rx7
The Bonser fork truck
Volvo V40 T4 (200bhp workhorse)
73 911e sporto
73 914 2.0l
86 928s S2
85 Mazda Rx7 (TWR)
85 Mazda Rx7
The Bonser fork truck
Volvo V40 T4 (200bhp workhorse)
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Re: My Dad's Merc
Well done Marcus, great story about a great car!
cheers, Mike.
previously..
1994 968 Club Sport Riviera Blue
1994 993 C2 Carrera Riviera Blue
1972 911S to Martini RSR Prototype Spec
1973 911E to RS Lightweight Specification
1981 924 Carrera GT ex Mexborough car
3.2 Carrera Sport x2
previously..
1994 968 Club Sport Riviera Blue
1994 993 C2 Carrera Riviera Blue
1972 911S to Martini RSR Prototype Spec
1973 911E to RS Lightweight Specification
1981 924 Carrera GT ex Mexborough car
3.2 Carrera Sport x2
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Re: My Dad's Merc
We all love a happy ending on here. Fabulous!
DIRK BROWNFINGER.
1970 911 S TARGA LHD.
1970 911 S TARGA LHD.
Re: My Dad's Merc
Marcus
I raise your 280S and play this a 280SE Mine I have had this for a few years now. Currently a brilliant Family Classic car with all the kids kit in the boot as you know is rather large boot !! Great for chucking all your kitesurfing kit in and heading for the beach!
Car has been in the UK a while now but I had it out in the USA for a while. I do like the blue. I'm getting abit worn out with the colour white to be honest.
Great story about the find... I bet your Dad was chuffed as punch to see it again..
The fuel yes.. I love that part. park any side at the pumps it's a moment every one is looking at you, what's he doing with the reg plate? LOL..
I raise your 280S and play this a 280SE Mine I have had this for a few years now. Currently a brilliant Family Classic car with all the kids kit in the boot as you know is rather large boot !! Great for chucking all your kitesurfing kit in and heading for the beach!
Car has been in the UK a while now but I had it out in the USA for a while. I do like the blue. I'm getting abit worn out with the colour white to be honest.
Great story about the find... I bet your Dad was chuffed as punch to see it again..
The fuel yes.. I love that part. park any side at the pumps it's a moment every one is looking at you, what's he doing with the reg plate? LOL..
Re: My Dad's Merc
I love that picture - and I loved the story behind it when you posted it on VZi. :D
Re: My Dad's Merc
If your talking about the picture of my ( then 18 month old ) on the bonnet.
We have a huge poster in a frame in our house of my Son on the bonnet under the golden gate bridge. A photo that was not set up it was taken in a moments notice as I was walking back to frame the shot. I couldn't get him to replicate it again that was how lucky I was to get that photo.
Yeah still got the Mercedes.. the head was fully reworked at a cost of £1000 to have all new every thing in there and machined by a guy I knew from my machine days. He is puka old school makes most things and mainly machines old Aston Martin cases for customers. We had a chat and opened up the head to the next stage and bought all Genuine parts and it's come togeather nice. I have an oil leak but found out it's an O ring so I am going to get genuine again Then it's done right.
I got flagged down the other day by a guy in a new S class he was waving at me till I pulled over and he said I got £5k now on me I can get another 2500. I want to buy it now £7500. I said no, but he gave me his number he has called 3 times.. I said I will think about it.. it's abit of a cheap offer but I don't know the car like Marcus is part of the family now because of that photo you mentioned.
We have a huge poster in a frame in our house of my Son on the bonnet under the golden gate bridge. A photo that was not set up it was taken in a moments notice as I was walking back to frame the shot. I couldn't get him to replicate it again that was how lucky I was to get that photo.
Yeah still got the Mercedes.. the head was fully reworked at a cost of £1000 to have all new every thing in there and machined by a guy I knew from my machine days. He is puka old school makes most things and mainly machines old Aston Martin cases for customers. We had a chat and opened up the head to the next stage and bought all Genuine parts and it's come togeather nice. I have an oil leak but found out it's an O ring so I am going to get genuine again Then it's done right.
I got flagged down the other day by a guy in a new S class he was waving at me till I pulled over and he said I got £5k now on me I can get another 2500. I want to buy it now £7500. I said no, but he gave me his number he has called 3 times.. I said I will think about it.. it's abit of a cheap offer but I don't know the car like Marcus is part of the family now because of that photo you mentioned.