Old Mercedes

So, we made the trip. It was rather epic.  Since we had to be back for other reasons the trip was rather rushed.  We left Friday evening at 7:30pm and we walked back into our front door on the following Tuesday at 7:30pm.  The second day was the most difficult, we traveled 766 miles in one day.  The picture was taken of the car on the trailer that we used to transport it back to California.  I took the picture at our friend's house in Portland, Oregon on Sunday afternoon.  We left later to spend the night in southern Oregon.  The total miles were 2258.  All this was done in four days, which I would not recommend.  It was a shame to pass so many beautiful places in Oregon and not have much time to spend there.

The car does not run right now.  At the least we will need to drain the eleven and a half year old fuel and add in fresh fuel. We will need to change the radiator fluid, the oil and the air filter, and put in a new battery just to see if the engine will start.  The rear differential appears to be leaking fluid.  I will need to check the level of the fluid before we attempt to drive the old car.  I do not want to burn up the rear axle if there is no fluid in the differential.

I have all of the service record which begin in 1967!  Some from Spain, some from France, and one from New Jersey.  I don't quite know how the one from New Jersey fits in.  Later records have notes from different mechanics that the overhead cam and the timing chain and all its accessories need to be replaced.  There is even a note from one mechanic that the timing chain appears to have skipped.  I am not sure how difficult it will be to find these pieces.

No matter which way this turns out, I am thrilled.  I love old cars.  I love the smell of oil and the challenge of keeping them going.  This is not my first time with an old car, I've done this before, so I know what I am in for.  

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