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We start this group with a really nicely restored 1950 Jaguar XK 120 Roadster,
the oldest car in the group. I don't know much else about it except that I like it. It looks to be
surrounded by a Ferrari 308 and the 225S above.
Next by age is a recently restored 1959 Mercedes Benz 190SL. I had a '56 until the kids got too big
to fit in the "back seat." Then it was time for a proper family car, a 220SE. That was a
great car until a young lady ran into the rear quarter at about 40 mph. But, that is another story.
Mine was never this nice but I do wish I still had it. I got $1,800 for it on trade for the 220SE. Today, decent drivers seem to go for 20 times that amount.
Speaking of a 220SE, the 1960 coupe is owned by one of the best known Mercedes restorers in the country
and it shows. Although not a sports car, it really doesn't fit in another category. It is a rare car,
having both fuel injection and a sunroof in 1960.
Next by age is this 1960 Mercedes Benz 300SL Roadster. Beside it is the 190SL. I got to drive the 300
a bit setting up for the show. The owner said I could take it to dinner Saturday night. I wish I had
been bold enough to do so but probably wise that I did not.
This 1960 Jaguar E-Type is owned by one of the sponsors and organizers of the show, the man I worked
for preparing, delivering and placing cars. He says the Jag is not ready to show but it does look
very good. They like to show these with the bonnet up. That is impressive but it does tend to mask
the very sexy look of the cars when everything is properly in place.
The E-Type you can see just on the other side is said to be a nearly perfect as a car can get. It regularly scores 99.9 at Jaguar concours. I understand it actually is driven too.
Please excuse the brim of my hat in the photo. That is not a storm cloud.
Last by age is the 1970 Mercedes Benz 280SL. These cars were the last version of the original 230SL
that more-or-less replaced both the 190SL and 300SL. These were affectionately know as the
"Pagoda" cars due to the shape of the hardtop being higher on the sides than the center. This
did greatly facilitate entry and exit, however. This was eventually replaced by the 350SL which quickly
became a 450SL in this country, to compensate for the horsepower loss due to polution controls.
I know we got out of order here but I had to save my favorite car for last. This 1955 Mercedes Benz
300SL Coupe was originally owned by Clark Gable. It is a perfectly restored car and owned by the
local Mercedes dealer. It regularly commands a prominent place in the new car showroom. It too is
mentioned here on my page describing the 170Va. These cars quickly
became known as the Gullwing for the obvious reason of their look with the doors open. I still think
it is one of the sexiest cars every built. And, that is my much better half as a decoration for the
Gullwing.