owner: Paul Clune / Perth, Western Australia
Photo 1. The new arrival
Photo 2. The "Old Girl" was born in June 1958
Chassis: RA121.010-85-00616
Engine: R121.020-85-09203
Photo 3. Front with European style headlamps (not sealed beam)
My elder son Stephen gave this car to me. A Mercedes-Benz dealership said it needed an engine rebuild. Otherwise, it was (and remains) an un-restored gem. The paint (needing a mild cut and polish) and trim are original.
Photo 4. Showing the original paint, and the overall Ponton shape
Photo 5. Bench seating
Photo 6. Right Hand Drive (RHD)
Photo 7. Upholstery is in great shape
Photo 8. The powerplant
After a few weeks and a few dollars, I had it fully licensed with a new exhaust, fan belts, tyres and water pump, plus a radiator top tank re-solder. Thanks to the advice from a U.S.A. Ponton website, I took the dashboard clock out and reset it.
Photo 9. European colored tail lights (red / white / amber). Note position of tail pipe.
The local exhaust experts said to align the tailpipe with the car, and aim it directly out the rear, rather than have it jutting out at a 45 degree angle under the corner of the steel (spring loaded - do you mind - no touchy-feely $3,000 snap-crackle-pop plastic) rear bumper bar.
The chrome tailpipe looked good facing dead straight out - under the bumper bar; much better than the original, rather odd, 45 degree angle poking out from under the corner — until a quiet drive with three mates one Sunday...
Photo 10. The lads in the back can now enjoy an exhaust-free environment
The blokes in the back seat rolled down their windows, and guess what? Yup - you're right. After a short while, we all discerned the smell of exhaust smoke coming inside! I took the dear old lady back to the workshop experts and had the tailpipe cut, shut, and re-aligned to the original 45 degree angle poking out under the corner of the back bumper bar. The result? No more exhaust smell with windows down! How about those Germans - talk about attention to micro detail. Mercedes-Benz; why bother with anything else?
Created: September 23, 2011 / Jeff Miller
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