I bought the car in Switzerland in 1981 from an antique toy and car dealer for the paltry sum of $3,500. It belonged to a fellow in Geneva who lost his garage space. It had 60,000 km on the clock and had recent steering, brake and clutch work done. Drove it back through the Swiss border with fake plates to Paris. Ran out of gas in the rain on the freeway not knowing that there was a reserve. I walked 8 miles each way to get gas. From Paris, it was loaded on a ship at Le Havre. Then it arrived in Long Beach, California. The car was not damaged but of course the hood star was stolen. It was in really good condition and after a good cleaning, it looked excellent.

Drove it from 1982 to 1992 and gave it to an ex-Mercedes-Benz club president to do a minor restoration, including new paint, some re-chrome and wood work and a new roof liner. The car is otherwise utterly original and now has 75,000 km and it drives very well. Everything functions and it has no dents anywhere. The radio is fully functional, all the interior including leather upholstery is original except for the floor mats. Even the heater boxes are fine.

I showed it at the now defunct Fashion Island Mercedes-Benz show about four years, did a couple of Concours where it won People's Choice. It sleeps in my garage next to my C43 ex-PPG Pace Car and my "beater" C36.

- Phillipe
February 26, 2006