It was a cold wintery night in November 2006 when my brother decided to fork over a large sum of cash for a 1971 Mercedes 280 SL. He was thinking towards the future. A future of summertime cruising in a classic California convertible. Two months he was told until it would be restored to pristine condition. Flash forward eighteen months, it was finally ready. We drove out there yesterday. The car looked beautiful. Only one question was asked by my brother: "Should we ArmorAll the tires before we leave?" The salesman, and I use the term loosely, asked Lewis if he would like to take it for a test drive before he signs off on the fact that he will never call him again to badger him about why the car took an additional sixteen months. Only one word was uttered by my brother, "Naaaa." On that note Lewis didn't want to drive it at all. I drove it and him around for basically the first 50 miles. Every once and awhile he would call a friend so we could go to their house to show it off.
"Lewis, Lewis the car is amazing. Why aren't you behind the wheel?"
Soon was the only response given. After a few hours of driving I put the automobile in a tiny one car garage owned by Lewis's landlord. It very much felt like the final scene in Raiders when the ark of the covenant is loaded into a crate and put away for storage.
Judging by the size of the garage, I am figuring the car will not move until the next time my brother wants me to take him for a ride. Based on the skittish behavior around his new toy I figure it will soon be mine. I have put together a timeline in pictures of the car's future. Enjoy!!
Day 1 - only 50 miles on it
Don't worry, it will clean up fine.
Novelty gone. Left for dead.
1 comment:
I am sure your brother will be able to find someone who is willing to buy his car from him for pennies on the dollar.
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