It was the summer of 1956. I was eleven. I was visiting my Uncle Ralph and Aunt Margaret in their lovely seaside home in Marblehead, Massachusetts. Across the street from their house was a large stone house surrounded by a stone wall. Through the front iron gate I could see this car like none I’d ever seen before. My aunt cautioned me not to go over there. He probably wouldn’t want children near his car. Something got the best of me, however. I sneaked over. The gate was partially opened. I took a deep breath. mustered my courage and cautiously got closer to this beautiful silver blue car. Then the front door of the large stone house opened. The man who turned out to be an old sea captain called out, “Sonny, can I help you?” I stammered out the words, “Can I just look at your car? It’s pretty nice!” The front door closed but opened again as the old sea captain emerged from his house with the keys to his car. “Hop in. I’ll give you a ride.” The doors didn’t open like those on a car. They opened upward! He took me for a short ride around the streets of Marblehead. I thought I’d died and gone to heaven! After this nice man showed me his car I went back to my aunt and uncle’s house. They told me I was one of the few people who had been over there. I have never forgotten that afternoon and the encounter with the old sea captain and his Mercedes 300SL I’m not sure I’ve ever touched one since let alone ride in one.
Minichamps did a nice 300SL in Silver with a red interior. The old sea captain’s car was a light silver with a dark blue interior. I can still distinctly remember the aroma of the rich leather in that Mercedes Gull Wing. What did I have for breakfast this morning? I can’t remember.
Another 300SL story, and forgive me if I told it before. I used to work for an insurance organization during my summers away from college in the early 1970s. One of the employees there, about 8 years older than me,, acquired a 300SL coupe, NOT the gullwing but a roadster that he never took the hardtop off of. I got him to give me a ride home once, and he gave me a taste of its acceleration on a windy two-lane residential road. Exhilarating!
How he obtained the car (for $3500, no less) is quite a tale. Seems there was a captain stationed in Saigon (army or marines, not sure which) who bought the car for use there. He was either severely injured, died, or cracked up, again not sure which, and his effects, including the car, were shipped stateside. The owner's parents and my friend's parents knew each other and a deal was struck. My friend sold it a few years back, since he was comfortable but not rich, and just a fuel injector rebuild could have bankrupted him. Not too many years ago, we went to the funeral of my old boss, and I brought him this gift, a Schuco diecast.
My recollection of his car is that the gray was slightly lighter and the top more of a cream than white, plus I don't remember his seat color, but this was his car.
Another 300SL story, and forgive me if I told it before. I used to work for an insurance organization during my summers away from college in the early 1970s. One of the employees there, about 8 years older than me,, acquired a 300SL coupe, NOT the gullwing but a roadster that he never took the hardtop off of. I got him to give me a ride home once, and he gave me a taste of its acceleration on a windy two-lane residential road. Exhilarating!
How he obtained the car (for $3500, no less) is quite a tale. Seems there was a captain stationed in Saigon (army or marines, not sure which) who bought the car for use there. He was either severely injured, died, or cracked up, again not sure which, and his effects, including the car, were shipped stateside. The owner's parents and my friend's parents knew each other and a deal was struck. My friend sold it a few years back, since he was comfortable but not rich, and just a fuel injector rebuild could have bankrupted him. Not too many years ago, we went to the funeral of my old boss, and I brought him this gift, a Schuco diecast.
My recollection of his car is that the gray was slightly lighter and the top more of a cream than white, plus I don't remember his seat color, but this was his car.
Marvelous story and a grand gesture on your part - Kudos sir!
