SL190

[mrges]

Unfortunately not my motor - belongs to my brother-in-law. We flew over to England, did the deal, then drove back via Holyhead. I thought I was going to stuff it up the back of another car when we came to the first set of traffic lights.....the brakes are really wooden. I was standing on the STOP pedal, but it just seemed to rely on good old gravity to slow it down. The car has 99,000 (I think) miles on the clock.

He knew my interest in cars, and asked if I would give it a clean after its journey back - so this is it afterwards.



























BTW, the guy who sold it opened the garage to show it to us, and parked beside it was a red Ferrari (348 I think). After the paperwork was sorted out for the SL190 I thought there was nothing to loose, so asked could we go for a spin. He didn't let me drive , but took me for a quick 10 minute spin - and I mean "quick" - the acceleration was phenomenal. He was selling it as well, and putting the money from both cars to buy something else.

How the other half live......


mrges


P.S. Ash - thanks again for the "tutorial" on posting pics....it worked a treat

[leamyj]

Now THAT is sweet

John

[Ivan]

Wow! now that is very very nice. Whats it like to drive?

[mrges]

Driving it is a whole different experience - and really makes you aware of how much cars have developed in the past 40-odd years. It sits comfortably at 60 (mph...not kph!), but getting there takes a while, and as mentioned above, it is as if the brake pedal sends a signal to a satellite somewhere in the heavens, which then thinks about it for a while, before sending the signal back to the callipers to push the shoes onto the drums.

The indicators are not on stalks, but are operated by the large chrome ring inside the steering wheel. Also, the seats are designed for comfort rather than support, and if you take a corner in a somewhat lively fashion you find yourself sliding across them and either into the door on on to the gear knob (there are no seatbelts to help you stay in place).

Once you get used to it, you just learn to drive more leisurely.


It has been wearting its pyjamas for the best part of the last year, and needed a new battery to get it started a few weeks ago.


A truly beautiful piece of metal.


mrges

[Stig]

Stunning car!

[MX5Steve]

WOW! absolutely gorgeous machine, piece of motoring history there!

[mx5ash]

Thats a beauty alright. Look like its in great condition.
Ash

[robmx5]

Thats one fabulous looking car - any chance he might bring it for a leusirly run with us one day ?

Robin

[mrges]

Don't think he would be interested in a run - just not his thing. He said I could take it whenever I felt the urge, but to be honest I'm shit scared when driving it......it's an expensive piece of motoring history.

Those eagle eyed viewers might have noticed a black (plastic) fuel filler cap in the pics....this is because at one of the fill-ups on the way home we left the chrome cap on a pump! (It has now been replaced).

mrges