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Almost identical but not actual
We wandered through his multi level carpark taking the odd non-Benz car from its stands giving it a quick service, plus spray grease in and on door hinges etc. An hour or two on the private roadway to get a little heat in things then puting it away for another indeterminate period.
In our roaming we decided to go through the unrestored and non-running lot and came upon some treasures he had forgotten he had!
First up a German ww2 troop carrier (half-Track) which is fitted with a petrol engine! In the medium light it looked like a Benz or Maybach built engine (not that I am that familiar with the prewar stuff)!
We checked it out a little closer and even though it was in a well used condition and a bit rusty, we concluded we should have a closer look when it is pulled into the service area. Keep posted for that one!
He recalled that he bought it in an 'Auction' lot that came from a deceased/dispossessed eastern bloc government auction where he had only narrowly been able to get it out (or so they made out). He was forced to buy a container load of Eastern-bloc motorcycles to make up the required minimum export value, then they were able to include the 'troop-carrier' in the shipment and be guaranteed safe passage for the lot.
What was revealed when the container with the motorcycles was opened was quite a few new 'Jawa' and 'CZ' motorcycles and most unexpected a ww2 'BMW' motorcycle with a sidecar!
There was excitement in my voice as I suggested we check it out, the Motorcycle collection is not given the credence the cars are but I am keen to check that particular machine!
We find it and it is complete, however, rotten tyres and a rusted-on fuel cap prevented anything happening but to pull it out and put in the order for tyres.
The tank mounted gearshift and 'Hi/Lo' range lever moved and all gears seemed to be present, but who knows!
So, we shall do all the oil and the rest while we wait for the tyres and check the 'Troop-Carrier' for viability for a run, since it has pads on the tracks (which need replacing) and the front tyres are cracked and ancient, we conclude this one will take a while!
I encouraged my friend to just leave it in the condition it is in with a thorough clean-up only and renewal of parts that just must be replaced to run as it should.
Keep posted! 
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As has been described previously, the search within my good friends multi level 'climate controlled' personal museum is a search with no end.
As I have encouraged him, to let me help him, ensure that most if not all of these Gems should have their turn in the sun, checked, serviced, put aside for parts arrival if required, we unearth some which he had forgotten about!
None of his cars carry batteries, there is a rack of batteries on each level which are kept on a trickle charge with modern diagnostics to ensure the batteries are maintained in top order.
This equipment cares for 10 batteries concurrently which is a wide enough range to cater for all types and makes of machines on each level.
All vehicles are kept on a lift similar to the type 'Tyre shops' use which lifts only the chassis high enough to relieve the weight from the wheels (but can lift higher), therefore keeps the tyres from suffering 'flat' spots.
Every branch of the bays has it's own power/lube/air and fuel centre. With the added feature of removing 'stale' fuel and oil with a suction system which disposes the oil to a recycling drum and the stale fuel retained for cleaning purposes in the workshop.
He keeps quite an inventory of servicing consumables and tools. Any cars that are rare enough to be impossible to obtain filters for he has the existing units from the vehicle duplicated x25 and with the build patterns retained for future reference.
Almost all types of tyres are retained in racks in their own storeroom, standing and climate controlled.
The control of these parts and associated tools etc is simplified by being kept at the bay of each car, along with its books (if any) and history, which incredibly includes clothing in some cases and pit equipment in the case of ex-racing machinery.
Some machinery, such as the aforementioned racing machinery, has specific instructions on maintenance and operating procedures, which are gladly followed to the letter!
Keep an eye out for the next instalment where when we have completed preparing two very special ex-racing machines for a day on the course! You can share in the exhileration of these past 'works' machines getting back to operating temperature for the first time in a long time!
RKW
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Why would my good friend expect me to choose his Maybach and just hope that I have made a choice he may have made!
Ok, the only thing he left me with was that he wanted the long wheelbase, oh, thanks...
Well, there are thousands of variations and I simply kept it simple and (to me) tasteful.
I imagined that it would be appropriate to be somehow 'out there' and so I chose buffalo hide throughout (sourced from farmed animals) highlighted by brushed aluminium, simple and elegant. I could not bring myself to request snake or croc skins....
It is possible to get bogged down with this tome of variations to the theme of this majestic brand of motor vehicle!
I concluded if I do not make a quick and decisive choice I will never get the car within twelve months let alone six!
Just tick all the boxes except where it makes the car a chauffer type limo, keep it fun for an owner driver, I say...however, I am sure there are plenty whom want to traverse long distance and never care to take the wheel.
This is another problem for a driver 'load it up with more weight' like two skyroofs or the glass roof or a full hardtop or a Landulet?
Anyway, that's an example how you can't tick all boxes! So, full skyroof!
Now, every gentleman should be able to share a glass of fine beverage with a Lady and a cigar with the guys, more ticks, humidifier, crystal and of course the cooler/freezer.
And the outer colour, you could tear your hair out, a british inspired 'two tone' silver and royal blue, yeah, which way? I left it to the good taste of the factory to surprise me!
She arrives, late, as any good woman knows she should, wow!
Complimentary fine Champagne already chilled in her bar and you guess which way the two tone (split variation) paint arrived!?
RKW
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My friend and I moved through his array of garages to come face to face with the grill of a 'Grand 600'!
What a machine, what with six doors, divider window, and two very cool looking flag staffs on the bow of this 'Luxury Land Barge
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As we strolled through his octagonal shaped labyrinth, I mused why one would bother naming different parts of your 'Utopian' garage...
"Ah, I don't know, it just seems nicer than saying to the wife I'm at 'C2' or whatever!"
So, there we were in "Modern Classics" (1965-85)....and what did I immediately spy amongst the 'American, Australian, British, German and Italian modern beauties... a 6.9
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Every time I open the Garage door that big grille with the big 'three pointed star' on top and the huge car behind it greet me with menace!
It is a machine which, in it's day, made an impression which opened huge wallets and braved the stratospheric realms of motoring which Mercedes had not ventured since the fourties. I am talking of the 'Grand 600'! or affectionately known as 'Grosser'!
Of course the latter days 'Grosser' but the car from the late thirties and fourties was also tagged as such and this is one example (of which I have been sworn to secrecy of its location) is truly awsome
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What can YOU do?!
Approached to help raise funds for a Sydney childrens hospital (Westmead Childrens) I was asked to help promote in any way, so I have donated the car and myself as driver for a day or more if they wish.
The car is the model '600' built in 1965 and designated 'w100'. Some know them as the "Grosser" but this was never recognised by the factory as it only means 'big' or 'bigger
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ILLEGAL, IMMORAL, INHUMANE and an UNNECESSARY hunt of a protected species!
How good to see Watson and crew on board the 'Steve Irwin' causing havoc for the illegal whaling boats from an arrogant Japan. Even if you don't agree with the methods employed by them, you must agree that it seemed there was no way the trespassers, with the strength of their industry and government behind them, were going to take any notice of anything less than an aggressive affront
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So, I love my wife. So, she likes to taunt me, says it 'cos she loves me....my turn!
I booked a holiday as she announced she was happy to do whatever I thought would be fun while the kids are away on their educational holiday, heh, heh,...!
The man at the desk when we arrived cheerfully advised we are able to take-off first light as the forecast was for mild winds and median temperatures
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Your text goes hereYour text goes hereWith an invitation - to go shooting in my old Land Rover.. I begin to sweat....
I have no need to shoot anything, I don't want to confront crocs, I have no fascination for being in the line of site of Crocs... have I mentioned "I don't want to confront CROCS"
With no sympathy, they say something with regard to me seeing too many movies. I suspect they are poopooing my fear of wild animals, I could be wrong
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