Sunday, October 26, 2014
Day 3 at the 190Sl International Group Texas convention - Enchanted Rock State Park
Our final day of driving saw us head out to the Enchanted Rock State Park which features a massive pink granite dome linked to much local native American and settler folk lore. Many photos were taken by us unwary none Texans from atop some nearby rocks before someone kindly pointed out that it was just the type of area that rattle snakes tended to hide out.
Day 2 at the 190Sl International Group Texas convention - The Texas White House
Day 2 saw us drive out to the home of the late President, Lyndon B Johnson and his wife, Lady Bird. A fantastic scenic drive through Texan hill country, memorable for the fantastic views, great roads and the smell of a road kill skunk!
We stopped first at the LBJ cemetery when the late President is buried alongside his wife and other family members and then moved on to the ranch for a guided tour.
We stopped first at the LBJ cemetery when the late President is buried alongside his wife and other family members and then moved on to the ranch for a guided tour.
Afterwards we drove back towards Fredericksburg via more great countryside to the Wild seed farm for lunch and a chance for Theresa to drive the car around the car park once it emptied.
Day 1 at the 190Sl International Group Texas convention -drive to Grape Creek Vineyard
After the Concours on the morning of Day 1 we drove out a short way to one of the many vineyards around the area. Excellent wine tasting and a great drive out, just sufficient after the long drive down the day before.
Day 1 at the 190Sl International Group Texas convention - Concours
We drove the 250 mile trip down to Fredericksburg with only 168 miles on the clock since the completion of the rebuild with Steve in the 280SL and Will in the team support truck plus Sean Parker in his (by UK standards) Monster truck.
No problems with the car other than a minor carb adjustment by Sean which had it running even better. 50mph winds made the first drive rather eventful and as they subsided we lowered the top and pressed on to the hotel with big smiles on our faces.
The following day (day1 of the Convention) we were up relatively early and after a good Texan breakfast were cleaning the car in readiness for the Concours. She attracted many great comments, particularly around the Dark Blue colour which many thought was black until the sun shone on the car.
Judging came around and a panels of experts came to inspect individual elements of the car. The end outcome was that the car won the Best car in the Concours and was awarded the only Gold Class award as well. Quite an achievement for Team Samples who are now to be known as Gold class Team Samples! A great achievement for the car, the first time it has been on a major trip in about 15 years.
Huge thanks to Will Samples, Steve Ady, Steve Crowley, Sean Parker, Manuel and all others who put such hard effort into rebuilding the car to such a high standard. A huge thanks to Will for all his friendship and support over the last 10 years, for allowing me to come and camp out at his Ranch for days at a time each year and work on and learn about the car. You have been a star and a real friend.
Here are shots of some of the other fantastic cars at the convention.
No problems with the car other than a minor carb adjustment by Sean which had it running even better. 50mph winds made the first drive rather eventful and as they subsided we lowered the top and pressed on to the hotel with big smiles on our faces.
The following day (day1 of the Convention) we were up relatively early and after a good Texan breakfast were cleaning the car in readiness for the Concours. She attracted many great comments, particularly around the Dark Blue colour which many thought was black until the sun shone on the car.
Judging came around and a panels of experts came to inspect individual elements of the car. The end outcome was that the car won the Best car in the Concours and was awarded the only Gold Class award as well. Quite an achievement for Team Samples who are now to be known as Gold class Team Samples! A great achievement for the car, the first time it has been on a major trip in about 15 years.
Huge thanks to Will Samples, Steve Ady, Steve Crowley, Sean Parker, Manuel and all others who put such hard effort into rebuilding the car to such a high standard. A huge thanks to Will for all his friendship and support over the last 10 years, for allowing me to come and camp out at his Ranch for days at a time each year and work on and learn about the car. You have been a star and a real friend.
Here are shots of some of the other fantastic cars at the convention.
Finished in fine time for the International 190SL Group National Convention 2014, Texas
Will and Steve had a final push to finish the car, post return from Manuel the trimmer for fitting of new convertible top and door cards etc., so that we could all travel down to the International 190SL Group National Convention in Fredericksburg, Texas. We were looking forward to this as a first trip in the car and to revisiting somewhere we had been before and very much enjoyed.
Here are a few shots of the completed car at Wills', it looks stunning and is a testament to the expertise of 'Team Samples'!
Here are a few shots of the completed car at Wills', it looks stunning and is a testament to the expertise of 'Team Samples'!
Sunday, August 10, 2014
In the Trim Shop
Last week the car went across to the trim shop to the south of Dallas. It needs to have the convertible soft top replaced and all the bows recovered etc. Additionally the door cards are being finished and a new tonneau cover for the soft top made as well.
Manuel has already stripped the old soft top cover off and replaced all the covers for the bows and supporting webbing. Work on the door cards is also well under way.
Manuel has already stripped the old soft top cover off and replaced all the covers for the bows and supporting webbing. Work on the door cards is also well under way.
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