60th celebration of the 190SL at Mercedes-Benz World, Brooklands

On the 24th May the Mercedes-Benz Club in the UK held a great celebration of the 190SL at Mercedes-Benz World.  Unfortunately our car, whilst MOT'd, still isn't through the registration process in the UK so didn't make it.  It was great to be there and see 41 190SLs lined up and then taking to the track for display driving. (plus one inside the building).
There were some great cars there including a fantastic one from Switzerland which had unfortunately met with an accident.  Additionally there were owners from France and Singapore present with their cars as well.
Laurent Nay, who has recently started producing excellent copies of the Karl Baisch style 3 or 5 piece luggage sets for the 190SL was over from France demonstrating his cases which were absolutely great.  I will ask the 60th Birthday present fairy to start saving up for a set! Go here for further details: http://www.laurentnay.com/?lang=en_EN
Here are a few photos from the event.

Latest shipping news

The car has cleared customs and is now awaiting UK registration and MOT... I can feel the wind in my remaining hair!

Good news

The car has been transhipped onto the MSC Jordan and is now on its way from Antwerp to Felixstowe in the UK and scheduled to arrive later today.  We could still be on to attend the 60th Celebration of the 190SL on the 24th May at Brooklands.  Go here for more info:  http://www.prlog.org/12413819-news-from-the-mercedes-benz-club-60th-anniversary-190sl-celebration-goes-international.html

Shipping delay

The car will now not arrive at Antwerp until April 21st; not a problem.  Unfortunately due to shipping backlogs and delays it will now unbelievably sit on the dock side in Antwerp in its container until 6th May when it will be forwarded to Felixstowe, arriving on the 7th.  Leaves some way to go to get it through customs, tested and registered before the 24th May.  Ah well, whilst the car might miss the 60th celebration of the 190SL at Brooklands that won't stop us going and having a good time.
Here is a shot of a set of number plates I had made up for the car by Ace Peak plates across in Dublin.  They are fantastic and made using the original methods and equipment, including the Ace name embossed on the plates.  To get the correct supplier contact Aidan Casey at Ace Vintage Plates Ltd.   acepeakplates@gmail.com

Crossing the pond

Our 190SL was finally loaded on-board a container ship and set sail for the UK from Houston via Antwerp.  It should reach port in the UK on 21st April.  Looks a bit tight to get it through customs and tested\registered to be able to make it to the MBOC 60th Celebration of the 190SL at Brooklands on the 24th May but keeping fingers crossed..  Here is the ship she has been loaded onto.

Pre transport pictures

Here are a couple of shots of the car before shipping and also in the covered transporter on the way to Houston.  It is wearing its hardtop for the first time in 10 years.  Currently the hardtop is unrestored and in the silver finish that the whole car was sprayed in when I bought it.  I will eventually restore the hardtop and return it to black.  It needs totally stripping, repaint, re-chrome, new rubbers and headlining plus some work to straighten out its alignment to the body.  No rush to do this at present. The car has cleared customs and is now waiting to be containerised and shipped.

On the way home to the UK

The car left Dallas today on its way to be shipped home to the UK via Houston. Should be home and registered well in time for the 60th celebrations at Mercedes-Benz World, Brooklands.  More updates to follow.

Additional Gold Award winners trophy from the International 190SL Group Texas Convention

We received this through the post from the International 190SL Group last week - much appreciated all, especially as our other trophies are in the boot of our 190SL whilst it awaits shipping over to the UK.

Prizes, Prizes!

Here are shots of the car with the prizes won at the International 190SL convention held at Fredericksburg, Texas and shots of Will Theresa and myself.
Best in Show, Gold Class Award and Furthest distance travelled by individuals attending.
As mentioned in other posts below I am extremely grateful for all the hard work put into the rebuild of this fantastic car by Will, Steve and all the rest at Team Samples - a true Gold Class team! Thanks for everything guys, especially the fun along the way. If you need work doing on your 190Sl then Will at S&S Imports is the guy to turn to.

And of course not to forget Steve who kindly dyed his hair the same colour as the car!

 

Final day of driving the car in Texas, down by White Rock Lake

A couple of quick photos of us in the car on the last morning before we returned home driving the car at White Rock Lake, Dallas.

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.

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.