Helmet - thank you. In total I have owned three 'Heckflosse' cars - no, four in total if I remember correctly. There was the aforementioned 300SEL 1966 (only badged as a 300SE), a 220SEb, a 220S and a 1965 - 250, no 'S', nor 'SE'. The last named had the short front guards like a 190C, or 200(?), but it was 108 bodied, with single row timing chain, and twin carburettors. It handled like a dream - there were no corners or curves, and up to 60mph was possible around some of the Comenarra Parkway stretch from Fox Valley Road to what was once known as Ring Road 3 - ring a bell, the last named. BTW, it was full of rust.
Prior to that, I had a 190B - a great handling car. It was the one car that provided me with the opportunity to meet up with your Dad - he fitted a new timing chain for me. So, there you are !
Well, only three Finnies.
6.9 Forever - yes, talk about seat belts. I never needed them, did I ! Anyway, talk about babies in cars, safety and being restrained or, for that matter, unrestrained. I once rebuilt a badly damaged 6.3. It had been stolen by one of the owner's employees and put into a telegraph pole to such extent that it damaged the gearbox tunnel. The car had been owned from new by the owner's father, and the son wanted to preserve the obvious heritage value of the car. The reason why - and he spent a huge amount on the repairs and refurbishment ? Apparently, when as a baby, the old man was cruising at a 100 mph, with the son laying fast asleep on the rear parcel shelf.
I also remember the occasion when a 6.3, travelling at 160 km/hour towards Willoughby, the driver lost control when negotiating a downhill dogleg and the car wrapped itself around a telegraph pole. None of the four occupants, including the driver, survived the crash. Regards Styria
