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100 miles

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NutmegCT

NutmegCT

Great Pumpkin
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A milestone for me and my Ponton. Nothing special for you restoration guys,
but for me, a highlight of my "old Mercedes" experience so far.

I took the car for a 100 mile drive Friday, on the highways and byways
of eastern Connecticut. Eastford - Rt 198 to N. Windham - Rt 6 to
Brooklyn - Rt 169 to Pomfret - Rt 44 to Eastford. First time I've
driven it more than about 15 miles. Google maps can give you an idea
of the lay of the land. Attached photo taken near Pomfret CT on Rt
169.

Drove the route twice, for a total of 100 miles. Wanted to see how car
behaves in real time, and how it feels at speeds over 60mph. The drive was 2/3
highway (40-65mph), 1/3 slower with slowdowns and stops for slow
drivers and traffic lights. Hard to keep up highway speed with (1) hay
trucks, (2) Jeep with emergency flashers who never yielded or pulled
over, (3) Audi road hog, and (4) school buses. Maybe I should have
done the drive at midnight.

After the first 10 miles, I pulled over to see how the brakes felt
(wheel hub temperature). Right front was definitely warmer than the
others. I had the shoes re-lined about a week ago.

Drove the rest of the first circuit, felt the brakes. Right front now
no warmer than the others.

After the second circuit, all brakes (wheel centers) still felt the
same; barely warm at all. Never felt any pulling to side. As the right
front brake has always been quick to tighten and get hot, maybe it
just took that long drive to exercise and "break 'em in"?

Temp gauge never moved over 80C, except when I stopped for gas and it
moved up to about 85C. Engine never hesitated; throttle felt
responsive.

Suspension seems pretty solid, and very much softer and more
comfortable than my Mazda or Triumph. Hydrak clutch and transmission
seem to be working well.

Got about 20mpg for the trip. Mercedes spec is 25mpg for "general travel".
Tune-up in the near future. Feeling more confident in the car day by day.

Onward through the fog.

Tom
 
Congrats, Tom! Great feeling, isn't it?

Mickey
 
Hey Mickey - actually the great feeling this morning was adding the car to my BCF signature.

BCF is a source of pride for many guys, believe me.

T.
 
Hey Tom

Congratulations

A longer road trip is on the way

Cheers

Mark
 
NutmegCT said:
A milestone for me and my Ponton. Nothing special for you restoration guys,
but for me, a highlight of my "old Mercedes" experience so far.
Click to expand...

Don't undersell yourself - or for that matter the BCF. What I love about this place is.

1. whether a professional doing it daily or a first time amateur, the milestone of a car coming back to life is a thrill; the first time or the 100th.

2. A milestone for one is a milestone for everyone.

3. Every milestone is encouragement for everyone else.

It is wonderful! and looking at the picture the day must have been glorious. congratulations!!!!
 
Congrats, Tom.

It's really a milestone to finally get the car sorted properly. Now, it's a new journey. Driving and enjoying your handiwork instead of wrenching, sorting and spending.

The evolution of a restoration project: it's such a great journey, no?

Now, get out and enjoy! :thumbsup:
 
Thanks for the encouraging words, gents.

This weekend I got the pig painted (that'll get you wondering ...), put in Boston Marrow hills, and prepared a new bed for rutabaga.

Today I'm planning an extended Interstate drive, 65-75mph. What's that old bumper sticker ... "All parts falling off this car are of the highest German quality!".

simpsons-the-scream-4900914.jpg


T.
 
Segue down here? :laugh:
 
Yow!

Took the Benz along some back roads and up to I-84 in southern Massachusetts. As the speedometer wanders and isn't trustworthy, I also took along my GPS. Already calibrated the GPS with my Mazda speedometer, so I know it's pretty accurate.

I got on the interstate, merged with the traffic, and just decided to "keep up" with the middle lane drivers. Nothing exploded or dropped off the car, so I decided to look at the GPS.

72mph!

Couldn't believe it. Relatively quiet (for a 1950s sedan anyway), engine purring right along. Sure didn't feel like 72mph in my Mazda (and not my TR3 either ...).

Decided to go for the gold, and pushed the pedal to the floor. Engine stepped right up and brought me to 85mph in a few seconds, where I chickened out and let up on the gas pedal.

I kept waiting for a sickening metallic KLUNK - THWANG! followed by smoke and a depressing coast to the shoulder ... but it never happened.

Maybe there's hope for that coast to coast trip after all.

Now on to piddly little stuff, like fixing the speedometer and odometer, fixing the headlamp brackets - and doing more "confidence building". Edit: and setting the timing, valves, carbs, distributor, etc.

:smile:

T.
 
Beer's cold, wine's at the proper temps, rum's never been better, and the grill's at the ready!

When can we expect you? :wink:
 
:lol:

May plot to have a clan gathering at bro's house! :jester:
 
Tom,

Nice picture - now when will you be in Eureka?
Give us about 6 months to clean up the house.

- Doug
 
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