Checking out 3 generations of SLs!

Saturday May 20, 7:45 am:

With my 2002 SL500 loaded with camera gear, coffee, extremely fattening Danishes, and our official photographer, Noelle Maylander, I blasted down a deserted highway 101 to our rendezvous point at the Stanford Shopping center.

As I pulled into the parking lot I spied Nicole Weigand and her sister Jenny in a recently acquired Ivory/Brown 1971 280SL and super MBZ salesman, Tony Spencer, rumbling to a stop piloting a brand new 2007 SL550 kindly provided by Smythe European in San Jose. Arch SL enthusiast Farbod Aram arrived in his recently acquired and very cool 1968 Euro two-tone 280SL. He had to pick from 3 recently acquired SLs; an 8k mile '88 560SL , an 18k mile ‘86 560SL , and the red 280SL. Quite a dilemma!

2002 SL500 meets 2007 SL550.

Always stylish Tony Wagner cruised down from San Francisco in his gorgeous 20k mile midnight blue '75 450SL and Dutch classic car dealer Victor Mantjes rolled up in a lovely grey/red 190SL. He obviously wasn't worried about rain as the car had no windshield wipers! Internet brain and SL enthusiast Michael Jaret , temporarily lacking an SL, was in the world famous ourSL.com project 280SL. With Greg Baily's arrival in an immaculate Euro Green/Tan 450SL, maps were handed out and we were off.

So it was down to pure driving enjoyment with this varied group of great SLs as we wound our way up through the fog-shrouded redwoods to Skyline Boulevard heading coastward through bucolic La Honda. Mild temperatures and sunshine lured us toward the ocean and the exhilarating run down fabulous Highway One toward Pescadero. So exhilarating in fact that a few of our drivers flew past the beach parking entrance at about 80 mph; with Tony Wagner doing a very nice half spin as he tried to make the turn. Excellent car control Tony!

Something for any SL enthusiast!

After a photo session and a walkabout to stretch our legs, we gathered for a few gifts before heading back over the hill. The long distance award went to Greg Bailey , who joined us after making the trip up from Gilroy . He received a rare Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren World Premier Press Packet from the 2005 New York Auto Show.

For the dubious distinction of the least original SL in attendance, Nicole Weigand received a $100 Mercedes Lifestyle Collection gift card, the Tunis Beige dash of her 280SL betraying a color change to Ivory. I have to admit this was a contrived bit of chauvinistic maneuvering; we felt the ladies should have the shopping privileges of the Gift card and an SL gearhead should get the press package. I think it worked out just fine as there were smiles all around and Nicole and I are still friends.

So it was back into the cars for the trip home over a slightly different and very scenic route that included looping back to La Honda road via Stage Road and through Pescadero. With the outside temperature gauge in my SL500 touching 70 degrees heading out of Pescadero, I couldn't help but feel sorry for those who missed the trip

Gift winners Greg Baily and Nicole Weigand flank ourSL.com founder, Roy Spencer

Stay tuned for the next run.

Dutch SL dealer, Victor Mantjes, roars down scenic California Highway 1.