OurSL.com MBCA Tech Event

Every generation of SL present

May, 2008

Over 80 visitors to the ourSL.com headquarters were treated Sat May 10 to an overview of the history of the SL and a question and answer session. Held in conjunction with the Mercedes Benz Club of America's SF section and also featuring open houses at Mercedes service and repair specialist, Burlingame Motors, and restoration specialist, California Classics, the event covered a wide array of topics.

Gullwings greet visitors to ourSL.com headquarters.

Roy Spencer, founder of ourSL.com, assembled an example of each era of the Mercedes-Benz SL to demonstrate the evolution of the iconic SL range. The cars on hand spanned 55 years of SL production and included a 1954 Gullwing and a brand new Black/Black 2009 SL550 courtesy of Smythe European. Selected cars were:

The ourSL.com founder covered each model and answered questions during his walk through the history of the SL, touching on unique facts and sharing knowledge gained from owning over 450 SLs in the last 15 years. Spencer commented that he had paid as little as $800 and as much as $300,000 for his SLs! Other interesting facts to emerge included the $300k premium today for one of the 29 alloy bodied Gullwings, the 1971/1972 European 350SLs emerging as potential future classic SLs, and buyer's attitudes toward the R129 chassis SLs (1990-2002).

OurSL.com founder, Roy Spencer, answers questions covering 55 years of SL production.

After Spencer's presentation, the enthusiastic group split and moved to Burlingame Motors and California Classics. Charlie Potts of California Classics covered the high end restoration process, illustrating what it takes to create a Pebble Beach Concours winner. Using a freshly stripped 1965 Iso Grifo with extensive crude sheetmetal repairs, Potts pointed out how he and his staff will correct the lumpy, patched, coachwork and transform the car into a Pebble Beach contender. Sitting next to the Iso was a rare Anglo/Italian hybrid Potts is putting the final touches on for this year's Pebble Beach Concours, one of three gorgeous Italian bodied 1959 Scaglietti Corvettes. Valued at $1.5m, the deep blue Berlinetta perfectly illustrates the meaning of "Pebble Beach quality." After some thousands of hours of hard work the lumpy Iso Grifo will emerge in a year looking just as spectacular.

Rene Wiegand, manager of Burlingame Motors, covered the nitty gritty mechanical aspect of a major restoration. Using a cleverly arrayed "in process" 1963 190SL, Wiegand walked the gathered enthusiasts through the process of completing an abandoned restoration that arrived in boxes. Wiegand's crew will transform those boxes of rusty parts into a superb 190SL for the original owners to again enjoy. With skills covering both the classics and the current models, Burlingame Motors takes care of every Mercedes service need.

Burlingame Motors manager, Rene Wiegand (green shirt), covers SL tech tips.		Rene Wiegand discussing 300SL engine installation.

Looking over the crowd chatting amongst the assembled visitor's cars, Spencer commented that this just may have to be an annual event. Mark your calendars for the second Saturday of May 2009.

M. Jaret,

Jaret Media

Burlingame Motors handles all Mercedes service needs.

2009 SL550 completed SL historical display.

SLs galore!

Enthusiasts soak up Roy Spencer's SL presentation.

Wandering amongst the great SLs.