Paul Munday’s R170 SLK 200

Hello to all you SLKers!,

Thank you for all the kind comments and for voting for my car this month it is truly appreciated.

I bought it, due to retirement and being offered my pension and redundancy at 55 and no company Car…which after 40 plus years with the same company was life changing…

I remember as an 8 year old my parents next door neighbor owned a 1955 Mercedes 190SL it was Bright red and a daily driver, He would wash it without fail every Sunday and I would be there being a complete pain asking questions , what’s this for?, how does that work. Why why why…, the questions would all be answered and explained in great detail and enthusiastic response, Gerald, that was his name a Geography teacher and his wife would drive the car across Europe every summer. Many years later long after the car had been moved on, Gerald was not in best health and we spoke about the car, the thing I remember to this day, He looked at me. That wasn’t just a car, it was a reason to go and travel, to explore and experience life. The Magic of a Mercedes-Benz.

So, my love of Classic Cars,Classic Motor bikes and Vintage Guitars started, but I still didn’t have a car!!, I had a quick flick through the free Ads in the the local paper and there for sale was a Red Mercedes, right my wife was at work I’m off to see it, got the bus to Beaconsfield, first time In years !, straight to the top front seats and feeling of excitement and being 8 again…

I arrived at a huge house and stood in the drive way was my car, A shiny red convertible Mercedes…The gentleman came out , obviously an old school sales Executive! She’s lovely Isn’t she ? ..we don’t use her anymore !Too old! old boy, want to take her for spin. Well that was it , I take it.

I drove it home and loved it, roof down in the sunshine a middle aged bald man. who is starting his mid life crisis just waiting to share the great news with Karen when she got home…You have done what!! Was not the joyful response I was expecting ,It will be fun i mumbled, What about the grandkids? how on earth are they going to get in !! Exactly they can’t..I replied …silence …Well if your happy…Yess result and I have loved tinkering , learning the ins and outs , Car shows and detailing every nut and bolt has been cleaned ,polished. The people who I have had the pleasure to meet is just fantastic, it’s not just a car it a “way of life”