Bay Area 500E Mini-GTG

[gerryvz]

Tonight after work, JLAA and me are heading from San Francisco up to Marin County to visit my friend Robert Fenton and to have dinner.

This visit should be an EXCELLENT re-indoctrination of jlaa into the powers of the DarkCISide, not to mention the black arts of NLA/unobtanium E500E parts. I told him to bring his pocketbook, as he is likely going to end up buying some rare/NLA stuff.

I'm sure some photos will follow......

 

[gerryvz]

It was highly unfortunate last night, but I’m afraid jlaa became overwhelmed by MB parts collection sickness after touring Mr. Fenton’s extensive warehouse and shop. Unfortunately Robert only had two E500Es on site (one on the lift undergoing restoration), but the sheer number of NLA unobtanium parts sent him into a head-spin situation. After the tour, we went out to dinner with Robert, and were out until almost 11 PM. Very wide ranging conversation.

A few things of note .... Robert has THREE new 500E ETAs new in MB boxes; one new E500 ETA in box. Six pairs of Boge/Lemforder motor mounts; 10+ E500E radiators; plenty of new and used E500E front fenders; a mint 500E trunk badge ($250); lower wiring harnesses, and tons of other drool-worthy parts.

It was REALLY fun to see jlaa be blown away by this resource of parts a mere half hour from his home.


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[Jlaa]

'Twas a great night, and thanks to Gerry for the F2F intros of Robert Fenton's parts collection .... sickness? I'm not sure I'd call it a sickness. Perhaps Pandemic is more like it!

Three thoughts --

a) I'm disappointed that Gerry was driving a Camaro. WTF.
b) That place is like a maze of parts, parts, cars, more parts, oh look a prius, more parts, 300SL gullwing rear lights, some more cars, a Porsche 997, more parts, and MB 600 suspension blocks.
c) Lowman --- this is for you. (no rust!)

 

[gerryvz]

BTW, Mr Fenton adamantly plugged the superior powers of the DarkCISide to both jlaa and myself. I do not know if he was successful at swaying jlaa, but it seemed by the look on his face that he was torn.

I knew there was some DarkCISide impact when jlaa started asking about whether Robert had a W126 300SEL.... and Robert pointed to a smoke silver one he had outside on his lot. I think that got the wheels turning....

 

[gerryvz]

a) I'm disappointed that Gerry was driving a Camaro. WTF.

Hey there, watch it. It was totally bitchin'

That’s my employer’s Galactic HQ in the background behind the trees. Any of you SFO/Peninsula guys know those buildings?

 

[Jlaa]

BTW, Mr Fenton adamantly plugged the superior powers of the DarkCISide to both jlaa and myself. I do not know if he was successful at swaying jlaa, but it seemed by the look on his face that he was torn.

GVZ: There is no escape! Don't make me destroy you. jlaa, you do not yet realize your importance. You've only begun to discover the Dark CISside! Join me, and with our combined strength, we can end this destructive conflict, and bring order to the galaxy.

jlaa: [angrily] I'll never join you!!!!!!!!!!

 

[gerryvz]

I’m going to send you a duty cycle capable digital multimeter so that you will be able to completely diagnose and test the M103-based 300SEL that is in your future.


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[Jlaa]

 

[stevenstevensteven]

Hey there, watch it. It was totally bitchin'

That’s my employer’s Galactic HQ in the background behind the trees. Any of you SFO/Peninsula guys know those buildings?

Looks like Redwood Shores to me, just on the East side of the 101 from San Carlos.

By the way, did you guys go to Sol Food in downtown San Rafael? .... incredible Cuban food.
https://www.yelp.com/biz/sol-food-san-rafael-3

 

[gerryvz]

Looks like Redwood Shores to me, just on the East side of the 101 from San Carlos.

By the way, did you guys go to Sol Food in downtown San Rafael? .... incredible Cuban food.
https://www.yelp.com/biz/sol-food-san-rafael-3

Very very very good eye, and 100% correct. I was across the street at the OPL building, which is where my department is based. Part of the mother ship, though.

We had dinner at Il Davide, an Italian joint.

 

[nocfn]

You must not have parked in the Prius or Volt or Leaf lot, were they full?

 

[gerryvz]

I had a very difficult time finding meat in California this visit. Everything was salad, avocado, pasta and hummus.

Now that I’m up in Seattle visiting my mom, hopefully I can get meat again.


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[Jlaa]

I had a very difficult time finding meat in California this visit. Everything was salad, avocado, pasta and hummus.

Now that I’m up in Seattle visiting my mom, hopefully I can get meat again.


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Weeeeeellll, Robert and I were perfectly happy with our Saltimbocca made with pork. In particular, the meat around the bone was really tasty, and Robert did gnaw on the bone, using his fingers, in that fancy pants restaurant. I did note, however, that you opted for the gnocchi.....

 

[gerryvz]

That saltimbucca was made with soy pork, perhaps in the dim lights of the restaurant you didn’t see that on the menu?

 

[Maui]

I had a very difficult time finding meat in California this visit. Everything was salad, avocado, pasta and hummus.

Now that I’m up in Seattle visiting my mom, hopefully I can get meat again.


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Personally I go for the seafood in Seattle.

Whatch out for fake meat.

 

[gerryvz]

Personally I go for the seafood in Seattle.

Whatch out for fake meat.

I get a lot of that seafood stuff in Maryland, where everything is blue crabs or bust. MD is all about blue crabs.

My problem with them (the meat is good) is that it’s more physical work to shuck blue crabs than it is to replace the head gasket on an M104. 1 dungeness crab’s meat = 10-12 blue crabs’ meat.

But, at least it is meat. Not all states serve meat, and then they tax you for drinking a Coke.

 

[nocfn]

Working that hard to eat is annoying. As for fake meat, that article reminded me of something. Cattleman’s Association and Candidate Oprah will be interesting. Have a Coke and a smile, and STFU.... i can see the crowd of Guy Fox masks with placards stating that, courtesy of the Kremlin....

 

[Melville]

Does anyone have Robert Fenton's current phone number? Searching online I found a couple of different numbers but both rang without ever going to voicemail so I don't know if one or both are current. Or maybe he's just hung over from hanging out with Gerry and Jlaa...

 

[Jlaa]

17 Paul Dr
San Rafael, CA 94903-2043

415-456-5151
415-999-0083 Mobile

L82hotrod@hotmail.com