Tag Archives: 2019

Suzy Love ❤️ is running nicely and conquers 3+1 Greek islands👌🏁

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Part III. Since I became the next keeper of this lovely 1960 Mercedes-Benz R121.020 |190SL [a.k.a. Suzy Love ❤️], during November of 2018, I have gradually embarked on a multi step restoration process. For my Car Guys & Gals friends 👫 I post here the stories as they unfold in her current timeline. For the introductory post of this historic vehicle click here: https://byronriginos.com/2018/12/06/my-dancing

-with-the-best-or-nothing , plus for the follow up post on the restoration project click here: https://byronriginos.com/2019/06/30/the-restoration-project-of-suzy-love/

The #190SL is ready to depart the workshop of #MercedesBenzClassic of Papapanagiotou Bros.

So from here on, we commence the story of Part III.

The Wolf Intake Whistle, has been acquired from the Hellenic Motor Museum, and wanted to install it in the 1290SL since many months!

After several telephone calls with my chief mechanic Nikos, to ensure that the car would be ready, being already in Kea island at our summer home, I asked my pal Spilios to accompany me in the early ferry to Lavrion and then via taxi to Athens to pick up the R121, on the Thursday of 8th August 2019. We would drive the car back to Lavrion in time to catch the afternoon ferry back to Kea. Well as all good plans get a little sidetracked, upon our early morning arrival [ca. 08:30] at the shop, there were as anticipated a number of details to take care of before declaring the car fit for the road, especially with her planned venture to many islands, I had to be extra careful in my scrutinizing process, among them to ensure the safety of the car and that the new accessory of the vacuum operated Wolf horn was working properly. Time became our enemy that hot Agust morning in Athens, but we managed to push off in the early afternoon. 112

With the top down we had to venture to Kifissia, at our son Dimitris OK Market in view of a longish restocking list issued by my beloved spouse Ivi. The highlight of the photo being the Wow 🤩 expression on the face of the passerby ‼️
Clip departing from the OK Maket!

See also here about Classic Mercedes-Benz cars : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercedes-Benz_Classic_Center

The restoration project of “Suzy Love ❤️”

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Since I became the next keeper of this 1960 Mercedes-Benz R121.020 |190SL [a.k.a. Suzy Love ❤️], during November of 2018, I have gradually embarked on a multi step restoration process. For my Car Guys & Gals friends 👫 I post here the story as it unfolds in her timeline. For the introductory post of this historic vehicle click here: https://byronriginos.com/2018/12/06/my-dancing-with-the-best-or-nothing

I. Selecting the right partner for the mechanical jobs at hand

As an appetizer enjoy this short video 👏👌😍

Most of the suspension and engine mount rubbers needed replacement 😮

There was a positive talk within our www.3cg.gr ecosystem about the PAPAPANAGIOTOU Brothers, as being the good experts in all things Mercedes-Benz and classics in particular. Hence a visit to their establishment in Neos Kosmos was appropriate. Below some photos of our early encounters and getting to know each other (i.e. master mechanic and older brother Nikos, plus Vagias and Costas).

My SL during an early visit to PAPAPANAGIOTOU Brothers workshop
Another visiting time
Master mechanic Nikos PAPAPANAGIOTOU @work ✅🏁

II. Getting the jobs done ✅

After a thorough inspection of the car, a list of spare parts was made. Flash back: Since my other “ground up” restoration project several years back, involving a 1967 Mercedes-Benz 250 SE Coupè [W111.020] , I had established a good relationship with one of Germany’s well known Mercedes spare parts supplier, the firm Niemöller . Hence sourcing spares for the R121.020 was not like rediscovering a wheel. To make a long story short, up to this writing ✍️, four Purchase Orders have been placed approximately for €4,500, not to mention about another €1,000 invested for spares and services from the local Greek market. Lest I forget, the €83 for the RetroSound accessories.

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