Just great to have forum buddies over!!
 

Even better with food! :D
This evening Tyler, in his E500 wagon {I have no idea of proper nomenclature on an MB this new}, and his buddy Zach in the most rusted 300TD I have ever seen stopped by on their way from Wichita KS to Austin TX. I must say, ROTchester is about as well named a car as you will find. :eek: Purred like a kitten though.
Anyway, much to Colin's dismay, Tyler and I had worked out a deal for me to get the interior of Rotchester in exchange for my slightly lesser quality rear seats from the white wagon and front seats from Smash. Super deal for me as I really needed rear wagon seats with headrests so my youngest daughter can ride in the 3rd row seat, and it was also an upgrade for the front seats in Smash. Pretty nice upgrade there too.
I didn't take too many pics as it got dark pretty fast, we were working and sweating feverishly, and the mosquitoes were determined to carry us away.
Before we started the work outside my lovely spousal apparatus had ordered Italian food right before she got off work, and kept it warm in Chafin dishes {candle-type heat}. Good thing since our power was off from about 4:00 until 7:30!
This is Tyler on left, Zach next to him and my wife.
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...lerandZach.jpg
The camera flash sure does kill the feel of the room with the lighting. Oh well...

Then with full gullets we headed outside for the swap. Here was the deal:
Rear 60/40 wagons seats, from Rotchester to white wagon. White wagon 60/40 back to Rotchester.
Does this look like driveway chaos!!!!
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...Smash005-1.jpg

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...Smash006-1.jpg
Look at the wagons! 3 W123 wagons right in a row, with the 2nd and 3rd being twin Blue/silver with blue interior. Then a W124, an asian-themed 240D, and then a real wagon!! Fire breathing E500!! What a nice car!!!

Back to the jalopy wagons for a sec. Here is Tyler removing front seats from Rotchester:
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...Smash008-2.jpg

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...h/Smash009.jpg

And here's Tyler's butt for any of the forum ladies. :eek:
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...Smash010-1.jpg
Wasn't exactly the purpose of the pic, but it did kind of over-power whatever I was trying to capture.
I haven't put the rear seats in the white wagon yet. We had to get Zach's interior back in Rotchester so they could cruise on to Austin. I felt very odd removing his interior and replacing it with mine of slightly lesser quality, but he said he didn't give a rip, and I actually believe him. He doesn't. Good kid!
White wagon awaiting seat install:
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...Stuff194-1.jpg

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...Stuff195-1.jpg

I also got a nice wagon cover for the white wagon from Tyler but haven't looked at it yet. Sent some R12 Tyler's way too for his 6.9

So, I'm out of pics, but I did get to cruise the E500 asphalt shredding wagon for a few miles out here in the sticks, and WOW what an awesome ride! Plush, sophisticated, fast, amazing massaging driver's seat while I was driving, cool air suspension, and a speedo that climbs to 100 alarmingly quickly!!! :o:o:o It also looks like a Mercedes from the back, which certainly must be a nice benefit for certain chassis.......
It was great to see Tyler again, to meet Zach and to have some hands-on MB time. Too bad Dan and Ralph and Eric and the other Eric and Shell and Armando etc.... couldn't have all made it. I might have to start working on a small local thing soon. Sorry to Eric [First300D] for not hollering with coffee. Time lines this evening were chaotic. We'll get together soon, along with the others and hopefully more.
A successful and enjoyable evening... :)

Ya know, I'm glad to read an E500 also does what my '99 E300TD does with it's speedometer, too......

Gotta love the speed and quickness of 'em!

Actually in those oooh so flattering photos I'm installing seats and using horrible manners at the impeccably prepared dinner table. (elbows)

I only have two photos as well because of the feverish pace.

I don't remember Jimmy doing a jig over his new seats, but this photo paints that picture:

http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/g...0/DSC02642.jpg

That was not the look on Zach's face for the majority of the evening, that's for sure. Much more flattering photo of him than Jimmy took of me at least.

http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/g...0/DSC02643.jpg

Even with Jimmy's romping I managed 23MPG out of the E500 today! Rotchester a solid 27. Hard to believe that $500 wagon is California bound and performing great so far. (knock on wood)

Thankyou again by the way, Jimmy. I'm going to have to send the wifey a thankyou card as well.

WOW!!!!
 

You guys were busy! I'll be thinking about you tomorrow while I'm dismantling the 300SDL Parts car in the hot sun.

Don't get too hot getting that fender for me. I am heading to the U-Auto-Pullit in the AM. I hear they have a 1989 420SEL that just came in. Gotta check it out.

Right now it's a toss up of roasting your brains out during the heat of the day or waiting till it's cooler and constantly swatting at mosquitos (they are the tiny zebra mosquitos that you usually can't see until it has already bit you).

So, where was my invite, there Jimmy Ole Pal?

Since it was last evening, I could not have made it anyway, since my daughter decided to turn in front of some one, resulting a fender bender, well actually passeger rear wheel damage and bent axle on the 89 Nissan 4x4 no body damage. It was a 2007 Volvo that nailed her...will require new bumper and headlight assembly. It was a low speed impact. No one hurt, except for Steph's pride, and her bank account as she will be buying replacement parts for the P/U.

I had the pleasure of watching it while following her in my MB. AAA took the truck home, and My trusted MB took us home...

Tyler & Zach,

Are you really old enough to have a drivers licence?:D

Looks like you just kids . . . maybe I'm just getting OLD!;)

Jimmy doesn't look much older . . . but it's not a good picture . . .:confused:

Jimmys wife looks young enough to get him thrown in jail.

Looks like you guys had a good time.

Charlie

I'm sure he's not complaining :)

no wonder Mrs. Jimmy is not coming!
 

Turning 21 is an important milestone!!!

hehe

I can't wait to meet everyone tomorrow! Got to get out an finish detailing!

John in San Antonio

I'm turning 23 soon and Zach is 25.

Jimmy is just a few years older...:rolleyes:

Yeah, I know your in college, but you looked quite young . . . and I was just having a little fun:D

Old gets here soon enough.:(

You will be old longer than you were young.

Charlie