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#1
06-21-2004, 11:44 PM
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This thing is amazing!
I just started working as a caretaker for an entrepeneurs auto collection. I have to say it is a nice one. One of his daily drivers is a 2003 500 SL. I spent most of my Saturday detailing it and it is a fine piece of machinery. I've always been a Euro nut, but MB is topping the list. I just felt like sharing.
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Caretaker for... 2003 500 SL 1992 500 E 1986 500 SL Conv. 1967 250 SE Cab 1964 600 Limousine 1953 220 A Cab 
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#2
06-22-2004, 04:53 PM
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Curious...
...what kind of skills are required as a caretaker? Do you do any repairs of any sort, special storage maintenance, or cosmetic detailing? But most importantly, do you get to take any of the vehicles out for an "Italian tuneup"? 
__________________
2009 ML350 (106K) - Family vehicle 2001 CLK430 Cabriolet (80K) - Wife's car 2005 BMW 645CI (138K) - My daily driver 2016 Mustang (32K) - Daughter's car
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#3
06-23-2004, 02:52 PM
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Skills for a caretaker are as follows but not limited to...
Being a car nut. Typical maintenance of the cars includes general maintenance (belts, hoses, fluids, etc. when necessary), wash, polish, wax, fingerprint removal and dusting. And my favorite part, the Italian Tune-up every 2 weeks. The nice part is, the collection isn't limited to M-B... '69 VW Karmann Ghia Conv. '57 Alfa Giuliette Spyder Normale (100 pointer) '67 Jag Mk2 Saloon (Sedan) '67 Jag 3.4S Saloon (Sedan) '56 T-Bird Conv. '64 Porsche 356C Cab. '99 BMW 740iL '03 Cadillac Escalade '03 Jeep Grand Cherokee 
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Caretaker for... 2003 500 SL 1992 500 E 1986 500 SL Conv. 1967 250 SE Cab 1964 600 Limousine 1953 220 A Cab
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#4
06-23-2004, 03:57 PM
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Quote:
__________________
2009 ML350 (106K) - Family vehicle 2001 CLK430 Cabriolet (80K) - Wife's car 2005 BMW 645CI (138K) - My daily driver 2016 Mustang (32K) - Daughter's car
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#5
06-24-2004, 03:41 AM
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Sheesh - that puts my meagre 4-car collection to shame.
So is this a full time job for you? What does the owner do with his collection... are they garage queens or Jay Leno-style drivers? And what was his rationale for the collection, since they seem to be an odd assortment. Just curious - not picky. Ken Silver -------------- ~1993 SL500, glistening triple black, xenons: http://www.kensilver.com/SL ~1999 SLK 230 Kompressor, silver/black leather, CD, immaculate (my wife's) ~1999 Suzuki Grand Vitara. black & silver ~1991 Daimler, shiny grey/grey leather, best in country! ~ex 350SL, 230E, 280E, MX5 and a lot of other makes not nearly as nice.
__________________
http://www.kensilver.com/newSLsig.jpg
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#6
06-24-2004, 09:04 AM
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Unfortunately this is not a full time job. It's typically a weekend getaway. In the past the owner kept the cars in a garage and just looked at them. He had hoped the previous caretaker started the cars and drove them some, but the guy just rubbed on em, too afraid to drive them. Needless to say after sitting for 5 years, things leak. We had a major run in with the Porsche over Memorial Day weekend. The car hadn't been checked on in some time and was driven out of the garage without any inspection. 10 miles down the road, no brakes!
One of the brake lines had dry-rotted and sprung a leak. A large puddle was noticed upon entering the garage, but wasn't noticed upon exit. Luckliy the driver was an experienced one and coasted to a stop.I asked the owner if he had a high turnover in his collection and he said no, not really. When you have the best there's no reason to get rid of them. I guess that answers the diverse collection question. I have images of the cars that I took last week, unfortunately I don't have any of the Porsche or the 600 Limo, I forgot to wander to the other side of the garage to snap some photos. If anyone wants to see the pics, send me a PM with your email address and I'll see what I can do to get em to ya.
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Caretaker for... 2003 500 SL 1992 500 E 1986 500 SL Conv. 1967 250 SE Cab 1964 600 Limousine 1953 220 A Cab
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#7
06-30-2004, 11:46 PM
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Quote:
What sort of average mileage do they have - does he prefer low milers? Interesting to see how people handle a collection of this size. In my "Ultimate Garages" book there is a guy with a dozen Porsches who orders in mechanics when things need doing, and keeps all the tools they need on site. Ken Silver -------------- ~1993 SL500, glistening triple black, xenons: http://www.kensilver.com/SL ~1999 SLK 230 Kompressor, silver/black leather, CD, immaculate (my wife's) ~1999 Suzuki Grand Vitara. black & silver ~1991 Daimler, shiny grey/grey leather, best in country! ~ex 350SL, 230E, 280E, MX5 and a lot of other makes not nearly as nice.
__________________
http://www.kensilver.com/newSLsig.jpg
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