The Scent of a Woman!

I am sitting here sipping my scotch thinking about my Suzanne. I drove her to dinner last night with the kids, since my wife was not feeling well. If you blind folded me and put me in an old MB, I swear I could tell you the year! These old cars smell like cigars, each one with a unique taste and aroma. The combination of leather, wood, and horse hair is so unique and alluring, I have caught myself getting in the drivers seat, just to take in the sweet aroma! Has anyone else noticed this? My 87 is not as distinct as the 72 280, but it's there! I also have a German built VW that is unmistakable "Ode de VW", as well as other VW's in the past.

My wife's uncle introduced us to wine tasting a few years ago, and I could not believe my old sinuses could actually pick up some of the flavors in wines. US cars I have owned have never had a pleasant signature aroma, though they did have "an aroma". I must say it was fun cruising with the kids and I hope they pick up some of my passion for cars and maintenance. I am "unloading" one of my five cars and I am proud of my son who asked, "what are you going to buy next Daddy"? Can any one recommend a vintage port?

Hoooah!!!!!

Deezel,
I too may share you appreciation for the "aroma" of the MB automobiles and other makes, my stepfathers Capri-cigerette smelling 88 420SEL would be excluded!!!
When my best friend sat in my 83 300D-T for the 1st time, even he noticed all the smells and sounds that he remembered from years ago in other benz's. '
I must admit that my leather interior of my vintige seville has the best interior smells however. The M-B has a more plasticky smell while the cadillac has the smell if a finer grade of leather.
You all will hate me for saying this, but M-B can take a lesson from cadillac on how to create that "custom tailored" interior look and feel!

[MikeTangas]

I too enjoy the aroma of years past in my 280SEL. The aroma level changes dependent on weather conditions bringing out some of the deeper aromas. Mine is outfitted with MB Tex, and on extremely hot days the interior does have a plastic flavor to it, not necessarily unpleasant, but definitely not leather. Although one of the previous owners was a smoker, enough time has passed that the faint trace of smoke only reminds me of my favorite uncle's house (he was a die hard pipe smoker, wonderfully aromatic home).

Deezel,

Shhhhh......, if the rest of the public catches on and begins to appreciate such things, that will drive up the prices of the cars we love to collect and restore!

If only half the car buying public "understood" the character of Mercedes, ... oops! Maybe they do, that is why 30 year old cars still populate the U.S. highways regularly!

I only have a newer 92', but I can relate the smells and character you refer to while car shopping recently.

They sure don't make 'um like they used to! Even the newer Mercedes.


Vintage Port, does a 300Sel 6.3 or 450SEL 6.9 qualify?

Maybe some day when the garage gets big enough!

[ctaylor738]

I know what you mean. Our '82 300D and my '79 280E had a really neat "patina" of graceful aging which included smeels, and wear on the seats and console. My 300E is just starting to get there. It must be really awesome in the older "hand built" cars with leather and more wood.

Thanks for an interesting insight.

Deezel

Just stopped by for a quick visit. Glad your still enjoying 'Suzanne'.

Did you ever get her to the atlantic coast, I think you were talking about Savanna?

I will probably get there this Spring. I usually go once a year about that time. Did you get the post cards I sent? I think my childrem are also beginning to enjoy this very nice car as well. Sometimes they ask to take her to dinner etc!

Deezel

Got one post card from you, from Colorado. Great country out there, isn't it. I'm heading back to Moab, Utah again in May with my 4wheeling friends. Great scenery there too.

Try http://www.explorer4x4.com, then go to the message board. Lots of interesting stuff there. Mostly Explorer related. The first forum "Website and Forum Feedback' has one of my exploits under the "Rubicon' & 'Truck Trend' threads.

Then further down, in the Moab threads under 'Seriuos Explorations' are some pretty interesting pictures.

Something to do for you while having a glas of California Cabernet and a cigar.

PS: We're even using the same message board software as here.

[Edited by schwob on 02-14-2001 at 02:19 PM]

I'm a little disappointed in that I sent a nice one from Oklahoma, and one other city (I think). Oh well, at least you know I was thinking of you! I'll check out the explorer site!