Frank Mallory, 1932-2004

[cth350]

A whole lot of benz know-how left us this morning.

For those of you that knew the man, either by reputation or from more direct contact, you should know that Frank Mallory died this morning, peacefully in his sleep.

For those that never met Frank, or never heard of him, well, Frank was a die-hard Benz enthusiast. One of the fellows I always turned to for assistance. How many retired computer consultants are out there that can say they owned a 300sl and sold it for 5 grand? Or became 600 mechanics because their friend bought a car and didn't want to pay the dealer a four figure sum for a brake job? Then there were the 190SL's that he found a joy to work on. His 250SL that came from the factory with a 5-speed and a chromed engine compartment, "just like the one at the car show in Switzerland" (and no other car has done so since that we know of).

Frank was active until the very, very end. Just last Friday, he fixed the alternator wiring on his 280SE. He was in bed, on oxygen, and used a walkie-talkie with his daugther Jen to direct her on what to do. There were a few emails sent to the mercedes veterans list, where Frank was one of the first members, to double check a few facts that Frank couldn't exactly look up in his condition. It took a few hours to get all the details straight, but the car now drive fine. I think he spent Sunday instructing Jen on the details of 190SL wheel bearings and brakes.

-CTH

[norbtx]

RIP.

[psfred]

Sorry to hear this. I certainly hope I get to go the same way!

Peter

[engatwork]