November 15, 2009
To Fans of the Original Mercedes Gullwing
... who are now sputtering, as I did, that the latest addition to the Mercedes Benz line will require us to tack on a modifier (i.e., "original") when referencing that marvelous vehicle, Dan Neil of the Los Angeles Times offers a little salve inasmuch as he could not keep out of his review of the 2011 SLS AMG Gullwing an accurate - and therefore flattering - look at the 300 SL Gullwing. (Aficionados of the older Aston Martin are specifically advised not to click on the link.)
Semi related item: Birdman of Alcatraz Birdbrain of Texas
A friend in college had a gull wing. A fine piece of German engineering. What I remember best was that when it got old enough to require major service it was discovered that those German engineers had inserted a copper gasket between the iron block and the aluminum head. It required a chisel and sledge hammer to remove the head.
Astons are not appreciated in their own time. When I was very young the Volvo dealer in Seekonk had an old '52/53 Aston, for which he wanted $100. I could not interest my father.
With that experience, my "toy" is a "Super Stock" Dodge of Beach Boys fame.
Posted by: Warrington Faust at November 15, 2009 1:17 PMA friend in college had a gull wing. A fine piece of German engineering. What I remember best was that when it got old enough to require major service it was discovered that those German engineers had inserted a copper gasket between the iron block and the aluminum head. It required a chisel and sledge hammer to remove the head.
Astons are not appreciated in their own time. When I was very young the Volvo dealer in Seekonk had an old '52/53 Aston, for which he wanted $100. I could not interest my father.
With that experience, my "toy" is a "Super Stock" Dodge of Beach Boys fame.
Posted by: Warrington Faust at November 15, 2009 1:18 PM"those German engineers had inserted a copper gasket between the iron block and the aluminum head. It required a chisel and sledge hammer to remove the head."
I've never heard of metal gaskets in cars.
Posted by: Monique at November 15, 2009 11:09 PM"I've never heard of metal gaskets in cars."
The cylinder head gasket was at least copper clad. It has been years, it may have been pure copper with compressible extruded portions which created the sealing effect.
Many high temperature gaskets, such as exhaust manifold gaskets, are metal. In more modern cars they tend to be some form of paper (made in Walpole, MA) with metal faces on the portions exposed to actual flame.
Posted by: Warrington Faust at November 15, 2009 11:25 PMI still can't drive sown Route 6 without thinking of that $100 Aston Martin. Even though it sat out back in the "clunker" line, I was amazed my father couldn't see the beauty of it.
I can't recall enough detail to remember if it was DB2 or DB3.
Posted by: Warrington Faust at November 15, 2009 11:32 PMParents can be so darn practical, Warrington.
Posted by: Monique at November 16, 2009 8:09 AMSo, Monique, when are you taking delivery?
Technology sure has improved. My normally-aspirated 1968 300SEL 6.3 only made 330 horsepower with 435 lb.-ft. of torque.
Posted by: BobN at November 17, 2009 8:13 AMBobN, yes technology has improved. The 6.3 engine was developed by MB for truck use, then use in the 600. Given the horsepower and torque figures and realizing that torque and horsepower equalize at 5250 rpm, MB probably opted for the smoothness of high torque. It was also hampered in flexibility by the mechanical fuel injection.
Posted by: Warrington Faust at November 17, 2009 9:08 AMTrue, but I loved that car. It was like sitting in one of the big chairs in my rich girlfriend's living room at 130 mph.
Posted by: BobN at November 17, 2009 8:13 PM