If i may, i wanted to explain why i love this channel so much. It's not just that Iain is such a wealth of information but rather how he interacts with us all while executing these videos. Never once have i ever felt embarrassed, unworthy or degraded because I'm new to these vehicles and probably will never be able to afford them. So many TH-cam channels creators have an "aire" about them as if they are speaking "down" to their subscribers. They make themselves out to have huge amounts of hubris when most people just want to learn. I commend Iain for always remaining "humble" and I know that quality will show through in his first ever live-stream.
Thank you so much - this is so kind of you to say. I just try to be myself and to share the beauty of these wonderful cars with as many interested people as possible. Thanks also for the kind words about the livestream, I'm really looking forward to it, but slightly nervous!
@@iain_tyrrell Your videos really are second to none, please keep making them and change nothing. I wait for them every week and I'm very much looking forward to that live stream of yours.
Well put, couldn’t agree more. It’s such a treat to have Iain talk to us like we were paying customers, or even better, as true motor car fans. Thank you!
I agree, Kenneth. Iain has a warmth that comes through in his videos. This is also evident in his interactions with his staff. And I'm like you, there's no way I will ever be able to afford the cars he features, but it's nice to learn about them and experience them through him.
According to Jason Cammisa, Prince Motors of Japan had a license to produce the Mercedes inline 6 engines. Nissan bought Prince Motors in 1966 and inherited the license. The 4 cylinder in the 510 and the 6 cylinder in the 240Z are based on the Mercedes engine.
It's a bit sad this channel has only 155K subscribers. It deserves many more. Car enthusiasts who are not subscribed don't know what they are missing especially with the live stream coming soon.
As a retired mechanical engineer, I find this portrayal of cars totally fascinating. One the one hand there is the visible, beautiful, shiny and smooth exterior of the body, and the luxury of the interior for the passengers. One the other hand is the multitude of engineering, often oily but (hopefully) unseen components that make the car move. Great to see both sides on your videos.
It fills me with joy, to see you Mr Tyrrell teach the young generaton about these moving sculptures, and why they are built like they are. Such depth of knowledge, passed on to the next generation makes me so proud. Thank Sir!
Thank you! It's so important to pass the skills on to keep these wonderful cars alive. If you haven't already seen it, you might like the video I did in December from the Heritage Skills Academy at Brooklands. They're doing fantastic work training apprentices on the techniques used. th-cam.com/video/qICi5zGF5Qk/w-d-xo.html
Iain, you are a walking encyclopaedia! I’ve always loved the Pagoda. It seems to represent a more glamorous time. The engineering is staggering and to my mind, it was cars like this made Mercedes.
My father bought a 280 SL Automatic in period, probably around 1970, having previously had an E-Type. It was silver and I remember it had an aluminium dash. I thought it was absolutely beautiful and I can remember travelling with him in the front passenger seat with the roof off, which I remember he stored in the garage suspended from the ceiling. Unfortunately, the only two accidents he ever had were in the Mercedes, on both occasions the rear drum brakes locked in the wet and he slid into the rear tailgate of a lorry, breaking an ankle in one of them. Unfortunately the Pagoda had to go and it was replaced with a safer, but much more humdrum 280E saloon.
Iain seems to be a renaissance man. He’s shifting from engineering tech to pop culture and history lessons all in one episode. Interesting to me at least
Iain, Please! Never, never ever feel like you need to apologise for anything, and I mean anything! It is a total priveledge and an honour for all of us for you to take the time out of your no doubt busy daily life to witter on, nerd out, segway and digress just to make these magnificent videos, which personally I could watch for hours and just can't get enough of!
Remains IMO one the most beautiful and smart looking cars post-war. Can remember seeing my first one when they were first released; white color parked at the curb and I thought it one of the most eye-catching cars I had ever seen. Stately, sporty, and elegant with proportions I don't think could be improved. This video is a joy due to the deep and interesting aspects shown about the car, to a degree I've never seen before. Very interesting.
I have a very soft spot for Pagodas, when I finished School I did an apprenticeship at a classic Mercedes Specialist. While I spent most of the time disassembling Unimog engines (Type 404S have the same basic engine as most Mercedes Straight six from 1952-1980, so decomissioned Bundeswehr spare engines are an ideal source of spare parts) the other half of it was spending time caring for mostly Pontons (which actually are Monococques btw) and Pagodas. Including a few spirited test drives. I love how the 230 engine sounds when you get it up in the rev range. And the similarity to the Nissan L-Series engines are no coincidence. Back in 1966 Nissan acquired Prince Motor Company who had purchased a license to build those 1950s era Mercedes engines which they kept developing on their own and ended up becoming the excellent L-Type that lasted until 1986 in passenger cars.
One of my past bosses was persuaded to buy a Pagoda in 1990 as an investment and one day I was asked as the resident motor nerd to go to his garage to get the thing started so it could be used at the weekend for posing. It was the first time I had had a close look around a Pagoda, given that this was a supposed investment the driver's door rubbers showed remarkable wear, suggesting that the body was flexing. I did not expect that from a Merc. Indeed, my 1994 W124 500E (the last of the cars built when Merc was run by engineers) is astoundingly solid.
Definitely not a petrol head but an engineer....so appreciate Iain and his presentation and wealth of knowledge. Always a pleasure to watch his videos.
Iain is THE MAN! So very smart and he's a classic treasure much more than any car LOL. Of course he knows all the little specs and tricks on so many cool old cars like the Pagoda. And just watching and listening to him is a real treat! Thank you for the great channel and videos! It's hard work making them I know!
@iain_tyrrell amazing knowledge. I'm loving the videos and learning more. I was never blessed with much brains and would have loved to have done what you've done but not everyone can be that clever.
Wow Ian. Anyone lucky enough to work with you can only count themselves as truely lucky. To be afforded the opportunity to learn is wonderful for the lucky few. We need people like you to transfer the knowledge to the next group
As a longtime subscriber, i - as usual - enjoyed this informative video a lot. You mentioned the designer Béla Barényi quite rightfully as the father of the safety-cell, but although in this video it's mentioned several times that the Pagoda is quite elegant with it's distinctive design, you forgot to mention the designer responsable for this beautiful work of art: the famous French designer Paul Bracq. Thought i'd bring this up to complement the otherwise great video. Cheers from Czech Republic.
So glad to know you enjoyed it. And thank you for reminding me about M. Bracq - you're absolutely right! There were a few things I forgot to mention, but I thought I'd wittered on long enough as it was.
I remember a lady, in Hollywood, giving me a ride in one of these in about 1972. I thought it was the most fabulous car I had ever been in, and she was so proud of it.
24:00 not only that, Spitfires sputtered when negative G (pushing the nose over or flying upside down) affected the carburetor. The Bf109 didn't have this problem with the fuel injection. The Merlin however benefited from a cooler inlet charge thanks to the evaporization of the fuel in the carb. Both beautiful designs in their own right.
@@gazzafloss No, it was the war on land which decided the issue, by kids being fed into the meat grinder by the millions. Your tone of nationalistic pridefulness is either ignorant or callous. Both the Merlin and db605 were terrible machines and nothing whatsoever to be proud of.
This issue was recognised, and addressed. The short term solution was a perforated diaphragm inside the carburettor. It was not a full solution, but gave pretty good results. It was developed by Beatrice Schilling, a mechanical engineer. It was known colloquially as 'Miss Schilling's orifice'. The long term solution was a pressure carburettor, introduced in 1943, which fully overcame the issues, without losing the advantages of a carburettor.
as a normal person living in Texas, ive only seen these cars in magazines, movies and calendars and the famous "Alpine" Countach poster..The beauty and engineering of these cars to me is history, albet on an automotive scale.. you truely have a passion for these cars and it shows in your knowledge and attention to detail in restoring these vehicles..
The amount of knowledge, class and politeness in these videos and people intervining, is truly outstanding. Really amazing to see this kind of work be done on such awesome vehicles. I'd emigrate and work in this workshop in a heartbeat 😅
Iain Tyrrell is perhaps the only guy of whom I know who could take a drive in a humdrum car like mine, a clapped out Mk IV Triumph Spitfire, and not only would it run better than it ever has, but he would give it the classiest touch it would ever have had. Thank you for yet another wonderful drive in an equally wonderful car!
Wonderful cars, I owned a '64 230SL manual for about 8 years in the 2000's and drove it almost daily. The early cars with the tubular headers sound even better. As you said Iain to do anything up behind the dash is a nightmare, heater cables/valves, speedo repair and obviously the wiper linkages. Another reason they seize, apart from lack of use, is there is a tiny drain hole in the recess where those wipers bolt on. The hole gets clogged with dirt/debris, or gets painted over, and the water pools there and seeps down into the spindle. A lot of 60's Benz cars are the same, look for the drain hole and keep it clear. Love the channel, can't wait for the live stream !!
Even though I spend quite a bit of time on TH-cam, Iain drove me to my first use of the subscribe button, and the like button. Your videos never disappoint and I’m going to take the time to go back and like all of your videos because I want TH-cam to give me more of THIS!
I love this channel. Honestly if this video had been 90 minutes long I would have watched it. And still wished for 90 minutes more. Thanks for doing these videos - I'm sure there are great efforts behind the scenes that we don't see, but they're surely appreciated by all! Good luck in the live-stream!
My father loved these cars. He would treat himself to a new one every two years. I do remember as a small child going to the Mercedes dealer in Leicester, ( I believe it was Castles) in 71- 72, and him buying a 350SL in gold. Wonderful memories.
Iain your videos are nothing but marvellous, your knowledge will sadly one day be missed, it's legendary. Your staff are very fortunate to have a great a great depth of knowledge to learn from.
I bought my 280SL (manual) in 1987 and have enjoyed it immensely ever since. They are very well engineered although I did convert mine to electronic ignition 15 years ago and I would highly recommend this. The car starts hot or cold and never splutters like it did previously. Great review.
Love this channel. He's a great educator. You can really see Iain's depth of knowledge when he's talking about cars - so off-the-cuff minutiae come out naturally, while when reading an idiot board about an upcoming event, he seems so stilted!
Ive recently discovered this channel and have sent everything I've watched to my chums. I have to refer to Mr. Tyrell as Mr. Tyrell as he is a true gentleman. Obviously i love all of the wide variety of cars but for me depth of knowledge and finesse are beyond compare but clearly its the "just so" factor that matters most. Wonderful.
Another wonderful video, so informative, and I love Iain's gentle yet naughty sense of humour. He was just bursting to go all "Carry On" with the lobes gag, brilliant. Thank you.
Nerdy Excursions! If you ever write a book, there's the title! Another great episode! Thanks for taking the time from your work to answer so many comments, Iain!
Even though I'm most knowledgeable about Italian cars, I can and definitely do appreciate these great classic Mercedes Benz models, hailing from the days when Mercedes really built its cars like nobody else. Always a pleasure to learn from you, Iain; thank you for sharing your knowledge and experience with us all, and sure I'll tune in for the live stream!
My mother had a 1968 280SL. Honestly, they're the coolest car ever! Really a way underrated car. I would consider this the damn of a a modern sports car, or a modern car just in general. With the automatic transmission, and the fuel injection, four wheel power disk brakes, power steering, fully independent suspension system it provides a modern driving experience most people didn't get until probably the 90's frankly because most cars in the 80's had low power. Probably until maybe the Toyota Supra's in the 80's, and even then it was crisper. You just turned the key and it fired up. It had great low end torque, it was incredible crisp and responsive and when you stepped on it, YEAH! This does go down as one of the best motors ever, Ultimately the OM648 CDI was the best motor mercedes ever made. Mercedes perfected the inline 6, but OM648 is really, really something to be getting 40 or 50mpg with at least 370ft/lbs of torque, 550 easily. It was bigger, twin cam, 4 valves per cylinder, perfected timing chain and direct inject with a turbo. But it all started with these inline 6 and you can see the diesel like torque combined with the smooth, high revving power. They had a great automatic transmission too. I'm getting one of these things.
Something I love about this channel is the uncommon cars that are the regular topic here. I'm watching this hot off the starting point of the Rover SD1-Vitesse, the Citroen SM, and then the Fiat 130 Coupe. All specialty enthusiast cars, but not so widely known to most people.
Vielen Dank für Ihr wunderbares Video über die Pagode. Mr. Tyrell, Sie sind immer äußerst informativ, unterhaltsam und verkörpern auf so lässig-sympathische Weise die Faszination, die diese alten klassischen Fahrzeuge für uns alle bedeuten. Großartig!
That spray bar deserves an accompanying ‘Upper Case type’ warning in the owner’s manual. I like the timing chain tensioner system. It takes the tension off the chain as the engine cools, thereby protecting the chain and pulleys; just as loosening chain tension on a chainsaw when you stop for a rest OR at the end of the day, relieves the tension, stops the chain from stretching and protects the chainsaw bar nose when you next start the chainsaw.
So much positive energy in this wonderful video! Iain once again generously sharing his vast knowledge of automotive minutia - the Pinto reference blew my mind! Demonstrating his desire to transfer that knowledge - in full detail - to not only his young employees but to all of us. And, of course, the wonderful test drive peppered with Iain's lovely descriptive prose of the emotional side of these amazing motors. He is the Evelyn Waugh of motoring, in that regard! Thank you so much Iain. Cheers, from Singapore!
Another great video . Thank you Iain. These videos are sometimes the only time we’ll ever see these cars so to see and be educated about them is just fantastic.
Thanks Ian for your work, quality tv about cars and classics is sadly missing on mainstream tv and you plus several others do a great job. The cars you guide us round are beyond my means but I never feel embarrassed or not worthy of your work, your knack is speaking to “ me” as if I’m the owner… thanks
Have to love the 6 cylinder Mercedes engines. My 1978 280SE is so sweet when you give it some revs. The heritage of these engines goes way back and Mercedes know how to do them. Great video Iain.
Interesting thing about the Datsun engine Iain mentions is that it was developed from the Prince Motor Company's G engine, which was initially a licensed copy of the Mercedes M180. When Prince was purchased by Nissan, they modified it significantly but retained many key features, christening it the L-series. The Datsun engine was available in 4 and 6 cylinder variants, all OHC and reverse flow, and powered a variety of Datsun and Nissan models including the 240Z, well past its ancestor's lifetime.
Another great video Iain. I haven't the faintest clue about the mechanical side of cars but still I enjoy listening to you share your knowledge. And of course then you throw into the mix, design talk and driving experiences. Love your channel.
I changed a blown head gasket on my wifes 1991 190e 2.0 a few years ago.( m102 engine). At the same time, changed the valve stem seals, chain tensioner and guide, injector seals etc...oh, and cleaned the spray bar!! Its amazing how similar that engine is. Mercedes don't change anything if its working do they!
nerdy .......i love it ! So many things to learn ! Cast aluminium doors with an aluminum skin. I knew that there was aluminium used but i never knew that is was that huge amount of material was used. The pagode is one of my dream cars .....gosh i have so many dream cars.......................... Thank you again and again for all these videos and the work which comes along with them. Also i like how you involve your employes and treating them well infront of the camera. I am sure you treating them also good when the camera is not rolling ;-)
I recall back in the late 1970’s I worked at a Mercedes franchise in Coral Gables, Florida., Bill Ussery Motors (today Mercedes Benz of Coral Gables, same ownership) I was talking to a technician about the 280SL engine and the Datsun/Nissan 240Z engine. His reply was the same as what you had heard “The 240Z engine is a carbon copy of our M130 engine you’ll find in the 280SL”. 👍👍
What a fabulous episode once again with such profound mastery with a distinctive style for quite uncomplicated sounding tuition of intricate matters... I must admit that the W113 has been lacking attention from my side somewhat since I have been of the opinion that the succeeding R107 actually brought back a powerful design after the 190 and 300 SL. The W113 is exceptionally elegant and characteristic nonetheless but has been overshadowed by the R107 perhaps. Well, at least in my mind. Wonderful! Thank you so much again.
I suddenly started appreciating Mercedes after I bought a wretched old W203 on Facebook... on a whim... I now lust after a silver SL. I must be getting old.
I do enjoy my Sunday evenings. There is something very charming about this channel that I can't quite put my finger one. It's enough to know that I enjoy it...
There is just something about an inline-six that I find very appealing. The silky smooth, quiet sound when you are not in a hurry but they start to sing if you drive them spirited.
Love these gorgeous cars. I still remember where I was and what year I saw my first one was winter 1983 in Tucson AZ. had to catch up and check it out, was a late 70's model. Thanks always a joy to watch your presentations.
Had a '65 230 I daily drove for a couple o'years in the mid-late 90's and can tell ya they're just fantastic. Reliable, cheap (at that time) to service, quick (ish :) ) fun, fun, FUN to drive, cruise at 75mph all day long. Mine to was a 4-spd, console, jump seat and below dash AC unit in Burgundy with black leather.. Love and miss that car almost every day.
I fell in love with the Pagoda 280sl as a teenager, my grandmother was given one by my father after she found out how much her E type was worth, poor dear couldn't believe it was so valuable, I've had 2 now, but I gave my niece one for her 30th birthday, it's her weekend & special occasion car, Rj in Oz
Dear Ian, we had a late 50ies 190SL in our workshop in Berlin a few weeks ago and I am quite certain that the doors where the same cast aluminium and aluminium skin system. I might be wrong, but the structure felt cast, not pressed. I very much enjoy your channel and thanks to you my private 450 SL R107 has no play in its steering anymore! All the best from Germany!
While the cam setup is similar to those early single overhead cam engines, the m130 engine is unique in that is has the exhaust valve and combustion chamber overhanging the engine deck. Its why the mercedes head gasket almost appears to be for a flathead engine(the cylinder seal is not circular). Old mercedes always had a weird way of getting their engines to produce just a bit more horsepower than a similar sized engine from another company.
My mother had a 69 280 SL for 15 years. She's hardly what I considered a gearhead - petrohead to you-but she loved driving that car She named the car Bruno Years ago in the 1980s I had a Toyota Celica and I was taking her somewhere and we hit a curve on the freeway that merges to another freeway. And she was gripping that seat of hers like a cat. I told her that you take Bruno faster than that around the same curve to which she replied "yes but then I'm just tooling around . That car was fun to drive for one thing I remember about it at freeway speed you were turning about 4000 RPM. Whether they lowered the differential gear for just the USA or it was a general nature of the beast I don't know But regularly we had to take it out on the freeway and give it a "Italian tuneup" where you have it in a lower gear and you floor of that thing and then release the gas. It would spit and sputter and you would watch black clouds of smoke go out until it was all cleared up Even Mercedes-Benz of USA recommended using champion or NGK spark plugs over the Bosch The other thing that amazed me was the pallet of colors available to these cars over its 10 year run When you add the dual color combinations there were some that were unique of all the production. My mothers car was graphite gray with red roof, red hubcaps and red interior It was a stunning combination and I've never seen another in that combination They sold it in 86 and I never saw it again; I think it went back to the fatherland
As always a PHD level of mechanical engineering and an explanation of something that made a lifelong gearhead's lightbulb go off. A highschool best friends Dad had both a Pagoda and a 240z and now I know why, they had the same engine although of different manufacture. The very clever Japanese company Datsun basically put the Pagoda engine into it's beautiful 240z, both cars I was fortunate enough to drive as a young man. One fine day Ronnie stole the Pagoda and we hoisted the heavy hardtop off of it and stowed it in my parents garage in Oklahoma. We tooled around town in that sweet little cabrio thinking we would be the benificiaries of Europe's finest chick magnet. Nobody noticed us at all. His Z was no better. My 77 TransAm was a different story. The girls loved that car because it had a big engine and a big back seat.
Omg Ian solid aluminium doors! That’s amazing. My Audi A2 has all aluminium panels and doors none of which have any structural function making them very very light. The A2 has the Cast Aluminium space frame. My doors though weigh virtually only a few kilos each because they are aluminium but not solid like this beautiful pagoda. Love when cars are manufactured with engineers leading the way not market forces.
Just look at the 300SL Roadster- what a Car. So this Merc is a unicorn 🦄 I just love looking at the all the Cars in the background, it’s like an sweet shop.
Back in the day, 1974, I found a 280SL manual at Star Lincoln-Mercury in Southfield, MI U.S.A.. Price was 3900USD. I shoulda bought it....... STILL.... One of my favorite cars to this day.
I've heard that the DB engineers had problems with lubrication of the diesel injection pumps used, because petrol has little lubricity when compared to diesel fuel, They used extensive modification to overcome that. Alternatively, they could have just added two stroke oil.
@Ian Tyrrell - Regarding your question about the uniqueness of the cast aluminium doors, the predecessor 190SL uses the same process and goes even further (I am not sure if the 'Pagoda' follows 190SL); the 'A' & 'B' pillars are made of aluminium castings. The 'A' Pillar (where the door hinges are placed) is made of aluminium casting screwed to the aluminium casting dashboard. Interestingly, most parts have the VIN number engraved, including the doors, pillars, pedals, windscreen pillars and even the sills. Very advanced for the time!
If i may, i wanted to explain why i love this channel so much. It's not just that Iain is such a wealth of information but rather how he interacts with us all while executing these videos. Never once have i ever felt embarrassed, unworthy or degraded because I'm new to these vehicles and probably will never be able to afford them. So many TH-cam channels creators have an "aire" about them as if they are speaking "down" to their subscribers. They make themselves out to have huge amounts of hubris when most people just want to learn. I commend Iain for always remaining "humble" and I know that quality will show through in his first ever live-stream.
Great comment, man. I agree with you.
Thank you so much - this is so kind of you to say. I just try to be myself and to share the beauty of these wonderful cars with as many interested people as possible. Thanks also for the kind words about the livestream, I'm really looking forward to it, but slightly nervous!
@@iain_tyrrell Your videos really are second to none, please keep making them and change nothing. I wait for them every week and I'm very much looking forward to that live stream of yours.
Well put, couldn’t agree more. It’s such a treat to have Iain talk to us like we were paying customers, or even better, as true motor car fans. Thank you!
I agree, Kenneth. Iain has a warmth that comes through in his videos. This is also evident in his interactions with his staff. And I'm like you, there's no way I will ever be able to afford the cars he features, but it's nice to learn about them and experience them through him.
According to Jason Cammisa, Prince Motors of Japan had a license to produce the Mercedes inline 6 engines. Nissan bought Prince Motors in 1966 and inherited the license. The 4 cylinder in the 510 and the 6 cylinder in the 240Z are based on the Mercedes engine.
The depth of your knowledge and your ability to educate us never ceases to amaze. My Sunday is complete now!
Thank you!
It's a bit sad this channel has only 155K subscribers. It deserves many more. Car enthusiasts who are not subscribed don't know what they are missing especially with the live stream coming soon.
As a retired mechanical engineer, I find this portrayal of cars totally fascinating. One the one hand there is the visible, beautiful, shiny and smooth exterior of the body, and the luxury of the interior for the passengers. One the other hand is the multitude of engineering, often oily but (hopefully) unseen components that make the car move. Great to see both sides on your videos.
It fills me with joy, to see you Mr Tyrrell teach the young generaton about these moving sculptures, and why they are built like they are. Such depth of knowledge, passed on to the next generation makes me so proud. Thank Sir!
Thank you! It's so important to pass the skills on to keep these wonderful cars alive. If you haven't already seen it, you might like the video I did in December from the Heritage Skills Academy at Brooklands. They're doing fantastic work training apprentices on the techniques used. th-cam.com/video/qICi5zGF5Qk/w-d-xo.html
Iain, you are a walking encyclopaedia! I’ve always loved the Pagoda. It seems to represent a more glamorous time. The engineering is staggering and to my mind, it was cars like this made Mercedes.
Mercedes-Benz was great long before the Pagoda even was conceived.
My father bought a 280 SL Automatic in period, probably around 1970, having previously had an E-Type. It was silver and I remember it had an aluminium dash. I thought it was absolutely beautiful and I can remember travelling with him in the front passenger seat with the roof off, which I remember he stored in the garage suspended from the ceiling.
Unfortunately, the only two accidents he ever had were in the Mercedes, on both occasions the rear drum brakes locked in the wet and he slid into the rear tailgate of a lorry, breaking an ankle in one of them.
Unfortunately the Pagoda had to go and it was replaced with a safer, but much more humdrum 280E saloon.
Iain seems to be a renaissance man. He’s shifting from engineering tech to pop culture and history lessons all in one episode. Interesting to me at least
Iain, Please! Never, never ever feel like you need to apologise for anything, and I mean anything! It is a total priveledge and an honour for all of us for you to take the time out of your no doubt busy daily life to witter on, nerd out, segway and digress just to make these magnificent videos, which personally I could watch for hours and just can't get enough of!
Remains IMO one the most beautiful and smart looking cars post-war. Can remember seeing my first one when they were first released; white color parked at the curb and I thought it one of the most eye-catching cars I had ever seen. Stately, sporty, and elegant with proportions I don't think could be improved.
This video is a joy due to the deep and interesting aspects shown about the car, to a degree I've never seen before. Very interesting.
Thank you very much! I'm delighted to know you enjoyed the video. I agree, it's still a very stylish car, a true classic.
When I was 18 in 1868, I used to be a valet parking kid at an exclusive golf club. I loved driving the 230s - 280s up and down the drive to the lot.
@scottireland5414 bloody hell you must be 156 years old your doing well for your age
I have a very soft spot for Pagodas, when I finished School I did an apprenticeship at a classic Mercedes Specialist. While I spent most of the time disassembling Unimog engines (Type 404S have the same basic engine as most Mercedes Straight six from 1952-1980, so decomissioned Bundeswehr spare engines are an ideal source of spare parts) the other half of it was spending time caring for mostly Pontons (which actually are Monococques btw) and Pagodas. Including a few spirited test drives. I love how the 230 engine sounds when you get it up in the rev range.
And the similarity to the Nissan L-Series engines are no coincidence. Back in 1966 Nissan acquired Prince Motor Company who had purchased a license to build those 1950s era Mercedes engines which they kept developing on their own and ended up becoming the excellent L-Type that lasted until 1986 in passenger cars.
One of my past bosses was persuaded to buy a Pagoda in 1990 as an investment and one day I was asked as the resident motor nerd to go to his garage to get the thing started so it could be used at the weekend for posing. It was the first time I had had a close look around a Pagoda, given that this was a supposed investment the driver's door rubbers showed remarkable wear, suggesting that the body was flexing. I did not expect that from a Merc. Indeed, my 1994 W124 500E (the last of the cars built when Merc was run by engineers) is astoundingly solid.
One of the very best automotive channels on TH-cam. Thanks, Tyrrell.
Definitely not a petrol head but an engineer....so appreciate Iain and his presentation and wealth of knowledge.
Always a pleasure to watch his videos.
Iain is THE MAN! So very smart and he's a classic treasure much more than any car LOL. Of course he knows all the little specs and tricks on so many cool old cars like the Pagoda. And just watching and listening to him is a real treat! Thank you for the great channel and videos! It's hard work making them I know!
Thank you! This is so nice to hear. I really appreciate your support.
@iain_tyrrell amazing knowledge. I'm loving the videos and learning more. I was never blessed with much brains and would have loved to have done what you've done but not everyone can be that clever.
Wow Ian. Anyone lucky enough to work with you can only count themselves as truely lucky. To be afforded the opportunity to learn is wonderful for the lucky few. We need people like you to transfer the knowledge to the next group
As a longtime subscriber, i - as usual - enjoyed this informative video a lot.
You mentioned the designer Béla Barényi quite rightfully as the father of the safety-cell, but although in this video it's mentioned several times that the Pagoda is quite elegant with it's distinctive design, you forgot to mention the designer responsable for this beautiful work of art: the famous French designer Paul Bracq. Thought i'd bring this up to complement the otherwise great video. Cheers from Czech Republic.
So glad to know you enjoyed it. And thank you for reminding me about M. Bracq - you're absolutely right! There were a few things I forgot to mention, but I thought I'd wittered on long enough as it was.
@@iain_tyrrell I'd also love to see your take on Paul Bracq's other classic creation - the BMW E24 6-Series.
Never, Iain. :)
@@iain_tyrrell I think the majority of your subscribers can't get enough of your "wittering..." So keep it up, no matter how 'nerdy' it is.
I remember a lady, in Hollywood, giving me a ride in one of these in about 1972.
I thought it was the most fabulous car I had ever been in, and she was so proud of it.
24:00 not only that, Spitfires sputtered when negative G (pushing the nose over or flying upside down) affected the carburetor. The Bf109 didn't have this problem with the fuel injection. The Merlin however benefited from a cooler inlet charge thanks to the evaporization of the fuel in the carb. Both beautiful designs in their own right.
But then the real decider was who won the war in the air, and we know who that was, FI or non FI.
@@gazzafloss No, it was the war on land which decided the issue, by kids being fed into the meat grinder by the millions. Your tone of nationalistic pridefulness is either ignorant or callous. Both the Merlin and db605 were terrible machines and nothing whatsoever to be proud of.
This issue was recognised, and addressed. The short term solution was a perforated diaphragm inside the carburettor. It was not a full solution, but gave pretty good results. It was developed by Beatrice Schilling, a mechanical engineer. It was known colloquially as 'Miss Schilling's orifice'. The long term solution was a pressure carburettor, introduced in 1943, which fully overcame the issues, without losing the advantages of a carburettor.
@@pashakdescilly7517 You have won "internet anecdote of the month" for me
@@charliejackman2953 well, thankyou. It's nice to be appreciated.
as a normal person living in Texas, ive only seen these cars in magazines, movies and calendars and the famous "Alpine" Countach poster..The beauty and engineering of these cars to me is history, albet on an automotive scale.. you truely have a passion for these cars and it shows in your knowledge and attention to detail in restoring these vehicles..
The amount of knowledge, class and politeness in these videos and people intervining, is truly outstanding.
Really amazing to see this kind of work be done on such awesome vehicles.
I'd emigrate and work in this workshop in a heartbeat 😅
Definitely learned some fascinating engineering and design details of one of my favorite classic cars in this video. Brilliant as always.
SL stands for Super Light (SuperLeicht) and not Sport Light. The S in 300 SE for instance also stands for Super.
Iain Tyrrell is perhaps the only guy of whom I know who could take a drive in a humdrum car like mine, a clapped out Mk IV Triumph Spitfire, and not only would it run better than it ever has, but he would give it the classiest touch it would ever have had. Thank you for yet another wonderful drive in an equally wonderful car!
Wonderful cars, I owned a '64 230SL manual for about 8 years in the 2000's and drove it almost daily. The early cars with the tubular headers sound even better. As you said Iain to do anything up behind the dash is a nightmare, heater cables/valves, speedo repair and obviously the wiper linkages. Another reason they seize, apart from lack of use, is there is a tiny drain hole in the recess where those wipers bolt on. The hole gets clogged with dirt/debris, or gets painted over, and the water pools there and seeps down into the spindle. A lot of 60's Benz cars are the same, look for the drain hole and keep it clear.
Love the channel, can't wait for the live stream !!
Great to see master and apprentice at work !! 👍 Looking forward to the live stream !!
See you there!
A beautiful car. Elegant, understated and exuding quality. An enjoyable video as ever. Cheers Iain.
Thanks Alex! Glad you enjoyed it.
When Mercedes made beautiful cars. An all time classic shape.
Glorious sounding Mercedes straight six.
So glad to have found this channel. You can get as nerdy as you want! Thanks, from a humble W202 owner.
My Dad had a 67 250SL , what a great car.
Addictive sound as you open her up through the rev range. So clean, with just the right amount of edge. Glorious!
Even though I spend quite a bit of time on TH-cam, Iain drove me to my first use of the subscribe button, and the like button. Your videos never disappoint and I’m going to take the time to go back and like all of your videos because I want TH-cam to give me more of THIS!
I love this channel. Honestly if this video had been 90 minutes long I would have watched it. And still wished for 90 minutes more. Thanks for doing these videos - I'm sure there are great efforts behind the scenes that we don't see, but they're surely appreciated by all! Good luck in the live-stream!
I’ve always loved the Pagoda. Today I learned more about them than ever. Well done, Iain. Cheers!
My father loved these cars. He would treat himself to a new one every two years. I do remember as a small child going to the Mercedes dealer in Leicester, ( I believe it was Castles) in 71- 72, and him buying a 350SL in gold. Wonderful memories.
Love my 280...the beautiful noise at 3k rpm and above is so lovely...the only car that you dont care if the radio doesnt work
Iain your videos are nothing but marvellous, your knowledge will sadly one day be missed, it's legendary. Your staff are very fortunate to have a great a great depth of knowledge to learn from.
I bought my 280SL (manual) in 1987 and have enjoyed it immensely ever since. They are very well engineered although I did convert mine to electronic ignition 15 years ago and I would highly recommend this. The car starts hot or cold and never splutters like it did previously. Great review.
Love this channel. He's a great educator.
You can really see Iain's depth of knowledge when he's talking about cars - so off-the-cuff minutiae come out naturally, while when reading an idiot board about an upcoming event, he seems so stilted!
Ive recently discovered this channel and have sent everything I've watched to my chums. I have to refer to Mr. Tyrell as Mr. Tyrell as he is a true gentleman. Obviously i love all of the wide variety of cars but for me depth of knowledge and finesse are beyond compare but clearly its the "just so" factor that matters most. Wonderful.
Thank you so much! Regards, Mr. Tyrrell.
Another wonderful video, so informative, and I love Iain's gentle yet naughty sense of humour. He was just bursting to go all "Carry On" with the lobes gag, brilliant. Thank you.
Nerdy Excursions!
If you ever write a book, there's the title!
Another great episode!
Thanks for taking the time from your work to answer so many comments, Iain!
Even though I'm most knowledgeable about Italian cars, I can and definitely do appreciate these great classic Mercedes Benz models, hailing from the days when Mercedes really built its cars like nobody else. Always a pleasure to learn from you, Iain; thank you for sharing your knowledge and experience with us all, and sure I'll tune in for the live stream!
Thank you! See you there.
My mother had a 1968 280SL. Honestly, they're the coolest car ever! Really a way underrated car. I would consider this the damn of a a modern sports car, or a modern car just in general. With the automatic transmission, and the fuel injection, four wheel power disk brakes, power steering, fully independent suspension system it provides a modern driving experience most people didn't get until probably the 90's frankly because most cars in the 80's had low power. Probably until maybe the Toyota Supra's in the 80's, and even then it was crisper. You just turned the key and it fired up. It had great low end torque, it was incredible crisp and responsive and when you stepped on it, YEAH! This does go down as one of the best motors ever, Ultimately the OM648 CDI was the best motor mercedes ever made. Mercedes perfected the inline 6, but OM648 is really, really something to be getting 40 or 50mpg with at least 370ft/lbs of torque, 550 easily. It was bigger, twin cam, 4 valves per cylinder, perfected timing chain and direct inject with a turbo. But it all started with these inline 6 and you can see the diesel like torque combined with the smooth, high revving power. They had a great automatic transmission too. I'm getting one of these things.
Something I love about this channel is the uncommon cars that are the regular topic here.
I'm watching this hot off the starting point of the Rover SD1-Vitesse, the Citroen SM, and then the Fiat 130 Coupe. All specialty enthusiast cars, but not so widely known to most people.
Vielen Dank für Ihr wunderbares Video über die Pagode. Mr. Tyrell, Sie sind immer äußerst informativ, unterhaltsam und verkörpern auf so lässig-sympathische Weise die Faszination, die diese alten klassischen Fahrzeuge für uns alle bedeuten. Großartig!
Vielen Dank für die netten Worte!
Writing this before I watch,
Can't wait to tuck in to some Tyrrell's Classic Workshop
That spray bar deserves an accompanying ‘Upper Case type’ warning in the owner’s manual. I like the timing chain tensioner system. It takes the tension off the chain as the engine cools, thereby protecting the chain and pulleys; just as loosening chain tension on a chainsaw when you stop for a rest OR at the end of the day, relieves the tension, stops the chain from stretching and protects the chainsaw bar nose when you next start the chainsaw.
Brilliant to see technical knowledge passed on like this. Great video Iain. 🇨🇦
I drove an automatic convertible version back in 92. Beautiful car and an absolute bargain these were back then.
So much positive energy in this wonderful video! Iain once again generously sharing his vast knowledge of automotive minutia - the Pinto reference blew my mind! Demonstrating his desire to transfer that knowledge - in full detail - to not only his young employees but to all of us. And, of course, the wonderful test drive peppered with Iain's lovely descriptive prose of the emotional side of these amazing motors. He is the Evelyn Waugh of motoring, in that regard! Thank you so much Iain. Cheers, from Singapore!
Another great video . Thank you Iain. These videos are sometimes the only time we’ll ever see these cars so to see and be educated about them is just fantastic.
What a beautiful sound it made. Cracking vid as always.
Thanks Ian for your work, quality tv about cars and classics is sadly missing on mainstream tv and you plus several others do a great job. The cars you guide us round are beyond my means but I never feel embarrassed or not worthy of your work, your knack is speaking to “ me” as if I’m the owner… thanks
Wow, the livestream sounds exciting ! I've put it on my agenda
See you there!
Have to love the 6 cylinder Mercedes engines. My 1978 280SE is so sweet when you give it some revs. The heritage of these engines goes way back and Mercedes know how to do them. Great video Iain.
Interesting thing about the Datsun engine Iain mentions is that it was developed from the Prince Motor Company's G engine, which was initially a licensed copy of the Mercedes M180. When Prince was purchased by Nissan, they modified it significantly but retained many key features, christening it the L-series. The Datsun engine was available in 4 and 6 cylinder variants, all OHC and reverse flow, and powered a variety of Datsun and Nissan models including the 240Z, well past its ancestor's lifetime.
Love my Iain Tyrrell Classic Cars shirt. It's a great conversation starter at Car meets. Looking forward to next week.
Delighted to know you love it! See you next Sunday!
Another great video Iain. I haven't the faintest clue about the mechanical side of cars but still I enjoy listening to you share your knowledge. And of course then you throw into the mix, design talk and driving experiences. Love your channel.
I changed a blown head gasket on my wifes 1991 190e 2.0 a few years ago.( m102 engine). At the same time, changed the valve stem seals, chain tensioner and guide, injector seals etc...oh, and cleaned the spray bar!! Its amazing how similar that engine is. Mercedes don't change anything if its working do they!
As they say in Germany, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it". 😎
nerdy .......i love it !
So many things to learn !
Cast aluminium doors with an aluminum skin.
I knew that there was aluminium used but i never knew that is was that huge amount of material was used.
The pagode is one of my dream cars .....gosh i have so many dream cars..........................
Thank you again and again for all these videos and the work which comes along with them.
Also i like how you involve your employes and treating them well infront of the camera.
I am sure you treating them also good when the camera is not rolling ;-)
I recall back in the late 1970’s I worked at a Mercedes franchise in Coral Gables, Florida., Bill Ussery Motors (today Mercedes Benz of Coral Gables, same ownership) I was talking to a technician about the 280SL engine and the Datsun/Nissan 240Z engine. His reply was the same as what you had heard “The 240Z engine is a carbon copy of our M130 engine you’ll find in the 280SL”. 👍👍
Very well done. Loved the “nerdy excursion “ also. Cheers
What a fabulous episode once again with such profound mastery with a distinctive style for quite uncomplicated sounding tuition of intricate matters... I must admit that the W113 has been lacking attention from my side somewhat since I have been of the opinion that the succeeding R107 actually brought back a powerful design after the 190 and 300 SL. The W113 is exceptionally elegant and characteristic nonetheless but has been overshadowed by the R107 perhaps. Well, at least in my mind. Wonderful! Thank you so much again.
Such incredible feedback - thank you so much!
I love that you're leaning into the details and "nerdy stuff".
I suddenly started appreciating Mercedes after I bought a wretched old W203 on Facebook... on a whim... I now lust after a silver SL. I must be getting old.
Great video. Just when you think you know a bit about old mercs, you watch a video like this and realise how much more there is to learn. Mike
Iain, every episode is so informative and amazing. Food for the “ Car guys” brain. Thanks ! I am full until the next Tyrell’s meal of awesome.
"Very bad for the digestion", I'm rolling!
I do enjoy my Sunday evenings. There is something very charming about this channel that I can't quite put my finger one. It's enough to know that I enjoy it...
There is just something about an inline-six that I find very appealing. The silky smooth, quiet sound when you are not in a hurry but they start to sing if you drive them spirited.
Love these gorgeous cars. I still remember where I was and what year I saw my first one was winter 1983 in Tucson AZ. had to catch up and check it out, was a late 70's model. Thanks always a joy to watch your presentations.
Had a '65 230 I daily drove for a couple o'years in the mid-late 90's and can tell ya they're just fantastic. Reliable, cheap (at that time) to service, quick (ish :) ) fun, fun, FUN to drive, cruise at 75mph all day long. Mine to was a 4-spd, console, jump seat and below dash AC unit in Burgundy with black leather.. Love and miss that car almost every day.
Thank you, Iain. What a brilliant episode.
Glad you enjoyed it!
I fell in love with the Pagoda 280sl as a teenager, my grandmother was given one by my father after she found out how much her E type was worth, poor dear couldn't believe it was so valuable, I've had 2 now, but I gave my niece one for her 30th birthday, it's her weekend & special occasion car, Rj in Oz
Yet another brilliant video, featuring yet another beautiful car! Good luck with the live stream - looking forward to it!
Another great video, thanks Iain. And it's the "nerdy excursions" that give this channel its appeal! 👏
Thanks Jeremy - I'm delighted you think so
Superb video as always and loving that Jensen FF in the background as well!! Another beauty...👍
Dear Ian, we had a late 50ies 190SL in our workshop in Berlin a few weeks ago and I am quite certain that the doors where the same cast aluminium and aluminium skin system. I might be wrong, but the structure felt cast, not pressed. I very much enjoy your channel and thanks to you my private 450 SL R107 has no play in its steering anymore! All the best from Germany!
While the cam setup is similar to those early single overhead cam engines, the m130 engine is unique in that is has the exhaust valve and combustion chamber overhanging the engine deck. Its why the mercedes head gasket almost appears to be for a flathead engine(the cylinder seal is not circular). Old mercedes always had a weird way of getting their engines to produce just a bit more horsepower than a similar sized engine from another company.
Lovely video, especially the bit about the Bf109 fuel injection
Really love the content. You're great at explaining really technical concepts. Keep up the nerdy details!
My mother had a 69 280 SL for 15 years.
She's hardly what I considered a gearhead - petrohead to you-but she loved driving that car
She named the car Bruno
Years ago in the 1980s I had a Toyota Celica and I was taking her somewhere and we hit a curve on the freeway that merges to another freeway.
And she was gripping that seat of hers like a cat.
I told her that you take Bruno faster than that around the same curve to which she replied "yes but then I'm just tooling around
.
That car was fun to drive for one thing I remember about it at freeway speed you were turning about 4000 RPM. Whether they lowered the differential gear for just the USA or it was a general nature of the beast I don't know
But regularly we had to take it out on the freeway and give it a "Italian tuneup" where you have it in a lower gear and you floor of that thing and then release the gas. It would spit and sputter and you would watch black clouds of smoke go out until it was all cleared up
Even Mercedes-Benz of USA recommended using champion or NGK spark plugs over the Bosch
The other thing that amazed me was the pallet of colors available to these cars over its 10 year run
When you add the dual color combinations there were some that were unique of all the production. My mothers car was graphite gray with red roof, red hubcaps and red interior
It was a stunning combination and I've never seen another in that combination
They sold it in 86 and I never saw it again; I think it went back to the fatherland
As always a PHD level of mechanical engineering and an explanation of something that made a lifelong gearhead's lightbulb go off. A highschool best friends Dad had both a Pagoda and a 240z and now I know why, they had the same engine although of different manufacture. The very clever Japanese company Datsun basically put the Pagoda engine into it's beautiful 240z, both cars I was fortunate enough to drive as a young man. One fine day Ronnie stole the Pagoda and we hoisted the heavy hardtop off of it and stowed it in my parents garage in Oklahoma. We tooled around town in that sweet little cabrio thinking we would be the benificiaries of Europe's finest chick magnet. Nobody noticed us at all. His Z was no better. My 77 TransAm was a different story. The girls loved that car because it had a big engine and a big back seat.
Omg Ian solid aluminium doors! That’s amazing. My Audi A2 has all aluminium panels and doors none of which have any structural function making them very very light. The A2 has the Cast Aluminium space frame. My doors though weigh virtually only a few kilos each because they are aluminium but not solid like this beautiful pagoda. Love when cars are manufactured with engineers leading the way not market forces.
This is such an informative channel. I click like button before watching, knowing it’s going to be great!
I really enjoy the way you spread your knowledge. Well done.
This was my dream car as a young lad. I prefer the stacked headlights over the single headlights. Beautiful car! Great vid as usual sir! Cheers/B
Just look at the 300SL Roadster- what a Car. So this Merc is a unicorn 🦄 I just love looking at the all the Cars in the background, it’s like an sweet shop.
been enjoying your style and content for years... cars like this spark my French Riviera dream
Such a wonderful channel, with a very expert person, who enjoys explaining us about the cars. Excellent videos as always
This is the ultimate gentleman's automotive channel. Of mention is the line, "I don't think too many owners worry about giving it a drink."
Back in the day, 1974, I found a 280SL manual at Star Lincoln-Mercury in Southfield, MI U.S.A.. Price was 3900USD. I shoulda bought it.......
STILL....
One of my favorite cars to this day.
Thanks for this new chaper in Car History
I've heard that the DB engineers had problems with lubrication of the diesel injection pumps used, because petrol has little lubricity when compared to diesel fuel, They used extensive modification to overcome that. Alternatively, they could have just added two stroke oil.
@Ian Tyrrell - Regarding your question about the uniqueness of the cast aluminium doors, the predecessor 190SL uses the same process and goes even further (I am not sure if the 'Pagoda' follows 190SL); the 'A' & 'B' pillars are made of aluminium castings. The 'A' Pillar (where the door hinges are placed) is made of aluminium casting screwed to the aluminium casting dashboard. Interestingly, most parts have the VIN number engraved, including the doors, pillars, pedals, windscreen pillars and even the sills. Very advanced for the time!
Awesome. Just home from work. Greetings from Australia.
Such a sophisticated sound from a well tuned straight six.
Wow!!! Naught point naught of excellent knowledge 👏 😊❤