fbpx

Jun 3, 2018

A New Yorker’s Pagoda: Christian and his Mercedes Benz 280SL

While I was in New York, I had the great opportunity to meet Christian and his 1971 Mercedes-Benz  280SL Pagoda. It was my very first time in the city, and during my free time, I scouted locations and found one of the greatest concrete backgrounds for this photo shoot, matching perfectly with the color of the Pagoda. During our photo shoot, Christian drove me around New York, showing me his favorite spots, and also driving me by some of my favorites buildings in the city.

As far as I’m concerned, the Pagoda is one of the loveliest Benzes ever made. Is a timeless piece of design. Having a W113 is like owning two cars in one, depending on the weather, of course. This time around, the weather was perfect for its roadster mode.

I asked Christian some questions about the story of his Pagoda. I hope you enjoy our exchange!

Tell me about yourself.

I’m just your average guy living in New York City. Nothing special.

What was your first car?

A Mercedes Benz 280 TE station wagon. Bought it while I was in university. The 280 SL was the second. They are the only two cars I’ve ever owned. That’s probably pretty unusual for the USA.

How did you first become interested in cars, and why especially in Mercedes Benz?

I really love driving. Started off with a Benz, and I loved it. So why change? There are many other cars that I find beautiful, but I don’t think I have the time for others…

How and when did you come across the Pagoda?

I don’t remember exactly when, but I must’ve been in my 20s when I noticed it. It seemed to be the most beautiful car I’d ever seen. I still feel the same way.

Do you know about your Pagoda’s history and previous owners and do you have any particular story to tell?

Well, I bought it from a well-respected shop in San Diego. It was actually the shop owner’s personal car. What was most important was that it was a rust-free California car. I had test driven a few prior, but I knew I had to fly out west to see this one. I test drove it, fell in love immediately, paid for it and drove it off the lot.

What is your favorite memory with your Pagoda?

They’re all great. It really is such a pleasure to drive. There was this one time when I drove with a fellow car fanatic all over town with this guy who took tons of pictures of the car in different settings. We spoke about lots of things: architecture, cars, etc…that was fun!
[Hah! I think he was talking about yours truly! Christian was so kind as to show me his Pagoda for the first time back in the summer of 2017]

This was a coincidence…

Did you restore it or was it already restored when you got the car?

I had to restore it. It was in really decent condition when I bought it, but I decided to restore it after having it for a year or so, because I really wanted it to be as close to perfect as possible. Took it to SL-Tech in Arundel, Maine, which is one of the best shops on the east coast, if not the best for W113s. What can I say? As the shop owner likes to say, “There’s nothing wrong with that car…”

What’s your favorite detail or what do you love most about your car?

It’s the complete package. Amazing chrome trim, sick grille. Every detail is awesome, inside and out. I’ve got pretty much every available option for a 71. Mine even has an original, sideways-facing kinder (child) seat. The Becker Grand Prix radio is in stereo and even has a mechanical ‘seek’ function built in. Way ahead of its time, I think, with seriously understated elegance. And, oh boy, WHAT A DASH… It looks fantastic from every angle. Paul Bracq really outdid himself with this one. Really timeless.

How does it feel to drive a classic car in a city with a lot of traffic like New York? You use it every day?

I just drive it like I would any other car. That being said, I think you can get into trouble if you start to stray from your normal driving habits. It’s such an easy car to drive and I don’t mind the manual transmission in the city. It’s a real car.

I saw your Pagoda doing honor to the logo of the brand in videos, movies, and photo shoots. Do you often rent it out?

As much as I can. Really enjoy having it in shoots. I’ve had it in a few fashion shoots and a couple of TV shows.

In your Instagram account, I saw many journeys’ photos with the Pagoda. Which was the longest trip you ever took with it? Any troubles?

Pre-restoration, I drove it from Manhattan to New Brunswick, Canada, for a salmon fishing trip. Top down all the way. 12hr drive. Driving through Maine took forever. But I had zero problems, and it was a great trip.

I remember last year when I shot the Pagoda in Soho, you told me that you know the place before it became so trendy. How was the neighborhood back then, from your perspective?

It was much more of a diverse neighborhood back then. Lots of artist lofts and art galleries. There were also quite a few great established restaurants and bars/cafes. All the real galleries are now long gone and most of the bars, restaurants, and cafes got priced out of the neighborhood. There still are a few left, though, so I’m not leaving anytime soon. It’s pretty much all finance people living here now in multi-million dollar lofts, and the galleries have given way to high-end luxury fashion brands and larger scale department stores.
Also – and this applies to most of Manhattan at this point – it’s almost impossible to find gas (petrol). Most of the stations have been priced out of the neighborhoods, even. The land they sit on is far too valuable. It’s a real problem!

Are there any other classic cars you would like to have?

Good question, lemme think. Uh, maybe a 70s Porsche 911 or a Ferrari Dino 206/246 GT/S or maybe a 60s Mustang fastback or a GT40, even a new one. Or maybe a Lusso or even a Gullwing. I think I prefer the 300SL as a roadster though. Much easier to get in and out of. If I ever hit the lotto I’ll figure it out.

What’s a-behind me doesn’t a-matta,” from Gumball Rally (1976). Look it up. It’s hilarious.

Follow Christian and his pagoda on Instagram: @w113w123

Related Articles

PrinzipR: The Architects of 911 Dreams, Specializing in Backdate Projects

 by Alexberlinetta  It was a pleasure to meet and photograph the new PrinzipR project a few weeks ago. Staying true to my usual approach, I specifically chose one of the emblematic buildings representing Berlin’s high-tech architecture that perfectly...

Auto Storica: The Best Oldtimer Restoration in Barcelona

At the beginning of the year I decided to spend some days in Barcelona visiting my good friends there. I always try to find places related to classic cars in the cities that I visit, this time I found Auto Storica. Gonzalo, a car lover and part of the team of this amazing place, gave me a complete tour showing me all the steps of the process of restoring an oldtimer.

Reviving a concept car: The BMW Garmisch by Marcelo Gandini for Bertone

Some time ago I visited Munich, and as always I was very welcome in the BMW Classics department. Benjamin, who is part of the BMW classic team prepared an exclusive surprise for me and Carphiles. Which was one of my favorite concept cars the Garmisch by the visionary Marcello Gandini for Bertone.

Carphiles Friends Become Contributors: Cars As A Work Of Art At Wilhelm Hallen, Berlin

To me, cars were never just cars…They always meant something special to me. Firstly, they are one of the most significant works of art in my life. Thanks to them I developed artistically and professionally, living the dream of working with something I’m passionate about. Appreciating cars from a design perspective combined with magnificent architecture as a playground is something I love and this provides basically the essence of Carphiles

The Contrast Of Now And Then Of A Country With The Largest Oil Reserves: William And His 911 Targa

A few years ago during my visit to Venezuela, I had the opportunity to photograph this great Porsche in a location that completely reflects what it once was and what it is today, one of the countries with the largest oil reserves.

IT’S BOXY, YET SPORTY AND STILL VERY CLASSY: NICO AND HIS BMW 1600-02

In Berlin, it’s really rare to find many cool locations in one specific district. The government district is the big exception. I remember that I saw Nico one day at a red light in this district. Immediately I wrote to him to finally meet and do a shooting. When I saw the 1600-2 with all these buildings in the background I thought that it’s the perfect location. It really matches with the car!

80’s Fashion Meets German Function: Gregory And His 944

    by Alexberlinetta     A few months ago, while in Brooklyn, NY, I stumbled upon a magnificent 944 driven by a very young guy- the fact that in such a young age he drove a car like that made me curious about his story and I knew immediately I...

A Photo Review Of The Maserati Tour Around Berlin

Maseratis in the streets of Berlin are quite rear. I had the opportunity to join the Maserati Tour, thanks to my Carphiles friend Dirk who kindly invited me for a tour around Berlin with some iconic Italian divas taking over of the highways of the city.

Reliable, comfortable and a very unique two-tone Benz: Rudi and his 250

I always think that the world of cars is so unique. It gives me so many opportunities to meet people who share the same passion as me and thanks to social media I can connect with them instantly.

A Sunday Drive Around Caracas With The Porsche Club

A few months ago I visited Caracas, Venezuela. I felt sensitive because of the difficult political and economic situation of the country but was still curious to visit some friends I know from Instagram. Ivan from BlaubachMotors invited me over for a Sunday ride to the Hacienda Santa Teresa, where I met the team of Porsche Club Venezuela.

#CarphilesandCoffee June 2022

#CarphilesandCoffee June 2022

On Sunday, June 19th, we celebrated the first Carphiles event of this year. In a typical Berlin industrial backyard in the Xberg area where our friends from @conciergecoffee are located! I selected 19 iconic cars to stage and appreciate them in different ways. Here we were both car lovers and non-car lovers which in a different way is my way to draw the attention of those who don’t have an interest in cars, especially these design icons.

read more
Everything revolves around the Testarossa: Fabio Don and his Ferrari

Everything revolves around the Testarossa: Fabio Don and his Ferrari

I think that in almost all my photos I can show my great love, passion, and respect for architecture and cars. That’s why I could say that this shooting is one of the best I’ve ever done in the almost 7 years I’ve been specializing in cars. This time I was in one of the most prominent buildings of Swiss Brutalist architecture, combined with one of the great icons of the 80s, the Testarossa.

read more

PART OF:

SOCIAL MEDIA

WRITE US