A year ago today I was standing outside the premises of Christopher Jackson in Alderley Edge to collect my 2004 350 SL
Me and the missus flew down from Glasgow via Flybe which has since gone into liquidation ( prior to Covid 19 )
My car choice had mainly been within the Austin Rover stable with a short dabbling with Jaguar and I also had a mounting collection of classics. I had always thought about a Triumph Stag but as I was getting too old to be working under classic cars I made the decision to cut back so four of the classics, my SD1 Vitesse, 2 x Rover 75 Connoisseurs and a Mini were sold.
I had been watching this lovely low mileage SL (7,600 miles) for some months and at one point thought I was going to lose out as I was sure it would sell. Perhaps the price was high for some but after a trip to Alderley Edge to view the car I was more than happy to go ahead.
My SL was waiting outside for me complete with personal plate and we were there before opening. After a nice coffee and paperwork completed it was a time for the journey home. I resisted temptation to drop the roof (just in case of failing) and on the way home got to know the car. I reckon there was sufficient fuel in the car for the trip but on reaching Carlisle and time for a break I decided to fuel up to be on the safe side.
Over the next six months the car the car has excelled itself and way over my own expectations. The only main item I had to address was to get the auto box serviced and new wiring seal fitted after it sprung a leak. The car has now covered just over 10,000 miles and I reckon most of the mileage was with the top down.
At the end of October 2019 I placed the car on SORN and purchased a tailored cover to keep it snug over the winter. I’ve also got a Cetek charger which I keep mainly on the rear battery which incidentally is a 2008 one and so far has not let me down. It’s still showing in the green and if still ok when I finally get back on the road must be a record for battery life. My main starter battery was replaced in late 2018. During the lay up I have serviced the car and the oil drained was the “cleanest oil” I’ve ever drained. Incidentally the car was dealer serviced, MOT’d and taxed for 12 months every year since new yet on pick up had only covered 7800 miles.
I had intended to tax it in April for 12 months but still SORN it over the winter months but with this virus situation all I can do is look at the car in my garage. I must find out how to post photos on here, perhaps someone can help. I used to use Photobucket but we all know what happened there with many topics ruined because they no longer show the photos.
Me and the missus flew down from Glasgow via Flybe which has since gone into liquidation ( prior to Covid 19 )
My car choice had mainly been within the Austin Rover stable with a short dabbling with Jaguar and I also had a mounting collection of classics. I had always thought about a Triumph Stag but as I was getting too old to be working under classic cars I made the decision to cut back so four of the classics, my SD1 Vitesse, 2 x Rover 75 Connoisseurs and a Mini were sold.
I had been watching this lovely low mileage SL (7,600 miles) for some months and at one point thought I was going to lose out as I was sure it would sell. Perhaps the price was high for some but after a trip to Alderley Edge to view the car I was more than happy to go ahead.
My SL was waiting outside for me complete with personal plate and we were there before opening. After a nice coffee and paperwork completed it was a time for the journey home. I resisted temptation to drop the roof (just in case of failing) and on the way home got to know the car. I reckon there was sufficient fuel in the car for the trip but on reaching Carlisle and time for a break I decided to fuel up to be on the safe side.
Over the next six months the car the car has excelled itself and way over my own expectations. The only main item I had to address was to get the auto box serviced and new wiring seal fitted after it sprung a leak. The car has now covered just over 10,000 miles and I reckon most of the mileage was with the top down.
At the end of October 2019 I placed the car on SORN and purchased a tailored cover to keep it snug over the winter. I’ve also got a Cetek charger which I keep mainly on the rear battery which incidentally is a 2008 one and so far has not let me down. It’s still showing in the green and if still ok when I finally get back on the road must be a record for battery life. My main starter battery was replaced in late 2018. During the lay up I have serviced the car and the oil drained was the “cleanest oil” I’ve ever drained. Incidentally the car was dealer serviced, MOT’d and taxed for 12 months every year since new yet on pick up had only covered 7800 miles.
I had intended to tax it in April for 12 months but still SORN it over the winter months but with this virus situation all I can do is look at the car in my garage. I must find out how to post photos on here, perhaps someone can help. I used to use Photobucket but we all know what happened there with many topics ruined because they no longer show the photos.