The 1970 Mercedes 280SL is one of my favorite classic cars!! Known as the "Pagoda" because of the concave bow in it's hard top roof, reminiscent of the shape of a Japanese Pagoda. The 230SL, 250SL and last the 280SL, was available as a coupe with a removable roof and roadster soft top. The 230SL was introduced in 1963 known for it's sporty qualities. It was replaced by the 250SL in 1967. There was a version called the "Californian" because a rear seat replaced the roadster and it's boot. In 1970 it was replaced with the 280SL. The SL stands for "Sports Light" or in German, "Sports Leicht". Mercedes Benz achieved a timeless design with slick and proper lines, and it has been in this shape that the SL was sold for over 20 years. The SL was manufactured from 1968 until 1971, and a total of 23,885 units were produced during it's production run. The SL was available in both 2-door roadster and 2-door coupe options. It could achieve top speed of 121 mph, and could reach 0-60 mph in 9.3 seconds! Highly desirable when first launched, the SL models still remain as much sought-after classics to this day. Though expensive they are in stock. They are also the most stolen car out of all the Mercedes models. My dear friend Exec Producer Mara Brock Akil had hers stolen right out her driveway after only having it for 1 month! We had a fun girls day out in it and I was loving every minute of being up close and personal with my favorite vintage car! A perfectly balance vehicle, the Mercedes SL is a vehicle with a quiet confidence and truly no competition!
The fifth-generation Ford F-series trucks from 1966-1974 and The Ford Bronco 1966-1968 are some of my other favorites!! I imagine Kiwi and I rolling through LA in our vintage F100 blasting Stevie Wonder on the radio! I'm currently watching/bidding on a sweet baby blue F100 on Ebay as I type, wish me luck! History on F100's: In 1966, a new "Low Silhouette" pickup featured a single speed transfer case and mono-beam front axle. The truck sat lower than a typical 4WD pickup, but had a 2 inch higher break-over point. The mono-beam front axle used coil springs and large radius arms similar to the twin I-Beam set used on this generation's 2WD trucks. Ford chose 1967 to introduce its fifth generation F-Series pickup truck. Body lines became more squared and flat side panels were accented with a narrow indention, which was highlighted by a stainless molding on Ranger models. in 1968 truck interiors became more "plush" with the addition of a padded dash, padded sun visors and seat belts with shoulder anchor harnesses, all as standard equipment. Federally mandated reflectors mounted on the side of the hood and rear of the bedside made it easy to distinguish a 1968 truck from '67. The F100 was introduced in Brazil in 1971, which remained in production until circa 1992[5] with a slight redesign and changes in its motorizations. It was the last Ford truck manufactured in the Ipiranga plant, that was soon closed.
History on Broncos: The Ford Bronco was introduced to the public in August of 1965 to compete against Jeep's CJ-5and International Harvester's Scout in the burgeoning recreational four wheel drive vehicle market. The Sport Package was introduced in 1967. This package included bright finished horn ring, windshield drip, head and tail lamp bezels, side window frames, instrument panel trim and tailgate handle, cigar lighter, chrome-plated grille, bumpers and front guards, red die cast F-O-R-D letters appliqued to the grille, and 15" wheel covers. A bright trimmed hardboard headlining and vinyl floor mat were also added to the Sport Wagon. 16,100 Broncos were built in 1967. The 1966 Bronco Roadster is very unique vehicle in its own. The standard basic version was an all-purpose vehicle without a top or doors. Another interesting option of the Ford Bronco was the ability to lay the windshield flat on the hood. In this position it would be secured in place by the loop catch on the hood and the windshield mounted spring-loaded pin. This held the windshield firmly in place in rough terrain allowing for a true open-air drive! Standard colors for the roadster were: Raven Black, Caribbean Turquoise, Rangoon Red and Springtime Yellow! Unfortunately, popularity and sales were so low in 1968 that Ford discontinued the Roadster for production year 1969. The Bronco lineup continued for the next eight years without the roadster and eventually ended in 1977, the final production year for the first generation Bronco. Only 5,000 Roadsters were produced out of a total 225,585 early model Broncos.
The early Bronco today enjoys a cultlike status among four wheel drive and collector car enthusiasts alike. Its simple, sturdy construction, V8 power, and excellent maneuverability ensure good off road performance and provide a platform on which many modifications can easily be made. The popularity of the classic 1966-1977 Ford Bronco will no doubt continue to soar in the years to come. My sister had a 1984 Bronco II (2). I was with her the day she bought it in San Diego, CA. She didn't know how to drive a "stick-shift" so I had to drive it home from the lot and teach her how to drive over the next week! It was fun but scary, especially when trying to go up hills!! We would both scream with laughter! The color was green with tan interior. Fun times in deed!
Now, who says women don't have love for cars?
Endless Love,
Ronnie.B
