No, not the band "U2"... Ever since I bought this car, there had been a 'clunking' near the right rear tire. I figured it was the spare tire or some tools rattling around. Not a big deal.

For Neil at Star Motors, though, it drove him nuts. There's something to be said for the perfectionist. On August 17, 2001, Neil had driven down from New York to pick up the car now 'affectionately' labeled "The Rattle Car". Neil was going to fix the chattering relays, the leaking hydraulics, and the rattle.

I was sorry to see the car disappear after having only had it a week, but things needed to be set straight. So I said 'goodbye' to the car, expecting to see it in a few weeks.

Earlier in the Summer, I had arranged to meet a fellow M-100 member, Hugh Creighton, in Camden, ME, to compare 600's and to deliver a few parts from KHM. Hugh lives in Halifax, NS, Canada. He would make the ferry trip to Bar Harbor, then trek down the Maine coast to meet me (my family has a house on an island in Maine, so this wasn't too inconvenient). To make a long story short, in 2000 Hugh had ordered a few gallons of hydaulic fluid from KHM. Customs seized the fluid (why, one will never know), so I was delivering a replacement batch of fluid to Hugh in clandestine fashion.

Unfortunately, by the end of August, the car still wasn't done.

I really wanted to drive my 600 up to Maine, so Neil 'graciously' allowed me to take the car for a week or so at the end of August. I expected to get an early start that Saturday morning, but Neil and I got to talking and soon the morning was approaching noon. But, the time was well spent, and Neil and I charted a plan to replace the front leather and a few other odd bits. A few adjustment were made, too, for the trip.

The 600 was pushed hard, 80+ MPH for the 7 hour trip, by far the longest I'd driven this car in 18 months. The A/C worked well, as did everyting else. I met Hugh on the following Monday.

If you think one 600 causes a stir, park two next to each other and watch the spectators gather! Hugh and I had a 'grand' time comparing notes on our M-100 experiences. Hugh bought his dark blue 1965 SWB in California and had the pleasure of driving it back to Canada - with the exception of several flat tires (as KHM told me, rubber is really only reliable for 5-7 years - a good lesson learned). Regardless, Hugh had found a good mechanic and was in the process of restoration (aren't we always restoring these cars?) Presently, he runs a limousine/tour business in Halifax, NS... be sure to get a ride in true fashion if you visit Nova Scotia!

After a restful week of painting and scraping windows at the house, it was time to return the car to Neil in New York. I only got fifty or so miles south on I-95 in Maine when a terrible vibration caused me to stop the car and inspect. I truly thought that the car was falling apart. But nothing noticable could be found, so off again I proceeded towards New York. Twice more I stopped the car due to the vibration, but continued with caution. I left the car at Star Motors, and proceeded home to Pennsylvania.

I emailed Neil the next day with my chronicles of the trip. Neil drove the car and was, initially, stumped by the vibration. But, soon, he diagnosed it as a bad center driveshaft support. So, a brand new MB driveshaft was added to the list of replaced parts on the car. And Neil, Tom, et al continued to hunt for the elusive RR rattle. And, of course, Neil had to find the source of the leaking hydaulics and vacuum. It looked like I would not see the car anytime soon.

And Neil was discovering other little 'odd bits'.. The shift column bushings were shot, and the recored radiator was leaking. But, alas, he had found the root of the 'rattle' from the RR of the car!! Eureka! It is the rear brake momentum counter (huh??)... Tom and Neil will shim and machine the axle, and save Neil's sanity.

But, wait, there's more! The 'brake' light is now coming on steady... The pressure regulator and main valve should be replaced.... The regulator is leaking, and the valve isn't far behind. Sigh....

For me, the wait has become bear-able... I really want this car to be as good, or better, than when it came of the line thirty-one years ago.