Did I mention that a 600 is a mechanically complicated car? Virtually nothing on this car was shared by any contemporary Mercedes-Benz, certainly not the sheetmetal, engine, drivetrain or suspension. So when you figure that only 2190 of the SWB cars were built over a period of 18 years, spare parts and the knowledge of how to put them in are in short supply.

Case in point: when Karl Middlehauve replaced the water pump, he asked if I wanted new or rebuilt. Naturally, I asked how much each cost. "New," he said, "would be about $5,000. Rebuilt, about $400." Want to guess which I picked?

And so, too, it is true that those who can truly maintain these vehichles are few and far between. Certainly Mr. Middlehauve's Classic Car Restoration is the premiere shop in the USA for working on the 600. There is, however, another shop, also on the East Coast, that specializes in the M-100 drivetrain, and the 300 SEL 6.3 in particular. That shop is Neil Dubey's Star Motors in New York State. I knew that during the Spring Karl would be getting ready for the M-100 meet in Portland, OR in June, and since Karl mostly works alone, I wanted a shop that could work on the car even during the Meet. Certainly Neil had a stellar reputation, as well.

Early in April, 2001, I received the quote for the work that I wanted done by Neil. And as mentioned previously, I received a comprehensive quote of not only my requirements, but also what the car needed in general. Basically, it came down to eight (er, nine) items:

I decided early in the week of August 5th to drive up to Endicott, NY, to help Neil with whatever I could, and to learn a bit about the jobs performed. I arrived during lunch, and Neil and crew were out. I wandered around the shop and the 6.3 'graveyard' behind the shop. How depressing! All those beautiful 6.3s (and a few 6.9s and 600s rotting. If new, Neil would have a million dollar inventory out there!

Anyway, Neil and crew (Gary, Tom and Justin) arrived back from lunch and I got the tour of what was done, and what wasn't. The car was still pretty 'apart', and it seemed that we'd need every bit of 36 hours to get it back together. But the driver's door switch is leaking, and Neil is puzzled since it tested fine.

We spend the next few hours (yes, hours) dismantling the switch. What were those Germans thinking when they came up with the complexity of the hydraulic system? Neil tested, repaired, retested, and re-repaired the switch several times. Finally, he was satisfied that it was 'right' and we moved on to charging the A/C system with R-12 (I know, but just don't tell the EPA). The system charged right up and blew ice cold, and Neil was relieved. It was then that I learned that my 600 has the very first Sanden A/C conversion - very cool (pun intended). I guess I understand Neil's relief at that moment.

We decided to call it a day at 6:00, but Neil and Gary invited me to dinner, which I of course accepted. I took the car back to the motel, looking and listening for problems. Over dinner I learned how Neil got started with the M100s and why he likes them. And I of course told them my 600 story. After a long meal, I retired to the spacious Econo-Lodge, ready for the next day's work.

I arrived bright and early at 7:00 on Saturday ready to tackle reassembly. The LR door window, though, has crept downward during the morning drive, a sign of a leaking door switch. And the parking brake release isn't working - minor stuff, I guess. So Neil tackles the switch while Gary begins to reassemble the interior. With all the interior out, I get to cleaning the leather with Lexol, a rather easy task on the bench. And, it comes out very well.

The rest of the reassembly goes slowly. Door switches have to be shimmed and wood carefully repositioned. Brackets and screws originally missing from the car have to be found in Neil's vast parts bins.

But in the end, it goes back together beautifully. The interior is cleaner than it has been for years, the engine bay is (probably) better than new, and I've got a working A/C system. Time, however, is running out. I've got to get back to Pennsylvania for the New Hope Auto Show, so I've got to get on the road. Unfortunately, that pesky LR window is still decending on its own. Neil says he'll come down next week and pick the car up to sort it out. He's right that it isn't fixed, but I feel bad that he's got to make the trip.

And so I leave around 5:00 PM, car intact and very clean. The rear window give me no problems on the way home, but the A/C relays begin chattering as I cruise down the turnpike. But the drive was otherwise uneventful, and I showed the car at the show the next day (I got 3rd for Mercedes Sedans, too - with very high marks for the engine bay).

The pictures here depict the before and after pictures of the A/C compressor and the rear firewall. Also, note the complexity of the plumbing and electrical system under the dash. I'm glad Gary and Neil have the patience to sort this all out!

The next stage is to begin the cosmetics. As I mentioned earlier, the interior is in very good condition, expecially the wood. But, it could use some new leather and it definitely needs new carpet. As for the outside, I need to fix a few dings and paint blisters. And the paint is tired. I used to call the car a 10 foor car, but the Delaware Valley MBCA vice president thinks I've got a 3 foot car. I want a 6 inch car, but the devil is in the detail, right?