Author Archive: Dutch Doubleclutch

We all appreciate cosmetic perfection, yet there is something to be said for an artifact of human craftsmanship which has survived for five decades or longer, mostly in its original state. Many of us, in our rush to buy the shiny and new – end up buying something which is merely a replica of what the manufacturer originally produced. In many cases, a vendor or other seller, in their rush to meet the typical buyer’s demands, places a cosmetic veneer over a degraded foundational structure or compromised mechanicals.

Human nature being what it is, we tend to seek the lowest price. We try to make comparisons of like-kind but once we get out of our own field of specialty, we are unqualified and can make large errors. Comparing various shiny [...]

The Mercedes 600

An Eclectic Background

This vehicle may have the most eclectic list of notable owners of any car, ever. The names range from George Harrison, David Bowie, Eric Clapton, and Elvis Presley as a preferred car for these entertainers. The only time you will mention Mao Zedong, The Pope, and Pablo Escobar in the same sentence is their love for the Mercedes Benz 600.

Given the wide range of this vehicle’s appeal to notable folks from all walks of life, you would think this car was a fairly straightforward project with an easy fix to make certain these folks could get back into the driver’s seat – or more realistically the back seat so their chauffeur could get back on the road; however, that is not the case.

This vehicle, a 4-door sedan whose production spanned mostly 1960’s-70’s remains

Portfolio of Sold Cars

While we are known around the world as a knowledgeable specialist in the W113 Pagoda Mercedes (230SL, 250SL & 280SL) we have a history with many vehicles, selling and consigning literally thousands since 1985. Our stock has been peppered with names from Abarth to Zagato and everything in between including Mercedes and Ferrari. The list below is a sample of some we have had the privilege of working with in the recent years. Plea [...]

My Mink

• Not a coat, but this piece probably accumulated more use across the years than a fur ever could.

Why We Love It

Once upon a time in Hollywood, glamor ran the scene. I suppose this is not an idea inconsistent with the current day, but that is beside the point. A man and a woman were very much in love. His eyes for her [...]

In the summer of 2010, Mercedes Benz took ownership of what was officially the final build of the famous Pagoda SL line. At the time of acquiring the vehicle, the Mercedes Benz Classic Center had no idea they were in possession of the final 280SL ever, but when they realized it, they gave the precious Pagoda the full restoration it deserved. The vehicle now sits in the Mercedes Benz museum, well guarded – likely due to it’s “potentially addictive” properties, in the words of Mercedes. Be that as it may, this Pagoda SL with the vehicle identification number 113.044-10-023885, is the last in a long line of an enthusiastic models that captured the hearts of many. It has been sent to pasture (image below related) and will likely reside in the halls of the Mercedes Benz museum for the remainder of its days.