10 questions with Jim Rosenthal

[Top Hatt Craig]

At “Bring A Trailer” https://bringatrailer.com/2024/01/10...thal/#comments

[rsmith]

That’s quite a stable.

[madhatter1]

I agree with the classic Mercedes love. I bought a used high milage 560 SEL between Corvette's back in 94. The thing was elegant, comfortable, and fast. Seems they used to under report actual HP of the cars. My wife has a 2017 convertible she wanted after we sold off the last mommy-wagon. Not even a shadow of the old Mercedes. We had to drive up to CT for a funeral last year. She made me drive. Was horrible.

Jim, if it matters at all to you my number 1 Mercedes I with I had was the 560 SEC. Regret not getting one and keeping it. Nice collection.

[rsmith]

I bought an 88 560sl new used it as my daily driver. In around 98 I had 140k on it. My uncle who was a big Shriner was after me to sell it to him so he could use it in parades. I found one here in Vero Beach an old guy had in his garage with 3k on it. Same Black pearl but it had gray interior instead of palomino. I still have mine. My uncle drove his until 2012 when at 88 his heart valve failed passed out and drove head on into a wall. Totaled the car and apparently the crash restarted his heart and he basically walked away. Ended up at University of Pennsylvania hospital and got an emergency valve replacement. The old valve was 10 years old almost to the day they had been telling him it was still good but they said it was a 10 year valve when they put it in. I guess the warranty ran out.

[Scarlett]

Great interview. Have to agree on the 300 D bought one new in 1978 had the license plate “78 BENZ” drove it 300,000 miles and pretty much just changed brakes and tires. By far my best car even after owning a bunch of Porsches also.

[jmooney]

I still have a 1987 560 SEC , great car , don’t drive it much as it sits at our NC house , we only get there a few days a month. I also had two 1971 280 SL’s . Great cars also , but could be charitably called women’s sport cars . Still hoping to get a 67 Corvette. If longevity is what is desired , a 240D with roll up windows will last you a lifetime.

[IOLANI]

Interesting guy Jim Rosenthal. I always enjoyed his posts and was sad to see him selling his Hatteras.

Back in the late 70's my father owned a Mercedes 6.9 sedan. The car had an all aluminum 417 ci injected motor with dry sump (oil kept in right front fender) and hydropneumatic suspension that could lower the car at speed. That car was a friggin rocketship and I almost killed myself more than once pushing it towards its limits.
I used to like going to the parts counter at the local dealership...the young guy would ask "what model" and I'd say 6.9 sedan and he'd say "no such thing." Finally one of the other counter guys would come over and say "yeah there is, that's a rare bird."

[luckydave215]

And here I thought having a dozen motorcycles made me special - NOT!

[bigbill]

Interesting guy Jim Rosenthal. I always enjoyed his posts and was sad to see him selling his Hatteras.

Back in the late 70's my father owned a Mercedes 6.9 sedan. The car had an all aluminum 417 ci injected motor with dry sump (oil kept in right front fender) and hydropneumatic suspension that could lower the car at speed. That car was a friggin rocketship and I almost killed myself more than once pushing it towards its limits.
I used to like going to the parts counter at the local dealership...the young guy would ask "what model" and I'd say 6.9 sedan and he'd say "no such thing." Finally one of the other counter guys would come over and say "yeah there is, that's a rare bird."

jim didnt sell his hatteras.

[IOLANI]

jim didnt sell his hatteras.

Did he decide not to sell? I hope so.