Mercedes-Benz SL owners of Southern New Mexico and West Texas

Tech Session at the Waleke's- April 16, 2000

SL Club members Art and Elena Harrison recently had their 1982 380SL painted and now that the car looks great and the weather is warming up they have decided that it is time to get the car out on the road with the top down. They have owned the car for several years and have not had the hard top off. Norm and Pat Waleke volunteered to provide a place to temporarily store and assist in the removal of the hardtop, and provide instructions on raising of the soft top. It is always easier the first time with more experienced help. And having an extra hand or two to remove the hard top doesn't hurt either. After the hardtop was off and we raised the soft top, everyone was pleased to see the soft top was in great shape. The plastic back window looked really awful, but Norm came to the rescue with some plastic window cleaner and it looked like new with a little of Art's and Elena's elbow grease. Of course, before Art and Elena went home they had to take a test drive with the soft top up and then no top at all.

As you can see the car looks GOOD with its new paint, but will be more fun with the top down.

The top is off!	Let's put it over here.	Out of the way for a few days.
First, release the handle.	Oh my, there is a soft top in here!	Let's stretch that top.
Latch it down in the front.	Latch the back and we'll be done.	Now to clean the back window.
You won't believe how dirty it was.	Blue Magic did the job.	Okay, now remember what I said!
Now we'll see how it drives this way.	Let's take this baby home.	Another happy SL lover!

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photos by Pat Waleke

back to past events page	hardtop & soft top instructions
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