We owned two bicycle trikes when I was a boy. They weren’t very fast, but they were very unique. While everybody else was riding a banana seat bike, we had a three wheeler! From Autoblog’s report, it seems that somebody has “one-upped” my younger years with a camper bike.
I just hope they have low gearing and good brakes on that thing!
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When the 2004 SAAB 9-5 Arc was purchased from the dealership last week, I had to find a different vehicle to drive. My wife was disappointed here that the SAAB was gone, but was wondering what I would bring home this time. Something in me wanted to try a Mercedes-Benz. The manager had been describing them to me as the best you can buy. So, I thought that it might be a good time to drive one as my demo vehicle.
2007 Mercedes-Benz R350 engine bay
One of the first things I do when I get a new demo, is to check the vital fluids. That night, when I stopped to fill-up, I popped the hood for a look. Amazing! The engine is tucked away close to the firewall, but there seems to be about 12 inches of room between the belts and the radiator! Compared to the access provided by most front wheel drive cars, this was a mechanic’s dream come true. There’s actually room to spare!
My oldest son will be racing in his cub scout’s pinewood derby in a week or so. So, he asked if we could work on it tonight. After all the SAVE SAAB hub bub and the tears in my children’s eyes when they heard SAAB might go under, I was thinking he might like to make a Swedish car. But he chose something different. I’m not sure where he got this idea, but I can honestly say that I didn’t tell him what to make. Really!
After squashing the graphic to about 75% of its height, we were able to print out, trace, and affix the sideview of the car to the side of the block. Then a quick call to a woodworking friend from church led to a late night bandsaw party. We both learned a bit and enjoyed working with Bob (of Corvette Mongoose fame). When we left the house, Jefferson had enough sandpaper, files, and tools to carve out a respectable entry. His biggest challenges will be filing out the sloping hood and raised headlights as well as the infamous flying buttresses.
Stay tuned!
I’ve not tinkered with AndyRupert.com for some time due to my new responsibilities at the dealership. However, Leikin Motor Companies is currently running full-page advertisements in two local papers and I thought it would be good to post those somewhere online for our customers to peruse. Hence the new Specials tab at AndyRupert.com.
The SAAB factory workers rally in Trollhattan, Sweden (saabsunited.com)
