The Grand Benz '600' Pullman
April 15th 2008 10:07
My friend and I moved through his array of garages to come face to face with the grill of a 'Grand 600'!
What a machine, what with six doors, divider window, and two very cool looking flag staffs on the bow of this 'Luxury Land Barge'!
This huge black car is nothing short of outstanding in the way its presence makes an impact when merely standing there.
"OK, we should service this baby, get her out and get some heat into this cold machine"
Well, this was easily said but the reality is this is a complex machine!
We studied the service procedures, hints and warnings of how this amazing car should be tackled. With all the proper oils, fluids, filters and tools in readiness we had already spent half the day, resigning that the rest and part of the evening will be spent preparing the vehicle for the couple of hundred kilometres we were going to enjoy driving her the next
day!
With the car held up with rods in all four jacking points, she looked 'ready to go' but to be let down and launched... but no, fresh oils and fluids are half the job. We next had to run the engine and while the power driven air pump was putinng pressure in the tanks, we drained off the air tanks of condensation. Then lowering the car slightly from the jacked position we waited while the pump put pressure in the tanks for the 'air' suspension to lift itself up off the jacks into its proper ride height.
Checking transmission levels and the 'comfort system' reservoir we found that all was well and ready for the next days outing!
We shut her down and stood back to take in the magnificence of this, 'so, "Grosser", "'Big" or 'Huge' in German!
The next morning, bright and early we approached her and checking all levels again, we fired her up. The deep burble of this beautiful big 6.3 litre V8 puts a smile on your face!
We drive her from the pit of the garage out into the private roadway (circuit of almost 50 kilometres). As the auto box changes through the gears into top (fourth) gear with a bit of
a thud we assume she just needs more heat and regular use to smooth things out.
The day is beautiful and so we open the huge sliding roof, hydraulically operated, just as almost everything else is, including windows, rear seats and the dividing window.
This car is quite cramped in the front as supreme comfort was intended for the passengers!
We both acknowledge the SWB (short wheel base) without the dividing window is a far more comfortable car up front and we resolve to prepare that one next!
We cruised this country road styled private roadway all day and the car just got better and more settled as the day progressed. At our last little coffee stop I noticed a small patch of
oil to one side of the car, he just laughed and said that it was the price of the luxury of hydraulics! Anyway it had dissappeared by the end of the day.
This 3 tonne car was a pleasure to drive and at speed, where you move a little lever to the down position on the steering column (between the wheel and the indicator/wiper stalk) made the car feel stable and not unlike a car half its size and weight!
The stopping power is awsome! With twin calipers on the big front discs and rear discs with 'Anti-lift' geometry, not forgetting the 'high pressure' brake assistance (as opposed to the usual vacuam) this car stopped far quicker than I imagined, thank God!
This vehicle leaves a lasting impression and after travelling for a short time back in the luxury of the rear seat it was clear this was why Statesman, various V.I.P.s', movie stars and some infamous dictators would have chosen this vehicle.
We tucked her away and eyed the short wheelbase 'Grand Limousine' for the next outing.
Ahh, if only it was a convertible!
Keep posted!
Regis Rakmann
What a machine, what with six doors, divider window, and two very cool looking flag staffs on the bow of this 'Luxury Land Barge'!
This huge black car is nothing short of outstanding in the way its presence makes an impact when merely standing there.
"OK, we should service this baby, get her out and get some heat into this cold machine"
Well, this was easily said but the reality is this is a complex machine!
We studied the service procedures, hints and warnings of how this amazing car should be tackled. With all the proper oils, fluids, filters and tools in readiness we had already spent half the day, resigning that the rest and part of the evening will be spent preparing the vehicle for the couple of hundred kilometres we were going to enjoy driving her the next
With the car held up with rods in all four jacking points, she looked 'ready to go' but to be let down and launched... but no, fresh oils and fluids are half the job. We next had to run the engine and while the power driven air pump was putinng pressure in the tanks, we drained off the air tanks of condensation. Then lowering the car slightly from the jacked position we waited while the pump put pressure in the tanks for the 'air' suspension to lift itself up off the jacks into its proper ride height.
Checking transmission levels and the 'comfort system' reservoir we found that all was well and ready for the next days outing!
We shut her down and stood back to take in the magnificence of this, 'so, "Grosser", "'Big" or 'Huge' in German!
The next morning, bright and early we approached her and checking all levels again, we fired her up. The deep burble of this beautiful big 6.3 litre V8 puts a smile on your face!
We drive her from the pit of the garage out into the private roadway (circuit of almost 50 kilometres). As the auto box changes through the gears into top (fourth) gear with a bit of
a thud we assume she just needs more heat and regular use to smooth things out.
The day is beautiful and so we open the huge sliding roof, hydraulically operated, just as almost everything else is, including windows, rear seats and the dividing window.
This car is quite cramped in the front as supreme comfort was intended for the passengers!
We both acknowledge the SWB (short wheel base) without the dividing window is a far more comfortable car up front and we resolve to prepare that one next!
We cruised this country road styled private roadway all day and the car just got better and more settled as the day progressed. At our last little coffee stop I noticed a small patch of
oil to one side of the car, he just laughed and said that it was the price of the luxury of hydraulics! Anyway it had dissappeared by the end of the day.
This 3 tonne car was a pleasure to drive and at speed, where you move a little lever to the down position on the steering column (between the wheel and the indicator/wiper stalk) made the car feel stable and not unlike a car half its size and weight!
The stopping power is awsome! With twin calipers on the big front discs and rear discs with 'Anti-lift' geometry, not forgetting the 'high pressure' brake assistance (as opposed to the usual vacuam) this car stopped far quicker than I imagined, thank God!
This vehicle leaves a lasting impression and after travelling for a short time back in the luxury of the rear seat it was clear this was why Statesman, various V.I.P.s', movie stars and some infamous dictators would have chosen this vehicle.
We tucked her away and eyed the short wheelbase 'Grand Limousine' for the next outing.
Ahh, if only it was a convertible!
Keep posted!
Regis Rakmann
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