Weekend drives in a Mercedes 280SL
DEALER PRINCIPAL AT MERCEDES-BENZ BOTANY, JEREMY SPICER KEEPS HIS MERCEDES-BENZ 280SL FOR WEEKEND DRIVING
Tell us about your Mercedes 280SL . . . My weekend driver is a 1985 Mercedes-Benz 280SL Auto in astral silver. I bought it five years ago from a charming sir and lady who had owned it for 20-plus years and cherished it like a member of the family. It came with a folder of service receipts as thick as a phone book. I’d been looking for a classic SL and it took time to find one that was sold new in New Zealand and in excellent condition. I looked at plenty of worn out and rusty ones; but I was happy to wait for the right car I could keep long term.
Is it living up to your expectations?
I love it. It has been engineered and built with an enduring level of quality, and nothing clears the head like a cruise in the sunshine with the roof down. In 2016 we transported it to Wanaka to use as our wedding car and it performed faultlessly on the road trip up the West Coast and back to Auckland.
Who else drives it?
Just me. I tell my wife she can drive it but I think she is worried she will kerb a wheel and she hasn’t taken me up on my offer yet.
How does it suit your personality?
It was built in the same year as me — so that’s a good start. I’m passionate about Mercedes-Benz and it’s great to be able to own and drive part of its history.
Any modifications?
No, it is 100 per cent as it came out of the factory, including the original cassette player.
What do you listen to when you’re driving?
Because of the cassette player, my selection is limited to some (rather embarrassing) 1980s titles. What’s your everyday drive?
I’m lucky enough to have the pick of the range of the latest Mercedes-Benz models. My current everyday drive is the latest 603hp Mercedes-AMG E63S. The fact a sensible four-door car can be as mind bogglingly quick as this is testament to the amazingly talented engineers at AMG.
Favourite Sunday drive?
Clevedon Farmers Market. Great country roads so close to the city, and the best whitebait fritters in Auckland.
Any other vehicles?
I’ve recently acquired a classic 560 SEC coupe; my wife drives a A250 hatch and I always have something from our dealership in the driveway. However, I’m always looking for the right Italian classic.
So, if you could drive any car in the world?
A Ferrari F40 would be an amazing experience. As a kid I was obsessed with this car, not only having a picture of it on my bedroom wall but also a F40 duvet cover and my grandmother even made me Ferrari pyjamas.
When did you get your licence?
I got my licence at 8.30am on my 15th birthday. My Dad patiently taught me how to drive in his classic Alfa Romeo Spider. And your first car?
I’ve always been a European car fan and my Dad surprised me with a 1970 Fiat 850 for my birthday. That poor car had its limits tested around Wellington’s streets. It was my first experience at dealing cars as I sold it for more than double what the old man paid for it.
Favourite movie car scene?
Where the carpark attendants get the Ferrari 250 GT California airborne in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. Classic 80s move and such an iconic Ferrari.
Favourite racing driver?
In the current series it would be Fernando Alonso. A huge talent that could have been one of the greatest but bouncing around teams held him back. Testament to the fact that to succeed you need to work in unison with a strong team.
How do you feel about electric and driverless cars?
Electric cars are the way of the future. We just need better technology (longer range) and a lower entry point for them to be universally adopted. I’ll always have at least one petrol-powered vehicle in my garage though. I can’t see myself in a driverless car. How boring would that be!
And Auckland’s traffic?
I belive there are too many single passenger cars in the daily commute. A form of toll on Auckland’s motorways is the only credible way to encourage people to car pool or seriously look at public transport.