A few weeks ago, an older woman came into the shop I work at driving a beautiful old 230SL Pagoda. She was taking it out for the first time this summer, so we gave it an inspection for her and flushed the fluids. It was her husband's beloved car before he passed away. The emotions and expressions she had while describing her husband and their relationship with the car were very much like those of this man while talking about his father... Their memories live on through the car. Great video, this is what it's all about!
I always admire, and respect how Asian cultures honor their family. My upbringing did not, and does not warrant that emotion and ethic- both the influence of western culture and the fact that my ancestors leave so much to be desired and are unworthy of my admiration. I am not drawn to any of this gentleman's cars- but I can see their beauty, and I get it. Some of my favorite rides were never the fastest- but they had something that spoke to me. Some of the vehicles I reminisce over from my youth are not conventional nor practical, but if I owned them now, I would cherish them as if they were worth a fortune. Thanks for this fantastic segment and this great spirit featured in it- both man, and machine.
BravoManUK Yup, that's the true enthusiast to me. Not the speculative collector who goes for the biggest value increase and puts it away for noone to see until it's Concours time. Any car is made to be */driven*.
A true enthusiast. And whats truly grand is that he enjoys them on the road and allows others to be fascinated as well. The remarkable thing is he does this all a while still keeping the exterior and interior of these vehicles still looking amazing. I love that line "Every time I drive the car I remember my father." I hope he does get the chance to give this Mercedes to his son so that he can cherish it that much more. I hope to do the same with my future child with my 370z Roaster. On a side note I think its the Meguiar's keeping his vehicles clean :P
Thank you for that video. I don't very often comment on a video but this touched me as i just lost my dad last year and this video made my connection make sense when I drive it. His favorite... All though not as luxurious it had a history and legacy attached to it too. The 1998 Molson Indy Vancouver parade truck built by Dodge specifically gold plaque and all. Victory red naturally. I feel everything that he felt and loved about it when I take it out for an afternoon. He is that truck and all in North Vancouver BC know him by it. It lives with me now. Bummer he has to sleep in the shop but. lol but they will not have to see the rain in Vancouver BC as long as I'm around anyways. Cheers buds awesome heart touching vid.
A true car enthusiast right there. You are so fortunate that your father shared the same passion for cars. It gave the two of you a common interest that helped keep the bond strong I'm sure. Unfortunately, my father does not understand the concept of being passionate about any material possession (or anything really) and he has always thought that I'm crazy for loving cars as much as I do. Years later, many disagreements later, and many cars later he still can't accept that cars are my passion. I wish he shared the same interest. So, consider yourself very lucky. Cheers Kirk
What a lovely, meaningful review! Your approach to cars and the love of cars exactly mirrors my own. There is an emotive bond between a car and its driver. And that is more important than speed or market value.
What a beautiful segment...thank you....the emotion you see him talking about his father and that connection that will hopefully pass along to his son..One of the best pieces ever done by Drive...and wow...how gorgeous is Thailand....
I can feel the sentiment radiating from this mans words. He speaks in a way that I can identify with in a way that makes me feel connected to this man on a level that science has yet to explain. The passion, driven by sentiment, and emotions. Beautiful video. Beautiful words. This is easily one of my favorite videos you've done.
This a true enthusiast , It's amazing how this mercedes has impacted his whole life and it's great that he is keeping it the way it is, this car will probably be in his family forever. Great video
This is an emotional, touching story about a man and his connection, not only with his father, but with his car. It was a great story to cover. Thank you.
When my father passed away 2 years ago, he left behind a 2004 Jaguar X-Type 3.0 AWD which has only 47,000km. I feel the same way about this car as you do with your father's Mercedes. I've thought about selling it a few times but I can't let it go. My Dad was an automotive engineer for 45 years and the passion he had for cars rubbed off on me. I also have the same Vespa GTV300 scooter as I saw in your video in the same 'Portafino' green. My daily driver is a Mercedes E550 sport. Cheers!!
Wonderful sentiments about your father, Sittisan and also a wonderful car collection. I love the Pagoda SL's and BMW CS's as well. I agree, not everything is about speed.
Thats great story and I've always like the balance of this model, it looks great from any position. Just awesome to hear you drive it and enjoy it ! too many great cars hidden away. I totally get the experience of driving its not about speed its the experience you get in that car the enjoyment of the "drive" and with a great car thats something special always and anywhere. Thanks for sharing your car and the family story that lives with this car.
THANKS FOR A WONDERFUL INTERVIEW! Your car is the one that I longed for in my college years. It still looks like 'perfection' to me. A specialty shop in the UK could tweak this model for other people and it would be wonderful.
I have a 68 W113 and everything he says about how it drives is true...great reliable fun car. As he said it is not fast but driven "swiftly" it brings a smile..great sounding exhaust, tight build quality..this was the era that made MBZ the best in the world. Now If i can just get my hands on the 3.0 CS he had sitting there...FUN car my buddies dad had one new and that was a awesome car...put up with teenagers thrashing it friday and saturday nights!....stopped on a dime and what a body style!..good times
I have such a car - my father's '92 Crown Vic that I now lovingly drive as you do, and every time I get in the car I'm reminded of the conversation we had when Dad decided on buying it. He said: It's the car your Mom chose because she enjoys the comfort, and it's going to be the last new car we'll be buying we're loading it up just the way Mom likes it. Mom doesn't drive. I'll always remember those words.
Great story and a great car. Your comment about the ivory white steering wheel. Legend has it that in that era all cars to typically warm climate countries had ivory steering wheels and cold climate countries had black steering wheels.
I'll echo the sentiment. This is on the level of Petrolicious, even though it doesn't have those moments of "pure-sound". Nuttapon Wongchoen, and Adrian Larkin, you did something magical here together.
Damn this guy's car is such a piece of art, and he has a lot of love for his cars and a true passion for his cars!!! Ithink he is absolutely right that sometimes it's not all about speed!
Wonderful and personal review. This is true classic car ownership, from a very personal and passionate son who has become a Father himself recollecting his Father's memories. Thank you ☺️
Wow this man has an incredible story and his attachment to that car really makes me appreciate the cars passed down to ,e from my father. Excellent work drive network, I was starting to lose faith in the channel but this video shows me that you guys can still make a great video. Thank you, Garret
Wow, this really made me miss my Dad, cars were about all we had in common, but man, I miss talking to him about cars and spending weekends helping him fix his old shitheaps.
I love this video. I wish my father and I could have shared a passion for cars like this guy did. I feel like I missed out not getting into cars sooner in life.
What an uplifting video about a man who has the same views on owning a classic car as myself. Just two weeks ago I bought a 280SL for restoration. I‘ll be thinking of you. . .
That BMW 3.0csi was a beauty, and the pagoda has a style that I have always been drawn to. Really nice taste, the future owners of these greats will be forever thankful for your passion and investment.
I can totally relate to this video. my grandfather bought a 1966 230l new off the showroom and he eventually gave it to my dad about 15 years ago, and it remains in our garage to this day. it was the first car i learned to drive stick on and I'm sure it will be the same for generations to come.
Lovely car. Nice man. Sadly, they just don't make cars like that anymore. And having lost my father nearly three years ago, I fully understand the connection...emotional, spiritual, even physical. Beautiful on all levels.
Nice video, nice way to describe the way which I agree, how to "treat" a car, to recover from the scrap yard, enjoy the work, then use it, drive it around, not thinking about the profit, just enjoy it as a car that you, as a boy, dreamt to drive one day.
Thanks for sharing..epic collections you have, I'm also here in BKK and starting to collect some W123, not as classic as yours..but also enjoy fixing and driving them.
Fantastic video i purchased my pagoda 2 years ago and at last restoring it and this video is a great insperation to owning one of these beautiful classic cars. :)
Grea passion, my friend! Sorry you can't import classics to Thailand. What a noble mission you and your mates are up to, scouting the land for objects to bring back to life. I collect likewise, cars of beauty, not all exceptionally valuable, but indeed beautiful. Keep posting, my friend! If you ever travel to the Alps, you're welcome to visit. In such case, we could contact off RU-vid for anonymity.
His accent is quite good. He does go in & out between sounding like a born in the US to an English-speaking Thai. ha Been a long time since I strolled through the busy streets of Bankok. Late night market & eateries were (and probably still are) a thing to experience.
I kind of feel the same about my father's benz... but his is so hard to maintain because of the engine 270 CDI HAHA But still, we shared the same passion for cars.
Hello I am a very eye for cars and I agree with you keep the Mercedes Benz and remember your father is riding with you in spirit.i had a 79 450sl but I sold it and bought a 98 sl500 I drove it everyday and it's a great driver I keep it in great shape.you have a great collection of art work of cars.much success to you and keep your father's cars looking good as it is.God bless you.peace
