Climbing the ranks and other sightings

"Mark - Sixpots None The Richer" (marklinde) 04/23/2014 at 16:30 • Filed to: Car spotting, Opel, Kapitän, AMG, Kolbenfresser

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It was a beautiful spring day so I was in the mood for some car spotting. My plan was to visit a workshop where mostly classic Alfas are being maintained and prepared for historic racing events. Only the best is good enough for you, my fellow Jalops!

On my way there I stumbled into a C63 AMG Wagon.

It was parked on private property right in front of a commercial building with a lot of windows. I wasn't in the mood for trespassing and getting yelled at, so I stayed on the sidewalk a few meters away.

"This is going to be a good day", I thought.

It was immediately confirmed! After !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! a few days ago I found another Opel parked right in front of the workshop I wanted to visit. We're getting promoted quite fast from cadet to the highest rank in Opel's service - Kapitän ( Captain ).

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Ignore the photobombing Dodge...

The Kapitän P 2,6 wasn't just a serious competitor for Mercedes when it was build from 1959 to 1963 it even outsold Stuttgart's six cylinder cars thus making it the last Opel to beat Mercedes in the luxury segment. The confidence of being the best of the best is clearly visible. Look at these - obscene? - badges and my disturbing reflections:

This Opel is the gangster-rapper of cars. I heard of sheiks who wanted to tone the bling down a bit. Needles to say, The Captain is decorated with the H-plate like the Kadett.

Even the hub caps are wearing little crowns.

And how is that for an "L" (standing for "luxury", I assume)? The gaudiness is enhanced by the - in my opinion tasteless - sticker added by the owner reading: "...man gönnt sich ja sonst nichts!" (... one indulges in nothing else )

And from here I have to say the day went a bit sour because said owner came out of nowhere and asked me in a tone like I was giving his granddaughter free candy out of a van, why I was so interested in the car?

If you ever wondered, why I chose to go out at night for my !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! - that's one of the reasons! I mean come on, he was parking in front of a workshop for classic cars a few meters away from a public sidewalk. If I had lurked around on his private property or touched the car, I'd understand his attitude, but in this case it was uncalled for.

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He calmed down a bit after I lauded the Captain for being beautiful and explained to him that I like classic cars in general. Now he gave me a speech listing the details of the car in a manner that every owner of a "special" car knows too well. Of course he heard all the questions before and so he made sure to cover all the important facts without a pause so I won't annoy him with my ignorance too long. The daily driver of my parents is a 2CV, so I know how it is to be approached by people who ask questions or tell stories about their experiences with a 2CV. I, however, was never harsh to them although I'm not fond of small talking to strangers.

The car was build in 1961 and until now ran 250,000 km with the original 2,6 L six cylinder 90 hp engine. It has the automatic three-speed transmission. The color is "Royal Blue" and there is just a bit of rust here and there. It has the five seater option - i.e. not the bench but individual seats up front. He is particularly impressed by the parking lights on the c-pillars.

He was somehow connected to the owner of the workshop so I followed him - feeling a bit uncomfortable - after I made the picture above.

The owner of the shop was very short-spoken and didn't even look at me while declining my request to look around for a bit - I wasn't holding my camera and didn't mention photos at this point.

Now, before some of you comment in favour of the owner:

I'm fully aware that he doesn't have to let me crawl through his workshop - let alone allow me to take any pictures. I also give him the benefit of the doubt. It was a beautiful day and while I had nothing to do, but strolling through the city he maybe had a really busy day at work. So I can understand his decision. It's the tone and atmosphere I don't get though.

I left and continued my search for cars on my way home.

I saw a VW Caddy with a lot of patina:

A RS3 in Panzer-Grey:

And after the AMG the second Merc of the day - a C 126/SEC:

I saw it a few times before, but since it always stood in the backyard you can see above I didn't take a picture. Like I said, I don't want to invade other people's property. But I saw the owner getting in the car, quickly devoured the rest of my Döner Kebap and asked whether I could photograph his car. You can see his friendly answer.

The quiet rumble of the V8 was barely perceptible amongst the noises of the busy street when he drove off. But maybe I just didn't hear it properly because of the envy screaming inside my head...

Looking at the pictures, I have to say it was a nice jalopy day!

cazzyodo > Mark - Sixpots None The Richer 04/23/2014 at 16:32

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Mark - Sixpots None The Richer > cazzyodo 04/23/2014 at 16:34

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Haha, I knew the front looked familiar!

Mercedes Streeter > Mark - Sixpots None The Richer 04/23/2014 at 17:14

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We're everywhere, photobombing your most important pictures...

Mark - Sixpots None The Richer > Mercedes Streeter 04/23/2014 at 17:24

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At least you are not like the Audis on Top Gear a while ago. Those were always crawling in front of the presenters or other cars, do you remember?

Mercedes Streeter > Mark - Sixpots None The Richer 04/23/2014 at 17:25

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I thought that was hilarious. Audis blocking the way when least appropriate!

Mark - Sixpots None The Richer > Mercedes Streeter 04/23/2014 at 18:02

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Can you help me with something, please? I think I'm getting kinja'd here...

When you read my article do my linked texts look this - i.e. with the "related box"

I don't see it myself...

And when you click on the linked text, does it open a new tab/window? I chose the option, but it doesn't work for me...

Mercedes Streeter > Mark - Sixpots None The Richer 04/23/2014 at 18:11

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No problem! I don't see a "Related" box. If I click on a link, it opens the link in the same page.

Mark - Sixpots None The Richer > Mercedes Streeter 04/23/2014 at 18:14

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Thanks!

That's weird..I'm know it worked in my first articles. So what changed? Hmmm

Mark - Sixpots None The Richer > Mercedes Streeter 04/23/2014 at 18:22

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Ah! The linked text was too long! I'm the idiot here. ;-)

anonsagainstanonymous > Mark - Sixpots None The Richer 04/24/2014 at 08:01

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Man, that Kapitän is a beaut.

Mark - Sixpots None The Richer > anonsagainstanonymous 04/24/2014 at 09:39

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Isn't it a bit pompous?

ly2v8-Brian > Mark - Sixpots None The Richer 04/30/2014 at 00:43

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That Opel is wonderful.

Mark - Sixpots None The Richer > ly2v8-Brian 04/30/2014 at 08:18

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I ask you the same question:

Don't you think it's a bit pompous?

ly2v8-Brian > Mark - Sixpots None The Richer 04/30/2014 at 08:32

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Not at all. But, I am a fan of 50's and early 60's American cars. Opel was a part of GM back then as well as now so seeing some American influences (lots of chrome and fins) doesn't come as a surprise. Also, at this time a lot of Europe was still rebuilding (or not as is the case east of the iron curtain) and America was investing a lot in the rebuilding in Europe. So goodwill towards America was good, so there was a desire for American things. That is my guess though.

Mark - Sixpots None The Richer > ly2v8-Brian 04/30/2014 at 08:50

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OK! It's just that I think the golden badging is a bit too much, that's where I'm coming from.

And your guessing is spot on! American culture and style is still very popular today, but in the 50's and 60's before Vietnam the Germans really looked up to the American Way of Live and in a way tried to copy it - with limited funds and resources.

ly2v8-Brian > Mark - Sixpots None The Richer 04/30/2014 at 13:10

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I could see that about the badging. It uses a similar font and color as what would be seen on the 57 Chevrolet Belair. And without going into politics too much, I do wish our current administration would have focused more on improving our relations with Europe. You guys are our most important allies but that wont mean squat in the future if we lose goodwill with the public.