Two weeks ago tomorrow, I set off from the Detroit area to a dealer north of O'Hare airport in the Chicago area. I was taking my son and daughter-in-law to check over, and hopefully pick up and drive home, a 1989 Mercedes "Baby Benz."

We went over in Brigitte, my '89 745 GL. Everyone was a little concerned about the trip, but Brigitte performed beautifully. Even through the eternal, inevitable construction zones, she never overheated, even with the A/C on and the sunroof tilted open. After all, she'd made it back from Annapolis in February, when we picked her up, with the overdrive not operating.

Since picking her up then, she's had new disks and pads all around, a new headliner, an IPD ovedrive bypass, and a spare tire/rim that seemed to be missing when we bought her, plus a filled-in tool kit (never used yet).

Got to Des Plaines, and uncovered a couple of problems with the Merc; most obviously a DOA right rear window. After negotiating a 10% discount from the price, they bought the car, and we started home. Needless to say, we were well stocked with motor oil, antifreeze, brake fluid, and tools. THEIR car came with TWO spares, both on matchinga alloy wheels, but no Mercedes jack.

Anyway, we left at the same time, and had agreed NOT to try to convoy from Chicago to Detroit. John wanted to go by way of South Bend, where he'd grown up, to show his wife his old "stomping grounds." I elected to avoid the skyway on the way back, and used the Induiana toll road most of the way.

Brigitte held up admirably, except for the occasional smell of hot oil. No warning lights, chacked oil level at every gas stop (thanks, Irv Gordon!) and had to add 1 quart each way. Apparently most lost through the oil fill cap gasket, now replaced. I was most impressed at the gas mileage on her first rubb at highway speeds since we adopted her: 27.54 mpg round trip, over a run of 627.4 miles.

Sure glad I was in a Volvo, especially for comfort and driver endurance...I wouldn't have wanted to drive that in my wife's Kia Optims. The seat adjustments just aren't up to the 745's.

(I will admit I was continually playing "The Ride of the Valkyries" at high volume after dark, to stay awake.)

Almost ready to take her on an up-north camping trip

Harry

19889 745GL, ~194K miles