What happens if you leave today’s electric car sitting there for 30 years and then try to start it? Probably nothing will work in 2054. Things look different in the old, so ostracized world of combustion engines. The Mercedes-Benz 230.6, once taken over from my uncle for little money, has now been sitting in the garage, untouched, for 27 years. It was a nice time with him back then: he was taken over with 114,000 kilometers on the clock, and after another 126,000 kilometers he retired. It shouldn’t be sold, there are too many memories attached to it. But then one thing led to another, numerous moves, most recently abroad, luckily the garage rent was cheap. Now the old Benz is about to be brought back to life. So first pump up the flat tires – they actually hold the air overnight. The first surprise. The only new part used is a fresh battery; Engine oil and carburettor are only checked. The first attempt to start is made without any additional aids and with fuel from 1997. Unbelievable, but true: at the first turn of the ignition key, the engine starts after a short organ and quickly runs smoothly, even the exhaust system stays tight. Then we walk a few meters out into the courtyard and then back into the garage; The automatic transmission seems to do what it is supposed to and the suspension also works perfectly. This is still German workmanship. There is great joy about the apparently indestructible /8 Mercedes. But what now? Getting it back on the road requires a five-figure investment. New tires, brake lines and so on, the years haven’t gone by without rust. The decision is difficult, it will probably be sold now. In any case, the time of retirement is over.
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