Video Transcript:
Drew Yagodnik, Classic Auto Insurance: Hi, this is Drew with Classic Auto Insurance. We’re here at The World of Wheels Indianapolis 2020. Hard to believe it is 2020, but I’m here with Gary with a pretty interesting build. This car is famous, I think I’ve seen it a few times before but I mean it’s a really captivating build. Tell us a little bit about it.
Gary from Black Orchid Customs: Well, it’s a 1958 Mercedes-Benz 190 SL. Full custom, it’s on air ride, Ridetech Shockwaves, it has Wilwood brakes, Alzor wheels, has a Weber Redline fuel injection, Griffin radiator, Griot’s Garage products to make it shine.
Gary: It was basically a 10 year parts car, sat on a lift. The owner that we built the car for, he went on vacation and while he was gone we took his car off the lift and we made it a custom. It did not have a title at the time, so it wasn’t a worthy respiration and so, we just put our brains together and come up with something that we thought would be different and I think we succeeded.
Drew: Yeah, I mean you don’t see many Mercedes resto-mods, especially on a convertible. It’s phenomenal, I mean the paint, everything, the detail in it. You had a lot of partners in this project. Tell us a little bit about their involvement.
Gary: Well, Ridetech was probably the biggest partner that we had. We worked hand in hand to try to find the correct suspension to fit underneath of this car without modifying the car.
Gary: The car has its original drive train, all the suspension is still under it. We just made adapters for everything to adapt to that without cutting it.
Drew: And I think you said something earlier too that I think is cool, you come into a lot of these shows, especially World of Wheels and you’ve got high displays but you guys have made this display so that people can come in and see this car. So, I think that’s phenomenal, but it speaks to your passion for the community.
Gary: We look at it as, it’s just a car. It’s just a piece of metal, we leave our ropes down, if somebody wants to get in it, we begged them to go ahead and get in it. That’s what it’s all about, it’s about the enjoyment and these people that are here, this is what it’s for, it’s not for us.
Drew: Right. Well, and you brought a really diverse piece. I mean, it’s sitting next to another diverse piece. We have a 76 full custom BMW 2002.
Gary: Beautiful.
Drew: So, I mean perfect placement for both of these cars. Again, appreciate your time. Thanks for your passion for collecting cars.
Gary: Thank you very much.
The 61st Annual O’Reilly World of Wheels
Hot Rods, Custom Cars, Motorcycles and More return to Indianapolis with the O’Reilly Auto Parts World of Wheels. February 7-9, 2020 at the Indiana State Fairgrounds & Event Center. Three big days of automotive fun including: Lincoln Tech’s RaceWorld, Motorama Traditional Rod & Custom section and Gauge Magazine’s Featured Builders section! See top show cars competing for Lincoln Tech’s Hoosier Award, BAM & Families Circle City Award plus Best and Outstanding Awards sponsored by Ivy Tech!
Don’t miss the Pinstriper panel jam and charity auction benefiting the Diabetes Youth Foundation of Indiana on Saturday and Sunday. Live Rockabilly music and special guest appearances including NASCAR Star Tony Stewart and Duke’s of Hazzard Star John Schneider.
Since 1960, World of Wheels features exhibitors displaying and selling their wares, competitive car, bike and truck classes, from sport compacts to custom and lowriders to hot rods.
World of Wheels is sanctioned by the International Show Car Association (ISCA) and exhibitors vehicles are assigned categories and professionally judged based on ISCA rules. Points are awarded on the “A” rating. Cash and awards are distributed to various category winners and special entries at each event. Plus celebrity appearances, sponsor exhibits and race cars from NASCAR, NHRA, IRL, World of Outlaws, CART and more.
