[W126 Coupe] Spares in the Boot

[Richard K. Hallberg]

Gerry, et. al.,

Gerry, you must be paying the preacher well - you were able to make it 
to a place where the belt was available.  In the early 70's (before 
cellphones) when I was a salesman traveling by car, I lost a water pump 
belt about 7pm on a lonely stretch of interstate kinda near Sweetwater, 
TN - halfway between Knoxville and Chattanooga.   The guy at the service 
station called an autoparts guy at home and had him deliver the belt for 
my late-model Ford - saved my bacon, but I might not have been so lucky 
in those days with a Benz.  My daddy, a parts man who couldn't fix 
anything, thought it was prudent to have a spare set of belts and 
radiator hoses in the trunk for emergency repairs by someone else.

   Of course, I had no need to listen to his advice until my Sweetwater 
encounter.  Since then, even with a cell phone, I travel with belts, 
radiator hoses and a few extra aircraft (geared) hose clamps to patch 
other hose leaks, along with a small selection of tools - I also carry a 
roll of duct tape, just in case.

Sounds like you guys had a nice road-trip GTG.  I'm glad your story had 
a happy ending and sending you Many Thanks for your detailed repair 
threads - I rest much easier with this information available.

Richard