Eva and I ask again for a helping hand to get her back on the road, though mechanically sound; On June 9th I took her to her shop of choice, the outstanding men at Morris Motors of Walnut Grove, to address the following:

1. Removal from Walnut dashboard: my instrument cluster, to repair speed indicator needle which stopped functioning. Speedometer cable functioning, so it is a repair specific to the needle. This is labor intensive as it has to be removed from the hand hewn wood dashboard via the engine compartment to get to it to make the repair.

2. Removal and rebuild of my generator (this occurs aprox. every 10 years) with installation of spare already rebuilt generator I keep on hand to speed this process every ten years by alternating (there's a joke there somewhere) between the two generators.

3. Replacement of failed fuel pump assist, and fuel pump service (under warranty).

4. Replace exhaust assembly retaining brackets with rubber grommet variety to repair broken brackets and reduce noise.

When the fine men removed the instrument cluster, they themselves could not repair it. It was sent to two different shops, who sent it back as they could not fix it, it needed part, which I believe to be a specially machined chain that moves the needle horizontally across the painted speeds on the instrument cluster. It is no longer made by Mercedes-Benz, this cluster apparently was only used two years in the 220S/W180, thus it is extremely rare After searching for several weeks, it was discovered that Stone Belvin at Automotive Archeology in Virginia, USA, had the part, last one known of globally. It was went to him for his usual superlative service.

I was not prepared, though having saved money for over a year in advance for the above work to be done, for the sticker shock of the last know part in the world and labor the combined total for the instrument cluster sublet work from my mechanic alone, $1,200.00! ($650.00, labor, $550.00 chain)

To this must be added the other work, labor and parts provided in Walnut Grove. As I had saved some funds all year long for this planned expense, I can cover some of it. I was laid off in June from the Friends of the Fox Classic Movie Series in Stockton at the Bob Hope Theatre (attendance had plummeted so low they could not longer afford to pay me) and have almost no present work income. Thus, I am asking for $2,000.00 for this Go Fund Me campaign to get Eva put back together, and on the road again to bring joy wherever she goes as a rolling ambassador of history, friendship and good cheer.

Many Thanks,

Matías Bombal