Skip to content
  • We Are SLSHOP
  • The world’s leading classic Mercedes destination. Welcome to SLSHOP.
tel +44 (0) 1789 337 070
SLSHOP
  • HOME
  • Buy or Sell a Mercedes
    • Mercedes For Sale
      • Showroom Vehicles
      • Appraised Vehicles
      • Mercedes W113 For Sale
      • Mercedes R107 For Sale
      • Mercedes R129 For Sale
      • Coming Soon
      • Previously Sold
    • Sell Your Mercedes
      • Let us Help You Sell Your Car
      • My Vehicle Listing
    • Buying Guides
      • W190 SL
      • W113 SL
      • R107 SL
      • R129 SL
      • R230 SL
      • The SL Market

      • Buying

      • SLSHOP Warranty

      • We are SLSHOP

  • Workshops
    • W113
      • W113
      • R107
      • R129
      • Heritage
      • Specialist
      • Modern Classic
      • AMG
    • Healthcheck
      • Complete Health Check
      • New Owner Check
      • Engine Check
      • Brake Check
      • Under Body Check
      • Pre Season Check
    • Servicing
      • Routine Servicing
      • Improve the way my Pagoda runs
      • Improve the way my Pagoda changes gear
      • Diagnose an issue
      • Rally & Competition Preparation
      • CARE Servicing plans
      • My account
      • SLSHOP MOT
      • UK Registration service
    • Restoration / Fabrication
      • Factory Correct Restoration
      • Welding repairs
      • Manual Gearbox Conversion
      • W113 Gearbox Rebuilds
      • Engine rebuilds
      • Soft Top replacement
      • Pagoda Interior / Trimming
      • W113 Repaint
    • Additional Services
      • Detailing
      • Pagoda Transportation
      • Hardtop Storage
      • Vehicle Storage
      • Valuation Certificate
      • Rust Protection
    • Help & Advice
      • Show me an SLSHOP restored Pagoda
    • R107
      • W113
      • R107
      • R129
      • Heritage
      • Specialist
      • Modern Classic
      • AMG
    • Healthcheck
      • Complete Health Check
      • New Owner Check
      • Engine Check
      • Brake Check
      • Under Body Check
      • Pre Season Check
    • Servicing
      • Routine Servicing
      • Improve the way my 107 drives
      • Diagnose an issue
      • Rally & Competition Preparation
      • Fast Road Upgrades
      • Improve the way my 107 Handles
      • USA to EURO Conversion
      • CARE Servicing plans
      • My account
      • SLSHOP MOT
      • UK Registration service
    • Restoration / Fabrication
      • Factory Correct Restoration
      • Bulkhead Repair
      • Manual Gearbox conversions
      • Engine Rebuilds
      • SportLine
      • Soft Top Replace
      • Interior trim for 107 SL’s
      • Gearbox Rebuilds
      • R107 Repainting
    • Additional Services
      • Detailing
      • Hardtop Storage
      • Vehicle Storage
      • Transportation Support
      • Valuation Certificate
      • Rust Protection
      • Engine Cleaning
    • Help & Advice
      • I’ve just acquired a R107 SL
    • R129
      • W113
      • R107
      • R129
      • Heritage
      • Specialist
      • Modern Classic
      • AMG
    • Healthcheck
      • Complete Health Check
      • New Owner Check
      • Engine Check
      • Brake Check
      • Under Body Check
      • Pre Season Check
    • Servicing
      • Routine Servicing
      • Improve the way my 129 drives
      • Diagnose an issue
      • R129 Hard/Soft Top Check
      • CARE Servicing plans
      • UK Registration service
      • My account
      • R129 SL MOT
    • Restoration & Upgrades
      • Preventative Rust Programmes
      • Cosmetic Upgrades
      • Parking Sensors
      • Audio & Sat Nav
      • Pimp My R129
      • Fit me a new soft top
      • R129 Repainting
    • Additional Services
      • Detailing
      • Hardtop Storage
      • Vehicle Storage
      • Transportation Support
      • Valuation Certificate
      • Rust Protection
    • Help & Advice
      • I’ve just acquired an R129
    • Heritage
      • W113
      • R107
      • R129
      • Heritage
      • Specialist
      • Modern Classic
      • AMG
    • Healthcheck
      • Complete Health Check
      • New Owner Check
      • Brake Check
      • Engine Check
      • Under Body Check
      • Pre Season Check
    • Servicing
      • Routine Servicing
      • Improve the way my classic Mercedes Drives
      • Diagnose an issue
      • Rally & Competition Preparation
      • CARE Servicing plans
      • My account
      • SLSHOP MOT
    • Restoration / Fabrication
      • Factory Correct Restoration
      • Welding Repairs
      • Manual Gearbox conversions
      • Interior Trimming
    • Additional Services
      • Detailing
      • Hardtop Storage
      • Vehicle Storage
      • Transportation Support
      • Valuation Certificate
      • Rust Protection
    • Help & Advice
      • I’ve just acquired a classic Mercedes
    • Specialist
      • W113
      • R107
      • R129
      • Heritage
      • Specialist
      • Modern Classic
      • AMG
    • Healthcheck
      • Complete Health Check
      • New Owner Check
      • Engine Check
      • Brake Check
      • Under Body Check
      • Pre Season Check
    • Servicing
      • Routine Servicing
      • Improve the way my classic Mercedes Drives
      • Gearbox Service
      • Diagnose an issue
      • Rally & Competition Preparation
      • CARE Servicing plans
      • My account
      • SLSHOP MOT
    • Restoration / Fabrication
      • Factory Correct Restoration
      • Welding Repairs
      • Manual Gearbox conversions
      • Interior Trimming
    • Additional Services
      • Detailing
      • Hardtop Storage
      • Vehicle Storage
      • Transportation Support
      • Valuation Certificate
      • Rust Protection
    • Help & Advice
      • I’ve just acquired a classic Mercedes
    • Modern Classic
      • W113
      • R107
      • R129
      • Heritage
      • Specialist
      • Modern Classic
      • AMG
    • Healthcheck
      • Complete Health Check
      • New Owner Check
      • Engine Check
      • Brake Check
      • Under Body Check
      • Pre Season Check
    • Servicing
      • Routine Servicing
      • Gearbox Service
      • Improve the way my modern classic drives
      • Diagnose an issue
      • Rally & Competition Preparation
      • SLSHOP MOT
    • Restoration / Fabrication
      • Factory Correct Restoration
      • Interior Trimming
    • Additional Services
      • Detailing
      • Hardtop Storage
      • Vehicle Storage
      • Transportation Support
      • Valuation Certificate
      • Rust Protection
    • Help & Advice
      • I’ve just acquired a modern classic Mercedes
    • AMG
      • W113
      • R107
      • R129
      • Heritage
      • Specialist
      • Modern Classic
      • AMG
    • Healthcheck
      • Complete Health Check
      • New Owner Check
      • Engine Check
      • Brake Check
      • Under Body Check
      • Pre Season Check
    • Servicing
      • Routine Servicing
      • Improve the way my AMG drives
      • Gearbox Service
      • Diagnose an issue
      • Rally & Competition Preparation
      • CARE Servicing plans
      • SLSHOP MOT
      • My account
    • Restoration / Fabrication
      • Factory Correct Restoration
    • Additional Services
      • Detailing
      • Hardtop Storage
      • Vehicle Storage
      • Transportation Support
      • Valuation Certificate
      • Rust Protection
    • Help & Advice
      • I’ve just acquired an AMG Mercedes
  • Events
    • 60th Pagoda Meet & Pilgrimage
    • Autumn Cars & Coffee
  • Parts Store
    • W121 Parts
    • W113 Pagoda Parts
    • R107 Parts
    • R129 Parts
      • R230 Parts
  • JOURNAL
  • We Are SLSHOP
  • SLSHOP Membership

The SLCenic Route – Episode 8

In this episode Graham pushes the SLC to the limit with some off roading he wouldn't recommend but would do again.

  • Understanding
  • Enjoying
  • Improving Advice
  • SLSHOP TV
  • The Market
  • Proud Owners
  • In the Press
  • 190 SL
  • W113 SL
  • R107 SL
  • R129 SL
  • R230 SL
  • All Other

Graham Laing decided to retire 10 years earlier than planned to enjoy an epic driving tour with his SLC. The plan, inspired by conversations with his Father, was to drive the SLC from the southern most tip of mainland Europe in Spain to the northernmost tip of mainland Europe in Norway.

When he told his children, they said ‘you should write a blog about it’… So that’s exactly what Graham is doing. Graham approached the SLSHOP and asked whether we would be interested in hosting his work, and we were only too happy to share his story. The SLCenic Route was born!

In this episode Graham pushes the SLC to the limit with some off roading he wouldn’t recommend but would do again.

The SLCenic Route

Episode 8 – Toledo to Pamplona via Sad Hill Cemetery (245 miles)

Day 10

I have to write this first section so as not to forget about what happened today, but really they were all minor distractions in the end.

Leaving the city of Toledo after such a short stay seemed sad, but I will probably be back. The mountain ranges north of Madrid look impassable at first, you are slowly climbing, then turning, climbing more, through tunnels, ever climbing and suddenly over the top and a vast wild plain stretching out for miles ahead.

In the distance, another bigger, even more impassable mountain range ahead. Once again climbing, twisting and turning ever higher until this time the over the top to see a glorious vast fertile plain with a patchwork of crop fields and farms stretching out as far as the eye could see. Not sure how many mountain ranges there are in Spain, but I’m not sure you could fit more in if you tried.

The motorways of Spain give some marvellous views of the fantastic scenery as you blast along, but I had planned another stop on the way to Pamplona. Getting of the motorway and winding through many more castles and churches on top of hills on the fabulous Bu-910 I finally came to the little town of Santo Domingo de Silos. The closest town to Sad Hill Cemetery.

Normally, I would have been very happy to have had a lovely drive through northern Spain, but in time would need the pictures to remind me of the day. However, what happened next I will never forget.

If you don’t know, Sad Hill Cemetery is the location of the final scenes in the 1966 film, “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly”, possibly my favourite film. It’s was not a real cemetery and slowly decayed and nearly disappeared until a few years ago, when a few film nerds decided to reconstruct it as faithfully as possible. Driving along the main roads, I wondered why Sergio Leone choose this area to film these scenes, Spain is so vast and has so many beautiful areas, I wondered if he just stuck a pin in the map and said we’ll try there next. How wrong can you be! It is located in the most beautiful, hidden valley, I have ever visited.

33 years ago I was working in Shetland and drove to a small Voe on the mainland; I remember the view as I rose over the hill at the end of the inlet like it was yesterday and until today that was the most beautiful place I had ever seen.

Getting to Sad Hill cemetery is only for the dedicated, and perhaps mad, it’s 3 miles from the town over steep, badly rutted impassable dirt tracks. Getting out of the town I had to give up twice on different routes and was setting off on foot when a short distance into the journey, I met an equally mad German couple coming back in a car. They told me of a third way which once past an initial terrible section was almost passible in a car with decent ground clearance.

In the future, I will tell people of this whole European trip in a 46 year old Mercedes SLC and some may believe me, but no one that has been to Sad Hill Cemetery will believe I made it in an SLC.

On the dirt track, you don’t drive on the right, middle, left or the shaded part, you drive on the part least likely to rip the bottom off your car. Where it is impassable, check the grass verge and get 2 wheels on it to give you that bit extra ground clearance. Three torturous miles of 1st and 2nd gear and suddenly you get the view of your life looking down the valley, not another soul in site and the cemetery on the grassy valley floor.

It may only be a reconstruction of what was a fake, but it has been done with such care and attention to detail that it enhances what is already a wonderful place. There are a few plaques in memory of Sergio Leone but there is no commercialised rubbish, no people, no let’s make a fast buck getting in the way of an iconic place. Essentially it is just part of someone’s farm with cows gently grazing. I don’t know how Leone knew about it, there is no reason to go there and no reason to pass by unless you are one of the local farmers, but I’m sure when he saw it he knew that it would be the perfect location for the final scenes in his epic trilogy of films.

I stayed as long as possible, screamed Blondieee as loud as I could and with the cows looking on disdainfully knew I would be back. Other than the mad German couple, I saw no one else in the few hours I had, there is even a rock with one blank flat side lying loosely in the middle of the circle. Amazing.

If you are a fan of spaghetti westerns, Sergio Leone, the music of Ennio Morricone, Clint Eastwood, Lee Van Cleef or the real start of the film, Eli Wallach, you should visit.

A few words of advice, do not go the route I took, I wasn’t sure I would make it back the way I came so took the other route out of the valley to Contreras Province of Burgos, to say it was easier is a lie, perhaps slightly less hard is a better description. If you do have a classic low slung Mercedes, do not attempt it, I repeat DO NOT attempt it, you have to be mad to do what I did. Will I do it again, Oh yes!

Didn’t have time to see any of Pamplona, that, like everything else can wait for another day.

Click here to read Episode 9

Graham Laing decided to retire 10 years earlier than planned to enjoy an epic driving tour with his SLC. The plan, inspired by conversations with his Father, was to drive the SLC from the southern most tip of mainland Europe in Spain to the northernmost tip of mainland Europe in Norway.

When he told his children, they said ‘you should write a blog about it’… So that’s exactly what Graham is doing. Graham approached the SLSHOP and asked whether we would be interested in hosting his work, and we were only too happy to share his story. The SLCenic Route was born!

In this episode Graham pushes the SLC to the limit with some off roading he wouldn’t recommend but would do again.

The SLCenic Route

Episode 8 – Toledo to Pamplona via Sad Hill Cemetery (245 miles)

Day 10

I have to write this first section so as not to forget about what happened today, but really they were all minor distractions in the end.

Leaving the city of Toledo after such a short stay seemed sad, but I will probably be back. The mountain ranges north of Madrid look impassable at first, you are slowly climbing, then turning, climbing more, through tunnels, ever climbing and suddenly over the top and a vast wild plain stretching out for miles ahead.

In the distance, another bigger, even more impassable mountain range ahead. Once again climbing, twisting and turning ever higher until this time the over the top to see a glorious vast fertile plain with a patchwork of crop fields and farms stretching out as far as the eye could see. Not sure how many mountain ranges there are in Spain, but I’m not sure you could fit more in if you tried.

The motorways of Spain give some marvellous views of the fantastic scenery as you blast along, but I had planned another stop on the way to Pamplona. Getting of the motorway and winding through many more castles and churches on top of hills on the fabulous Bu-910 I finally came to the little town of Santo Domingo de Silos. The closest town to Sad Hill Cemetery.

Normally, I would have been very happy to have had a lovely drive through northern Spain, but in time would need the pictures to remind me of the day. However, what happened next I will never forget.

If you don’t know, Sad Hill Cemetery is the location of the final scenes in the 1966 film, “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly”, possibly my favourite film. It’s was not a real cemetery and slowly decayed and nearly disappeared until a few years ago, when a few film nerds decided to reconstruct it as faithfully as possible. Driving along the main roads, I wondered why Sergio Leone choose this area to film these scenes, Spain is so vast and has so many beautiful areas, I wondered if he just stuck a pin in the map and said we’ll try there next. How wrong can you be! It is located in the most beautiful, hidden valley, I have ever visited.

33 years ago I was working in Shetland and drove to a small Voe on the mainland; I remember the view as I rose over the hill at the end of the inlet like it was yesterday and until today that was the most beautiful place I had ever seen.

Getting to Sad Hill cemetery is only for the dedicated, and perhaps mad, it’s 3 miles from the town over steep, badly rutted impassable dirt tracks. Getting out of the town I had to give up twice on different routes and was setting off on foot when a short distance into the journey, I met an equally mad German couple coming back in a car. They told me of a third way which once past an initial terrible section was almost passible in a car with decent ground clearance.

In the future, I will tell people of this whole European trip in a 46 year old Mercedes SLC and some may believe me, but no one that has been to Sad Hill Cemetery will believe I made it in an SLC.

On the dirt track, you don’t drive on the right, middle, left or the shaded part, you drive on the part least likely to rip the bottom off your car. Where it is impassable, check the grass verge and get 2 wheels on it to give you that bit extra ground clearance. Three torturous miles of 1st and 2nd gear and suddenly you get the view of your life looking down the valley, not another soul in site and the cemetery on the grassy valley floor.

It may only be a reconstruction of what was a fake, but it has been done with such care and attention to detail that it enhances what is already a wonderful place. There are a few plaques in memory of Sergio Leone but there is no commercialised rubbish, no people, no let’s make a fast buck getting in the way of an iconic place. Essentially it is just part of someone’s farm with cows gently grazing. I don’t know how Leone knew about it, there is no reason to go there and no reason to pass by unless you are one of the local farmers, but I’m sure when he saw it he knew that it would be the perfect location for the final scenes in his epic trilogy of films.

I stayed as long as possible, screamed Blondieee as loud as I could and with the cows looking on disdainfully knew I would be back. Other than the mad German couple, I saw no one else in the few hours I had, there is even a rock with one blank flat side lying loosely in the middle of the circle. Amazing.

If you are a fan of spaghetti westerns, Sergio Leone, the music of Ennio Morricone, Clint Eastwood, Lee Van Cleef or the real start of the film, Eli Wallach, you should visit.

A few words of advice, do not go the route I took, I wasn’t sure I would make it back the way I came so took the other route out of the valley to Contreras Province of Burgos, to say it was easier is a lie, perhaps slightly less hard is a better description. If you do have a classic low slung Mercedes, do not attempt it, I repeat DO NOT attempt it, you have to be mad to do what I did. Will I do it again, Oh yes!

Didn’t have time to see any of Pamplona, that, like everything else can wait for another day.

Click here to read Episode 9

More from Journal

Midnight Club – True Blue

Midnight Club – True Blue

October 28th, 2020
What does inspirational reliability mean to you and your car?

What does inspirational reliability mean to you and your car?

January 29th, 2020
What does financial reliability mean to you and your car?

What does financial reliability mean to you and your car?

January 29th, 2020
What does emotional reliability mean to you and your car?

What does emotional reliability mean to you and your car?

January 29th, 2020
The SLCenic Route – Episode 32

The SLCenic Route – Episode 32

June 26th, 2019
The SLCenic Route – Episode 31

The SLCenic Route – Episode 31

June 25th, 2019
The SLCenic Route – Episode 30

The SLCenic Route – Episode 30

June 24th, 2019
The SLCenic Route – Episode 29

The SLCenic Route – Episode 29

June 24th, 2019
The SLCenic Route – Episode 28

The SLCenic Route – Episode 28

June 24th, 2019
The SLCenic Route – Episode 27

The SLCenic Route – Episode 27

June 24th, 2019
The SLCenic Route – Episode 26

The SLCenic Route – Episode 26

June 24th, 2019
The SLCenic Route – Episode 25

The SLCenic Route – Episode 25

June 24th, 2019
The SLCenic Route – Episode 24

The SLCenic Route – Episode 24

June 24th, 2019
The SLCenic Route – Episode 23

The SLCenic Route – Episode 23

June 20th, 2019
The SLCenic Route – Episode 22

The SLCenic Route – Episode 22

June 20th, 2019
The SLCenic Route – Episode 21

The SLCenic Route – Episode 21

June 20th, 2019
The SLCenic Route – Episode 20

The SLCenic Route – Episode 20

June 20th, 2019
The SLCenic Route – Episode 19

The SLCenic Route – Episode 19

June 13th, 2019
The SLCenic Route – Episode 18

The SLCenic Route – Episode 18

June 13th, 2019
The SLCenic Route – Episode 17

The SLCenic Route – Episode 17

June 13th, 2019
The SLCenic Route – Episode 16

The SLCenic Route – Episode 16

June 11th, 2019
The SLCenic Route – Episode 15

The SLCenic Route – Episode 15

June 10th, 2019
Aston Martin Storage with SLSHOP – Your Perfect Partner

Aston Martin Storage with SLSHOP – Your Perfect Partner

June 8th, 2019
Porsche Storage with SLSHOP – Your Perfect Partner

Porsche Storage with SLSHOP – Your Perfect Partner

June 8th, 2019
Classic Jaguar Storage with SLSHOP – Your Perfect Partner

Classic Jaguar Storage with SLSHOP – Your Perfect Partner

June 8th, 2019
Supercar Storage with SLSHOP – Your Perfect Partner

Supercar Storage with SLSHOP – Your Perfect Partner

June 8th, 2019
The SLCenic Route – Episode 14

The SLCenic Route – Episode 14

June 7th, 2019
CARE

THE ULTIMATE CERTIFIED SERVICING INVESTMENT PLAN

Your ownership journey matters to us, which is why we have created a simple certified servicing investment plan, tailored to your individual needs and aspirations.

Start investing today and our dedicated CARE team will work with you to increase the value and enjoyment you receive from your vehicle.

SLSHOP CARE Certified Saving Investment Plan

ENJOY YOUR VEHICLE WITH CONFIDENCE AND PROTECT YOUR INVESTMENT FOR AS LITTLE AS £55.00 PER MONTH

DISCOVER CARE
STAY IN TUNE WITH SLSHOP MOMENTS

As part of SLSHOP’s community of enthusiasts, you’ll be the first to hear about events and tours, key product offers, exciting stories from owners around the world and of course… our latest additions to the showroom. So, be the first to know and you might just sneak a car on your driveway or take your car’s condition to new heights with our exclusive replacement parts.

Or, visit SLSHOP Journal

Contact

What are you waiting for? Drop us a line and let us know which car you would like to hire and when you would like it. We’ll guide you through everything from there on in.

    This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

    More From SLSHOP

    Experience
    Workshops
    Parts Store
    CARE

    Contact SLSHOP Showroom

    Whatever your Mercedes-Benz, Whatever your needs are, Let the SLSHOP help you. It all starts with getting to know you and your needs. We have designed this contact form to be quick and easy and we never share your data.

      This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

      Contact

      Location

      T:01789 337 070

      [email protected]

      SLSHOP

      Unit 1a, 2, 3, & 4b Drayton Manor Drive
      Stratford Upon Avon, Warwickshire
      CV37 9RQ

      Hours:
      Mon-Fri 9:00am – 5:00pm
      Saturday by appointment only
      Closed Sunday

       

      Services

      • Showroom
      • Workshops
      • Events
      • Parts Store
      • Additional Services

      SLSHOP

      • We Are SLSHOP
      • Careers
      • COVID-19 Information
      • Visit or Contact
      • Terms
        • Car Sales Terms
        • CARE TERMS & CONDITIONS
        • UK Event & Experiences TERMS & CONDITIONS
        • Gift Voucher Terms
      • Privacy & Cookie Policy

      Connect

      Facebook Twitter YouTube Instagram