Star Report: New Classic Center Opens

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Mercedes-Benz Classic Center Grand Opening • August 12, 2022 • Long Beach, California

The Mercedes-Benz Classic Center held the grand opening for its new location in Long Beach, California on August 12. Southern California has been the home of the Classic Center since 2006, and it remains the global hub of classic Mercedes-Benz ownership, restoration, and sales. To celebrate the opening, several hundred friends and distinguished guests were invited to an opening ceremony, car show, and party with a live band. The theme for the evening was

Hollywood, so everything about the event was centered around the magic that has made Southern California great and the roles that Mercedes-Benz has played in the glamor of Tinseltown. The red carpet was laid down to showcase the rich history of the brand. Not one, but four 300SL Gullwings were displayed on the red carpet, and one of those was an extremely rare aluminum-bodied example. To go with the Gullwings, Mercedes-Benz added a pair of 280SL Pagodas, a 300SC, 300SEL 6.3, 200S Ponton, and a 200S Fintail. That was just the official show. The parking lot held many more gems, including a pair of vintage raceprepped 190SLs parked nearby, having braved the Southern

California freeways to be there.

Mingling among the glamorous cars were guests dressed in glitter and sequins sipping champagne. Inside the 40,000 sq-ft facility was a group of classic Mercedes-Benz machines that were reminiscent of different films and time periods, like the Signal Red R107 from Beverly Hills Cop. Also on display were several cars undergoing restoration at the center.

Mercedes-Benz USA CEO Dimitris Psillakis came on stage to tell us what makes Southern California so special to MercedesBenz. Psillakis explained that Mercedes-Benz considers Southern California to be the brand's second home because so many vehicles have been developed with this market in mind. Back in the 1950s when Max Hoffman pitched a road-going 300SL to the marque, the idea was that there was a lifestyle suited to a vehicle such as the 300SL roadster. Ever since then, MercedesBenz has cemented its roots in history with an abundance of celebrity clientele, famous movie cars, and a celebration of open top roadsters such as the SL.

Psillakis was joined by Marcus Breitschwerdt, head of the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart, as well as Mike Kunz, head of the Classic Center in Long Beach for the grand opening

speeches. Breitschwerdt described the Classic Center as “a place of craftsmanship, knowledge and expertise, a key destination for classic car enthusiasts and a key hub for the brand’s heritage.” Rather than cutting a ribbon, a mega-size version of the iconic Rubber Ringed Key used by Mercedes-Benz from the 1970s through the 1990s was inserted into an ignition tumbler to initiate the festivities by triggering a confetti cannon and music. The Classic Center facility itself is well past impressive. The main hall is outfitted with lifts for a dozen cars at different workstations. Then there are expansive rooms circling the main hall devoted to metalwork, paint, mechanicals, and interiors. In the metalworking room was yet another 300SL Gullwing chassis on a rotisserie. The car had a tremendous amount of old sheet metal cut away and fresh steel pinned in place for the metal craftsmen to hand-shape to final form on an English Wheel. Of course, the center’s entry area includes a gift shop as well as a customer lounge.

After touring the Mercedes-Benz Classic Center’s impressive new facilities, it is easy to understand the prestige behind the restorations carried out here. Each area of the center is pristine and spotless. Seeing the shiny floors, gorgeous ring lighting above each vehicle lift, and perfectly organized tool boxes made an everlasting impression. If your classic Mercedes-Benz is still on the road today, the chances are good that at least a few components travelled through the doors of the Classic Center. If you find yourself in the Los Angeles area, do make time to stop in and see for yourself this living testament to the commitment of Mercedes-Benz to its history and customers.

From the red carpet to the velvet ropes, the opening of the stunning new Mercedes-Benz Classic Center in Long Beach, California was a gala worthy of the stars of nearby Hollywood.

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Grand day with AMG

It was with fond memories of my own grand day out in 2011 that I read Zachary Tynan’s Grand Day Out article in the September-October issue of The Star! My AMG Driving Academy experience coincided with my 71st birthday in April and was held at Road Atlanta in Brazelton, GA.

The weather was great, the track was fabulous, and the hosts and instructors were outstanding. In reading Zachary’s article, I could again see myself behind the wheel in each of the experiences that paralleled the ones described at Lime Rock. We drove the SL55s in the skid pad exercise, and I drove the C63 in my track lap at speed. I only wish I had more seat time in the SLS, although I jumped in the passenger seat of an SLS while the instructor led a group around the track; we got to spend quality time together when we ran out of gas after Turn 4, and had to wait for the track to clear and the fuel truck to arrive!

Tommy Kendall was the celebrity host, and he was my driver for my hot lap, a special treat I have remembered over the years – I don’t think he turned the CLK63’s steering wheel going through the back esses between Turns 4 and 5!

When asked by friends and family over the years to summarize my day, I use the following phrase in honor of the Academy instructors and the AMGs I drove: “A slow guy in fast cars!” To view a bonus video clip, see Six Little SLSs: https://www.youtube. com/watch?v=lW-eta4TMPE

David Waters Triangle Section

Saluting Gary Anderson

I was very sad to read of the passing of Gary Anderson, former editor of The Star. I send my love and prayers to his family during this difficult time.

My treasured memory of Gary is the surprise e-mail I received from him near the end of 2018 stating that he wanted me to write about my W201 for an upcoming issue. Gary then reviewed and tweaked my article as only he could. After the issue was published in early 2019, I sent Gary an e-mail thanking him for featuring my car. I also let him know that a copy of the article had a place of honor – with a gold frame – on the wall of my garage beside my much-loved W201.

Nancy Kuhn Desert Stars Section

Paul Russell

My thanks to Barry Patchett for his profile on Paul Russell Company, truly one of the world's great restoration firms. My first and only meeting with Paul was on a chilly early Sunday morning in 1993 at the Pebble Beach Polo grounds. I’d caught sight of a big Russell Company transporter with its doors open. Staring out was a black boattail SSK with a Roma license plate.

As I was admiring this astonishing car, Paul mentioned the owner was on the way over, so stick around. Soon a limo pulled up and out slides the stylist himself, Ralph Lauren, in a classic blue blazer. After slowly walking around the car, he walked up to Paul, who graciously introduced me. Of course, that SSK won Best of Show.

I'll always be in debt to Paul for his hospitality and kindness that morning. He has been involved with some of the world's finest automobiles, but surely the Count Trossi SSK Roadster ranks at the top. Denton C. Smith Peachtree Section

1934 Type 290 Cabriolet B

I bought my first Mercedes-Benz on my honeymoon in 1966, a W113 230SL, and toured Europe for 7 weeks. I kept that car for 41 years.

I currently own a 1995 320 convertible and a 1971 280SE with many special interior appointments.

The main reason for my letter is to share with readers the 1934 Type 290 Cabriolet B pictured here. I found this car about 20 years ago in Hershey, Pennsylvania. My son Tom and I restored it and then advertised it in Hemmings for $32,000. We found no buyers in the United States, but I finally sold it back to Germany. The car was unusual with a wooden frame clad in sheet metal.

I would be happy to see a story about these mid-priced cars in The Star.

Gerhard Klarwasser Minuteman Section

May we invite you to be the one to write that story? – Editor

Dave Waters at AMG Drving Academy

Gerhard Klarwasser’s 1938 290 B Cabriolet

NOTED:

2022 DeutscheMarques Awards

Best of Show Mercedes-Benz Joe & Linda Prihoda • 1980 380SL Judge’s Special Award Adam Pickworth • 1985 190E 16V Best of 2000s Mark Franks • 2008 CL65 Best of 1990s Chris Bohlman • 1990 190E 2.3 Best of 1980s Robert Buffham • 1987 560SL Best of 1970s Robert Kushman • 1972 350SL Best of Classics Don Drabic • 1958 190SL Best Daily Driver Adam Carr • 1984 300TD Best Survivor Joe Royston • 1985 300TD Cleanest Concours Car Gary Castile • 2007 AMG SL55 DeutscheMarques

1938 Mercedes-Benz 540K

The Western Michigan Section was one of five German car clubs taking part in the tenth annual DeutscheMarques at the Gilmore Car Museum, Hickory Corners, Michigan. This year’s show included 75 Mercedes-Benz vehicles representing five MBCA sections, a 10 percent increase over 2021. Highlights of the show were the Gilmore’s replica 1886 Patent Motorwagen, and a 1938 540K, courtesy of Bill Parfet, the chairman of the Gilmore Museum board.

DeutscheMarques is always a special day for German car enthusiasts. Even more entries are expected in 2023, and hopefully many of those will bear the three-pointed star. Mark your calendar for July 8, 2023. Ronald Harschman Western Michigan Section