The Star®-March/April 2023

STAR

MERCEDES-BENZ CLUB OF AMERICA

1962 MERCEDES-BENZ 300 SL ROADSTER

Desirable Iron-Block, Disc-Brake Example

Beautifully Restored by the Mercedes-Benz Classic Center

Accompanied by Hardtop, Luggage, Books, and Tools

1962 MERCEDES-BENZ 190 SL Beautiful Show-Quality Restoration Without Reserve

1969 MERCEDES-BENZ 280 SE CABRIOLET

A Spectacular Example Restored to the Highest Standards

Stunning Original Colors

1971 MERCEDES-BENZ 280 SE 3.5 COUPE

Desirably Equipped with Floor Shift and Behr Air-Conditioning I Without Reserve

1955 MERCEDES-BENZ 300 SL GULLWING

Presented in Original Colors with Factory Rudge Wheels and Karl Baisch Luggage Veteran of Numerous Long-Distance Rallies

THURSDAY MARCH 2

FRIDAY MARCH 3

LIVE AUCTIONS

ONLINE BIDDING AVAILABLE VIEW AUCTION PREVIEW AND REGISTER TO BID INQUIRY@GOODINGCO.COM

HIT THE ROAD

A light ivory 1982 Mercedes 300 TDT Wagon with a Palomino interior and 250,000 miles, proudly displaying its 123 MB license plate, soaks in the views on a three-day adventure down the mysterious and spectacular Los Coast into the Redwood Forest.

PHOTO: Blue Nelson

16 BLACK IS BACK

Mercedes-AMG F1 prepares for the 2023 Season with the W14 E Performance Launch.

22 DESTINATION: EARTH

Time-traveling with 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQE AMG. We take a test drive to explore the f uture of Mercedes-Benz electric.

32 MODERN LOVE

See why the generation that grew up in the 129 era embraces a cultural hold on the iconic Mercedes-Benz convertibles.

42 A STAR REBORN

Take a tour of the Mercedes-Benz Classic Center with Mike Kuntz and learn his preferred choice for a classic Mercedes-Benz daily driver.

52 THE ‘55 TARGA

Live the Mercedes-Benz nerve-jangling final race: the 1955 Targa Florio.

62 50 YEARS OF THE W116

The W116 has been a staple in Southern California’s Mercedes-Benz culture, and one Mercedes-Benz Club of America member shares her IKONIC gold 450SEL legacy.

“Fintail” 230 sedan | PHOTO: Jonathan Harper

KATHRYN G. CARRUTH

Executive Director

CINDY TUMBLESON

Administrative Services Manager

RYANNE DIAS

Assitant Business Administrative Manager

NICOLE NOLL

Membership Specialist

KEVIN LESNIEWSKI

Website Project Manager

EDITORIAL CONSIDERATION

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Reviews Editor

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Member-Only 3-Day Ticket & Suite Packages

MBCA Member Exclusive

Mercedes-Benz Club of America members have access to exclusive ticket packages to the 2023 Miami Grand Prix

May 5-7

Friday, 5/5

Practice Rounds

Saturday, 5/6

Qualifying Rounds

Sunday, 5/7 Race

1 Vista @ Turn 1 - 3-Day Package

The Vista at Turn 1 provides a trackside oasis at one of the most desirable areas of the circuit inside the first turn. This climate-controlled club offers a comfortable indoor dining and lounge experience as well as a tiered open-air balcony with assigned seating for an up-close view of the track. From the tiered balcony, guests will see the action inside Turn 1, as well as drivers exiting the pit lane. This package accommodates parties of 2+ and food, beer, wine, and champagne are included in the price of the ticket.

2 Boat House - 3-Day Package

Located in the world-famous MIA Marina, the Boathouse provides a view of the high-speed corner complex at turns 4 & 5. This open-air shaded club offers assigned seating and a communal lounge space. All guests of the Boathouse will have access to food and beverage, which is included in the ticket price.

3 Turn 1 Grandstands - 3-Day Package

The Turn 1 East grandstand provides a premium view of cars as they enter the braking zone into Turn 1 and accelerate into turns 2 and 3.

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

TEXT: Doug Geganto

CHANGE

John F. Kennedy once said, “Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future.” All of us at the Mercedes-Benz Club of America (MBCA) cannot miss the future. Change is necessary for organizations to succeed and grow or they will ultimately stagnate, wither, and eventually disappear. This is not the future we want.

Unity

MBCA was formed in June 1956. I’m proposing that June 2023 be designated as a “giving back birthday month” in which every section is encouraged to schedule an event to do something positive in their communities or support a local charity. Rachelle Brummett, our philanthropy chair, will be sending out information and ideas to the sections to help them formulate event ideas for our birthday giving month. We must work together toward a common vision to create a positive image of giving back to our communities so that people know who we are.

Reimagining our future.

Doing the same things and expecting different results isn’t working. Some processes and programs may need to be changed. Most importantly we must develop leaders for the future. The Governance Committee will be a key partner in both of these.

Recognition.

We have Member, Officer, and Section recognition programs in place. I’m proposing we add another level of recognition: National Member and Officer of the Year in order to recognize those members who have contributed significantly to their Section, Region, and the Club and for Top Recruiter of the Year. Also, that we change Section

the Year into two categories Small Sections (<150 Members) and Large Sections (>151 Members). This will enable every section to have a chance at winning this prestigious award.

Improving communications.

No matter how much information we send out we still have members who never get the message. This is a real problem, and we need to find better ways to make sure our members know what’s going on in the club.

Help Sections develop revenue opportunities.

The loss of the MBUSA subsidy in 2020 affected our ability to continue section rebates. Last O ctober the question of reinstituting club subsidies was asked at the annual International Presidents Meeting in Stuttgart, and the answer was that the subsidies would not be reinstituted. We’ve now put in place a fund and process where sections can request financial assistance. Details were sent to all sections. In addition, we’re working on a few ideas to help sections develop revenue opportunities. More details will be coming.

It’s going to take all of us working together to move our club froward.

Thank you all for being MBCA members.

Contributors

David Rose is a writer, filmmaker, and obscure automobile aficionado based in Vermont. He has owned a questionable number of MercedesBenz W124s.

Daniel Golson is a writer based in Los Angeles with a penchant for interesting design, French cars and of course MercedesBenz. His daily is a 1991 300SL, but his true loves are the G-Class and firstgeneration CLS.

Rubin-Lee Ross Howard is a 22-year-old enthusiast based in Atlanta, GA. He is a recent Film graduate of the Savannah College of Art 7 Design, and currently serves MBCA as the VicePresident of Peachtree Section. His small collection of cars include a 1972 280SE 4.5, 1986 560SL, & a 1995 S600.

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EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S MESSAGE

TEXT: Kathryn G. Carruth

TRANSFORMATION

Iwant to thank past president Julie Bruggner and the entire search committee for putting their faith in me to guide this next chapter at MBCA. It’s such an honor to serve the members and many stakeholders of this wonderful organization.

Although MBCA has had a few rough years, I believe we can revive and rejuvenate by embracing our rich history as we welcome and celebrate Mercedes-Benz’s future, our future! I envision digging deeper into our shared love of the iconic brand to make real connections among enthusiasts who work and play together. Now, more than ever, the opportunity exists to integrate MBCA’s culture into people’s lives and schedules. We have so many tools available to identify enthusiasts and build our community.

My goal is simple: to serve our current membership while successfully attracting and setting up the next generation; I believe the key to this is by delivering benefits at the section level first. The more digital our world becomes, the more valuable tactile experiences are, so by helping the sections and their leadership deliver rich experiences, we create opportunities for the whole. I’m asking for open channels of feedback and dialogue to ensure we are respectful of our current members while propagating a new generation. However, this will require us to be intentional about bringing new voices and skill sets into the association’s decision-making roles.

As we execute strategic, systemic changes, I request the leadership and members to be open-minded and have the discipline to see the process through. We must create a structure that is sound and business-oriented, designing our governing documents, leadership team, budget, and programming around the needs, interests, and benefits of tomorrow’s members. The transformation process can be uncomfortable and challenging initially, but building a sustainable future will be very rewarding.

Membership in MBCA is not characterized by monetary value but rather the relationships, causes, and intrinsic value of the Silver Star. Appealing to multiple generations and subsets of members requires a targeted rather than generalized approach. Relevant and memorable experiences create opportunities to show the true value an association brings, such as:

- Delivering innovative, exclusive value in an inclusive way.

- E xpanding personal and business opportunities through united individuals.

- Content curated specifically for enthusiasts.

- L owering individual costs by distributing expenses across a broad network.

It is critical MBCA serves the needs and interests of the entire community — not just a tiny fraction of it — and offers opportunities for people of all career stages, lifepaths, and geographies

to be involved and benefit from the association’s deliverables and reach. If we’re to succeed, we’ll need to develop targeted solutions that resonate with our segmented audience.

Combatting membership decline requires forward-thinking and a willingness to change, adopting new strategies. Not every strategy will work, but we can start with planning for tomorrow’s members by:

1. Starting Early – Through scholarships, internships, hands-on educational opportunities, and other programs, we must build relationships with young people to invest in our future members.

2. Initiating Newcomers – Be accommodating to potential members, ensuring the local sections are accessible and welcoming and have the tools needed to initiate newcomers.

3. Embracing the Future – It is essential to understand which technology platforms our future MBCA members use, what’s important to them, and how they will spend their free time.

In sum, just as Mercedes-Benz is committed to building the world’s most desirable cars, we too can and must build the most desirable Club. I hope you’re as excited as I am about the future of MBCA!

Thank you for your trust.

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purchase by wholesalers, dealers fleets, OEM customers, or other commercial entities or on returned merchandise. Requests from those with an invalid or undeliverable mailing address will be denied. Limit two (2) Continental Tire Visa Prepaid Cards per person, household, email or address. Visa prepaid card is given to you as a reward, refund, rebate and no money has been paid by you for the card. Card is issued by Pathward, N.A., Member FDIC, pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. No cash access or recurring payments. Can be used everywhere Visa debit cards are accepted. Card valid for up to 6 months; unused funds will forfeit after the valid thru date. Card terms and conditions apply. Not responsible for late, lost, stolen, misdirected, illegible, mutilated, or postage due to mail or inability to connect to the website. Any taxes, fees or costs, including but not limited to installation, are sole responsibility of the recipient. Allow 8-12 weeks for fulfillment. Each time you use the card, the amount of the transaction will be deducted from the amount of your available balance. Card will be issued in the name on the rebate form only. Expiration date of card is stamped on the front of card. Card is non-transferable.

BACK TO BLACK

TEXT: Simond Strang

The Petronas-turquoise luminescent lights have not long since illuminated Mercedes-AMG F1’s new back-to-black W14 challenger to the world, and it is already clear that lessons have been absorbed from the team’s bruising, painful 2022 campaign. And not just those takeaways that point to where the technical direction was misguided when Formula 1 switched to its new era of ground-effect and clean-surface aerodynamics 12 months ago, but also where the team believes it got it right.

As the rest of the field converged towards the Red Bull sidepod concept (or followed Ferrari’s aero-sidepod outwash route) during the new-car launch phase of pre-season, Mercedes starts with its unique zero-sidepod approach intact. Thus the pretty, stealth-fighter silhouette from the W13 remains, now wedded to a weight-saving

carbon black livery, and a more angular and purposeful rear cowling. If looks could kill…

This time however, the team is cautious and not making promises. There is hope rather than cast-iron certainty that it has baked in the right ingredients to recover the ground lost this time last year. “We have mobilised every reserve we have to eventually be competitive enough to fight at the very front of the grid,” says Toto Wolff, the team’s talismanic principal, who celebrates a decade at the helm this season. “But our competitors were strong last year and we were playing catch-up.”

Introducing W14

Agility in adaptability is key in modern F1. With constraints on spending, thanks to the US$145m budget cap, it is no longer possible to smash the cast and start

Mercedes-AMG F1 W14 E Performance Launch PHOTO: Jonathan Harper

from scratch if it goes wrong mid-season. Not only that, but the time spent beginning again is time lost to rivals developing concepts more in song with their simulation figures.

Courage has always been a core strength of Mercedes-AMG F1’s technical department, and it took no small amount of this quality not to panic as it became clear in the early races of 2022 that the team had not anticipated the level of aerodynamically-induced ‘porpoising’ and mechanically-derived ‘bouncing’ that caused the car to become almost undriveable above 270 km/h. The initial solution to raise the car’s ride height took away the ability to access the game-changing aspects of its zero-sidepod, high downforce concept, which perhaps explains why the team is not yet ready to ditch it without fully exploring its potential with a learned philosophy in place.

But Mercedes adapted fast through 2022 and from being barely midfield runners in Melbourne, George Russell went on to win in the penultimate round of the season in Brazil – the team’s only victory. It was a mark of Mercedes’ level that as the season wore on, it competed with Ferrari as the second fastest car in the field, and this was down to development to the rear suspension and floor as the team fully understood which

decisions had sent them down the wrong path with the W13.

Some problems remained locked into the design however which resulted in the car remaining ‘draggy’ on faster tracks with mid-to-low downforce requirements. Have these issues been eradicated? “It’s all going to be in the details,” says the team’s technical director Mike Elliott, “and it’s a lot of the bits that you can’t see. Particularly under the floor, there’s going to be a lot of development. We’ve also completely changed front and rear suspension, trying to help with the weight of the car, but also trying to help with some of the handling.”

The W14 is also lighter than its predecessor, and at 798kg, thanks in part to the combined bare-carbon, matte black livery, it represents the first time the team has been able to achieve the minimum weight limit since the new regulations were introduced.

“We were overweight all year last year,” said Lewis Hamilton, who for the first time in his illustrious career went winless through a season in F1 in 2022. “I’m glad it’s been taken seriously. For me it’s positive, because it means we’ve gone all-out on performance and it’s not necessarily how it looks but how quick it goes that is the priority.”

Mercedes-AMG F1 W14 E Performance Launch

PHOTO: Jonathan Harper

Recovering Ground

Russell is quick to point out that the job Mercedes did in recovering its stall in momentum was outstanding, and the key now is to maintain that forward thrust to the front of the field.

“Knowing how the season panned out, knowing the challenges we had with the car, I think we can be pretty proud of the job we did,” he said. “There were a lot of positives to take away, the reliability of the car and the strategy, on many occasions, was really strong,” he said. “I think the personal learnings we all went through, the technical learnings, have all gone into W14. Hopefully we’ve taken a step up.”

For Hamilton, who was outscored by a team-mate for only the third time in his career, but who is without question still at the top of his game, 2023 is another key season. If he wins another title he steps into a position no other driver has ever held before—eight-time world champion.

That’s a long way from where we are now, and he’s wise enough to know that’s not even a principal objective at the start of a season where Red Bull begin as clear favourites, but nevertheless even though discussions are beginning about a new contract beyond this season, he knows those title-chasing opportunities are not unlimited. But in this game you control the controllables.

“I just always believe I can get better,” he says. “I love that challenge of the mental and the physical

element of it. Having to deep dive and see how you can extract more performance from yourself and the people around you.”

Lessons Learned

Mercedes is a wounded champion, but perhaps a more fearsome opponent because of it. The team is determined to learn the lessons of the past 12 months, and no area is safe from scrutiny. Even its tradition of saving the finalised aero-upgrade for the final pre-season test has been scrapped in favour of maximising data-gathering and knowledge.

“This is the car [for the large part] that we are going to race, also that we’re going to test,” said Wolff of the launch W14. “It’s fundamentally important to understand the platform and how the car behaves, rather than keeping some bits in the background that may add a tenth of two on pure aero performance.”

Moreover, separate programmes, including more conventional alternative sidepod solutions are up and running ready to be introduced early in the season if the need arises. “We are looking at everything,” says Wolff.

As ever in Formula 1, it’s the unforeseen that unravels the best laid plans. But at least in 2023, Mercedes has ensured that it is as prepared as it can be for the unexpected, and the target is crystal clear.

Mercedes-AMG F1 W14 E Performance Launch - LAT Images

DESTINATION:

TEXT: David Rose PHOTOS: Trevor Dalton

TThe drive from West Side Los Angeles to the Palm Springs desert should be a little more than four hours, but by the time photographer Trevor Dalton and I arrived it was nearly sunset, having spent the day channeling Arthur C. Clarke in the 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQE AMG. As far as performance is concerned, it’s a story you’ve heard before: a 617-horsepower, 701-lb ft space elevator of a vehicle that manages to be comically fast under any circumstance. The example we drove was a handsome and understated specification, with black trim and AMG’s optional, silver-lipped, 21-inch wheels that bring to mind DTM turbofan vents. Seeing this sophisticated and artful wheel design under such a minimalistic, single-pen stroke exterior merges technical intricacy with futuristic simplicity—a theme that grows as you spent more time with the electric sport sedan.

If the Mercedes-Benz EQS sedan (and, later, the SUV) sat at the precipice of the brand’s electric revolution when it was introduced for the 2022 model year, it’s the EQE—particularly our test car, optioned without the opulent Hyperscreen—that begins to disseminate the bold, groundbreaking design language of the EQS across the entire model range. Visually and ergonomically, the car seems to be a forebear of the Mercedes-Benz sedan we will all be driving in ten years.

That’s because the EQE feels like the realist’s take on the future of the luxury sedan. It has, at every step of the experience, a deeply futuristic sense of occasion. At night, the power-up sequence illuminates any wall in front of you with an animated AMG display, and the interior is aglow with soft, indirect light that spills across the windows like a Syd Mead painting. But it’s the Burmester sound system that steals the show. Words fail to describe the depth and precision of the groundbreaking “3D Surround Sound” that filled this car each evening, particularly when underscored by the warm glow of ambient lighting. I have experienced no vehicle

better engineered for the in-car audio experience than those equipped with this system—even at quadruple the price.

From a chassis and drivability perspective, the EQE AMG seems to behave with constant anticipation, whether that means pre-conditioning the interior or monitoring the road around you with a suite of Level 2 driver assistance systems. To feel the multitude of driver assistance systems act in unison on an electric car designed around the passenger experience is a glimpse into the preternatural behavior of cars to come over the next ten years.

Everything from climate management, to steering feel, to lighting design, to braking and suspension behavior, is perfectly integrated into the driving experience, to the point that the world around you begins to feel like a video game—squeeze the accelerator and wind up the comfortable, perforated steering wheel, and you are whisked away, placed in another lane, another city, or another biome. One quickly becomes accustomed to teleporting about in this futuristic habitat, and stepping

Mercedes-Benz combines gentle lighting cues with clean design elements to create a science fiction-inspired cockpit.

All curves lead skyward.

Faced with an encroaching dust storm, the EQE AMG becomes an outpost on a solitary planet.

out of the EQE AMG into even the most modern internal-combustion engine alternative feels like stepping fifteen years back in time.

That the car made the landscape of Southern California feel like Cyberpunk 2077 or Blade Runner was no accident, of course. “Important brands are characterized by their own special style—that’s what makes the difference,” the company told us. “For example, for the EQS interior we took most of our inspiration from science fiction movies. Because we wanted to give our customers the ultimate feeling of future technology and aesthetics.”

The EQE certainly shares that energy. But beneath the theatrical visuals and precognitive behavior of the technology inside, the control surfaces are simple, and their placement is intuitive. Sans Hyperscreen, we found the layout to be surprisingly driver-focused, encouraging the chassis to speak for itself. Customers without the much-lauded wall-to-wall screen aren’t missing out on

features, either. Per Mercedes-Benz, “In general, there is no difference in functions between a standard central screen and the Hyperscreen, which consists of the Central Display and the Combi Display. With both, the customer has the option of simply viewing information, using navigation, or streaming music.”

Granted, passengers with this interior configuration do not have their own designated display like they do in Hyperscreen models. “With this, the passenger can access the vehicle’s functions, such as the entertainment system, and consume their own content,” says Mercedes-Benz.

But for drivers, the telemetry on the standard range of displays is simplified: the car shares what you need to see, be it speed, navigation, onboard entertainment, or vehicle telemetry. The driver’s display is clear and visible, and the central display is responsibly-sized and well-integrated, embedded in a smooth, sweeping dashboard layout without pulling one’s eyes far from

The EQE mixes a simplified overall shape with complex elements, like this crisp taillight design.

the road. These passive design elements become more apparent the more you live with the car. The brake pedal is still gently graduated; the blinker stalk round and familiar; the steering is smooth and predictable. You could step from a 1973 300SEL into the 2023 EQE AMG, and that’s the most endearing characteristic of the EQE AMG. It’s what makes it, fully and completely, a Mercedes-Benz.

The real world is not so predictable. In our time with this EQE, we sat in traffic on Los Angeles’ deteriorated freeways, street parked on narrow side streets in Santa Monica, and escaped out to Palm Desert. We filled the car with Pelican cases, film equipment, and cameras. It saw narrow hotel parking garages, dusty interstates, and tunnels beneath downtown L.A., under a rainy January sky, taking the obstacles of daily life in stride.

By the time we finally made it to Palm Springs, clouds were forming low and long across the valley, closing in until we felt the sting of sand and realized a dust storm had enclosed us. Through the flying sand, the EQE AMG was glowing and alive, a spaceship on this hostile planet. The long, vivid lighting accents front and rear pulsated through the dark dust, a beacon in the storm.

When we finally dove back inside the planetary lander, the EQE’s onboard ionization was already running. The air quality outside was dangerous, the car told us, as it went about the task of preparing a habitable interior climate. By the time we blasted out of orbit and onto the

freeway, we were breathing clean air, massaged by the brilliant interior, and cocooned within the rich tones of that Burmester audio system. It was an adventure that would only feel right in a Mercedes-Benz, and made possible by a series of perfectly synchronized technologies connecting human and machine.

The reality is that 2033 is barely more than one model life cycle away. Even this generation of EQE will be available as a CPO model when the decade turns over. But in a field of cars vying to be the defining automotive shape of the 2020s, only Mercedes seems to see that the next decade of mobility will not bring cockpits devoid of controls, but will bring an even more crucial need for functional design and human-focused spaces. It will also bring continued challenges of society, infrastructure, driving habits, and climate, and cars introduced today need to be ready for all of them.

And the EQE AMG is ready. Behind the otherworldly aesthetics and astonishing capability, we found a union of familiar ergonomics and forward-thinking sophistication. In practice, the EQE demonstrates the same readiness for its environment as a 240D sedan, 300TE estate, or first-generation ML55. It is a vehicle on the cusp of its era, setting the tone for the next generation of Mercedes-Benz engineering. And if it looks like it landed here from some fantastic planet, that’s because it did—it’s from our own planet, just a couple years in the future.

The 21-inch AMG Y-spoke wheels reminded us of “turbo fan” wheels from DTM cars, underscoring futurism with design heritage.

MODERN LOVE

Breathing new appreciation into the R129 SL

TEXT: David Rose PHOTOS: Trevor Dalton

Few cars in history have been graced with such long, single-generation lifespans as the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class. While all SL roadsters are special for the generation that grew up with them, the 1989 to 2001 models possess a unique cultural hold.

Often referred to by its internal chassis code, the R129, this generation of iconic Mercedes-Benz convertible replaced the also long-running R107, and was produced globally in an astonishing number of drivetrains and configurations. SL roadsters sold new in North America ranged from an early 300SL with a “dogleg” manual transmission, all the way up to the final SL600 with a 6.0-liter V12. The R129 chassis also spanned a pivotal moment for Mercedes-Benz, existing before and after the merger with AMG, creating a fascinating sub-series of AMG variants like the 7.3-liter SL73, and a wealth of period-correct modifications. The platform also existed during an era when Mercedes—and the SL in particular— seemed to be present in every facet of popular culture. Roadsters, whether by a factor of price or design, tend to be cars owned by drivers of a certain age. But the R129, now a certifiable classic, has become popular amongst a new generation of Mercedes-Benz enthusiasts, and for these four owners (and many more like them), the cars represent something special. As the chassis enters its thirty-fourth year, owners of the same age are bringing new energy to the classic roadster—and bringing the market up with them.

FThe R129 shifts from elegant to imposing in SL600 configuration, with desirable AMG Aero III wheels.

Matt Whitmire’s 1997 SL600 is one of several stunning, low-mileage examples in his collection since buying his first vintage Mercedes at age thirty-three. It features the iconic V12, the optional glass panoramic roof, and sits on rare and sought-after AMG Aero III wheels.

How did you become interested in Mercedes-Benz?

When I was young, the Mercedes brand made its mark on me. My grandmother drove an R107 560SL when I was growing up and my grandfather had a dark green W126. They later replaced those cars for an R129 SL500 and a green W124 wagon to haul around our German Shepard. The prestige, the quality of the build and the look drew me in! I actually still have my grandfather’s ’98 SL500 complete with original window sticker and 30,000 miles still on the clock.

Why did you choose to own an R129?

The R129 is one of the most versatile convertible sports cars you can buy for the money. The power is great, parts are readily available, and

mechanics will still work on them! Compared to the R107, this car is precise and a blast to drive. You can drive for hours and without compromising to “drive your classic”. It’s one of the biggest clichés in classic car buying, but the R129 was the car when I was a teenager. Dentist, doctors, lawyers, professional athletes, rappers, drug kingpins—everyone strived to own an SL. How could I not choose the R129?

How did you find your current SL?

I stumbled across this car: the mythical 1997 SL600 with the panoramic roof, with just 45k original miles, and three-piece Aero monoblock wheels. I already owned my grandfather’s SL500 at this point, so I gave my mom the sales pitch. She was the one who had the idea: “Why don’t we buy the car and give it to Grandma as a surprise birthday present?”

What an idea! I drove the car from Detroit to St Louis to surprise my grandmother for her 85th birthday. We put a big red bow on it and everything. She was thrilled, to say the least, and couldn’t have been more surprised. She enjoyed the car for several years, and she always got a kick out of the attention she got from onlookers

who knew what this car was. She would deny multiple requests to buy it every time she took it out for a grocery run or leisurely drive. After her health prohibited her from driving the car, I brought it back to Los Angeles for preservation and pampering over the rest of its life.

My son is three years old now, and I hope one day he will be interested in taking over the responsibility of owning this car, and have as much fun as I do driving it.

What are your favorite details or attributes about your SL?

Compared to the SL500, the amazing thing about the SL600 is the torque. All R129s are responsive, but the 600 cranks it up a notch (or six). I also love how the ‘90s design has aged over the years. I am lucky enough to have Panoramic tops on both of my cars and nothing beats driving through the tall redwood forest around Monterey and looking up at those trees surrounding you. Driving with a pano when it’s cold and foggy out has its own certain appeal that is hard to describe. And the way that door closes—that is one heavenly thud!

The clean, careful lines of Bruno Sacco have aged beautifully on this iconic roadster.

How would you describe the appeal of the R129 experience in general?

The R129 is a prestigious car that’s easy to own. An attractive car with great performance usually means high repair bills and ample time in the shop, but cared-for R129 beats these stereotypes. Sure, repairing the rear main seal on the SL600 was not cheap, but show me that same bill for a BMW or even an older Ferrari. I’ll keep my R129!

Why do you think owners in their twenties and thirties are so often choosing to own the R129 SL?

We grew up with it. This was the convertible to own and crossed all kinds of cultural lines. Younger collectors and first-time classic Benz buyers want something that screams “vintage” but has modern features and dependability. I think this is why you see the W124 and W123 becoming so popular with younger buyers as well, but the power, convertible versatility, and ability to drive anywhere (rough roads, or even dirt roads!) all help the R129 make an impact with younger buyers. I always suggest a ’97 and up R129 SL to the younger crowd.

Mike Perlman’s tasteful Azurite Blue 1995 SL500 roadster joins a fleet of vintage German vehicles in his collection. In many ways, it’s the quintessential R129: an affordable classic that can drive the length of the California coast every week.

How did you

become interested in Mercedes-Benz?

The first car I ever drove regularly was my dad’s 2001 E320 Wagon, which I eventually took over when I went off to college. It was the first “nice” car he had ever bought for himself, and I have a distinct memory of riding home from the dealership in the back seat, thinking it was the coolest thing at the time. The W210 is a largely unloved chassis, but I found it to be a great first Mercedes. It had that renowned bank-vault build quality,.

I also spent a large amount of time at a European repair shop as a high schooler, where my boss had a 1997 SL500 with the panoramic roof. Even at a young age, I was never inspired to hustle that car, but the sensation of being cocooned, yet doused with an open air view was always an oddly satisfying experience.

Matt Whitmire and his SL600.

Mike Perlman and his SL500.

Why did you choose to own an R129?

When I moved out to Los Angeles in 2018, I started seeing more R129s in car chases in various twenty- and thirty-year-old movies. Bruce Willis hammering a 500SL in Color of Night, Jim Carey in various R129s between Liar Liar and I Love You Phillip Morris, etc. It was an unusually pretty car, and one that was still remarkably cheap to buy for how iconic the design has become.

I found my first R129: a slightly-raggedy 2001 SL500 Sport that I owned until last year. While I never put many miles on it, that car taught me a great deal about R129s and proved to be a valuable ownership experience.

How did you find your current SL?

Shortly after selling my 2001 SL, I visited my friend who had recently purchased a 1994 SL500. After a short drive in his car, I immediately realized that selling my last one was a mistake.

A Craigslist search revealed a dangerously-cheap Azurite Blue 1995 SL500 that—most importantly to me—had an updated wiring harness, one of the major maintenance items for a R129 of this vintage. 24 hours later, it was mine.

What are your favorite details or attributes about your SL?

One thing I never knew about R129s until owning one was just how many differences there are between model years. There isn’t necessarily a best version—rather, there is a different flavor for every individual.

In so many ways, my 1995 model couldn’t feel more different than my 2001. As the current R129 market generally favors the late-production, ’99 to ‘02 models, I’ve found that the venerable four-speed automatic and throaty, quad-cam M119 V8 ooze a kind of character (and top end grunt!) that is missing with the updated, single-cam M113 and five-speed auto. Above 4,000rpm, an early V8 R129 is pure freeway theater—a pleasure I get often driving this car between San Francisco and Los Angeles.

How would you describe the appeal of the R129 experience in general?

There is so much to love about the R129. In many ways, it’s the jack-of-all-trades classic car. It’s a supremely comfortable daily cruiser, but if you want to throw it around sweeping canyon roads

it’ll deliver enthusiasm in ways you’d never expect. It’s an elegant and understated design that looks right at home on Rodeo Drive without being flashy enough to get you into trouble elsewhere. It’s the last of an era of Mercedes-Benz products that were built with an open checkbook. Why do you think owners in their twenties and thirties are so often choosing to own the R129 SL?

Let’s face it: millennials, at least in a general sense, don’t have the same financial opportunity as previous generations. For this reason, the extremely undervalued R129 is a great proposition. Even a well-sorted example can be had well under $10,000—pennies on the dollar when even a new mid-grade Honda Civic will set you back $25,000 or more.

Even on the high end of the market, no other car comes close in delivering the iconic cache, bank-vault build quality, unusually-thrilling driving dynamics, and daily usability that the R129 does.

Bonus? You can masquerade as a 90s movie star, if you’re into that.

The SL500 has a stately coupe profile, especially in Azurite Blue under sunset light.

Lauren Harb’s 1997 SL320 is a 40th Anniversary Edition, and an exquisite car that reveals more details the closer you look. It’s among the rarer of the non-AMG R129s, with just 250 produced in this Blue Quartz Metallic, with breathtaking Royal Maple wood trim, and a selection of other 40th Anniversary Edition equipment.

How did you become interested in Mercedes-Benz?

My father immigrated to the US in 1956 at the age of 16 and worked very hard to support his family. As his kids got older and he saw his efforts pay off, he began to reward himself every few years or so with his dream car—a luxury Mercedes. He has owned a series of R107s and R129s, which really came to symbolize his success. I have memories as a little girl hand-washing his R107 in the driveway with my father. Therefore, I associate the Mercedes-Benz not only with the idea of “making it,” but also with some of my fondest memories of my childhood spending time with my dad. It feels like an ode to my father for creating the legacy for me.

Why did you choose to own an R129?

I became fixated on finding this particular car after I saw a college classmate driving one in the early 2000s. The rest of us were reliant on public transportation, while this student—a beautiful young woman rumored to be Indian royalty— pulled up to school in a purple SL. This was a car I associated with adulthood, a purchase made only after reaching great professional success. To see someone in her late teens or early 20s driving it, and in a color I’d never seen before, began a 20 year obsession for me. It wasn’t until decades later that I finally figured it out it wasn’t purple at all: it was Blue Quartz. My hunt for my 40 th Anniversary Edition began immediately.

How did you find your current SL?

A few popped up throughout the US, but a friend and fellow R129 owner helped me find this particular car, which had been owned by a woman in San Diego who was somewhat of a collector, had meticulously cared for it and had put only about 40k miles on it. There was no question this was the car I’d been searching for all these years. The facts that I was first inspired

by a female driver and the owner of this car was a woman also felt serendipitous.

What are your favorite details or attributes about your SL?

The unique exterior color, of course, and the Royal Maple wood trim.

How would you describe the appeal of the R129 experience in general?

It’s a well built, beautiful car that drives smoothly and looks sexy and strong. In addition to how it looks and feels, there’s a sense of community that comes with being an R129 enthusiast.

Why do you think owners in their twenties and thirties are so often choosing to own the R129 SL?

I think many of us grew up seeing the R129 as a symbol of status and success and it’s exciting to drive one at a younger age, instead of feeling like it’s reserved for an older driver. I also think the ‘90s are in fashion for people who were raised in that era and this car connects them to a meaningful time in their lives.

Harb’s R129 is a deliberate aesthetic, down to the license plate.

Lauren Harb and her SL320 40th Anniversary Edition.

The R129 evolved with minor changes over twelve years in production.

Daniel Golson’s roadster is a 1991 300SL that he has owned since May 2021. This distinctive Beryl car was modified in period with a custom, color-matched cream dashboard, steering wheel, shifter, and gauges, as well as gold pinstripes and gold badges.

How did you become interested in Mercedes-Benz?

I have always been a fan of Mercedes, ever since I was barely able to walk. The designs are what appealed to me first, and the more I learned about the brand the more I fell in love with the history, engineering, racing pedigree and brand story. Some of my favorite cars of all time are Mercedes, as is the best car I’ve ever driven: the original W198 300SL.

Why did you choose to own an R129?

I had been living in Los Angeles for almost a year without a car and I didn’t really need one. I was casually hunting for a fun, older car for myself. As I was walking around my neighborhood I came across an early model year R129 parked on the street. It was two-tone black and grey with chrome wheels, and it just looked incredible. I had multiple friends who owned R129s, but I had never really considered one for myself. I’m not a convertible fan, and I wasn’t really thinking

about a two-seater. But the R129 has always been one of my favorite generations of SL, so seeing that car on the street put the bug in my brain to consider them.

How did you find your current SL?

I searched Craigslist, and the very first result was this SL. I contacted the seller that night, and bought the car the following afternoon.

What are your favorite details about your SL?

My favorite thing is the design. The rare two-tone teal blue paint immediately caught my eye, and I love how outlandish it is when paired with the pinstripes, gold badges, and chrome wheels. While later models may have more appealing features and nicer interiors, I’m glad my car is an early model with amber corners and a late ‘80s aesthetic. The R129 is a Bruno Sacco masterclass, and I think they’re most interesting.

How would you describe the appeal of the R129 experience in general?

If I had to describe the R129 in one word, it would be “solid.” This generation of SL is one of the last Mercedes to be truly over-built, with exceptional fit and finish and fantastic

material quality. Slamming the doors is nearly as satisfying as in a G-Class. Even the cheapest R129s cost nearly $80,000 new, so you’re getting a true luxury experience even in a rattier example.

Why do you think owners in their twenties and thirties are so often choosing to own the R129 SL?

For many, the R129 was the first at-the-time new SL we paid attention to, especially as the car was featured in countless movies and TV shows. My favorite R129 appearance in film is in Death Becomes Her, where Meryl Streep’s character owns a white 300SL that’s pitted against Goldie Hawn’s BMW 8 Series. The R107 that came before the R129 has much more of an “old man” vibe, while the R230 that succeeded the R129 is newer and more complicated to own. The R129 feels like a vintage car (one that you can work on yourself, if so inclined), but it offered modern features like power windows, adaptive suspension, ABS, stability control, heated seats, automatic climate control and a bangin’ stereo. They’re also still super affordable, with great examples able to be had for fewer than ten grand. More than anything the R129 is just damn cool.

Daniel Golson and his 300SL.

Period-modified gold badges epitomize the 1990s.

THE STAR IS REBORN

TEXT: Daniel Golson PHOTOS: Jonathan Harper

LLast summer Mercedes-Benz opened up its wonderful new Classic Center, located in a massive converted airline hangar in Long Beach, California. While most of the space is used to process new Mercedes before they are sent off to dealers, more than 40,000 square feet is reserved for the restoration, upkeep, storage and display of classics. We got to spend a Friday afternoon at the new space with Mike Kunz, the manager of the Classic Center, where he gave us a tour of the overhauled facility and picked out a special car to take for a spin.

After being greeted by a C-Class DTM race car next to the reception desk and making our way past the gift shop filled with very enticing merch, walking into the main lobby is instant SL sensory overload. There are two 300SL roadsters and three 300SL gullwings, and each car has a unique, wild story. One is chassis number 51, which Kunz describes as a “milestone car” as it has features like a straight shifter and knock-off rudge wheels that would become common on subsequent cars. The original owner of another Gullwing, upon arriving at the factory to take delivery of the black options-less car he ordered,

await visitors in the Classic Center lobby.

decided he wanted all the options after all, and he wanted the car painted white with a custom black interior. So Mercedes told him to come back in a week, plucked another Gullwing off the assembly line and outfitted it how he wanted. Also loaned to the Classic Center by the owner is a huge display case filled with basically every single piece of W198 memorabilia you could possibly have, from brochures and info booklets to a kilo of original paint and full tool kits and spare parts, all of which would be valued at well over $100,000.

Entering the workshop itself, one of the biggest improvements to the Classic Center’s new facility is immediately apparent: There’s just way more usable space, about double what the old building had, and it’s all much more optimized. Kunz says it used to take hours to move cars around the old workshop, but that’s no longer an issue. Higher ceilings make the space feel less claustrophobic, the lighting is way nicer and able to be adjusted for perfect analysis of paint and bodywork, and there’s better organization for tools and parts. Separate rooms surrounding the main workshop floor are used for welding, component testing, metal work, upholstery and

other sections of the restoration process. The whole place is kept super clean and quiet, with only the occasional power tool noise or dirty glove permeating the space. An automatically opening garage door leads out of the pristine workshop and into the rest of the hangar, most of which is taken up by hundreds of new SLs, S-Classes, electric EQ models and G-Classes awaiting delivery. But in a corner just outside the workshop, next to the newly constructed paint booth, sit a handful of strange, rare and wonderful Benzes. There’s a pristine, beige W123 300D sedan with just 27,000 miles, all of which were done on a dyno – the car was used as an emissions calibration test vehicle. A lovely dark teal 500E came from Japan, and it has a number of modifications that the Classic Center is undoing. An armored ex-United Nations W221 S-Class is being refurbished and prepped for display at Mercedes’ Manhattan dealership, hopefully with working gadgets. One of the most famous cars is Jerry Seinfeld’s E60 AMG, complete with custom Seinfeld badges and sill plates. Seinfeld never actually owned the car; it was given to him for a year-long loan and then retained by Mercedes.

Details are perfected in a the high-end metal shop.

This unrestored Gullwing’s interior has a lovely patina.

The Fintail was the foundation of Mercedes-Benz’s success.

At our potential disposal for the day are a European-spec W126 560SEC with a factory blue velour interior, a bright red CLK63 Black Series, an ultra-rare R63 AMG, a lovely 300SEL 6.3 and fantastic examples of other ‘80s and ‘90s icons. But today Kunz opts to take us out in a less extravagant car that he describes as the foundation and core of the company: a W110 “Fintail” 230 sedan, the predecessor to today’s E-Class. (The Fintail moniker was also used on the larger W111 and W112 lineups, which preceded the S-Class.) “Mercedes made special cars all along, but we made normal cars too that had the same qualitative virtues and durability to them,” says Kunz. “People that bought a Fintail bought into that image and that panache, they bought into a bit of a higher grade car.” When lined up at a dealership next to contemporaries like the Pagoda SL and 280SE the much cheaper Fintails didn’t seem like a downgrade, and for every one of those cars built, Mercedes sold dozens of Fintails. They saw widespread use as taxis across Europe, as well as being the movie car of choice for main characters and villainous henchmen alike.

Finished in Dark Olive over Cream MB-Tex, this particular 230 was originally sold on November 15, 1966 by Foreign Motors in Boston, Massachusetts. Equipped with

an M180 inline-six engine mated to a four-on-the-floor manual transmission, the 230 is the rarest version of the W110 and is still relatively spartan as far as six-cylinder Benzes go. Having been a one-family car since new, this one was sold to the Classic Center at Amelia Island a few years ago by the original owner’s son for $1, with the promise that the car would have a life after him. Mercedes put some mechanical work into the car, but otherwise it’s in the same condition as it was given. “It’s something we probably never would have searched for and bought for ourselves,” says Kunz, “but when you get in you realize how charming the car is.” The 230 is regularly taken for drives by Classic Center employees, as its plainness and affordability is endearing to all.

Riding in the passenger seat of the 230 it’s apparent why the car is so popular. The straight-six makes a lovely noise and operates smoothly, and ride quality is supple without too much body roll. The seats are super comfortable, the interior is spacious and stylish, and build quality is excellent. Kunz points out some of his favorite quirks with the car, like its gorgeous (and still working) Becker stereo that has buttons to increase the treble and bass next to another pair of buttons to turn the enhancement

Wonderful details abound, like a Becker stereo and original wiring diagrams.

Above: Even entry-level Benzes got plenty of light-catching chrome. Below: Mike Kunz poses with the Fintail.

back off. The barrel-style vertical speedometer is hilarious to watch in motion, and all of the controls have satisfying action to them. An ashtray slides out on a track above the rectangular clock, and little knobs on the door panels open the vent windows. The car even still has its original wiring diagram booklet, so owners could fix issues when on the road.

While American cars in the 1960’s would completely change their look every year or two, Mercedes stuck with its styling for a decade or longer. The W110’s design was an evolution of the previous Ponton models, and despite most other cars moving away from large tail fins, Mercedes embraced a more subtle fin motif. “It’s timeless, not trying to be overly fashionable,” explains Kunz, “if you bought an earlier one you didn’t think ‘God, I’m driving this totally outdated car,’ you had a car that was still very contemporary.” Kunz says he prefers the look of the US-spec W110 to the European models, as American versions got an amber marker lamp below the headlights that makes the front end look more finished.

The Fintail was one of the first cars to be comprehensively designed with crashworthiness in mind, which was a huge deal for a mainstream vehicle at the time. While most American cars were still body-on-frame, the Fintail had a unibody construction with a safety cell and crumple zones, along with a padded, flexible dashboard and other interior components designed to break away in a crash. Mercedes’ archive is full of entertaining crash test videos that show the sedans slamming into buses, doing 360-degree spins off of ramps and getting t-boned by other vehicles, all without resulting in serious injury to the occupants. That makes the car even more appealing in a modern context, as it’s a much safer option to regularly drive than many other classics.

Another reason Kunz chose to take out the Fintail is to preview a new project the Classic Center has been working on. Sitting in the paint booth is a Mercedes 300, one of the larger W111 Fintail models, which is being built as a tribute to famed Swedish rally driver Ewy Rosqvist. In 1962 Rosqvist not only became the first woman to enter the Argentinian Grand Prix, but she won every stage of the three-day rally in a virtually standard Mercedes

220SE, setting a new speed record in the process with her co-driver Ursula Wirth. The Classic Center had to buy two different Fintails for the tribute project: Manual-equipped cars are structurally different, but the manual car they found had a sunroof, which no rally car would have. A second, slicktop car was bought, and the roof was sliced off and swapped over. Both cars were in bad shape, but crucially neither were rusty.

The modifications don’t end there. All the original rally cars have been lost to time, and while Mercedes already has a Rosqvist tribute car, it doesn’t have the right engine. The engine used by her rally 300 was a derivative of the straight-six from the 300SL, and the Classic Center had to source one. Unlike the stock motor, the racing engines had direct injection from the factory, and making one correctly would cost about $60k. In a real stroke of luck, a friend of the Classic Center bought a legit racing engine that was in perfect shape (albeit disassembled) on eBay for $1,800, and he knew Mercedes was working on the tribute car and offered it up. He’s in the 300SL restoration business, so he traded the Classic Center the engine for ten 300SL brake drums, which are worth about $3k a piece.

“It’s not a concours restoration, but for this project we don’t care about authenticity, we’re just gonna make it accurate and correct to period,” says Kunz. The real goal is to make the tribute car not just drivable, but able to be beat on hard. “The car will go like stink,” he adds with a smile, “we’re gonna take it on the Colorado Grand and pass the Ferraris.” Mercedes is also hoping to bring the 300 to Europe for a celebration event with Rosqvist later this year.

As our visit concludes, it’s obvious that the real star of the show is Otto, the gorgeous golden dachshund who has been coming to the Classic Center since he was a puppy with his owner Nate Lander, Workshop Manager. Otto greets everyone with excited wiggles and kisses, and he loves riding in cars. In fact, as we’re prepping the Fintail for our photoshoot, Otto hopped into the back seat and cuddled up to the Mercedes-Benz teddy bear that never leaves the car. In a way, Otto is just like the Fintail: Cute, small and loved by everyone he comes into contact with.

Otto is the king of the Classic Center.

The performance of Stirling Moss in his 300 SLR was above all praise, with his earlier Mille Miglia victory marking him as the master of sports-car racing in his era.

LAST-MINUTE CHALLENGE THE ‘55 TARGA

TEXT: Karl Ludvigsen PHOTOS: Dailmler Archives/Ludvigsen Partners

Taking over the damaged 300 SLR, Peter Collins made good Stirling’s estimation of his skills by putting their mount back in first place in his four-lap stint.

At Monza late in 1954 Mercedes-Benz revealed the sports-racer that it was readying for the 1955 season. Although based on the successful W 196 Grand Prix car, its W 196S was in fact thoroughly re-engineered under its magnesium skin to master the long-form races of the World Sports-car Championship lasting from 600 miles to 24 hours.

But starting with the GP car’s 2½ liters meant that the 300 SLR—as it was known—could have no more than 3.0 liters. Mercedes racing chief Alfred Neubauer considered this inadequate against the 3.7-liter Jaguar D-Types, Ferraris of up to 4.9 liters and 5.4-liter Cunninghams. The man in charge of the car’s design, Rudolf Uhlenhaut, felt it would be able to do the job, as had indeed the racing 300 SL of 1952, winner at Le Mans and Mexico.

As far as one man was concerned, Daimler-Benz engineering chief Fritz Nallinger, the 300 SLR was arriving a year in arrears. When he approved the program for new eight-cylinder racing cars he demanded assurance that the first sports cars would compete in the 1954 Mille Miglia. Alfred Neubauer had the tricky task of convincing Nallinger that the Grand Prix car had to have priority, if only to allow him to overcome Juan Fangio’s desire to stay with Maserati instead of jumping ship to the unproven and elaborate German cars.

AThus on May 1, 1955 the 300 SLR was a year late in making its debut in the Mille Miglia, scoring a recordbreaking one-two finish with the respective drivers Stirling Moss and Juan Fangio. But the lengthy final testing and circuit-learning the 992-mile course before the race meant that Mercedes abandoned its entries in the 1000 Kilometers of Buenos Aires on January 23 and the 12 Hours of Sebring on March 13.

Its Mille Miglia success and a deadly crash and withdrawal at Le Mans in June found Mercedes Benz trailing in the Sports-car Championship with only 8 points against 16 for Jaguar and 18 for Ferrari. After the cancellation of that year’s Carrera Panamericana only two races remained in the 1955 Championship season, the Tourist Trophy at Dundrod in Northern Ireland and Sicily’s Targa Florio. Both were demanding venues unknown to the modern Mercedes racing team.

With only two races to go it seemed quixotic to entertain the idea of catching up, but the results of the Tourist Trophy gave Alfred Neubauer new hope. By finishing one two three at Dundrod Daimler Benz shut the others out of the higher positions and brought its total to 16 points, trailing Ferrari’s 19. To win the championship, Neubauer calculated, his cars would have to win the Targa Florio and keep Ferrari from finishing better than third. If a

Ferrari were to place second, the two rivals would tie for the championship.

A try for victory in the Targa would be a tremendous gamble for Daimler Benz against heavy odds, for the Sicilian race was traditionally dominated by Italian cars and drivers. The last three races had been won by Italians driving Lancias. But Untertürkheim had its own Targa Florio tradition from its victories in 1922 and 1924, races in which a slimmer `Don Alfredo’ had been a driver, not a team manager.

Returning from Ireland, Neubauer went directly to Frankfurt where many Daimler-Benz executives gathered for the opening of the biennial automobile show. There he learned that on that very morning the management committee had decided to pass up the Targa in favor of a non-championship sports-car race in Venezuela, an important export market for Mercedes Benz cars.

Collecting Uhlenhaut as an ally, Neubauer sought to convince Fritz Nallinger—a man of Benz rather than Daimler background—that the cars should go to Sicily and that they could win there. Nallinger’s assent was the key to getting the approval of managing director Fritz Könecke for an assault on the Targa—which was less than three weeks away. On September 24 Neubauer’s office asked Artur Keser, the company’s press chief, to inform Nallinger that Könecke approved the Targa Florio participation.

Neubauer gained in intensity what he lacked in time for preparations for his return to Sicily. Already in Palermo on October 2, Neubauer informed all the participants about the organizational details. The next day this was supplemented with a detailed personnel schedule and hotel arrangements by Alexander von Korff, Neubauer’s assistant.

A flurry of telegrams rounded up Neubauer’s drivers from all over the world. “Practice and reconnaissance were interrupted by a nasty bout of flu,” said Stirling Moss, whom Neubauer’s office found holidaying on the French Riviera. “Nevertheless, I spent long hours trying to learn the mountain circuit in the Mercedes saloons and a 300 SL. I recommended Peter Collins as a very capable and quick co-driver. We were to share my usual car, the Mille Miglia and TT winner chassis 0004.”

Like Collins, Desmond Titterington was a newcomer to Mercedes ranks. Born in County Down, Northern Ireland, he had excelled there in the just-raced Tourist Trophy. He had shared the wheel of a Jaguar D-Type with Mike Hawthorn, the duo leading the race until the last lap when engine trouble dropped them to fourth behind the three Mercedes entries. Deeply impressing Neubauer, Titterington’s display on a challenging road course brought the reward of a seat in 300 SLR chassis 0003 in Sicily, shared with American star John Fitch after Hans Herrmann had declared himself unready to compete. SLR 0005 was piloted by Juan Fangio and his chosen co-driver Karl Kling.

The Mercedes-Benz team arrived in Palermo with eight sports cars including one of the 300 SLR coupes, 15 private cars, eight trucks and 45 mechanics. Some of these constituted a crew of body experts who worked

The tension and excitement of the Targa Florio is well communicated by the crowd around Juan Fangio’s Mercedes-Benz, last of the team’s three entries to be flagged away.

Onlookers on the pits side of the Targa course were plentiful. They had to admire the pluck of Moss and his scruffy mount as they pressed on, maintaining their lead.

Almost

given up by his team, Moss completed the fourth lap and roared into the depot with his battered 300 SLR. Organized chaos reigned as the mechanics set to work.

A rare Moss error led to a jaunt well off the paved circuit. Here he inspected the damage, which at first glance looked considerable.

night and day during practice to straighten out the cars that were being whacked against the rocks and earth of the Italian island during sessions that took place while ordinary traffic was sharing the narrow roads.

Neubauer’s October 6 telegram informed Nallinger, Scherenberg, Uhlenhaut and others that test engineer Mischke had arrived safely in Sicily. Titterington had suffered an accident with the 300 SLR, though with repairable body and rear-suspension damage. Detachment of a headlamp lens on the 300 SLR coupe was noted. Addition to the fleet of a 190 SL with a fivespeed transmission from a 220 was reported.

Neubauer’s daily report to Uhlenhaut of October 7 assessed the performance of drivers Fangio, Moss, Herrmann and Kling as good, while Collins “is getting good”. In answer to Uhlenhaut’s criticism that Titterington “had too little racing experience” Neubauer referred to his outstanding performance in the Tourist Trophy. Neubauer came to the defense of his drivers, pointing out that they completed two to four practice laps each day. He considered it important to follow a lap in the 300 SLR with one in a passenger car.

In this way, 109 laps of 44.7 miles were covered in eight driving days. A total of 16,695 practice kilometers were covered on the Piccolo Madonie circuit, 15,843 accounted for by the drivers and the rest by engineers Kostelezky and Mischke. Leader was Fangio with 1,596 miles, followed by Titterington’ s 1,552, Kling’s 1,521 and 1,462 for Moss. Latecomer to the lineup John Fitch covered 1,163 training miles.

On October 10, the Monday of the week before the race, Neubauer reported the arrival of three trucks and his assistant von Korff. In heavy rain Fangio had a minor accident with the 300 SL, damaging a headlamp. This resulted in postponement of a planned night-time practice session in less traffic until damage to the 300 SL and Kling’s 220 a was repaired. On October 12 the cars for the race all covered a lap without problems and completed their night-time practice. On October 13, the Thursday before the Sunday race, they covered their second and last practice lap.

Keeping track of all these cars and drivers plus their rivals was an innovation that was intended for Le Mans but not permitted by the organizers. This was radiorelay communication between the pits and an outpost in the mountains where refreshed notice boards could be displayed to the drivers. This was of great value for the Targa Florio, where the provision of information from the pits at Cerda meant that drivers could only be updated every very long lap. Moreover the cars were released at 30-second intervals, which made it even more difficult for team managers to monitor and report what was happening.

Their equipment consisted of Siemens Funk 516Y 333 two-way radio units installed in two passenger cars—a 170 S-V and a 180. After numerous trials the intrepid test technicians found a good location for their outpost at the edge of a quarry near Caltavuturo at an altitude of 2,100 feet, about 18 miles after the start/finish. Their information boards told drivers about the current race standing.

Last of the three cars released, Fangio’s roared through a coastal corner. He and Eugenio Castellotti in a rare 3.4-liter fourcylinder Ferrari 857S dueled for second place.

“With two-way short-wave radio,” said engineer Heinz Lamm, “it was possible to inform the drivers about their position in the race and their last lap time very rapidly. The pits were quickly advised of any developments.”

Starting sequences were determined by a ballot in the office of the organizers. With the race rules limiting each driver’s session to five laps, a roster was laid down for the 13-lap race. Mercedes-Benz absolutely wanted to prevent two cars standing in the pits for servicing at the same time:

• Team Moss/Collins, starting number 104

• 1st cycle – Moss: 4 laps; Collins: 4 laps

• 2nd cycle – Moss: 5 laps

• Team Titterington/Fitch, starting number 106

• 1st cycle – Titterington: 5 laps; Fitch: 3 laps

• 2nd cycle – Titterington: 5 laps

• Team Fangio/Kling, starting number 112

• 1st cycle – Fangio: 5 laps; Kling: 3 laps

• 2nd cycle – Fangio: 5 laps

Though steady rain for almost a week before the race brought torrents carrying mud and rubble that flooded sections of the route, the sun shone obligingly on the day of the Targa. “I hardly slept at all the night before the race,” Moss recalled, “and felt pretty awful when I arrived at the start between the sea and the small town of Cerda. I perked up once seated in the car and felt better still when I found myself in the lead! Eugenio Castellotti, Ferrari’s great hope, lay second, with Fangio on his tail third. I accumulated a minute’s lead on my opening lap and after three laps my cushion was five minutes.

“Far up in the mountains,” Stirling added, “I was just leaving a right-hand curve and had the car set up nicely through a fast left-hander when I lost control on either mud or loose gravel. The SLR bounced off a bank and hurtled straight off the edge of the road into space. I

was quite frightened at this point because I hadn’t a clue whether we were flying over a drop of three feet or three hundred! Fortunately the roadside field sloped downhill just there. When I crunched down to earth I had fallen only ten or twelve feet. The problem then was to find a way back on to the road because the car, although battered, was still running.

“Some locals rushed to my assistance,” Moss recalled, “and after a lot of maneuvering and pushing and yelling I managed to gun the car back onto the road and tear off towards the pits. I had lost about twelve minutes and now lay a distant fourth. Back at the pits, Neubauer, Peter and the crew had virtually given me up for lost until I came hurtling in. They checked the car quickly and Peter took off with the bit firmly between his teeth.” His 300 SLR’s frame was bent and its engine had needed almost three gallons of water.

That was their scheduled stop after four laps, in the third of which Stirling set a new record of 43:07 with an average speed of 62.25 mph. Castellotti and Fangio, his closest challengers, were the first of three rivals ahead of Peter Collins. After the pit stop of 3:23 minutes Collins, who had never previously raced a Mercedes-Benz, took the wheel of the 300 SLR lying in fourth place. At once he started lapping at blistering speed, eventually having his own run-in with a wall. “It wasn’t a very good wall,” he told Moss. “It simply seemed to crumble away before me.” Four laps later, when Peter handed the car back, the Mercedes newcomer had regained the lead.

“The car sounded okay,” said Moss, “and Peter was going like a bomb. He had done the standing lap in 44:22—considerably quicker than the other cars’ flying laps at the time.” On his second round, with a time of 43:28 Collins set the race’s third-fastest lap. Karl Kling and John Fitch had held up their ends during their middle stints. But when after lap 8 Kling handed over to Fangio, the filler cap refused to budge. Opening it by

When Juan Fangio stormed past the finish line of the 1955 Targa Florio his second place was confirmed, 4 minutes and 41 seconds behind the winners.

From the left Fitch, Titterington, Collins, Moss, Fangio and Kling posed in celebration of an unexpected success in a race Mercedes-Benz had decided not to enter.

force stretched refueling to 2:22, which dropped Fangio to third. He was no longer keeping a Ferrari out of second place and denying the Scuderia the Championship.

On every subsequent lap the Argentinian was considerably faster than the Ferrari, inexorably reducing the gap. After the ninth lap Fangio had a two-minute deficit to Castellotti’s relief, Frenchman Robert Manzon. The latter obliged by striking a rock during his 11th lap, losing five and a half minutes with a wheel change.

Juan Fangio defended his second place to the finish, together with his partner Kling assuring MercedesBenz of the 1955 World Sports-car Championship for Mercedes-Benz.

The winning Moss-Collins team set a new Targa Florio record with an average speed of 59.83 mph. A figure that speaks for the race’s challenge, it was a healthy seven percent faster than the previous record. “Despite Stirling’s efforts and my own to write the machine off,” Collins said afterward, “by going over precipices and through walls and shunting other cars, still somehow the car managed to last right through this race.”

The Titterington-Fitch duo were fourth, some 10 minutes behind the winners after almost ten hours of the most demanding racing on the planet. “The durability of the SLR was unbelievable,” Fitch reflected. “As demonstrated at the Targa, it would stand up to incredible abuse and continue to operate perfectly. This highly-developed sports-racing machine was built like a tank yet was as responsive as a jungle cat—a fabulous accomplishment in the field of automotive design.”

“That was the last time I ever drove a Mercedes-Benz racing car in anger,” reflected Stirling Moss, “which I

was sad about. But for me the 300 SLR obviously has very special significance as the one car in which I could with some confidence believe that I could give Fangio a race!”

Some of the special features of the Targa cars, such as drop down armored covers over the headlamps, weren’t essential for that race but were being tested for the future. Although it was already known that the Stuttgart team would leave Formula One in 1956, on September 28 Fritz Nallinger had confirmed to Neubauer that the sports cars would compete in eight to ten events in 1956. He asked the team manager to let him have a list of suitable races for his review when he returned from Sicily. From his command post in a villa near Palermo, Neubauer dictated a reply on October 9, giving Nallinger his thoughts on the 1956 competition calendar.

In spite of these assurances, in spite of the storybook victory in the Targa Florio and the winning of the Sports-car Championship, rumors were flying among the mechanics about the future of the racing effort as they drove north again to Stuttgart. These were confirmed on October 22 when the traditional end of season press conference became the platform for the announcement that Daimler Benz was withdrawing its sports cars, as well as its racing cars, from further competition.

Alfred Neubauer learned of the decision in Sicily when he returned to his villa to find a letter from Fritz Nallinger awaiting him. It was dated September 12. It read in part as follows: “After mature deliberation the management committee has decided...to absent itself...irrevocably from motor racing for several years.” And so it did, for years that became decades.

50 YEARS OF THE W116

TEXT: Rubin Howard PHOTOS: Antonio Alvendia

Many Mercedes-Benz Club of America (MBCA) members and attendees of last year’s Mercedes Freude in Newport Beach, CA may recognize the side profile of an Ikon Gold Mercedes-Benz 450SEL, the picture car for 2022’s premiere national event. 2023 commemorates 50 years since the world introduction of the W116 - the world’s first official “S-Klasse”. The relevance of the Ikon gold 450SEL selected for last year’s Freude theme was no random choice. It was based on the story of this W116 that has been a staple in Southern California’s Mercedes-Benz culture, since its arrival to California with its original owner, until it was acquired by its new caretaker - a local Southern California collector, and active member of the MBCA.

“This 450SEL was ordered early”

On the 12th of June in 1972, Air Force Colonel Bennie Jew, B-52 Pilot and home mechanic, placed an order for the upcoming MercedesBenz 450SEL sedan. After owning three gently used Mercedes-Benzes, Bennie promised his wife Cora that he would buy her a brand new Mercedes-Benz. He knew the upcoming 1973 S-Class would be revolutionary, and trusted that it would be the world’s finest automobile that money could buy. In June of 1972, it was not possible to walk into a Mercedes-Benz Dealership and see a W116. This car was not built yet, and there was no sales literature available. Mercedes-Benz dealers themselves did not know what the upcoming S-Class was going to look like. Bennie’s love, passion, and trust in

Mercedes-Benz was powerful enough to compel him to write a cheque for a car that did not yet exist. The only way Colonel Jew could place an order was through Nemet Auto International - an East coast Mercedes-Benz importer. Even Tom Nemet of Nemet Auto International mentioned in his correspondence that “the Mercedes-Benz organization was the only one in the world who could be swamped with orders on an automobile which had not been made yet.”

“What made the perfect 450SEL in his eyes?”

Bennie’s specification of choice was to be finished in Ikon Gold Metallic (paint code 419), upholstered with a Beige & Brown leather interior. From a technical standpoint, a column shift transmission was requested. Col. Jew’s intentions were to retrofit his 8-Track cassette tape player to the center console of the vehicle, where one would normally find a floor-mounted Shifter. He refused to give up his large collection of 8-Track cassettes which he enjoyed listening to on his long cross country trips with his wife. Other uncommon options were specified as well, such as a limited-slip differential, vehicle under-shield, rear headrests, as well as reinforced orthopedic seats. All of these features aided in a more comfortable long distance family cruiser. A sunroof delete option was also noted, as the sunroof decreased headroom by one inch (Although standing at 5’6”, this issue was not pertinent to Col. Jew, but to rather taller passengers who might ride in the vehicle). Col. Jew’s Air Force background shaped him into an extremely detail-oriented person, as he even insisted on a reserve can of Ikon Gold Paint, and a shop manual to be delivered alongside the vehicle. Bennie was a very calculated man, which reflected in his letters to Mercedes-Benz (A 14” stack of letters and documentation resides with the current owner). Mercedes-Benz originally offered the W116 with either a column or floor shift. Sometime between the initial order confirmation and its programming, the column shift option was removed from the ordering guide. As a result, Colonel Jew’s 450SEL was delivered with a floor shift. He was meticulous in his detail of his important request, and the dissatisfaction of this oversight was noted in his letters to Germany, on Air Force Letterhead. 50 years later, these letters still evoke a stern penmanship. In response to his letters, Mercedes-Benz honored the request and programmed another car to be built for Colonel Jew. In their return letter, Mercedes-Benz stated that this would be the last column shift W116 to be made.

1. Paint and interior samples provided to Colonel Bennie Jew, by Nemet Auto International. Ikon Gold & Byzantine Gold were the final contestants.

2. Cora & Bennie Jew and their Border Collie, alongside their 450SEL and their old 220s.

3. Cora and Bennie Jew standing by their brand new 450SEL in 1973. Note the European Delivery license plate, and their color coordinated clothing.

“Once a Mercedes-Benz Owner, Always a Mercedes-Benz Owner.”

Upon receipt of their new 450SEL, the family accrued over 6500 miles in the first short months of ownership. Bennie’s love for the W116 was evident in a follow-up letter written to MercedesBenz in Germany that read “I would like to say that my wife and I are extremely pleased with this latest effort from Stuttgart. We take every opportunity to our friends who are less informed about the Mercedes. We are looking forward to many trouble free and enjoyable miles of Motoring in the years to come. Again, please accept our congratulations for such an outstanding automotive creation. May the directors at Mercedes never allow styling fads to take precedence over sound packaging practicing and engineering excellence.”

Surely, many do agree with Colonel Bennie Jew’s statements about his beloved W116. As time passed, a constant between Bennie and his wife was their beloved 450SEL. The vehicle resided with them at their residence in Ojai, California and was used and driven for many years. The car made many local appearances

to MBCA events across Southern California, particularly, the Orange County Section’s annual Fashion Island Display, in Newport Beach. Colonel Jew & his wife Cora’s collection naturally grew into a vast majority of over 50 vintage Mercedes-Benz vehicles.

There were a handful of special cars that were passed onto Bennie and Cora’s children upon their passing. Bennie and Cora ignited a lifelong passion for Mercedes-Benz in each one of their children. Their youngest son, Tom - had decided to find a new caretaker for his Fintail that he drove and owned since the age of 16. He had scouted a new owner in which he was hoping to be able to sell the car to - Belinda Clontz Sareooei. Belinda is known for her passion for W111’s, and Tom was going to ensure that his sentimental car would end up in the hands of a rightful new owner. After attentively following Belinda’s collection on Instagram @Belindabenzo, he contacted her and invited her to the family’s estate in Ojai, California. Belinda promised her husband she would not bring home another W111 that day, although she knew there was a good possibility of bringing home something

1. An application letter written By Bennie Jew in 1995, who had hoped his 450SEL would be admitted into the prestigious Fashion Island MBCA display.

2. Much like Cora and Bennie Jew did, Belinda Clontz Sarooei dresses appropriately to match her 450SEL. Note the gold Mercedes-Benz Belt Buckle, Mercedes Earrings, grille-shaped watch, and Mercedes-script top.

special. During their visit, Belinda took notice of the beloved 1973 Ikon Gold family car tucked away behind a garage door. This was the last car to be kept in the 50 car collection. When Belinda and her husband saw the 450SEL, it was love at first sight and all poker faces were off. What started as a leisurely drive to Ojai, resulted in Belinda becoming the caretaker for these two very special cars with a lifetime’s pedigree behind them. What sweetened the deal was the fact that Tom and Belinda lived near each other in Los Angeles, and Tom could continue to be a part of the car’s new journey. In the words of Belinda, “I feel like the lucky chosen one entrusted by Tom with his mother’s car. It is a responsibility that I do not take lightly. My motivation for showing this car at Mercedes events, is to continue the tradition and passion that Cora started, and to continue to build upon those memories for the next caretaker. We are only stewards of the cars we take care of, and I try to remember that. Every car I own has a unique personality, and is representative of the era in which they were built. I use them to

educate younger generations, as I believe it is our duty as vintage car owners to continue to inspire youth to grow the passion, so that these cars remain on the road.”

Since acquiring the “Ikonic” 450SEL, Belinda has co-founded a local W116 driving group in Los Angeles. As well, it was used as the official artwork for the Mercedes Freude event in Newport Beach in 2022. Priceless stories were shared around the car in the presence of Tom and Belinda, at a national club event hosted at the Mercedes-Benz Classic Center in Long Beach. This 450SEL has managed to live a very fulfilling life in the public eye, lovingly cared for and appreciated by its past and current caretakers.

People who knew and remembered the car told funny stories about Cora taking the wheels off to clean it, before quickly transforming into a feminine dress, much like Belinda does with her cars, before being shown at events. In the closing words of Belinda, “Cars are great - but it’s the people and the stories that make them special”. So Ikonic.

1.

Tom Jew & Belinda Clontz Sarroei proudly standing by 450SEL’s history, proudly displayed on the 450SEL at the newly opened Mercedes-Benz Classic Center in Long Beach, California.

MBCA NATIONAL EVENT

TEXT: Tiffany Wismer

The Hoosier state is a beautiful place, especially in the fall. Brilliantly colored leaves drift and scatter across r oads winding through idyllic farmlands. Groves of crispy apples bask in the mellow sunshine. It’s a countryside that seems to be made especially for driving. Indiana has a unique kind of beauty. Kind of like a Mercedes. Not everybody gets it. But if you know, you know.

The capital city of Indianapolis is a perfect lady, both classy and approachable. It’s the perfect location for the first annual Mercedes Grande event this fall. An unprecedented gathering of people who understand the timeless romance of the Mercedes-Benz.

“Mercedes is arguably the most iconic brand in the history of motor cars,” says Roger Brummett, National Event Chair for Mercedes Grande. “It was the first gas-powered motor car ever invented. Mercedes, as a n automobile, is either the Adam or Eve of all other automobiles. It birthed an industry.”

The event will be happening in Indianapolis September 6-10, 2023. The city’s center is surprisingly European-looking for a metropolis in Midwest America. Within the round courtyard sits the stunning Soldiers and Sailors Monument. Made of Indiana limestone, it stands an impressive 284 feet, 6 inches high--only 15 feet shorter than the Statue of Liberty.

Mercedes Grande: If You Know, You Know

There are 13,500 hotel rooms within 4 blocks of the monument. For a large urban area, things are very close. In fact, Indianapolis was named America’s most walkable city.

A Grande Event

Mercedes Grande will be part festival, part educational forum, part car show, part cultural celebration. It will be an expression of the fashion, of the art of cars. There will be unique automobiles on display, of course. But also, technical talks, food and wine, exhibits, and music.

“We expect Mercedes Grande to be one of the highest attended events in MBCA’s history,” Brummett said.

Mercedes is both a luxury car brand and one of the most dominant Formula One teams. It has become a lifestyle expression.

Mercedes has always been something interesting, romantic, and classic. Like

Car enthusiasts from across the nation will come together in the heartland to celebrate the history, beauty, and individualist spirit of one of the world’s oldest automobile brands. This September, Indiana becomes the go-to destination for auto lovers.

September 6-10

Wednesday, 9/6

• Rally Drives and Tours

Presented by the MercedesBenz Club of America and Artomobilia

Thursday, 9/7

• Tech Talks and Guest Speakers

• Sophisticated Living Magazine Fashion Show

• Mercedes-Benz Extravaganza and Lifestyle Exhibition

an old Hollywood movie. The creators of Mercedes Grande want to factor that feeling into the event’s programming.

Something For Everyone

The event will indeed have something for everyone. There will be technical discussions where experts share their knowledge. There will be disccusions about how to work on older model cars. They will also share cool advances in technology. For example, seat kinetics that improve blood flow to keep drivers more alert and reduce stress while driving. They will talk about ground-up restorations on unique Mercedes-Benz automobiles. Another topic about estate planning for collectors. And Roger confirmed that a former Indy 500 driver will be a speaker, too. But it won’t be all technical. There will be music, food & wine. And there will be exciting, quality sponsors and partners.

MBCA NATIONAL EVENT

One will be donating a few exotic MercedesBenz trips. Imagine flying into Italy to spend a few days driving a classic Mercedes-Benz through the countryside!

Katie Carruth, Executive Director of Mercedes Benz Club of America, is involved in planning and executing the event.

“The Mercedes Grande in collaboration with Artomobilia is a fresh step forward for MBCA,” says Carruth. “We are excited to bring an event that is inclusive and representative of our sophisticated, yet diverse membership. We know it takes a village to make this automobile great and that is what we are gathering to celebrate: the video gamers, the mechanics, the engineers, the drivers, the lovers and even those who just dream of owning a Mercedes-Benz. All are welcome!”

Mercedes-Benz is iconic because of its success in racing, and luxury. It’s also a safe and environmentally progressive brand. There are gear heads whose interest is to work on Mercedes. And there are those who take an interest in converting old cars to make them more eco-friendly. There are people who simply love the experience of driving. All over the world there are people who love cars and car culture, from the stands or watching TV, or under the hood. This September, each and every one of these car lovers are welcomed to Indianapolis.

That Mercedes-Benz Feeling

A popular Mercedes hashtag on social media has been #InvidualistsUnite. That’s actually a perfect way to describe the goal of the Mercedes Grande event. There’s something very “Mercedes” about the idea of different individuals coming together to celebrate a mutual love for vintage and modern cars.

Friday, 9/8

• P residents Club Luncheon

• H ullabaloo Street Festival, Drive-In Car Show, and Concert

Saturday, 9/9

• M ercedes Monumental Classic Car Show at Artomobilia

• K ids Zone Exhibit Play Station and Driving Experience

Sunday, 9/10 Leistung Road Rally

Stay Updated mercedesgrande.org

At its heart, this is a festival. The beauty of cars. The designs that began as pencil drawings. The Art of the automobile. Excitement and quality and a celebration of all those things.

There’s an ease in being with others when you’re connecting around the coolness of an automobile. Mercedes has always been about independence and freedom, individualism, progressiveness, innovation. And Mercedes-Benz has always been a symbol of the things all car lovers care about.

Mercedes Grande will be part festival, part educational forum, part car show, part cultural celebration.

San Francisco Bay Area Section, Bear Creek Road – Orinda, November 6. The first November drive was a delightful mix of history, architecture, wine studies, eating, and scenic driving through the East Bay regional hills and the Alhambra Valley. The event attracted a record-breaking number of attendees for a First Sunday Drive! We traveled into the Alhambra Valley to go wine tasting at William Welch Winery. The historic family adobe and winery is still owned by a descendant of the Welch family, who graciously hosted us to sample their incredible wines.

-John Goode

St. Louis Gateway, Autumn Drive to Maeystown IL, November 6. Despite the rain, a sizeable contingency of club members braved the scenic drive along the bluffs, from Columbia, Illinois to the picturesque village of Maeystown. Thanks are extended to Daryel and Carol for hosting this fun adventure for us.

-Jonathan Leggs

Southern Stars Section, Brumos Collection’s Saturday Social, November 12. Members were invited to curate a variety of Mercedes-Benz history to share at The Brumos Collection’s Saturday Social. We had a fantastic mix of classic and modern Mercedes-Benz vehicles in attendance! We saw everything from a member-owned 1955 190 SLR (Yes, an SLR!), which passed through the hands at Mercedes-Benz Classic Center.

-David Wommer

Southern Stars Section, Ponte Vedra Auto Show, November 17. The 55th anniversary of AMG and the 50th anniversary of the S-Class were featured at the 2022 Ponte Vedra Auto Show. We had almost 30 Mercedes-Benz vehicles registered for the show and had an amazing variety of vehicles

shared, including a mix of classic and modern Mercedes-Benz. Thank you to everyone who shared their Mercedes-Benz vehicles with us, it was great to hang out with fellow enthusiasts for the day, meet new friends, and reconnect with others!

-David Wommer

North Texas Section, Classic Car Show, November 19. Members participated in The Second Annual Farmers Branch Classic Car Show. The show was held at the Farmers Branch Historic Park and there were over 100 cars registered but due to the weather roughly 60 showed for the event. The North Texas Section had 13 cars in the show and four of the cars were winners. -Ron

Seifert

Desert Stars Section, Holiday Party. December 4 Resident Emcee, Chuck Stanford, presented the anniversary recognition pins to the recipients who were in attendance. This year’s recipients for 10 years were Harman & Susan Cadis, Victor Ferriera, Bob & Maryann Tokle. For 15 years Carey & Kathy Hobson. Twenty years John & Hilary Fiscus. Forty years Peter Gannon. Forty-five years (presented 2 years late due to Covid) Phil & Corky Hammond. Fifty years to Ed & Joyce Kasmar. Congratulations to all. -Mark Ichiyama

Wisconsin Section, Christmas Party and Annual meeting, December 4. 40 members and guests attended the Christmas Party and Annual Meeting at the Golden Mast on Lake Okauchee. A slide show recapping 2022 events played continuously, reminding us of how successful the year was. President Bruce Hamilton then remarked that we came upon a number of milestone membership pins. Nancy Pearson was presented a 45-year membership pin and Dan Hellenberg received a pin for his 30 years of membership. Dick Kusch

1. One of the many Mercedes-Benz displayed at the 2022 Ponte Vedra Auto Show.

2. The Eastern Oklahoma Section takes a cruise on Route 66 to take in the history and notable neon signs.

3. Members of the North Texas Section participated in the Farmers Branch Classic Car Show.

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MBCA SCENE

was presented with his Member of the Year Award for his continued efforts to engage our membership located outside the Madison-Milwaukee area. Bailey Hansen was recognized for her 5 years of service as the Section’s Newsletter Editor. Bailey was presented with a recognition plaque and a framed copy of the front page of the October-November issue of the Badger Star.

-Jim Loseke

Eastern Oklahoma Section, Christmas Party, December

8. Members of the Eastern Oklahoma section gathered in Sapulpa OK for the annual Christmas party. Section President John Kushnerick thanked the officers, board members, and event planners for their help in 2022. He recapped all the gatherings, special events, tours, and drives during the year and promised much more in 2023. Members who had significant MBCA anniversaries were also recognized: Don East: 45 years, Rene Kessler: 40 years, Dave Hinnant: 25 years, Walt Miller: 15 years, Ron Hardage: 15 years, William Hill: 15 years, and Ben Cunningham: 15 years. The highlight of the presentation was the announcement of the Member of the Year Award for 2022. The award given by the officers and board members recognized service, achievement, and contributions to the club, and awarded Kristen Bebout. -John

Kushnerick

Southern Stars Section, Caffeine and Octane

Jacksonville, December 10. We were the First Coast Car Council’s (FCCC) Featured Car Club of the Month and had reserved parking in the FCCC Car Corral! We had an amazing variety of Mercedes-Benz in the car corral and throughout the event! We saw everything from Lew’s 2005 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren to a freshly acquired reveal of Mike’s 2019 AMG GT C in our VIP area! A fan favorite was a 1968 250 SE Coupe in a beautiful green. We issued a challenge to our members and local Mercedes-Benz enthusiasts to beat the number of toys that we brought last year for Toys for Tots, and Mercedes-Benz owners delivered! -David

Wommer

Bluegrass Stars Section, Holiday Dinner, December 11. The attendance was excellent, with the 2022 Officers, and the new 2023 Officers there to “ring out the old, and ring in the new!” Many, many thanks to our outgoing President, Gary Rumrill, and Secretary, Carol Rumrill, who were thanked for their four years of service to the Bluegrass Stars with plaques presented by the Regional Director, Ken Koehler. The Officers for next year are President, J. Anne Gilliland, Vice-President, Jim Keith, Secretary, Ann Mudge, and Treasurer, Fred Mudge. Also recognized were Al and Hannelore Henley as Member of the Year and presented with a commemorative plaque by Gary Rumrill. We recognize them as two of our most dedicated members, who attend almost all of our Stars events. -Nancy

Rece

Minuteman Section, Holiday Concert and Dinner, December 11. Over 50 members of the Minuteman Section met at Boston Symphony Hall for the 35th Annual Theatre & Dinner Meeting Event (once again a sold out event). The highlight of the day was the “Boston Pops Holiday Concert” featuring the famed “Boston Pops Orchestra” under the direction of conductor Keith Lockhart. This event also acts as the election of next year’s officers, and the current slate of officers was unanimously approved for re-election. President Dean Coclin was surprised as he was awarded a plaque for being named The Northeast Region Officer of the year by Section Vice President Barry O’Neill and Past President Ed Owen. Congratulations Dean! -Dean Coclin

Southern Stars Section, Holiday Luncheon and Awards, December 11. Over two dozen members joined us for our annual holiday luncheon this year, held at the Eagle Harbor Golf clubhouse, set right on the golf course with great views!

2. The Minuteman Section enjoyed the holiday celebration during the Boston Pops Holiday Concert.

3. Members of the Los Angeles Section viewed the Nuthercutt Collection in Sylmar, California.

4. Members of the St. Lous Gateway Section brave the elements with a drive to the village of Maeystown.

1. North Texas Section members work on their cars at the MercedesBenz Park Place service garage.

Regional Director Hank Webb presented this year’s Southeast Region’s Officer of the Year award to Section President David Wommer, who has written and distributed our newsletter since 2020. Regional Director Hank Webb spoke about our Member of the Year Jackie Keener, our Section Treasurer, and a plaque and a lapel/hat pin were awarded. Jackie Keener has been our Treasurer since 2019, designed graphics and flyers for us, has arranged some of our amazing Drive & Dines, and helped arrange vendors and event spaces for multiple events! Thank you very much, Jackie, we couldn’t have done it without you! We presented 5 anniversary year certificates of appreciation and lapel pins to those in attendance, celebrating two 30-year memberships, two 25-year memberships, and one 15-year membership. We celebrated the members in attendance who had the longest duration of membership as well as the newest Member in attendance! David LeRoy has been a member for a few weeks shy of 38 years, and our newest member in attendance was Margaret Briesch, who jumped right in and

registered her SL 500 for the Ponte Vedra Auto Show a few days after becoming a member!

-David Wommer

Sacramento Section, Eclectic Collection, December 24. Where can you see, under one roof, a rare ‘59 Ford Skyliner, a ‘50s German Amphicar, a White Sewing Machine next to an antique White truck (they started making sewing machines), a collection of dangerous children’s toys, and a mannequin dressed up in pearls and dress with a vacuum cleaner that I’d swear was June Cleaver and a WW2 German Army motorcycle with sidecar? Museum owner Sheldon Donig told us he started collecting when he was 14. To see the museum contents was to know that there wasn’t a central theme, other than perhaps automobiles, but with many other things I knew that he collected whatever piqued his interest.

-William Brandt

Niagara Section, Annual Wine Tasting, January 7. The Niagara section gathered for our Annual Wine Tasting at the

home of one of our members. Everyone was asked to bring a wine with a story of why they chose it. Not only did we share many interesting stories, but we snacked on appetizers and desserts that everyone brought to share. It was a good break from Buffalo’s recent harsh snows and a nice chance to plan this year’s car events. -Deborah

Boehm

Fort Worth Section, Drive, Eat & Sip Event, January 14. Twenty-four members joined together for a country drive, lunch, and distilled liquor tasting in Roanoke. After a country drive which avoided urban traffic, we arrived at historic Oak Street in downtown Roanoke, where we toured Anderson Distillery and Grill. They took us to their distillery room and showed us how each piece of equipment worked. The 2023 season kicked off with a truly fun event. -David

Wommer

Mississippi Section, Reservoir Drive 2023, January 14. The Mississippi section took a scenic drive up the Natchez Trace Parkway and around the Ross Barnett reservoir in Central Mississippi. A beautiful day, stopping at an overlook for a photo opportunity, followed by a beautiful drive ending at Shaggy’s Seafood restaurant for our first event of the year. -Scott

Boone

Los Angeles Section, The Nethercutt Collection, January 14. The Nethercutt Collection is a multi-storied museum located in Sylmar, California, USA. Its centerpiece is its automobile collection, which has led Autoweek to call the Nethercutt Collection one of America’s five greatest automobile museums. -Brigitte

Trapp

Southern Stars Section, Caffeine & Octane Jacksonville, January 14. In January, local Mercedes-Benz enthusiasts attended the first Caffeine and Octane Jacksonville event of 2023. We had a fantastic mix of classic and modern MercedesBenz vehicles in attendance! The most unique Mercedes-Benz shared was a 1-of-20 2001 R129 SL 500 “Formula 1 Edition”. These were introduced before the 2002 “Silver Arrow” edition and are much rarer. A hearty thank you to everyone who braved the cold weather to make the event a success! -David

Wommer

St. Louis Gateway Section, New Year’s Brunch, January 15. The Gateway Section recently held their New Year’s Brunch at Addie’s Thai House where Rick Siefert was presented with the award for Officer of the Year for 2022. This was a fantastic event, as members of the club gathered to celebrate the start of a new year and to recognize the hard work and dedication of Rick in his role as our chapter president.

-Jonathan

Leggs

North Texas Section, DIY Tech Session, January 21. The North Texas Section had their first DIY Tech Session for 2023. The event was held at Park Place Motor Cars in Dallas, Texas. Park Place makes the service bay area lifts available to members and the parts department is open for parts at discounts. They also schedule service techs to be available to give advice and consult on the work that folks are performing. We are lucky to have our dealer partners support our section with this great opportunity for our DIY members to work on their cars.

-Ron Seifert

Eastern Oklahoma Section, Neon Cruise on Route 66, January 28. 26 MBCA members and guests from Kansas, Arkansas, and Oklahoma participated in the Neon Light cruise on Route 66 in Tulsa. Participants were provided with detailed driving directions and the history and location of 20 key neon signs on the Mother Road in Tulsa. Highlights of the trip included the large 2 sided 30 foot by 30 foot Meadow Gold ice cream sign, Desert Hills Motel sign, and Buck Atoms Cosmic curios 21-foot-tall muffler man. It was great to have interest from both MBCA members and other non-member Mercedes Benz owners who had heard about the cruise and wanted to participate. -John

Kushnerick

1. & 2. The Southern Stars Section attended the Caffeine and Octane in Jacksonville, Florida.

3. Members of the Sacramento Section take in the Eclectic Collection Cottonwood, California.

Entering a New Era with Perseverance and Resolution.

We welcome a familiar face, Mike Regennitter, the publisher of The Star ®, who will help transition the publication into the future. “I’ve had the privilege to engage with amazing members across North America. My experience with MBCA has cemented a deep passion for MBCA, and I am thrilled to be a part of the integral transition in creating a benefit for all to admire and consume,” says Regennitter. “The The Star® is about stories. People stories. Design stories. Engineer stories. Member stories. When you’re reading a great story, you’re wrapped up in it, and my goal is to deliver this experience to you.”

We hope you are delighted by this transitional issue as we expand on the publication’s future in delivering an immersive experience through content curation. The continued enhancements will feature extraordinary photos in lavish layouts, thought-provoking stories, insider intel, behind-the-scenes, multi-media features, and digital content. This effort will be supported by delivering our sponsors’ best products and services to benefit members’ lifestyles.

The Beginning of a New Era

As we progress into a new year, we want to celebrate how the Sections of MBCA have persisted through adversity and prevailed in delivering member benefits while staying connected with each other. We commend our distinct community of passionate, friendly, and fun members. Thank you all for your resiliency, patience, and adaptability. You, the members, are first-class and are truly valued!

We also want to toast the Board of Directors as it continues to navigate uncharted territory. Their ability to flex and sustain through the pandemic and residual effects that have rendered so many organizations defunct is a feat. And because of that, we shake off the dust and welcome 2023 with excitement, determination, and assuredness – ready to continue delivering on MBCA’s experiences and benefits.

Looking into 2023, The Club is addressing frustration points to simplify and streamline member and supporter experiences. We are proud to announce we are currently hosting 55 section websites within the

Mercedes-Benz Club of America (MBCA) is full of distinguished members who embrace a profound legacy while welcoming the future of the world’s most iconic brand, Mercedes-Benz.

PHOTOS: George Larson, Sean Aryai

MBCA platform, with even more indicating they’d like to join. Altogether, this benefit saves these sections an average of $13,750 per year on web hosting alone. We also provide exceptional insurance coverage for all section events, whether track days or social outings; MBCA covers over $70,000 in insurance premiums annually for each MBCA section. In addition, we are actively working on improving communication avenues and strengthening our market position through crucial partnerships to enhance the membership value and attract a broader audience, ensuring MBCA has a healthy and meaningful existence long into the future.

Driving into the Future

Katie Carruth, Executive Director, shared insights into relationships she has that will ignite new opportunities and engagement for members and the Club. “We will be investing time and energy aligning the Club more with the Mercedes-Benz standards and brand expectations,” says Carruth. “The possibilities to provide exceptional experiences the Mercedes-Benz brand represents are limitless, and members should be receiving access and exposure to everything Mercedes-Benz encompasses. We are thrilled about the prospects and ready to move toward an exhilarating future.”

National President Doug Geganto adds, “Reimagining the Club’s future for many generations to encounter and enjoy the things we have come to love and cherish is exciting. I am enthusiastic about supporting and seeing Katie bring forward her visions for the Club.”

Carruth adds, “As 2023 will continue to be a building year, the Club will be poised for success in the future if we focus on properly positioning ourselves to take advantage of opportunities to serve our members much better. Of course, it will take perseverance and time, but MBCA will be far better off.”

As the world’s largest Mercedes-Benz Club, MBCA can lead other Mercedes- Benz clubs and the car club scene. The future is here, and we encourage you to stay connected with each other and follow the Club on its social media channels.

MBCA is thankful for your membership support and continues to wish you happy and safe motoring.

Here are just a few highlights from 2022:

1. MBCA has hired a proficient Executive Director to bolster and initiate the many visions the leadership has for the Club’s future. Before taking the chair, Katie visited the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Operations Centre in the United Kingdom in December.

2. Sandhills Motoring Festival, Village of Pinehurst, NC, Great Marques, Westbury

Gardens, NY, Greater Washington Section Autocross, Summit Point, WV, and many other Regional and Section events have welcomed and encouraged new MB aficionados to engage with our community.

3. Mercedes Freude, in Newport Beach, California, was a fantastic success as members rallied around the Medallion Rally in support of the Alzheimer’s

Association’s efforts to eradicate a disease that has touched almost every one of our families. Relationships like this allow MBCA to expand its reach and entice interest from a much wider audience.

5. Members re-engaged and enjoyed the camaraderie at Legends of the Autobahn West, in Monterey, California, and East, in Hilton Head, S.C.

5. 88 Sections interacting with the Club.

6. We have established new partnerships and improved current relationships to sustain and enhance the Club and membership experience.

MBCA NOMINATION

Nomination Process for 2023 Election Is Underway.

Mercedes-Benz Club of America’s (MBCA) Governance Committee is kicking off the nomination process in preparation for the annual 2023 Election.

This year there are three Director at Large (DAL) and six Regional Director (RD) (Northeast, Midwest, Rocky Mountain, Northwest, Central, and Western Regions) positions to be elected. With last Fall’s passage of by-laws and procedures changes, the Committee is now implementing the recruitment process for identifying and recruiting members to be considered for nomination as candidates for election to the National Board of Directors. With input from the Board, the Committee has developed a list of minimum selection criteria for knowledge, experience, and critical skills needed on the Board, and will review and vet all candidates to determine if they meet the established selection criteria and for avoidance of conflicts of interest. Then the Committee will prepare a slate of qualified individuals to be considered for nomination by the Board for all open DAL and RD positions, with the final Board-endorsed slate presented to the full membership for election.

The nomination selection criteria have been established.

For Directors at Large:

• E xpectation to serve as a National Officer and/or National Committee Chair,

• A bility to comprehend and offer insight on financial statements,

• Competency in the use of electronic technology, in particular email, documents, video conferencing (example: Zoom and Teams), and social media,

• D emonstrate effective communication and listening skills,

• P rior leadership experience at the section or regional level is preferred,

• P rior leadership experience with a non-profit organization and/or in a professional career is a plus.

For Regional Directors:

• P rior leadership experience with a non-profit organization and/or in a professional career is a plus.

• B e prepared to represent your region to the National Board and throughout the region and the club,

• A bility to comprehend and offer insight on financial statements,

• Competency in the use of electronic technology, in particular email, documents, video conferencing (example: Zoom and Teams), and social media,

• D emonstrate effective communication and listening skills,

• P rior leadership experience at the section level is preferred,

• P rior leadership experience with a non-profit organization and/or in a professional career is a plus.

If you are interested in being considered for a DAL or RD position, Nomination Petitions are available at qrco.de/mbcapetitions. The Governance Committee will actively identify and recruit prospective candidates for t he DAL and RD positions. In addition, any member who desires to be a candidate may submit a petition. All Nomination Petitions must be submitted to the National Business Office, to the attention of the Governance Committee, by the May 1 deadline

Nomination Petitions that have been timely and properly submitted will then be processed by the Governance Committee in accordance with the Nomination Procedures reflected in Section Six of the Standard Operating Procedures.

Questions or further information? Please contact Governance Committee Chair Laura Simonds at lsimonds97520@gmail.com.

MBCA National Election

The MBCA will be holding its 2023 National Elections to select three new Directors At Large and six Regional directors.The current Directors at Large, are Jason Burton, Doug Geganto, and James Roberts terms expire this year. Regional Directors in the six odd numbered Regions will also be elected. These Regions are: Northeast (1), Midwest (3), Rocky Mountain (5), Northwest (7), Central (9), and Western (11). Active members interested in running for office should visit mbca.org for information and the required petition forms found at qrco.de/mbcapetition. For assistance, call the National Business Office at (800) 637-2360. The deadline for submitting valid petitions is Monday May 1, 2023.

Be sure to look for additional selection criteria information regarding these positions in other communications, such as on the MBCA website, in emails, and in articles in section newsletters.

TEXT: Laura Simonds, Chair, Governance Committee

Mercedes-Benz Club of America

2022 Election Final Vote Summary

October 18, 2022

Director at Large

Drew Webb: 1,563, 33.61%

Ernest Fancy: 1,517, 32.62%

Charles Woods: 1,571, 33.78%

Total Votes: 4,651

Regional Director • Eastern Region

Diana Quinn: 322

Regional Director • Great Lakes Region

Jeffrey Hirst: 123

Regional Director • Mid-Atlantic Region

Bill Fisher: 225

Regional Director • South Central Region

Brett Jurick: 242

Regional Director • Southeast Region

Henry F. Webb: 140

Regional Director • Southwest Region

Steve Ross: 87, 49.15%

Ron Borino: 90, 50.85%

Bylaw Change as Approved by The National Board on November 13, 2021

Approve: 1,902, 95.00%

Disapprove: 100, 5.00%

Election Summary

Total Returns by Internet: 1,926, 93.86%

Total Returns by Mail: 126, 6.14%

Total Returns: 2,052

Total Ballots Distributed: 18,120

Percent Returned: 11.32%

Continuing the Legacy that Fuels Our Passion.

The Mercedes-Benz Club of America (MBCA) has brought on Mike Regennitter as The Star ’s® Publisher and Editor. Regennitter took over the reins of the publication on January 1st. “Mike is the right person for The Star ®,” says MBCA National President Doug Geganto. “We believe his media and publishing experience will help enhance our magazine’s content development and strengthen its financial position.”

Regennitter has nearly three decades of magazine and digital media publishing experience. Before MBCA, he served as COO & Publisher for Christian Booksellers Association and Pioneer Communications, a custom publisher for nonprofit organizations. Early in his career, he was an Art Director for an advertising agency in Minnesota.

“I am thrilled about continuing the legacy of The Star ®,” Regennitter said. “As we do, the primary constant is change. Media publishing has made a dramatic shift that requires an intentional strategy. As a part of MBCA’s multi-media plan, The Star® will remain a significant member benefit. We aim to help you get lost in the extraordinary photos, lavish layouts, and stories.”

“Mike has an aesthetic I believe will earn The Star ® pride of place in any home or office,” says Katie Carruth, Executive Director. “I’m looking forward to seeing how he expands the scope of publication to encompass the beauty of Mercedes-Benz automobiles and the amusements, social, and cultural ethos our members share. Mike is uniquely positioned to tell our members’ stories, celebrate our exquisite brand, and acquaint us all with the diverse and changing landscape of the auto world.”

Regennitter assures the focus will be on creating an experience that matches our passion. “I believe The Star ® should tell incredible stories about vintage auto, provide behind-the-scenes information, explore the future of Mercedes-Benz, and celebrate members,” he said.

Regennitter is passionate about classic cars and motorcycles, water sports, and hanging with family and friends. “I look forward to delivering a stellar publication that our members deserve.”

Certified, Frank Fatone President & CEO, Election Services Co.

MBCA National Board Fall Meeting

Saturday, November 12, 2022

Summary Minutes

The meeting was called to Order by President Julie Bruggner at 9:03am MST. After roll call, the Board went immediately into executive session to discuss the candidates being presented to fill the DAL position that will become vacant when Secretary Cliff Reyle completes his term at the end of unfinished business today. It was established that a quorum existed for the meeting. Steve Dierks made a motion to enter closed session, a second was received and the motion carried by vote.

Executive Session

After coming out of executive session, Vice President Doug Geganto made a motion for William Parrish to fill the vacant DAL position. The motion was second and carried by a majority vote. President Bruggner explained that at the end of unfinished business, Parrish would fill the vacant seat, and would then participate in another executive session where the officers will be elected.

Executive Session

President Bruggner then offered opening remarks, beginning by thanking Executive Director Mike Regennitter for all of the hard work and long hours he has dedicated to MBCA over the last eight years, adding that Mike kept the club going, and had been a personal lifesaver on many occasions. She also thanked Drew Webb and the rest of the search committee for all the time and effort they put in to finding Mike's replacement and the personnel committee for the extra time they put in as well to follow up and to ensure that we really found the right person for the position. Bruggner then introduced Katherine (Katie) Carruth as the new executive director.

Ms. Carruth as many years of experience in working with nonprofits, various industries and many boards of directors, and she looks forward to working with the MBCA. She will begin her MBCA duties officially on December 19th and will overlap with Regennitter until the end of the year.

President Bruggner reported on her trip to Stuttgart, Germany, where she attended the International Presidents’ meeting. She shared that the experience and the emphasis was parallel to the MBCA mission of elevating the Mercedes-Benz experience. She also stated that the Classic Center had been working on specific ideas to reach younger people and get them interested in joining the enthusiast organizations -- a common thread throughout all of the clubs internationally. She also visited the test track and rode along with professional drivers, and then went to the Design Center to see a sneak preview of future models. Commenting on sharing with other presidents around the world, Bruggner observed that although we are the largest Mercedes-Benz Club in the world, we share so many of the same problems.

National Secretary Cliff Reyle asked for a motion to approve the summary minutes of the Spring 2022 MBCA National Board Meeting. The motion was unanimously approved.

National Treasurer Charles Woods reported key financial data through. Woods then addressed the 2023 Proposed Budget as developed by the Budget Committee. The 2023 budget reflects a dues increase of $10 per year beginning January 1, 2023. It was observed that the last dues increase was in 2016. Since 2016 the cumulative inflation rate to 2022 is 23.67%, while the proposed dues increase of 18.18% increase is below the annualized rate of inflation.

The resumption of section rebates was discussed. The board discussed that sections need to ensure that their activities are

self-sustaining. However, it was recognized that some sections, particularly those clubs with limited available funds, might experience a serious impact on survival with no financial support. Therefore, a 2023 Financial Assistance Program fund of $18,000 was proposed so that clubs with serious financial difficulties and meeting certain conditions may apply for emergency assistance to fund section activities, upon approval by the finance committee. This proposal would allows allow for RDs to apply for up to $1,500 for financially distressed sections in the form of a regional event subsidy.

After a few questions and clarifications on how the mechanics of the dues increase worked with the multi-year discounts, Steve Dierks made a motion to approve the $10 / year dues increase, which was seconded and unanimously approved. Then Vice President Geganto made a motion to approve the 2023 Budget as proposed, which was seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

Gene Jurick then reported for the Election Committee and recognized how smoothly the elections process went this year. Jurick also recognized and thanked the National Business Office staff for their assistance in the elections process.

The next agenda item was the report from the 2022 Mercedes Freude, but with David Abarr, event chair, was absent, so a report on final results from the 2022 Freude was postponed until the next board meeting.

Ken Koehler, Central Region RD, introduced the president of the Indianapolis Crossroads Section, Roger Brummett. Brummett provided a summary of a potential 2023 national event staged in Indianapolis. Brummett offered extensive details of venue suitability, major sports event host experience, centrality of populations, and diversity of events. Brummett provided a long listing of enthusiast events staged in the area, including NCAA, NFL, Formula 1 Racing, and a variety of organizations and local economic development. Following his presentation, Eastern Regional Director Diana Quinn moved that we have Mercedes Grande, G-R-A-N-D-E, in Indianapolis, Indiana, October 17th through the 23rd, 2023. Dierks seconded the motion, the motion was unanimously approved by a roll call vote.

Governance Committee Chair Laura Simonds then reported on Committee activities , who thanked candidates for their interest in submitting for the DAL position, and congratulated William Parrish on his nomination to the board. Second, Simonds reported that progress on the RD training manual was dependent upon the results of the amendment that was on the election ballot. Moving forward, the Governance Committee can now finish the DAL and RD training manuals and bring then up to date. Once those manuals are complete, MBCA will have training for the new DAL and the new RDs in the very near future.

Several months ago, Tom James, legal counsel, suggested amendments to MBCA’s conflict of interest policy which applies to MBCA directors, officers, committee members, and employees. James pointed out the necessity for an annual review and presented redlined version of the current policy. Since it was a change in the procedures manual, a motion and board vote was required. Vice President Geganto made a motion that to approve the changes, and following a second the motion passed unanimously.

Simonds then observed that according to Strategic Plan, the Governance Committee is to regularly review the MBCA committee structure, including purposes, responsibilities, and performance, and recommend changes as needed to the president and board. Simonds described and visually demonstrated several observations by the

Committee on presently recognized committees, the stated objectives, and alignment with the MBCA Strategic Plan. After significant discussion of some specific recommendations by the Governance Committee, a motion to table the recommendations for further analysis, discussion and potential action by the new President. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously. President Bruggner thanked Simonds and the Governance Committee for their diligence in review and analysis of MBCA committee structure.

Bruggner then concluded the Unfinished Business, and offered some final words. She recognized Cliff Reyle for his service as National Secretary, Steve Ross for his long tenure as both Regional Director and Director at Large, Ron Harshman, the regional director for the Great Lakes region, as well as Gene Jurick for his important role as ex officio role. She then welcomed to new board members Ron Borino, Jeff Hirst, and Bill Parrish. She recognized that we now have a strategic plan to guide us for the first time in our history. She then provided some inspirational words: "Life is short, so love your life. And before you speak, listen. Before you write, think. Before you spend, earn. Before you pray, forgive. Before you hurt, feel. Before you hate, love. Before you quit, try. And before you die, live.” President Bruggner then offered to entertain a motion to move into executive session to elect new officers for 2023. Cliff Reyle made motion to go into Executive Session, which Bruggner seconded, and the motion passed unanimously.

Executive Session

Upon coming out of executive session, Reyle announced and congratulated the new officers of MBCA; Doug Geganto as president, Drew Webb as vice president, treasurer as Charles Wood, and Bill Parrish as secretary.

President Geganto then recognized Drew Webb to describe proposed simplification and enhancement to the Regional Duties and Functions. A mark-up version of the changes was shown on the video screen. These changes are to the present section five, paragraph six, paragraphs D and E of the Procedures Manual, and begin on page 40. There followed a motion to accept the changes that were presented dealing with the regional director duties and the timetable to the regional director activities. Upon a second and unanimous approval, the motion was adopted.

Dates and times for the 2023 Spring and Fall National Board Meetings were determined as April 22nd, 11:00am Eastern time, and November 18th 11:00am Eastern time, respectively.

Geganto recognized Crossroads Section President Roger Brummett for comments on the Medallion Rally who provided an update on the progress of the event. Parrish made a motion to make the Medallion Rally an annual MBCA event. The motion was seconded by a unanimous vote passed the motion.

Geganto then offered some words of inspiration for 2023, centered on four key principles: unity, future, recognition and communication. Geganto stressed the need for unity among all sections, regions and national, focusing our desired future on the interests of members, recognizing outstanding performers, and strengthening our channels of communications throughout the organization.

Southeast Regional Director Hank Webb made a motion to adjourn the meeting, and with a unanimous vote the meeting was adjourned at 3:14pm Eastern time.

Respectfully submitted,

William L. Parrish, Jr. National Secretary Mercedes-Benz Club of America

Donate

any make or model of car, truck, motorcycle or boat – running or not – in support of the Mercedes-Benz Club of America Educational Foundation (MBCAEF)

The MBCAEF supports automotive education, defensive driving programs for young people, and Mercedes-Benz technical documentation

ALL DONATIONS ARE TAX DEDUCTIBLE

NATIONAL BOARD OF DIRECTORS

DIRECTORS AT LARGE

President (2023)

Doug Geganto Peachtree Section 3211 Black Gum Lane Gainesville, GA 30504 404.754.9955 dgeganto@charter.net

Vice President (2024) Drew Webb Northern NE Star Section PO Box 473 Salem, NH 03073 508.662.4900 rdswebb@gmail.com

Treasurer (2024) Charles Woods

Central Oklahoma Section 3708 Bonaire Place Edmond, OK 73013 charlesbwoods1@gmail.com

Secretary (2024) William L. (Bill) Parrish, Jr. Tarheel Section 3945 Golf Drive NE Conover, NC 28613 Cell: 828-719-6140 williamlewisparrish@gmail.com

“To elevate the Mercedes-Benz experience through knowledge, camaraderie, and exceptional events.”

NATIONAL BUSINESS OFFICE

Director at Large (2024)

Ernie Fancy Minuteman Section 1 Butterworth Road Holland, MA 01521 508.377.8286 (c) fancyer@cox.net

COMMITTEES

AWARDS

Ernest Fancy Minuteman Section 1 Butterworth Road Holland, MA 01521 508.377.8286 (c) fancyer@cox.net

BUDGET

Charles Woods

Central Oklahoma Section 3708 Bonaire Place Edmond, OK 73013 charlesbwoods1@gmail.com

DRIVING SKILLS

Jason Burton Chicago Section 175 E Delaware Place #4925 Chicago, IL 60611 312.224.1787 jb@jasonburton.com

ELECTION

Steve Ross

San Diego Section 16151 Fruitvale Road Valley Center, CA 92082 619.508.3925 inewsx@sbcglobal.net

Director at Large (2023) James E. Roberts, DMD Alabama Section 2301 Arlington Avenue S #200 Birmingham, AL 35205 205.529.0071 (c) jertoothsaver@bellsouth.net

Director at Large (2023) Jason Burton Chicagoland Section 175 E Delaware Place #4925 Chicago, ll 60611 312.224.1787 jb@jasonburton.com

President Ex-Officio

Julie Bruggner

Three Rivers Section 5526 Thornbriar Lane Fort Wayne, IN 46835 260.348.1369 (h) julesslb@msn.com

ENTHUSIASTS

Josie Lesler Southwest Florida Section 2314 Queens Way Naples, FL 34112 216.403.2216 (c) jqlesler@aol.com

EVENTS

Roger Brummett Indiana Crossroads Section Box 3783 Carmel, IN 46032 317.421.2784

GOVERNANCE

Laura Simonds 650.703.2656 Lsimonds97520@gmail.com

MEMBERSHIP

Richard A. Huskey Carolinas Section 627 Vista View Drive Asheville, NC 28803 828.785.9995 huskey2ra@charter.net

NATIONAL CONCOURS

Pete Lesler Southwest Florida Section 2314 Queens Way Naples, FL 34112 216.403.2951 (c) w113sl@aol.com

Co-Chairs: Jon Bernardi San Diego Section Jon113sl@att.net

Gary Edwards Peachtree Section gary@gwedwards.org

PERFORMANCE DRIVING

Jim Roberts NW FL/Alabama Section 2301 Arlington Avenue S #200 Birmingham, AL 35205 205.529.0071

Jertoothsaver@bellsouth.net

PERSONNEL

Cliff Reyle Memphis Section 9658 Dove Meadow Cove East Germantown, TN 38139 901.754.8574 (h) cliff.reyle@youthvillages.org

PHILANTHROPY

RACHELLE BRUMMETT Indiana Crossroads 317.989.2843 (c) rachelle.mbcaindianacrossroads@ gmail.com

STRATEGIC PLANNING

Julie Bruggner

Three Rivers Section 5526 Thornbriar Lane Fort Wayne, IN 46835 260.348.1369 (h) julesslb@msn.com

TECHNICAL INFORMATION

George Murphy Smoky Mountain Section 233 Briarcliff Avenue Oakridge, TN 37830 865.482.9175 perfanalysis@comcast.net

TECHNOLOGY

Diana Quinn Peachtree Section 442 Chowning Place NW Marietta, GA 30064 dianaquinn@me.com 770.635.8112

Executive Director Katie Carruth 1907 Lelaray Street Colorado Springs, CO 80909 800.637.2360 katie@mbca.org

Administrative Services

Cindy Tumbleson Pikes Peak Section 1907 Lelaray Street Colorado Springs, CO 80909 800.637.2360 cindy@mbca.org

PAST PRESIDENTS

1955-1957 Dr. Milton Allen =

1957-1959 Dr. Ken Bartlett, Jr =

1959-1960 L. B. Kirkendall =

1960-1961 Arthur G. Rippey =

1961-1962 Allen G. Bishop =

1962-1964 John W. Burnside =

1964-1966 Walter G. Vartan

1966-1968 Frank S. Baker=

1968-1970 Harger W. Dodge =

1970-1972 J. Chadwick Hunt=

1972-1974 Otto Saborsky=

1974-1976 Allen Funkhouser=

1976-1977 Tracy Williams =

1977-1978 Thomas Doherty=

1978-1979 Fred Lustig=

1979-1981 Phil Parrino =

1981-1982 Ferne Gardner=

1982-1984 Grant Elford =

EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION

President Bryan Gunning bgun@sprynet.com

LEGAL COUNSEL

Thomas James

1984-1986 Hyatt Cheek

1986-1988 Murdoch Campbell =

1988-1990 Virginia Turner

1990-1992 Robert Beltz

1992-1994 Robert A. Martin =

1994-1996 Kathy Kennel =

1996-1998 Walt Anderson

1998-1999 W. Robert Nitske =

1999-2001 H. Peter Watson

2001-2003 Donald Leap =

2003-2005 Richard Simonds

2005-2007 Jim O’Sullivan

2007-2009 Peter Lesler

2009-2011 Rodger Van Ness

2011-2013 Steve Dierks

2013-2017 Terry Kiwala

2017-2019 Gene Jurick

2020-2022 Julie Bruggner

= Deceased

MERCEDESBENZ USA

Customer Assistance

800.367.6372 (U.S.)

800.387.0100 (CANADA) Classic Parts & Information 866.622.5277

classicparts@mbusa.com

REGIONAL DIRECTORS & SECTION GUIDE

NORTHERN NEW ENGLAND STAR

William Raymond 8 Main Street #6 Jaffrey, NH 03452

HUDSON-MOHAWK

OTTAWA

Mike McKinnon

213 Denise Crescent Carleton Place, ON K7C 0C4 Canada

613.257.1913 benzowner@bell.net

REGIONAL DIRECTOR

Michael Georgewsky

Unite 409 Woodstock, ON N4S 1E2 800.878.9566 michael@georgewsky.name

ATLANTIC CANADA

Contact Regional Director

MINUTEMAN

Dean Coclin 781.789.8686 mbca.minuteman@gmail.com

James R. Wright 26 Crystal Lane Delmar, NY 12054 518.439.3178 hudsonmohawkmbca@gmail.com

NIAGARA

Joanie Long 8561 Falls Rd West Falls, NY 14170 716.655.4515 joanielong@verizon.net

FINGER LAKES

Obed Opare-Sem 6369 Brockport Spencerport Rd. Brockport, NY 14420 732-618-6345 obed.opare.sem@hotmail.com

MID-ATLANTIC REGION

NORTHERN NEW JERSEY

Valerie Cristiano 908.369.0793 mercedeslady1@verizon.net

SOUTH JERSEY

Ernest Schirmer PO Box 6429

REGIONAL DIRECTOR

Bill Fisher 53 Winfield Circle Sewell, NJ 08080

609.221.2633

BillFisherMBCA@yahoo.com

CONNECTICUT/ WESTCHESTER

Winthrop E. Baum

25 Van Zant Street, Ste 19C East Norwalk, CT 06855 203.858.6300 win@winbaum.com

EASTERN REGION

Lawrenceville, NJ 08648 609.895.1611 eschirmer@ieee.org

NEW YORK CITY & LONG ISLAND

Oliver Seligman 760 Holden Avenue Ext. Cutchogue, NY 11935 917.763.0178 (c) 212.510.8293 (h) mogs05@aol.com

MONTREAL

David Peebles

2601 Yearling Dr St Lazare, QC J7T 2A1 Canada 514.941.5320 unimog@securenet.net

TORONTO

Peter Spitzer 4425 No 1 Sideroad Burlington, ON L7M 0X4 Canada 905.599.5770 mbca@spitzerinc.com

REGIONAL DIRECTOR

David Wommer 904.534.7319 davidwommer@gmail.com

SOUTHERN STARS

Gary Keener 904.635.9888 gary.s.keener@protonmail.com

CENTRAL FLORIDA

Robert Hartmann

781 Summer Oaks Court Oviedo, FL 32765

407.913.6134 (h) hartmann.r@att.net

SOUTH FLORIDA

Michael J. Chrusch

10945 Ravel Court Boca Raton, FL 33498-6761 561.990.7886 (h) 954.260.6466 (c) michaelchrusch@hotmail.com

ROAD STAR

Barry Paraizo 11758 Lake Shore Place North Palm Beach, FL 33408 561.310.8957 ferrbp@bellsouth.net

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA

Contact Regional Director

TAMPA BAY

Gary Dolin g.dolin@verizon.net

REGIONAL DIRECTOR

Diana Quinn 442 Chowning Pl NW Marietta, GA 30064 770.635.8112 dianaquinn@me.com

GREATER WASHINGTON

Rugger Smith 3709 S. George Mason Drive T5E Falls Church, VA 22041 703.861.0402 prsmith3@msn.com

CENTRAL VIRGINIA

Todd Lusby tlusby@gmail.com

VIRGINIA

Donald LaBar 1274 Christian Court Virginia Beach, VA 23464 757.226.0048 dlabar3@verizon.net

TRIANGLE

Christopher Smith cdsmith74@gmail.com

TARHEEL

Barry Huff P.O. Box 887 Elkin, NC 28621 bdh@triad.rr.com

KEYSTONE

Marty Rexroth 1060 Detwiler Drive York, PA 17404 717.764.0624 marstang@aol.com

NORTHEASTERN PENNSYLVANIA

Mike Ziegler 437 Auburn Street Allentown, PA 18103 610.504.5370 (c) mikez@zieglersrv.com

DELAWARE VALLEY

Michael Parlato 113 Blackwell Road Pennington, NJ 08534 609.577.5931 m300cab@gmail.com

REGIONAL DIRECTOR

Ken Koehler 6168 Ruthven Drive Noblesville, IN 46062-6722 317.669.2072 (h) skkoehler@att.net

BLUEGRASS STARS

J. Anne Gilliland mbca2023jag@yahoo.com

NASHVILLE Randy Bibb 330 Whitworth Way Nashville, TN 37205 615.259.1349 rbibb@lewisking.com

SMOKY MOUNTAIN Contact RD

MEMPHIS

Bill Sudekum 561 Long St Southaven, MS 38672 sudekumwa@msn.com 662.429.3407

CINCINNATI

Tyler O’Brien 513.477.3056 tylerob1@gmail.com

CAROLINAS

Jane Martinez 1375 Whispering Oaks Ln Matthews, NC 28104 505.270.3851 Jsmartinez.mb550@gmail.com

PEACHTREE

Gary Edwards 2060 White Rock Rd Lincolnton, GA 30817 757.831.9556 edwardsgw@nu-z.net

ALABAMA-NW FLORIDA

Jim Sparacio PO Box 530185 Birmingham, AL 35253 jim506@charter.net 205.243.7727

CENTRAL GEORGIA

Thomas Couch 478.741.9014 tommycouch@live.com

REGIONAL DIRECTOR

Jeff Hirst 1209 Lucia Drive Canonsburg, PA 15317 (724) 745-6783 MBCAGreatLakesRD@gmail.com

PITTSBURGH

Sandra Turko 612 Pennsylvania Boulevard Jeanette, PA 15644 742.527.0838 mbcapghchapter@gmail.com

CENTRAL OHIO

Dannis Barry lexi500@aol.com

NORTHWEST OHIO Branton Pardee 419.215.1696 techdada@yahoo.com

WESTERN RESERVE

Rod Thompson 3175 Roundwood Road Chagrin Falls, OH 44022 440.247.2853 renold.thompson@ clevelandship.com

THREE RIVERS

Contact Regional Director

INDIANA CROSSROADS

Roger Brummett Box 3783 Carmel, IN 46032 317.721.2784 roger@metroelevator.com

ST. LOUIS GATEWAY

Rick Siefert 846 Nardin Drive Chesterfield, MO 63017 314.435.1903 (c) Rick.siefert@att.net

MISSISSIPPI

Mike Marsh 533 Madeleine Court Brandon, MS 39047 601.946.1950 (c) mike@marshmarketing.ms

INTERNATIONAL STARS

Don MacDonald 248.647.8430 don.macdonald1@gmail.com

WESTERN MICHIGAN Matthew Short 269.760.7204 mshort2@gmail.com

NORTHEAST REGION SOUTHEAST REGION

CENTRAL REGION

GREAT LAKES REGION

REGIONAL DIRECTOR

Contact National VP

WISCONSIN

Bruce Hamilton 4225 Southwyck Drive Janesville, WI 53546-2120 608.754.6066 n12em@sbcglobal.net

CHICAGOLAND Robert Schuldt bobshuldt@comcast.net

CENTRAL ILLINOIS

Patricia D. Kellogg 4607 Thornhill Drive Peoria, IL 61615 309.688.8000 (h)

MINNESOTA

John Jacobson 1820 Kolff St Newport, MN 55055 651.690.5115 benzboy@comcast.net

IOWA HAWKEYE

Bob Young PO Box 716 De Soto, IA 50069 515.229.3870 bobyoung@inbox.com

KANSAS CITY

Rich Carlson Rich@kcmbca.org

REGIONAL DIRECTOR

Ron Borino 29443 North 108th Place Scottsdale, AZ 85262 602.550.9939 1southwestregion@gmail.com

DESERT STARS

Debbie Ichiyama 6502 E. Evans Drive Scottsdale, AZ 85254 480.268.9535 (h) dichiyama@me.com

CHAPARRAL Michael J. Welton

361.648.9692 mjwprofconsult@aol.com

LAS VEGAS

Robert Hellriegel 8260 Sweetwater Creek Way Las Vegas, NV 89113 702.768.7530 Hello_rjg@yahoo.com

LOS ANGELES

Amir Rudyan 28051 Balkins Dr Agoura Hills, CA 91301 amir@avmindustries.com

ORANGE COUNTY Kevin Faunce P.O. Box 17434 Anaheim, CA 92817 mbcaorangecounty@gmail.com

SAN DIEGO Michael Cooper michaeldenise1212@gmail.com 760-650-6206

CHANNEL ISLANDS

Peter Samaha 1600 Hobart Street Camarillo, CA 93010 805.890.8489 psamaha@msn.com

REGIONAL DIRECTOR

Brett Jurick 2024 Palace Way Allen, TX 75013 214.773.7820 bjurick@tx.rr.com

NEW ORLEANS

Sandy Downing 219 Garden Road River Ridge, LA 70123 504.813.3086 sandown60@aol.com

OZARK

Dennis Anderson 15175 Putman Road Rogers, AR 72756 479.295.8008 dt.anderson@cox.net

CENTRAL OKLAHOMA

Jeff Leatherock 904 N Miller Oklahoma City, OK 73107 405.306.9495 leatherock@aol.com

EASTERN OKLAHOMA

John Kushnerick 12445 S Granite Avenue E Bixby, OK 74008 918.527.8121 jkushnerick@cox.net

NORTH TEXAS Jerry Chenault jerry3111@msn.comt

FORT WORTH

DJ de Jesus 4159 Charron Lane Fort Worth , TX 76116-8160 817.732.8773 (h) djdejesus@charter.net

HOUSTON

Erroll Hines

P.O. Box 2261 Kingwood, TX 77252 eahines@aol.com

LONE STAR

Ginny Pitzen 304 Legends Parkway Kingsland, TX 78639 ginnypitzen@yahoo.com

TEXAS HILL COUNTRY

John Briggsi 9012 Fiesta Way San Antonio, TX 78253 johnrb2018@gmail.com

REGIONAL DIRECTOR

Contact National VP

HAWAII Shawn Merrill PO Box 492658 Keaau, HI 96749 650.255.8202

hicmdo1@gmail.com

CENTRAL COAST

Yvonne Lazear 805.402.2322 ylazear@gmail.com

CENTRAL CALIFORNIA

Kathryn Splivalo 4800 N Van Ness Boulevard Fresno, CA 93704 559.289.0578 kaspliv@gmail.com

SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA John Goode 650.215.3402

goode4me@gmail.com

SACRAMENTO

David Michael 302 Stage Stop Court El Dorado Hills, CA 95762 415.939.9000 demichael@gmail.com

SIERRA NEVADA

Gail Wells 1230 Mineral Flat Road Reno, NV 89506 blackswan342@gmail.comt

REGIONAL DIRECTOR

Steve Dierks

2381 Shrider Road Colorado Springs, CO. 80920 719.593.9557 steve.dierks@gmail.com

WICHITA

Lee Elrick

1440 N. Gatewood #51 Wichita, KS 67206 316.634.2088 leeelrick@me.com

EASTERN NEBRASKA

Sandy Dose 1331 S. 184th Circle Omaha, NE 68130 402.334.8126 (h) doses@stifel.com

MILE HIGH

Stan Rios PO Box 388 Parker, Colorado 80134 720.404.6362 rican6987@gmail.com

PIKES PEAK

Andrew Nelson 1027 Adams Dr Colorado Springs, CO 80904 719.217.9481 Ottobahn2@gmail.com

NEW MEXICO

Jo Chase 6338 Antares Road NE Albuquerque, NM 87111 505.220.3267 farmgal229@aol.com

REGIONAL DIRECTOR

Jeff Shindler #9-11291 7th Ave Richmond BC V7E 4J3 CANADA

604.271.1829 (h) 604.910.1829 (c) Jeff.shindler@telus.net

IDAHO

Robert Heath 5429 W. Clearview Ct Boise, ID 83703 208.599.3334 rwheath75@hotmail.com

SEATTLE

David Glass 10901 176th Circle NE #4618 Redmond, WA 98052 425.869.6706 davidr.glass@att.net

PORTLAND

David Abarr 625 4th Avenue SE Albany, OR 97321 541.981.1919 mbcapdxdave@comcast.net

ALBERTA Satellite to British Columbia Section BRITISH COLUMBIA David Cooper djcooper50@shaw.ca

VANCOUVER ISLAND

Robert Watson #518-6880 Wallace Drive Brentwood Bay, BC V8M 1N8 CANADA 250.652.5667 (h) mbca.visland@gmail.com

ROCKY MOUNTAIN REGION

SOUTH-CENTRAL REGION

MIDWEST REGION

SOUTHWEST REGION

WESTERN REGION

NORTHWEST REGION

REGIONAL DIRECTORS & SECTION GUIDE

BEWARE OF SCAMMERS!

Be careful. Online crooks can scam you. It’s best to sell to someone you know, or to confirm the transaction with a mutual friend, like a club member. Note that cashier’s checks are easily faked. Ask for a direct bank-to-bank transfer and confirm receipt before releasing your car. The most common scam is when the Scammers offers more than your asking price, paying with a cashier’s check, with excess to be used by you to pay for shipping. They’re stealing your car and your money.

1976 450SL Gold/Palomino. 98,700 miles. A/C was updated to 2018 standards. Interior 85% complete. Seats, doors all reupholstered. Carpet and soundproofing complete. Ragtop great shape. Hard top and caddy included + Car cover. Runs Great. Transmission seals replaced. Vito Ferrante: (615) 967-8458 vitof@bellsouth.net (FL)

1989 560SL White/Blue. 52,000 miles. I have garaged this wonderful car since 1999, always been serviced by our local Mercedes dealer. Full records available, my age means someone else should enjoy it. $38,000. Michael Zimmerman: (610) 2338516 michael.r.zimmerman@villanova.edu (PA)

1987 560SL Teal Green. 39,630 miles. Rare, teal green color. New Michelin Defender tires, new front brakes. Interior is perfect. Original Becker radio. Always garaged. $42,999 Chris: (603) 2341901 cfranzoso@mac.com (FL)

1985 500SL Gray/Palomino. 55,000 miles. Euro model. Euro bumpers and lights. Imported in 1985 but not converted. Original paint, interior w/ Kinder Seat, Becker Mexico, spare and tools. Recent service: oil change, brake fluid and hoses, new tires, hood pads. $64,900. Lawrence Taylor: (717) 406-8015 larryt543@yahoo.com (PA)

1988 560 SL Red. 20,100 miles. 1 owner, extensive documentation, dealer invoices, all books and manuals including protecto plate, and wallet key in its unopened plastic. Recent full service by Palma’s in New Jersey, clean CarFax, collector owned. Asking $64,500. Orrie Simko: (860) 782-1554 orrie.simko@gmail.com (CT)

1985 500SL Red/Tan. 113,000 miles. A very rare car for the USA. Listed for sale is a highly original and beautiful 1985 EURO Mercedes-Benz 500SL. The car comes with its owner’s manual, tools, original spare/jack and factory correct Becker Radio. 2 hard tops Included Red/Black. $35,000. Andrew Opicka (920) 217-1010 (WI)

1984 Euro 500 SL Silver Blue/Blue. 108,000 miles. AMG body kit. 17” AMG wheels. Slotted and drilled rotors/ABS. New tires. Comprehensive service, new fluids/filters, suspension, new injectors. Cruise and AC needs work. Steel top. MB Car cover. Always garaged. Asking $27,500. Ken Ridley: (508) 428-8177 ken451@comcast.net (MA)

2013 SL63 AMG Black/Black. 6,976 miles. MSRP was $162,505. Fully ceramic coated and always stored indoors in a warm building. This AMG is flawless. It is yours for $74,994. Mark: (724) 454-7823 mpelchen@comcast.net (PA)

2011 SLS AMG Silver Chrome. 22,000 miles. Glanz Ceramic Coating. Not surprising this SLS caught the eye of Siegfried Fischbacher of Siegfried and Roy Las Vegas fame who purchased this SLS in 2019 and kept until his passing. Jack: (404) 388-4427 bestrealtor@earthlink.net (FL)

2005 SL500 Blue/Ash. 91,405 miles. Garaged, clean CarFax, soft top, rarely used, batteries replaced. Asking Price: $15,000. Philip Thackoorie: (805) 312-4318 (CA)

1989 560SL White. 38,000 miles. This vehicle is in impeccable condition, less that 100 miles a month. Custom ceramic coating and detailing by Mod Finishes of Colorado Springs. New Pirelli tires. Custom metal roof hoist. Tonneau cover, car cover and more. Seon Smyth: (909) 518-0452 mercedesbenz@bigseon.com (CO)

2005 SL 500 Silver/Red. 54,000 miles. Florida car it’s whole life. Original window sticker. New Front struts. Comfort package/ trim package/AMG sport package. Tire pressure monitoring/ Bi-Xenon headlamps/keyless go package. New continental tires. $21,900. Patrick Rocca: (973) 934-3488

patricklrocca@gmail.com (NC)

1987 560SL Bronze/Brown. 88,831 miles. Garage kept, runs great, looks fantastic. This car is a great example of a very nice driver. Since I have owned, seats have been recovered. $29,900 Wendell Gundlach: (336) 209-2736 wendellgundlach@gmail.com (NC)

NO PHOTO PROVIDED

1975 450SL Blue. 68,000 miles. Well-maintained. Original sales materials, service records from MB Arlington, matching hardtop and hardtop holder/caddy, custom-fitted Covercraft cover, and plenty of extras. Vehicle was both covered and garaged. $28,000. Ashleygum@Gmail.Com (917) 974-1974 (VA)

▸ O THER MERCEDES-BENZ VEHICLES FOR SALE

2016 CLS 400 Silver/Black. 31,190 miles. Extra clean, 1 owner, non-smoker. No nicks, scratch, or dents. Garage kept. Service by MB dealer. 19” AMG wheels. New tires and brakes. Sports and driver assistance packages, vented seats, sun/ moon roof. Clean CarFax. $36,450. Gordon: (864) 991-7910 gordon.andy44@gmail.com (SC)

1990 300SE Silver/Palomino. 111,250. miles. Excellent original condition. Short wheelbase car with the venerable M103 engine. Documented maintenance with all OEM parts (recent >10K spent). Southern car. Pre-purchase inspections gladly facilitated. $17,500 obo. Marcus: (954) 610-7783 mdroege@pharmaconcepts.com (IL)

1986 560SEC Black/Black. 108,500 miles. Extensively serviced all-original 560SEC. All mechanical and electrical functions work as designed; car is daily drivable as is. Clean underneath. Records dating back to original sale paperwork in 1986. Located in Barrington, IL. Matt Calhoun (518) 817-9675 (IL)

1980 380SE Silver/Blue. 77,000 miles. Found in a storage container! Runs and drives and in excellent shape. Hard to find car imported to the USA sometime in the 1980s. Has power everything, hydraulic suspension. $25,000 obo. Josiah Jones: (360) 402-8694 pastorjosiahjones@gmail.com (WA)

1995 E300 Diesel Silver/Cream Beige. 81,000 miles. 1 owner. Well maintained by ex-MB mechanic trainer. Wiring harness updated. Recent Services include brakes, fluids, filters, MB battery, tie rods and ball joints. Rare 1 year only W124 model. $21,500. Larry Taylor: (717) 406-8015 larryt543@yahoo.com (NY)

1967 200 Black/Red. 152000 miles. Restored by 3 MBCA mechanics, rebuilt engine by Metric, new suspension, seals, steering, interior, under hood, auto trans, original motor, quiet, nothing but compliments. Email me for details. $75,000. John: lofjon@sbcglobal.net (CA)

1991 350SD White/Saddle. 159,670 miles. Excellent condition, leather as new, power sunroof, runs well, starts without hesitation. Moving, must sell. SAT radio, Notebook of service history $18,250 obo. Carol Orndorff: (727) 709-5962 grorndorff2@aol.com (AZ)

2008 ML 320 CDI White/Tan. 185,000 miles. No DEF, 396 ft-lbs torque, 2 owners, exceptional condition, well-maintained, garaged, no smoking/rust/pets/kids/hauling/towing (Class 3 factory hitch), many options, recent Michelins. $9,500 obo. David (859) 230-0870 pienkow@uky.edu (KY)

NO PHOTO PROVIDED

1993 300E. 117,000 miles. 3.2 liter. Like new old stock. Garage kept its whole life. Zero rust. No paint chips. Sunroof. Leather like new. No smoking. All interior very clean like new. Smogged. New tires. Radio does not work. Liner is starting to come down. $11,000. Deb Or Vic: (250) 871-8725 debs1957wk@gmail.com (BC)

1973 280CE White/Blue. 110,000 km. Euro specification. 185 HP Fuel Injected high compression twin-cam six. Sunroof. Spectacular original interior. Floor shift automatic. Ivory steering wheel. Tool roll. $12k technical preparation just completed. Roy Spencer: (650) 343-7980 roy@mercedesheritage.com (CA)

1993 300CE Cabriolet Blue/Black. 76,437 miles. An exceptionally clean car, serviced to high standards, new parts and preventative maintenance done. Owner is an exacting automotive technician with 46 years of experience with Mercedes Benz vehicles. $27,000 US (located Calgary, Canada). Ole Christensen: (403) 554-3014 (AB)

2001 E55 AMG Silver/Black. 67,000 miles. VIN# WDBJF74J81B222854. Two owner car. Always garaged, excellent condition. $28,000.00 obo. Vincent: (585) 802-2032 vmoyer@mrresq.com (NY)

1983 300CD Ivory/Palomino. 163,000 miles. FL/TX car, no rust, new window seals, fluids and filters, valve adjustment, wheel bearings. Very smooth and quiet engine, books, tool, and 1st aid kits. Clean CarFax. Asking $21,500. Larry Taylor: (717) 406-8015 larryt543@yahoo.com (NY)

2015 SLK55 AMG Red/Beige. 27,500 miles. Original owner

2015 SLK55 AMG in excellent condition. Delivered 10/2014, was the first AMG with Designo Cardinal Red Metallic (996) in the entire US. Always stored and garaged. Additional pictures available. $58,000 obo. Tim Koch: (970) 274-3955 timkoch01@gmail.com (CO)

NO PHOTO PROVIDED

1971 300 SEL 6.3 Blue/Tan. 89,000 miles. Most everything restored. New cams, leather, wood, carpet, hoses. Moon roof. Smooth new tires. New air bags. Stays level. New paint Dennis Dobbin: (307) 620-0724 d.dobbin@bresnan.net (WY)

300SL Manuals, GWG Tech Tips, Chrome Trunk Badges, and more – Workshop manual - Roadster parts list - GW group, 18 Section Tech Tips, 3 ring binder - trunk badge - plus vintage SL letters and star magazines. 1958 GW International Membership Directory honoring Juan Fangio. Text bid for prompt reply. Mike Marsh: (601) 946-1950 mike@marshmarketing.ms (MS)

1985 300D Blue/Palomino. 197,000 miles. TX car, well maintained since new, no rust and drives great. New paint 5 years ago. Bumpers, sunroof, trim removed and done right. AC and heat work great - even the cruise control. Most rubber changed out - drive it anywhere. Jim: (214) 500-6749 jamesecassidy@gmail.com (TX)

2018 S450 Black/Black. 49,000 miles. One owner, maintained to the Highest Standards. Full complement of amenities, service history, car fax, and recent major service ($4,000) new Michelins, rotors, disc brakes, etc. Original MSRP 100K+. $46,950. Norm Cohen: 770-883-9115 (GA)

1938 Poster for Sale – 1938 Mercedes Benz factory issued poster. Celebrates the 1938 running of the East Prussia Drive. Sized at 8 1/4” x 11 3/4” and printed on the thin paper of the time. This is an Ultra Rare piece of pre-war Mercedes history. $500 plus shipping. TZombek: (614) 204-0961 TZombek@aol.com (OH)

1971 220D Blue/Brown. 126,000 miles. Single Family owned 1971 220D in concourse condition. Current appraisal and all original documentation and service records. Automatic, drives great. The vast majority of its life spent in storage. Asking $26,000. William Abb: (919) 448-5407 wm.r.abb@gmail.com (NC)

1963 220SE. 8,000 miles on rebuilt motor, new paint, everything in excellent condition. 6-cylinder fuel injected motor. Rebuilt by Mb specialist. Make offer. Ditmar Wissel (352) 843-3033 (FL)

1996 R129 SL500 Hardtop – Polar White hardtop with dark blue trim, stand included. No tears in trim or headliner. Needs minor tucks on interior trim. Call for more detail and/or pictures. Hardtop located near Ft Myers Fl. Prefer local pick-up. Make offer. Bill Ross: (919) 349-2590 billrossgolf@yahoo.com (FL)

1988 300CE Black/Anthracite. 78,000 km. This car is collector owned, registered and maintained. The body in original showroom condition is unmarked and laser straight with original black pearl paint and flawless anthracite leather. Brian: (250) 240-7424 bowsergolfer@gmail.com (BC)

1973 300 SEL 4.5. Silver/Blue. Last year model was made. Original OEM alloy wheels. Stored since 1993 when my wife bought me a new SL for my birthday. Can be seen by appointment in Ontario, Canada. Asking price $30,000 obo. Brent Claridge: (519) 751-1103 ckdacosta@rogers.com (ON)

62-65 220SE – 6-cylinder two plunger injection pump engine with 4 speed manual transmission attached. Scot Goodwin: (707) 853-5436 (CA)

1987 560 SEC Red/Red. 127,856 miles. Concourse quality paint matches the immaculate interior. New parts as needed including fuel pumps and suspension air bags. This has been a fantastic road car and inspections are welcome. $11,500. David Hester: (719) 395-9156 tpm0317@yahoo.com (CO)

NO PHOTO PROVIDED

MB 230/250/280 ‘68-’72 Repair Manual – Repair Manual, excellent/like new condition for sale. Email or call if interested. Bradlee Tebbs: (412) 600-9661 bradleetebbs@gmail.com (PA)

OEM Factory 19” Rims – Like-new set of 4 2018 19” G550 AMG wheels and Pirelli 275/55/19 tires for sale. Pulled from a 2018 Mercedes G550 when new and have the original factory grey finish and are in like new condition. 1-2k miles

Includes 20 OEM lug bolts. $800 Larry Reeg: (214) 215-8533 ldreeg@yahoo.com (TX)

Bundt/Fuchs Wheels and Tires – Complete set of “like new” (AUTHENTIC) 14x6 inch Bundt/Fuchs wheels and Michelin (Defender 195/70R14) tires. Tires still have “nubbies” on them. All wheels bear the original Mercedes-Benz markings located on the inside of the wheel. $650. Joe Walsh: (314) 479-1883 jeejwalsh@gmail.com (MO)

MB Headlight Covers – Genuine Glass Headlight Covers for MBs of the 60s /70s. Part # 1088260290. New in the box never used. For Euro style Headlamps. Asking $250.00 for pair or best offer. Buyer pays shipping. William Mara: (908) 565-3027 billnpeg@optonline.net (NJ)

USED 123, 126, 107 Parts – Barn full of new, refurbished, and used parts for: 1977-85 (123 and 126; 1974-1986 (107) 35 years’ experience with these cars and parts. Happy to respond with answers and advice. William (Chip) Johnson: (860) 402-0232 classicmercedesparts@gmail.com (VA)

▸ Straman or Koenig 560SEC convertible boot – Straman and Koenig converted 560SEC coupes into convertibles. To cover the convertible top when retracted, a leather boot was designed and built for each conversion. I need either a boot or the template for the boot. James R Wilkinson: (404) 848-9393 jrichardwilkinson@earthlink.net (GA)

OEM Indoor Fitted Car Cover – AMG-GT Indoor car cover (w/ storage carrier) purchased for 2018 GT roadster but should fit entire series of AMG-GT roadsters and coupes. Lightly used indoors only. Perfect condition. MB Part #190-899-07-00 original. List at $685. Asking $150. Rick Kruse: (573) 864-7777 kruse.f.h@gmail.com (FL)

Rare 60’s Parts – Numerous difficult to find parts in excellent condition. 13” trim rings, trunk badges and stars, fuel pump, trans. Shift, Fork NOS, 70’s steering wheel, 111 cpe, fender well chrome trim and rocker panel chrome, 600 grand star and base, and horn pad, rubber spring bush. Larry Ledbetter: (703) 780-1505 (VA)

▸ Mercedes Benz Star DVD part# 2700-211-07. This is a factory DVD that provides information that can be used to repair your 211 chassis Mercedes Benz. I am looking for this DVD that is in good condition. Gabriel Boenzli: (541) 730-5695 gbquercus@gmail.com

▸ Wanted 2000-2002 SL600 – Black or Silver, in pristine condition with service records and no damage history. Must have all original paperwork. Not interested in any Silver Arrow optioned cars. Mdierker@Drs.Com (636) 634-6904 (MO)

▸ Wanted ML350 – I am looking to purchase an ML 350 20132015 AWD. Jerry: (480) 363-5139 jlenhartaz@gmail.com (AZ)

Andy

300SL Mercedes Print – 34 x 24 (approx) Print from 1988. Framed and ready for hanging. Metal with glass. $375.00 plus shipping. Rich Finney: (724) 586-2528 rightshifter@zoominternet.net (PA)

W140 Long Rear Side Window Blinds – A pair of window side blinds by Mercedes from our 1993 500SEL. Black housing, grey fabric. Note one is missing a middle mounting clip. $300. John Mcintosh: (250) 655-1726 johnmci@mac.com (BC)

▸ Wanted 280SL, 300SL or 420SL – 107 Body Style. For daily driver. Jerry Ciardello: (603) 894-4464 gmcsales@comcast.net (NH)

Original

SSKL in which he won that year’s Mille Miglia and several Grands Prix. About 24x36 inches. Painted by noted British artist Dion Pears. $800, must be picked up in Oregon. Jeff Zurschmeide: (503) 330-3010 jeff@falstaffpubs.com (OR)

1931

1957 220S Ponton Luggage – Original owner, full set of Karl Baisch Luggage from a 1957 220S. Very good condition considering age. Barn kept and dry for roughly 30 years. Some staining, most should come off. Interior excellent. Fully functional, no key. $4200 obo. Richard Schultz: (352) 804-2254 rfs5178@gmail.com (FL)

Genuine Leather Wallet – 3D metal shield men’s wallet. Genuine leather bifold. Sizes: 4” x ¾” x 4.5” – 10 x 12 x 1.5 mm. 8 credit card slots and ID holder. Color: Black, blue, coffee, moss green. Style: vintage lining bifold. $39 free shipping. Frank: (786) 535-5624 autofashion1@yahoo.com (CO)

Mercedes-Benz Shop Closing – All left over assorted manuals, parts and tools are for sale. Owner’s manuals, Service manuals and assorted parts for most models from 1960-1990. Mostly used, some new. call with needs. Jeffrey: (410) 526-4495 (MD)

Warhol

Oil Painting – Unique oil painting of Rudolf Caracciola driving the

Mercedes-Benz

Coming Soon

ROAD LESS TRAVELLED

PHOTO: Blue Nelson

This 1977 Mercedes-Benz 200D, named the "Brauner Benz," was driven for 12 years across Europe, Africa, South America, and North America and was put back on the road after being rescued from being sent off to the parts yard.