Benz Lens Volume 40_1 April 2025 by mercedesbenzclubsa

BENZ LENS

Editorial

Hanjo Stier

GreetingsandSalutations,

With many prosperous wishes for 2025, I’d like to welcome you to the ﬁrstBenzLensinourClub’s40year history

That’s right, like a late W23 or stately 26, the Mercedes-Benz Club of South Africa has been aroundforfourdecades;andlooks justasgoodasthose80'sBenzes.

There are many other recent and upcoming anniversaries (ﬂip topage7forthistrimester’shitlist) including the elegant 90 SL or manic 90E Evolution II, AMG’s biturbo V8 engine, plus the last gullwing model produced, the SLS AMG.

You’ll ﬁnd two of them in our leading Star Event of this edition: the amazing George Old Car Show, which happened early in February

of this year. It was closely followed by the eighth President’s Braai, a social gathering which is just as popular among our members as theGeorgeShowitself.

Most regions started their year oﬀ with breakfast runs, quick get-togethers with other clubs, scenic road trips and fascinating visits to private collections or dedicatedrestorationcompanies.

The Western Cape Region was a bit quiet during early 2025 but they have a very valid excuse. This region is gearing up towards their hosting of the Club’s 40th AGM and National Gathering, taking place at the end of April in the beautiful Franschhoekarea.

Andtypingofits40thbirthday, our beloved Club is in esteemed company because there’s another modelserieswhosesalesstartpre-

dates our association’s inception by only a few weeks: the legendary W24.

You can witness my absolute adoration of the S24 (its station wagon form) in the header image above. I’ll defend the car’s ﬁlthy state with a joyous multi-day road trip across England, but I have no excusesformywoollyappearance.

However, I’m very positive that almost every reader of this publication will agree that the 24series is one of the best cars ever built; never mind one of the best Mercedes-Benzesofourtime.

And with the brand’s claim of “the best or nothing”, I think it’s wonderfully fortuitous that our clubsharesabirth-yearwithoneof thebestBenzeseverbuilt.

Happybirthdayandasalways, happyreading.■

from the President

Waldo Scribante

Gearing up for our Club’s 40th Anniversary

We marked the 35th

anniversary of our Club amidst the challenges of the COVID-9 pandemic, proving that nothing—notevenaglobalcrisis— could dampen our shared passion forthethree-pointedstar

Now, ﬁve years later, we proudly celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Mercedes-Benz Club of South Africa, a milestone that speaks volumes about our enduring enthusiasm, dedication andcamaraderie.

Notwithoutitschallenges

This club's journey has not been without challenges. Early attempts to establish an organisation dedicated to Mercedes-Benz enthusiasts faltered, but the

unwavering determination of a committed few — supported by Henner von Eisenhart of MercedesBenz South Africa and under the leadership of Steve Rademeyer — ﬁnallybroughtourvisiontolife

Just like a well-engineered Mercedes-Benz, the club was built with precision, careful planning, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. Today, it stands strong, a testament to the very values that deﬁnethebrandwecherish 40remarkableyears

To all our members: your passion, dedication, and friendship have been the driving force behind this club's success As we celebrate 40 remarkableyears,welookaheadto theexcitingjourneystilltocome.

FROM THE PRESIDENT

“...60th anniversary of the iconic W108...”

A key highlight of our anniversary celebrations is the 40th Annual General Meeting & National Gathering, hosted by the Western Cape region in the picturesquetownofFranschhoek.

This promises to be an unforgettable event, made even more special through the generous support of Mercedes-Benz South Africa Ltd and Mercedes-Benz HeritageGmbH.

The Southern Cape region once again showcased its dedication and enthusiasm at the George Old Car Show, where nearly 90 Mercedes-Benz classics were proudly displayed. This year's show paid tribute to the 60th anniversary of the iconic W08, adding another layerofnostalgiaandcelebration.

A special thank you to MBSA's Heritage Centre for bringing the legendary 886 Benz PatentMotorwagen to the event — always a highlight and a true crowd favourite.

Another standout occasion was the 8th President's Braai, held onceagainattheSCRIBSBENZeum With 60 of our members in attendance, along with 20 guests from the Porsche Club, the evening was ﬁlled with great food, warm camaraderie, and unforgettable moments. The traditional lamb braai, pap and sous, and of course, ice cream with chocolate sauce madeforafeasttoremember.

A heartfelt thank you to MUA for sponsoring the event, including a generous supply of ﬁne red wine.

Itwastrulyanighttocherish!

As the weekend drew to a close, the National Committee convened for the ﬁrst meeting of 2025,settingthecourseforanother excitingyearahead.

ThoughIcouldn'tattendallthe events in person, my thoughts are certainly with each of you, and I eagerly await the updates from our regionalteams.

Here's to another year of celebrating our shared love for Mercedes-Benz, and to many more milestones ahead. Enjoy the journey, and as always — The Best orNothing!

WaldoScribante President, Mercedes-Benz Club of SouthAfrica.■

Printed in Reader’s Letters, CAR magazine South Africa, presumably 1984

Classic Online Parts Search

Mercedes-Benz Classic continually produces parts for classic car series, in order to ensure the long-term availability of a full range of such parts. The parts portfolio comprises around 160,000 genuine parts.

To render the availability of these genuine parts transparent to everyone, the Classic Online Parts Search has been established as a swift and simple means of presenting the availability of parts with their valid prices in Germany, promotion parts and newly produced parts in a clearly arranged manner. Once the user has found the part they’re looking for, it can be ordered from any authorised Mercedes-Benz service partner, as the Group‘s own sales and logistics network guarantees the swift supply of a comprehensive scope of parts worldwide.

Take a look for yourself:

www.mercedes-benz.com/classic-parts

Anniversaries

January - April 2025

Anniversaries

January 2025

America produces own Mercedes under license

January 1905

The "American Mercedes" is presented at the National Automobile Show in Madison Square Garden, New York. The ﬁrst Mercedes manufactured in America, produced by Daimler Manufacturing Company, is essentially a replica of the 45 hp Mercedes built in Untertürkheim.

Armoured Pullman limousine for the Japanese Emperor

January 1935

Daimler-Benz delivers an armoured 770 Grand Mercedes Pullman limousine to the Japanese imperial family. Side and rear windows as well as the partition screen are made of reinforced glass, the roof and doors are armoured with steel plates.

Formula One win in sweltering heat

16 January 1955

In the ﬁrst race of the Formula One season, the Argentine Grand Prix, Formula One world champion Juan Manuel Fangio in his Mercedes-Benz W 196 brings home another victory, despite difﬁcult conditions caused by sweltering heat.

Year of rally victories, including Monte Carlo

18 - 25 January 1960

The team of Walter Schock and Rolf Moll secures the ﬁrst overall victory by a German pairing in the Monte Carlo Rally in a privately entered Mercedes-Benz 220 SE.

Volkswagen acquires majority of Auto Union

1 January 1965

Volkswagen AG acquires a majority shareholding in Auto Union from Daimler-Benz AG.

Unimog triumph in Paris – Dakar Rally

1 - 22 January 1985

The German team of Karl Friedrich Capito and Jost Capito pilot their Mercedes-Benz Unimog U 1300 L to victory in the truck class of the Paris – Dakar Rally, to achieve the fourth successive triumph by a Mercedes-Benz vehicle.

Sales start for 124 series

9 January 1985

1,294 units of the new Mercedes mid-range model (124 series) start from the Sindelﬁngen plant on a rally to the German distributors and company-owned outlets, where the market launch of the new model series begins on 10 January

Mercedes-Benz Sindelﬁngen plant launches production of the SLS AMG

January 2010

Following its debut at the IAA Frankfurt Motor Show in 2009, the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG goes into series production at the Sindelﬁngen plant.

Anniversaries

February 2025

Last machine tool leaves the factory in Cannstatt

February 1905

The last machine tool leaves Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft’s Seelberg factory in Cannstatt for Untertürkheim.

Mercedes-Benz star encircled by a laurel wreath

18 February 1925

A trademark application is lodged with the Patent Ofﬁce for the Mercedes threepointed star encircled by a laurel wreath – a combination of the DMG and Benz & Cie. trademarks. The Mercedes-Benz logo follows on 25 April. The two trademarks are entered in the register on 3 September 1926 and 7 October 1927 respectively

Berlin Daimler-Benz presents the 150 (W 30) rear-engined sports car

14 - 24 February 1935

At the International Automobile and Motorcycle Show in Berlin, Daimler-Benz presents the 150 (W30) rear-engined sports car with a 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine. This innovative Sports Roadster had been developed on the basis of the 1.5-litre Sports Saloon, which successfully negotiated the "2,000 km Across Germany" endurance race in 1934. With the engine ﬁtted in front of the rear axle, the 150 would nowadays be classed as a mid-engined car

170 S is available with a car radio

28 February 1950

The 170 S is available ex factory with a car radio as an optional extra. From August this extra is also available for the 170 V and 170 D models.

Environment-friendly technology in road testing

11 - 15 February 1980

Daimler-Benz presents a number of test vehicles with environment-friendly technologies at the international "ENVITEC – Environmental Protection Technology" exhibition: a noise-encapsulated 240 D, an urban bus with gyro drive, plus an electric van in which particular attention was paid to reducing the cost of the electric drive system.

Active safety system ESP introduced

6 February 1995

In Arjeplog in northern Sweden, Mercedes-Benz presents the active safety system "Electronic Stability Program" (ESP) to the press. The system reduces the risk of skidding in critical driving situations.

DaimlerChrysler takes stake in McLaren

3 February 2000

DaimlerChrysler AG announces the acquisition of a 40 % holding in TAG McLaren with effect from 1 January

Club Anniversaries in 2025

40 years

Mercedes-Benz Club South Africa

40 years Mercedes-Benz Club Canada

25 years

Mercedes-Benz Club Colombia

Mercedes-Benz Club Cyprus

Mercedes-Benz Club Luxembourg

25 years Mercedes-Benz Club Hellas

25 years Mercedes-Benz S-Klasse Club Deutschland e.V

20 years

Mercedes-Benz Club Philippines

Mercedes-Benz Club Taiwan

Mercedes-Benz Club Portugal

Mercedes-Benz W 124-Club e.V

Mercedes-Benz W 201 / C-Klasse Club e.V #MercedesBenzClub #MBClassic #MercedesBenz #MBMuseum

Anniversaries

March 2025

Turntable ladder on Daimler chassis

1 March 1910

The professional fire service in Breslau (now Wroclaw in Poland) puts into service the first turntable ladder fitted to a petrol-engined Daimler chassis, featuring a 28/32 hp chassis built at Daimler-Marienfelde.

World's fastest mile in a "Lightning Benz"

17 March 1910

At Daytona Beach, Florida/USA, Barney Oldﬁeld covers the mile in a 200 hp Benz "Lightning Benz" at an average of 211.4 km/h – a new world record.

Gottlieb Daimler memorial is opened

6 March 1940

Gottlieb Daimler's former workshop in his Cannstatt garden house is opened as a memorial to the company founder on the 40th anniversary of his death.

Debut in Geneva: the 190 SL goes into production

10 - 20 March 1955

At the Geneva Motor Show Mercedes-Benz presents the production version of the 190 SL sports car that will be built in Sindelﬁngen starting in May

C 111: "laboratory on wheels" in Geneva

12 - 22 March 1970

The C 111 with reworked body, 257 kW / 350 hp four-rotor Wankel engine and a top speed of 300 km/h is unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show. The "laboratory on wheels" accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.8 seconds.

Eight-cylinder light-alloy engines presented at the Geneva Motor Show

6 - 16 March 1980

The (107 series) 380 SL/SLC and 500 SL/SLC models are presented at the Geneva Motor Show, equipped with M 116 / M 117 series eight-cylinder light-alloy engines.

Limited edition: 190 E 2.5-16 Evolution II

8 - 18 March 1990

The Mercedes-Benz 190 E 2.5-16 Evolution II (201 series) – like its predecessor produced in a limited edition of 500 units – celebrates its world premiere at the Geneva Motor Show

M 157: New high-performance engine from AMG

1 March 2010

Mercedes-AMG’s all-new high-performance engine M 157 is presented to the press in Affalterbach. The 5.5-litre V8 has a maximum output of 420 kW / 571 hp, peak torque of 900 Nm and features several technological highlights, including biturbo and direct petrol injection with spray-guided combustion.

Anniversaries

April 2025

Daimler patent: engine with vertical cylinder

3 April 1885

Gottlieb Daimler submits a patent application for an engine with vertical cylinder Daimler developed the unit jointly with Wilhelm Maybach on the basis of his 1883 horizontal test engine. The single-cylinder engine, registered as patent no. DRP 34 926 on 1 April 1886, is no longer powered by gas but petrol. This ﬁrst high-speed petrol engine is dubbed the "grandfather clock" on account of its shape.

Mercedes becomes brand name

2 April 1900

Emil Jellinek and DMG reach an agreement in Nice on the sale of Daimler automobiles and engines, setting out retail prices and sales terms. The two parties also reach a decision that "a new engine should be developed which bears the Daimler-Mercedes name”. This marks the ﬁrst use of Jellinek’s pseudonym "Mercédès”, the name of his daughter from his ﬁrst marriage, as a brand name. Later that month, Jellinek orders 36 vehicles at a total price of 550,000 Marks from DMG in Cannstatt.

Anniversary in Gaggenau: ten-thousandth compression ignition engine

6 April 1935

The ten-thousandth Mercedes-Benz commercial vehicle with diesel engine leaves the Gaggenau plant.

Mille Miglia: Stirling Moss wins in a 300 SLR

30 April - 1 May 1955

In the Mille Miglia, the legendary 1,000-mile race from Brescia to Rome and back, Mercedes-Benz scores a one-two win with the new 300 SLR racing sports car. The driver team of Stirling Moss/Denis Jenkison wins, posting a new course record and an average speed of 157.6 km/h.

Mercedes-Benz 219 wins again in Africa

15 - 18 April 1960

William A. Fritschy and John Ellis repeat their success of the previous year in the East African Safari Rally and win the overall classiﬁcation in a Mercedes-Benz 219.

Half a million diesel cars since war's end

8 April 1965

The 500,000th post-war Mercedes-Benz diesel passenger car, a 190 D (W 110), rolls off the assembly line at Sindelﬁngen.

Baden-Württemberg's police drive Mercedes-Benz

15 April 2000

The German state of Baden-Württemberg is presented with 29 C-Class estates and 29 E-Class saloons for the Baden-Württemberg police force at DaimlerChrysler's Sindelﬁngen plant.

Invitation

28 - 30 April 2025

40th

AGM & NATIONAL GATHERING

Hosted by the Western Cape Region.

Franschhoek 28 – 30 April 2025

PROGRAMME

Monday, 28 April

11:00 – 14:00 Registration Protea Hotel Franschhoek

15:00 – 16:30 Annual General Meeting Franschhoek Cellar

19:00 – 22:00 Dinner (French theme) Franschhoek Cellar

Sponsored by Elite Wealth Assets Insurance

Tuesday, 29 April

10:00 – 12:00 Cellar Tour & Wine Tasting Glenwood Vineyards / Haute Cabiere Holden Manz Wine Estate

12:30 – 14:30 Lunch at Reuben's Franschhoek

15:00 – 18:00 Mercedes-Benz display Franschhhoek Motor Museum

Gariep STAR Celebration Run

(presented by the National Committee of the Mercedes-Benz Club of South Africa)

Good day fellow club members

We are planning another STAR celebration !

60th Anniversary of the W108 &

40th Anniversary of the W124

We invite all our members to come and join us for a weekend of fun and stargazing at the Gariep Forever Resort, Gariep over the weekend of the 14 - 16 June 2025.

RSVP by 30 May 2025

See attached the programme and registration,

We hope to see many of our members at this STAR celebration Run!

PS: You are most welcome to join us with your favorite Mercedes-Benz, it does not have to be a W108 or W124!

Program

Gariep STAR Celebration Run

14 - 16 June 2025

Our provisional programme as follows:

Saturday 14 June 2025

Arrival and check-in at Forever Resort during the afternoon (iRates for accommodation attached - please do own booking)

19h00 Buffet dinner at the Dassie Hall (included in registration fee / bring own drinks)

Sunday 15 June 2025

09h00 Father's Day Breakfast @ de Stijl Hotel (included in registration fees)

14h30 Photos at the resort

18h30 Braai at the Gariep Lapa (included in registration fee / bring own drinks & snacks)

Monday 16 June 2025

OPTIONAL: Breakfast @ Forever Resort Restaurant (for your own account) Start your journey home

STAR EVENT

“...a marvellous range of automobiles...”

George Old Car Show 2025

By Hanjo Stier

This year’s George Old Car Show featured a British theme but, as always, our Club had one of the biggest and most impressive displays.

Unlike the sweltering heat of

2023,mercifullySaturdaythe 8th of February 2025 was a cool, overcast and occasionally drippy dayinGeorge.

The burgeoning seaside town in our Southern Cape region has been hosting the George Old Car Show for decades, although it’s oﬃcially organised by the SCOCC (SouthernCapeOldCarClub).

And as in previous years, this event had an over-arching theme:

British vehicles. This meant that any of the thousands of visitors couldmarvelatamarvellousrange of automobiles from the UK, including ﬁrm favourites like RollsRoyce, MG, Land Rover, Bentley, Simca, Lotus and other vehicles you might spot in a James Bond movie.

However, not to be outdone by Britain’s ﬁnest, our Club once again met at our larger stand on the upper ﬁeld of Eden Technical

STAR EVENT

High School, which resulted in multiplerowsofthree-pointedstar products; parked neatly for everyonetoadmire.

They say that variety is the spice of life, which meant that the Mercedes-Benz Club of South Africa stand was one of the spiciest items of the day. Spanning from a replica of the Benz Patentwagen — the ﬁrst car in the world — to modern SL’s and coupés, fans of the brand had plenty to admire on Saturday.

Typing of which, with reduced visitors and early departures on previous event Sundays, the show organisers took the wise decision to cram everything into just one day. This meant that Saturday was absolutelybuzzingwithactivity!

Ifyou’vesomehowneverbeen to the George Old Car Show, I beg you to make a plan for next year’s event.It’sprobablythebiggest(and best) traditional car show we have in the country, and the range of cars is easily matched by other wheeled vehicles like tractors, bikes, trucks and even agricultural equipment.

Quite a few Club members from other regions made the huge eﬀort to visit and display their beautiful Mercedes-Benzes at this year’s Club stand which, as always, was right beside the local dealer, StanmarMotors.

Besides a selection of modern merchandise (to complement our Club Regalia stand), the dealership alsoshowcasednewelectriccars.

These provided yet another ﬂavourful contrast to the timeless and elegant metal of 08's, 07's, triple-ones,23and24's,Pagodas, AMG’s, Pontons, pre-war beauties, various S-Classes, G-Wagons and probably half-a-dozen more which haveslippedmymindrightnow

What was fairly hard to ignore were some of the resto-mod cars, including a Fintail with the innards ofanE350Coupé,orthedaringbut dedicated homage to a 300SL race car;basedonamodernSLK.

See what I meant? If you did miss this year’s show, take this as your ﬁnal reminder to save the date for next year February, when thecountry’sbestcarshowreturns toGeorge.■

STAR EVENT

My Perspective: The 2025 George Old Car Show Shines Bright!

By Waldo Scribante

Asaproudmemberandcurrent

chairman of the Southern CapeOldCarClub(SCOCC), andCoOrganiser of the 2025 George Old Car Show, I had the privilege of attending the 28th George Old Car ShowonFebruary8,2025.

The event, held at the Eden TechnicalHighSchoolgrounds,was a resounding success, attracting a massive crowd and showcasing ,200 veteran, vintage, and classic cars, motorcycles, tractors, and engines.

I only missed one George Old CarShowandthatwastheveryﬁrst one.IfIhadatimemachine,Iwould like to travel back in time, just to attend that ﬁrst George Old Car Show,whichwasheldonPaulFick’s farm”Blackwood”nearVictoriaBay in 997. A total of 80 cars were on show, while food stalls were providedbytheLionsClub.

My ﬁrst show was the second George Old Car Show, held at the George Riding Club in 998 with approximately 250 cars and tractors on display. In the early years, I was more involved with arranging the Mercedes-Benz standattheshow,andIwanttotake the opportunity to thank all the previous show organisers and SCOCC volunteers for establishing the George Old Car Show, thereby makingitthebiggestclassicshowin thesouthernhemisphere.

STAR EVENT

Since 2020, we had a few small sponsors, who we were very grateful for, and this year we welcomed three major sponsors: MUA, Standard Bank and George Municipality.

Their sponsorships brought an incredible nuance to the show MUA,togetherwiththeGeorgeOld Car Show, brought an exciting new element called “The Story”, highlighting the story behind each exhibitor and their classic vehicle. StandardBankdrivepositivesocial, economic,aswellasenvironmental impactacrossallregionstheyserve. From pioneering sustainable ﬁnancial solutions to championing the vibrant tapestry of arts and culture, and now classic motoring, they strive to uplift society and createabetterfuture.

I’mextremelydelightedtohave had the sponsorship from George Municipality. Being the host city, it underwrites the economic value this show attracts to the George community, while also promoting generaltourismintheregion.

JP Spares didn’t only come on board as a show sponsor, but also sponsored the annual VETTOER, which is the veteran tour on the Fridaybeforetheshow.

Thank you to our media partners, ALGOA FM and The George Herald, as well as our beverage partners, SAB Breweries and Coca-Cola Beverage for their continuedsupport.

We are extremely thankful for oursmallersponsors,addingtothe value of the George Old Car Show THANKYOUALL.

This year's British theme was a masterstroke, drawing in a striking array of British-built cars, including iconicmarqueslikeRolls-Royceand Bentleys as part of our special display. The D-field was abuzz with excitement as many enthusiasts marvelled at the majestic RollsRoyce and beautiful Bentley display, featuring more than 20 of these luxurious British motoring monarchs.AseaofBritishcarswas on display through various clubs andtheSCOCConthemainA-field.

I was particularly proud of our club's hospitality tent on this ﬁeld, oﬀering a warm and welcoming space for visitors to relax and socialize. The tent was beautifully decorated, with comfortable seatingandrefreshmentsavailable throughouttheday.

One of the main attractions on B-field was this year’s magniﬁcent display of more than 00 veteran and classic motorbikes. The classic motorcycle display was also extremely well-supported, with a rangeoferasrepresented;fromthe 930'stothe970's.

The Eden Vespa Club added a fun and lively touch to this year’s proceedings, with their colourful scootersandenthusiasticriders.

The drive-by runs are always a highlight of the show, which took place past the arena and SCOCC members' tent. The impressive Britishcardriveclosedoﬀtheshow proceedings at 5pm with a strong turnout of Rolls-Royce, Bentleys, MorrisMinors,MGsandTriumphs.

Throughout the day, visitors were treated to a fascinating array of cars, each with its own unique

storyandhistory Fromthepristine red Aston Martin DB2/4 Mk III to the rare Iso Rivolta, there was something for every car enthusiast toadmireandappreciate.

A huge variety of food stalls providedanarrayoffestivalfood,to everybody’s tastes. Our Coke vans provided refreshments, not to mention the two SAB beer tents, oﬀering a welcome rest from the sun. The motor-related swop meet and ﬂea market provided a unique experience for visitors to browse andlearnwhat’savailable!

We are always privileged to haveourlocalcardealershipsatthe show, demonstrating their latest models,addinganotherdimension totheclassicoldcarshow!

STAR EVENT

TherunbyTrader’sAuctioneers during the lunch break was a huge attraction and well attended, with numerousoﬀeringsonauction.

A show like this is not possible withoutthehelpofafewdedicated volunteers,thereforeIwouldliketo thanktheCommitteesoftheGOCS and SCOCC for all their hard word and dedication. For the members who volunteered to help, thank you,itreallymadeadiﬀerence.

I don’t have enough words to thank Alewijn Dippenaar (CoOrganiser) and Mimi Finestone for their incredible enthusiasm and workethic,withoutwhomtheshow would not have been such a massive success. I don’t only thank themfortheirhardworkbutalsofor the incredible support they have givenme!

We had a massive response from our local Beneﬁciary Services organizations, who volunteered to help.

STAR EVENT

Rotary Club ran the two beer tents, theRoundTablehelpedattheshow entrances, especially in getting exhibitors cars onto the grounds with eﬃciency. The Vryburgers managed the traﬃc and directed visitorstopublicparkingareas.

The Glenwood School scholars and teachers handled ticket sales fromearlySaturdaymorning,while the SPCA (with the help of “Gogga”) didalltheCokesalesforus.WildFire Support helped a lot in the week before (and during the show) with all the logistics, getting waste bins, putting up banners and generally beinghelpfulwhereitwasneeded.

The success of this year’s show enabled us to make significant financialcontributionstotheabove mentionedvolunteeringgroups,as wellasenablingCarpeDiemschool to collect parking fees for their school funds. Not only do we compensateEdenTHSfortheuseof their facilities and sport fields, we are also investing in infrastructure improvements at Eden Technical High School as a token of our appreciationforhostingtheevent.

For me, the show is about the motoringcamaraderie(likeavisitor coming to see me because his dad had a car like mine), making new friends and meeting old friends, some of whom you only see once a year at the show! I received numerous momentos and parts from visitors and fellow exhibitors, forjustbeingthere.

A truly magniﬁcent occasion and experience. As the show came toaclose,itwasclearthatthe2025 George Old Car Show had been a resounding success. With its unique blend of passion, nostalgia, and community spirit, this event has cemented its place as one of the premier classic car shows in SouthAfrica!■

This event was proudly sponsored by

STAR EVENT

8th President's Braai of 2025

By Waldo Scribante

Since 2006, René and I have had the joy of hosting a sheep braai which started at the showgrounds and, from 2012, found its home at the Scribs Benzeum.

Over the years, this Saturday

evening tradition has only grown in popularity, and we're convinced that there must be something magical about the ice cream and chocolate sauce. This year, we welcomed an incredible 80membersandfriends!

We are privileged to have our past Presidents regularly join us each year for both the George Old CarShowandthebraai.Withthatin mind, we've proudly embraced the name President's Braai, a tradition welookforwardtocarryingwellinto thefuture.The8thPresident'sBraai of 2025 was another unforgettable evening of fantastic food, warm Club camaraderie, and lasting memories.

From the mouthwatering lamb braai and traditional pap and sous to the much-anticipated ice cream with chocolate sauce, every bite wasadelight!

A huge thank you goes to MUA for their generous sponsorship — including a superb selection of red wine — which made the evening evenmorespecial.

Andofcourse,aheartfeltround of applause to Marissa and Jannie, our master braaiers, plus Marlize and her team for their hard work behindthescenes.

You made it all happen — well doneandthankyou!■

[Ed:Andthankyoutoyou,Waldoand René, for graciously hosting such a wonderfulevent!]

CENTRAL REGION

Central welcoming 2025

By Jaco Kachelhoﬀer

From Benz Breakfasts to dealership invasions, the Central Region started its new year with vigour.

The extreme heat in January

once again changed our kickoﬀ function from our Benz Barn to an airconditioned space, and on Sunday 26 January we headed to Urth (a nursery on the outskirts of Bloemfontein) for breakfast. Our Vaalharts members also had their regularBenzBreakfast.

In February, a small contingent ofourmembersdidthedrivetothe George Show and as always, this turnedouttobeafeastfortheeyes with the ice cream and chocolate sauceatthePresident'sBraaibeing thecherryontopofaveryenjoyable weekend.

LaterinFebruary,ourmembers were informed on the workings of the gearbox and diﬀerential of a vehicle at our technical evening. I, for one, am constantly amazed by the wealth of knowledge the mechanicsworkingonourbeloved classicshaveaccumulatedoverthe years.

In March, our local MercedesBenz Dealership, Garden City Motors, invited us to display some of our vehicles at their Classic Car Day. This event was initiated by Johan Strydom, a member of the club as well as a manager at the dealership.

Our members did not disappoint and it was difficult to decide who would be fortunate enough to display their vehicles on thefloor.Intheendwemanagedto have quite a good lineup of the differentmodels–froma958220S Pontontoa2007SL65V2Bi-Turbo R230.

We were also fortunate to be abletodisplaytwoPagodabeauties

– Theo Janse van Rensburg's 970 250 SL (winner 209 Concours d' Honneur (Overall) and Fanie du Preez'simmaculate970280SL.

Call me biased, but with our classics arranged between their more modern “family members”, theclassicsstillwerethestarsofthe day. Our members as well as membersofthepublicweretreated to test drives in the new electric vehicles and more than one returned with a new respect for thesecars.

We were treated to coﬀee, cold drinks and boerewors rolls and were reluctant to end a very enjoyable morning. We hope that thiswillbecomeanannualeventon ourandthedealership'scalendars.

With our event in April, we plan to have an informative session for theyoungergenerationonthetopic of investment vs nostalgia - what and what not to buy as a favourite investment. After that, the 2025 National Gathering awaits and we look forward to experiencing what the Western Cape region has plannedforus.■

CENTRAL REGION

EASTERN CAPE REGION

“Karoo to Coast IV” 2025

By Paul Meriﬁeld

Now in its fourth iteration, the Eastern Cape Region embarked on another “Karoo to Coast” trip on their way to the George Car Show.

N

othing less than the Royal

Hotel in Steytlerville was the meeting place and overnight stop for about 20 Eastern Cape region membersandfriendsforthefourth “Karoo to Coast” on Thursday, 6 February, en route to the 2025 GeorgeCarShow

The summer weather was kind to us this year, making the drive fromcitiesandtowns(EastLondon, Port Elizabeth, Graaﬀ–Reinet and Roodepoort), across the Karoo, a verypleasantone.

Asalways,theRoyalHoteldidus proud by serving up good country

accommodation,greatservice,topclass Karoo lamb chops for dinner, andawelcomingbar!

The next morning brought an impressive photo opportunity of three-pointed stars, with no less than ﬁve W108's (celebrating the 60th anniversary of its launch), a C114, C126, R129 and W218 – all linedupinfrontofthehotel.

Afteraheartybreakfast,andall fuelledup,wehittheroadoutonto the single strip R329 concrete road towards Willowmore, making the compulsory pit stop along the way totakeintheearlymorningscenery.

EASTERN CAPE REGION

Joining the N9 at Willowmore, the convoy of Mercs drove on through the fringes of the Klein KarootoUniondale,takinganother pit stop and leg stretch before drivingoutviatheR339throughthe impressive rock formations of the Uniondale Poort (built 1925), and then back on to the N9 via the R62 Langkloofroad.

Enjoying the easy drive on the openroads,thegroupturnedoﬀto the hamlet of Herold (on the north side of the Montagu Pass, the predecessor to the modern Outeniqua Pass) for lunch and somewinetastingatHeroldWines, in the shadows of the Outeniqua Mountains, and then taking the scenic drive down into George, in timetocleanandpolishcarsforthe nextday'sGeorgeCarShow ■

EASTERN CAPE REGION

Eastern Cape

EPVCC All Clubs Day

By Fabian Cairns

As has become traditional, the EPVCC invited all car and bike clubs for a show-and-tell day at the end of February.

The day usually starts at 09h00

and ends 5h00 on a Sunday with food trucks, coﬀee and icecreamstandsscatteredaroundthe club grounds; with a club bar open forthoseneedingsomethingalittle strongertoquelltheirthirst.

Fortunately the weather held andtherewasaverygoodturn-out for the day with a lovely range of vehicles, literally a little bit of everything. Matt was kind enough togetthereearlyandsecuredaspot so we could all park together and displayourbanners.

We had a great selection of Mercedes-Benzes from old to newish: Finnys, Pontons, 08’s, 4’s, 5’s,SL,CLKandCLmadeforagood spread.Anotherhighlightoftheday isthepartsandaccessoriesforsale, whereafewbargainsandrareparts can be secured... I learnt that it helpstogetthereearly!

In summary, it was a really pleasant day spent chatting amongst ourselves and with the other car clubs. We had a nice surprise when Erald stuck his head in for a quick catch-up, fortunately his business travel timing worked out,soitwasgreatseeinghim.■

EASTERN CAPE REGION

Eastern Cape –Braai Night

By Conor Auld

Towards the end of March, the Eastern Cape chapter of the MBCSA gathered for their monthly social braai at the EPVCC in Gqeberha.

It was a pleasant evening, with a

strong turn-out of members enjoying great food, engaging conversations, and of course, a showcase of Mercedes-Benz vehicles (ﬂanked by some Porsche “bodyguards” as they were quickly called).

The “chow” for the evening featured succulent steak done to perfection, boerewors, salads, breads, and even mushrooms prepared by our resident braai master, ensuring no one went homehungry.

Members proudly parked their beloved Mercs on the clubhouse green, with a variety of models ranging from the 960's up to a present-dayAMG.

Among the many beauties, a particular highlight was Gary’s stunning grey 230S ﬁntail, a real time machine given its immaculate condition. Conversations ﬂowed easily, covering a wide range of topics, as the camaraderie of the groupbroughttheeveningtolife.■

KWA-ZULU NATAL REGION

“...a fantastic start to the year.”

Impala RidgeJanuary 2025

By Travis Dutton

The KZN Region kicked oﬀ 2025 with a vibrant and memorable outing on a sweltering summer's day

The morning began with a

leisurely drive to the Umgeni Steam Railway station, where members were treated to a display of steam train demonstrations, alongsidealivelymarketwithamix of local stalls. The atmosphere and classic engineering set the perfect tonefortheday.

Fromthere,theconvoymadeits wayonashort,scenicdrivethrough the rolling hills of Drummond to ImpalaRidgeFarm.Awaitinguswas atrulyimpressiveprivatecollection of classic motorcycles and cars, showcasingtheowner'spassionfor motoringheritage.

Members spent the afternoon enjoying hearty food, some cool refreshments, and the company of fellow enthusiasts amidst the picturesque farm surroundings. Therelaxedsettingandsharedlove forallthingsautomotivemadefora fantasticstarttotheyear.

The relaxed setting and shared automotive passion made for a fantastic start to the year. If this ﬁrst run is anything to go by, 2025 isgearinguptobefullofgooddrives withgreatcars.

Buckleup—it'sgoingtobeafun ride!■

Salt Rock

Saturday29 March 2025

By Travis Dutton

What a fantastic Saturday run with the KZN Region of the Mercedes-Benz Club of South Africa!

Our members met at the very

impressive Mercedes-Benz Umhlanga dealership, sharing coﬀee and conversation before setting oﬀ in convoy along the scenicNorthCoast.

Thedestinationforthedaywas the charming Salt Rock Hotel, where members enjoyed a breakfastwithpanoramicseaviews and the warm camaraderie that deﬁnesourclub.Thecoastalroads, paired with a lineup of pristine three-pointed stars, made for an enjoyabledrive.

We're also delighted to welcome two new members to the KZN Region: Leo Kruger and Graeme Thompson. We look forwardtoseeingyoubothonmany moreeventstocome!

Here's to many more drives, memories, and Mercedes-Benz moments. Thank you to all who joined and contributed to another successful and enjoyable regional event.■

NORTHERN REGION

George Old Car Show –8

February 2025

By Johan Krogh

Although this event is more prominent on the Southern Cape calendar, this outstanding show remains a huge favourite with members from all regions, including the Northern Region!

As the region that travels the

farthest to attend the show, preparation and arrangements contribute to an exceptional hype long before the departure date to the show, and what better way to commenceanunforgettableweekendthanmeetingupwithmembers from other regions along the way; foraproper“kuier”nexttotheroad!

This year, the show and organisers once again did not disappoint, but in refraining from stealing the spotlight from the Southern Cape region, please read more about the show elsewhere in this edition! I would however negate my duties if I did not thank Waldo and Renè for hosting the ever popular and notorious Presidents' Braai in conclusion of the show I might even go so far as to venture that many members attend the show just for the President'sBraaiandthelegendary chocolatesauce!

A huge thank you to all our members who attended and once againdidourregionsproud!■

NORTHERN REGION

Valentine's Day

Celebration –16 February 2025

By Johan Krogh

It was a day to celebrate the 'other' ladies in our lives, with a good ﬂair and amount of metal just to keep the balance right!

embers were invited by M Mornè and Shynelle Greeﬀ for a tour of their restoration businessandadisplayofvehiclesin variousstagesofrestoration,which was just the right medicine for members who have almost lost hope with their own restoration projects.

Members were allowed to browse the facilities at leisure and obtain more information regarding the restoration process of the precious metal we hold so close to ourhearts!

The amazing tour of these facilities was followed by a Valentine's lunch and the absolute highlight of the day was the

NORTHERN REGION

unveiling of Mo's Restorations’ newest project at the restaurant WOW — even members who don’t favour “resto mods” were blown awaywhenthecoverwaspulledoﬀ torevealtheproject!

Who would have thought that it was possible to pair the body of a 957 W20 Ponton-'bakkie' to the chassis and drivetrain of a modern A45 AMG?! Fitting for Valentine's day, some might even argue that it wasamatchmadeinheaven.

Evenifrestomodsarenotyour cupoftea,youhavetomarvelatthe craftsmanship that went into saving a Ponton pick-up which was incomplete, rusted and destined forthecrushers

But instead of that, it was expertly metamorphosed into a brute daily driver with the classic unmistakable look of a Ponton'bakkie' and reliable of a modern vehicle.

Thank you to Mornè and Shynelle for hosting the event and sharing your passion for keeping theclassicbrandalive!■

NORTHERN REGION

Coffee & Stars –Karoo Café

23 March 2025

By Johan Krogh

Following the successful introduction of quick coﬀee & stars gatherings last year, our ﬁrst one for 2025 was hosted at the Karoo Café in Pretoria organised by our esteemed secretary Koos.

We must confess that these

quick gatherings are more about catching up, interacting and getting to know all the members better than the three pointed star that take us and there and back home–andsoitshouldbe!

Inlinewiththeaboveobjective, the Karoo Café isn't just a place to eat or grab a cup of coﬀee, it's a sanctuary, a space where the pace of life slows down, and you're invited to simply be. Inspired by the serene beauty of the Karoo landscape, this unique café oﬀers an environment that feels like a natural habitat: a place where consciousliving,simplebeauty,and personalhappinessconverge.

It's a place where you can be yourself,freefromthepressuresof the outside world. Whether you're catching up with friends, taking a moment to recharge, or diving into a good book, the café provides the perfect setting for it all. Deﬁnitely worth a visit if you missed out on thisone!■

Elsabe van Zyl Execuve Brokers: Registered

Southern Cape Region's First Club Meeting: a Great Success

SOUTHERN CAPE REGION

The Southern Cape region held its ﬁrst regional meeting on Tuesday 21 January 2025 at the SCRIBS BENZeum.

The gathering was well

attended, with members showing great enthusiasm for the yearahead.

Final arrangements and volunteer roles for the 2025 George Old Car Show were conﬁrmed — it's always a pleasure working with such a dedicated team. Members were also invited to the 8th President's Braai followingtheevent.

After the meeting, we enjoyed a wonderful evening around the big old Yellowwood table at Waldo & René's, sharing a delicious meal of braaied sosaties and garlic bread.

Afantasticstarttotheyear!■

SOUTHERN CAPE REGION

Southern Cape: Scenic Outing

By René Scribante

The Southern Cape Region kicked oﬀ 2025 with a scenic outing to Glentana Beach.

The Southern Cape Region of

the Mercedes-Benz Club of South Africa held its ﬁrst club outing of the year on Sunday, January 26, 2025, at Meet@Sea on GlentanaBeach.

It was a perfect way to embrace the summer spirit, with refreshing cocktails, Prosecco, and a delicious seafood lunch enjoyed ingreatcompany

The camaraderie was as vibrant as ever, setting the tone for an exciting year ahead. With the George Old Car Show around the corner, and more outings on the horizon, we're looking forward to a fantastic2025!■

SOUTHERN CAPE REGION

Reviving the Spirit of the Rally: The Inaugural George Old Car Show eScape Tour & Rally

By Waldo Scribante & Chris Kühn

With the Southern Cape Old Car Club's decision to stage the George Old Car Show as a one-day event, a golden opportunity emerged... building on the success of the previous year's Mercedes-Benz 300SL-tour — why not take to the road and bring back the spirit of classic touring and rallying?

Long-timerallyadvocatesPhillip

Kuschke and Chris Kühn had been pushing to revive the competitive side of our classic car passion, and this year, their vision roared to life. Thus, the inaugural George Old Car Show eScape Tour & Rally was born — blending the thrill of time trials with the relaxed joyofscenictouring

PlanningtheRoute

Phillip took the reins for the rally side, while Chris and Rensche Kühn, together with myself, focused on crafting a tour that would balance much motoring excitementwithtimetoexplorethe beauty of the Eden district With landscapes that dazzle in every direction, plotting a route was as much a pleasure as it was a challenge — a challenge eagerly accepted.

Day–RallyReady

Following a spectacular show day on Saturday, 3 cars gathered earlySundaymorningattheSCOCC clubhouse for scrutineering and a drivers' brieﬁng A great mix of seasoned and ﬁrst-time ralliers were ready to hit the road, spirits high under overcast skies with a lightdrizzlekeepingenginescool.

From George, the rally kicked oﬀ at 09:00, winding its way through picturesque countryside to our lunch stop at Jakkalsvlei Winery near Herbertsdale. With vines sprawling across the hills and a glass of the local vintage in hand, itwasastoptoremember

A short post-lunch drive brought us to our overnight destination: the idyllic Gourikwa NatureReservenearGouritzmond. Here, the sea provided a rather

thunderous soundtrack as we dinedintheLapa Rallyresultswere announced by Phillip, adding a competitivesparktotheevening

Note: Myself, René, and Avish started late due to a National Committee meeting, removing us from the oﬃcial results — but certainlynotfromthefun!

Day 2 – Karoo Charm: a mechanical failure & a navigator swap

Monday's route took us via Albertinia and Riversdale over the majestic Garcia's Pass — a driver's delight — en route to Barrydale. Lunch was served at the Karoo Art Hotel, where our classics lined up outside for a photo that belongs on apostcard

Just outside Riversdale, disaster struck as our 280SEL 4.5 suﬀered a gearbox cooler pipe failure. René, not one to waste rally time,commandeeredKobusHarris to join her as her navigator, while I stayed behind with Avish to load the car on the back-up vehicle's trailer Fortunately,StephanduToit had a spare pipe, and after some roadside wrench work, we were readyforactionbythenextday

With the rally part completed, the afternoon was free for entrants to soak up Barrydale's unique charm before heading oﬀ on the scenic R62 to Montagu Our home for the next two nights: Avalon Springs Resort Nestled against the mountains, it oﬀered welcome relaxation — although the natural hot spring pools were a bit too warm for daytime dips in the Februaryheat!

That evening, we shared stories over dinner and celebrated theday'sresults.

Note: Avish got the booby prize for ending the day's rallying with the caronthetrailer!

SOUTHERN CAPE REGION

Day3-BreedeRiverValley–a navigationalnightmare

Tuesday dawned bright and hot Back on the road, a navigational error (caused by an early start from the marshals) left René and Kobus slightly oﬀ-course. Avish and I, now fully mobile in the 280SEL 4 5, swept past Rally justice!

Meanwhile, the rally pressed on through Ashton and Robertson, concluding at Viljoensdrif Winery ontheBreedeRiver There,wewere joined by local enthusiasts for a river cruise and relaxed lunch — a scenicﬁnaletotherally.

Final Results & Prizegiving

Our three-day journey concluded with a prizegiving dinner that wrapped up the camaraderie and competitionperfectly.

Congratulationsto:

• st Place: Philip & Shirley Roux (970MGBRoadster)-20points

• 2nd Place: André & Elmarie Brink (96JaguarE-Type)-266points

• 3rd Place: Martin & Michelle Ferreira(965Mercedes-BenzW08 Special)-37points

• Oldest Car: Trevor & Sharon Binder (930 Rolls-Royce 20/25 PhantomOpenTourer)

• Organiser's Choice: André & ElmarieBrink(96JaguarE-Type)

• Furthest Travelled: Ron & Pam Gush(934AustinTen)

Note: Philip Kuschhe received the day's booby prize, for the marshalling error, by letting René startaminutetooearly!

TheJourneyHome

Our rally wasn't quite done with us yet — the replacement gearbox pipe failed once more on

the way home With another spare in hand, we could've ﬁxed it again, but caution won the day, and the 280SEL 4 5 hitched a ride on the trailerfortheﬁnalleg.

The mercury climbed to 40°C during the return journey, and one lesson stood out loud and clear: Next time, both cars will have workingairconditioning!

ThankYou

Sincere thanks go to Phillip Kuschke, Gavin Alison, and Chris & Rensche Kühn for their dedication and energy. Also, a special mention to Chris and Rensche for piloting the backup vehicle throughout — yoursupportkeptusrolling.

Here's to many more rallies ahead, with more entrants, betterprepared cars (and navigators!), and the same shared passion that made the inaugural eScape Tour & Rallyaresoundingsuccess ■

A Sunday at Sea and a Classic Gathering

By René Scribante

On a bright and beautiful Sunday morning (23 March) four of us set sail aboard the catamaran Aquamarine@Sea, departing from Mossel Bay Harbour.

With a bottle of Prosecco in

hand, René, Willem, his wife Marcelle, and I embarked on a scenic cruise around Seal Island nearHartenbos.

The sight of 3,000 to 4,000 seals basking on the rocks and frolicking in the water was truly mesmerizing. On the island's eastern side, numerous young pups played safely, sheltered from the ever-present threat of Great Whitesharks

Backonsolidground,wemade our way to La Peron Visskerm, a renowned local spot for the best ﬁsh and chips - highly endorsed by none other than Mr Mossel Bay himself,KobusHarris.

There, we met up with fellow members of the Southern Cape region of the Mercedes-Benz Club forarelaxedafternoonofﬁnefood, good company, and the everenjoyable exchange of Mercedes storiesandexperiences.

A wonderful day, indeed - and we’re already looking forward to ournextouting!■

WESTERN CAPE REGION

Western Cape Region prepares for 40th AGM

By Zillen Venter

The Western Cape Region had an outing or two but is feverishly busy getting everything ready for our Club’s 40th AGM and National Gathering at the end of April.

As you read this, the highly

anticipated 40th AGM and National Gathering, hosted by the Western Cape Region in the picturesque town of Franschhoek, isjustweeksaway.

Approximately 26 members, along with their spouses or partners,willsoonbearrivinginthis charming Winelands destination for what promises to be a memorableevent.

Behind the scenes, the Organising Committee has been working tirelessly to ensure a seamless and enjoyable experienceforallattendees.

The event itinerary is packed with exciting activities. Members will embark on exclusive cellar tours at renowned wine farms, oﬀering a behind-the-scenes look atthewinemakingprocess.

A visit to the world-famous Franschhoek Motor Museum will feature a special display of vintage andclassicMercedes-Benzmodels, sure to delight any automotive enthusiasts.

Additionally, a scenic road trip to the quaint hamlet of RiebeekKasteel will provide an opportunity to also soak in the breathtaking landscapesoftheBolandregion.

WESTERN CAPE REGION

The gathering will conclude in style with the prestigious gala evening.

Meanwhile, regular regional club activities have continued as usual. Meetings at the Multi-Motor Club clubhouse have continued. Unfortunately, our region was not represented at the annual Classic Car&BikeShowatTimourHallVilla in Plumstead due to a lack of interest.

However, the popular annual pilgrimage to the George Old Car Show, organised by the Southern Cape Old Car Club, took place early inFebruary

Another highlight was the returnofthe8thPresident'sBraai,a much-appreciatedtradition.

Early in March, a group of members enjoyed a scenic breakfast run to the stunning GrandeRocheHotelinPaarl,where

they shared a delightful breakfast andmadenewconnections.

With so much to look forward to, the excitement is building for whatissuretobearemarkable40th AGM and National Gathering. See youinFranschhoek!■

WESTERN CAPE REGION

Comparative Review: 2023 Mercedes-AMG C43 Sedan

By Hanjo Stier

What sort of progress was made in three generations of the C43 AMG sedan? I took the rare opportunity of comparing three silver C43 AMG sedans with very diﬀerent drive trains but a surprisingly similar character and reputation.

Before we even get started, I

need to take a swing at Mercedes/AMG and their badge engineering. As the owner of an original C43 AMG, their insistence on abusing legendary badges not only makes Google searches mighty frustrating but also confuses the living daylights out of thebuyingpublic.

Ifthisisa43,wheredoestheA45 ﬁtin?Wasn'ttheprevious43a3-litre which slotted in below a 4-litre 63? Althoughtheprevious63wasa6.2litre,ifweglossoverthe5.5version which never appeared in the CClass.Areyoustillwithme?Because now,thisnew43andtheupcoming 63 are both 2-litres with diﬀerent lengthwicks.

I've been assured that all of this madnesshasabitofmethod;using down-sizing and hybrid turbos to develop distinctive classes (or welldeﬁned ranges) of performance vehiclesforeverynicheandbudget. And where previous iterations of the AMG C-Class used diﬀerent engines to achieve this, the new W206reliesonjustthisonemotor.

Andwhatamotoritis.Internally known as the M39, this 99cc inline4-cylinderturbo-petrolusesFderived technology (like an electrically-assisted turbocharger) to produce a staggering 300kW at 6,750rpm. If we include its 0kW over-boost function, the hp/L ratio of 208 made this thee most powerful4-cylinderintheworld.

Well, until the new C63 arrived andreplacedtheC43inourmarket.

That M39L (L for longitudinally mounted) pumps out a ridiculous 350kW, with torque only rising a bit from this vehicle's 500Nm to about 545Nm. Ag sies tog, I hope that's enough! Sarcasm aside, this C43 pavedthewayforits63siblingwith a rapid 9-speed auto-box and intelligent“4Matic”all-wheeldrive.

WherethepreviousC63stillhad a hilariously scary rear-wheel drive setup,thenewonesharesthiscar's fourclawsetupwithmildrear-steer assist,multipledrivemodesettings with Race Start, plus maximum neighbourhood annoyance mode for the performance exhaust system.

With a sincere promise that I'm not trying to be lazy, I would encourageanyinterestedreaderto visit their nearest Mercedes-AMG dealer to ﬁnd out more about the otherwondrouswitchcraftinthese vehicles, because I'd much rather like to focus on the driving aspect andheritageoftheC43.

Asyoucanprobablytellfromthe accompanying photos, I used my ownW202C43AMGtoarrangeafull line-up of all three generations; which happily were all silver sedans. The middle child, a W205 C43 AMG sedan just happened to beforsaleatmypreviousemployer and old friends at Rola Motors in Somerset West: you can browse theirstockatwww.rola.co.za

REVIEW

And so, it gives me great pleasuretobrieﬂyrunyouthrough allthreegenerationsoftheC43.

W202

TheﬁrstC43AMGwasonlybuilt for two years, from 998 to 2000, this being a late March '98 car. Although it was the ﬁrst-ever V8 in the W202 chassis, it wasn't the original AMG C-Class. That honour goes to the C36, which used an AMG-tuned M04 straight six engine to produce 206kW It was also used in the G-Class and two generationsoftheE-Class.

The C43 is not only the rarer of the two (about 4000 units vs. the 36's 5200) but also has the distinction of a single-chassis engine application. This Mercedesderived 4266cc M3 V8 engine received a mild tweak (camshafts, ECU & exhaust) to bump power from205to225kW;anditonlyever appeared in the 202 C-Class as a sedanorestate.

Its maximum torque ﬁgure also took a mini-jump from 400 to 40Nm, and although this doesn't sound like much — especially by today's standards — it certainly feels lively when you squeeze all of this into a 600kg C-Class. The only (locally available) vehicle that feels anything close to this would be a CLK430.

However, AMG also tweaked the trusty 5-speed Mercedes automatic “slushbox” to, umm, removesomeofthatslushiness.It's certainly one of the more eager old MB auto-boxes I've commanded. Dittoforthebrakes,whichcameoﬀ abiggersibling,andtheratherﬁrm “Sport” suspension with AMG tweaksand(fortheirtime)large7inchstaggeredAMGalloys.

With rear-wheel drive, a slightly stodgy handling setup, draconian tractioncontrolandthetypical90's Mercedes wooden steering feel, this 25-year old AMG feels a bit lumpy when measured against the newer C43's. 0-00km/h is still a respectable 6.5 seconds while the topspeediselectronicallylimitedto 250km/h.

That's fairly normal these days but back then it must've been sensational. And, unlike its sporty but delicate rivals, the original C43 AMG turned out to be almost bulletproof in return for its crude

ride and Autobahn cruiser credentials. Like any old-school AMG, it can also destroy its 245section rear tyres in a frighteningly shortamountoftime.

As the only vehicle in this trio which delivers the cubic capacity promised by its boot-lid badge, the C43 and its long-lived M3 powerplant paved the way for future AMG's, as this motor quickly morphed into the 55 (which is a popularupgradeforthesevehicles) and55Kompressor,thateventually handed the baton to the legendary '63V8.

TostartsumminguptheW202,it was a bizarre marriage between Nan's Benz and a slightly warmedup430engine.Itsrideisabitchoppy and the average fuel consumption is…nextquestion,please.

Standard specifications were quite decent back then (plus this example benefitted from an unusually generous first Scottish owner) because the price was eyewatering. According to the public archive of Mercedes-Benz, a new C43 AMG sedan would’ve set you back DM 5,420 in 998, almost doubleofaC280atthetime.

W205

The eagle-eyed readers among you may have noticed that we've skippedafewgenerationsbecause the sequential chassis numbers W203 and W204 didn't feature a C43 model. The early 2000's 203series started with a C32 V6 (in my opinion, a better candidate for V6 number nicking), followed by the biggerM3V8C55.

204 shapes only had the legendary M56 high-revving V8 in 63 guise, while its namesake in the W205wasathen-new4Ltwin-turbo V8. This is where and when — with apologiesforthelengthylesson—a smaller 3L twin-turbo V6 debuted asthenextC43AMG.Alsobasedon an existing Mercedes engine, it madebetween270and287kW

Inatwistofirony,ortothrowﬁre ontotheirrecklessriderecipe,AMG shippedthisvehiclewith4Maticallwheeldrivebutgavethemonstrous C63 rear-wheel drive only. My reviews of these vehicles (in coupe andcabrioletshape)notedthisasa C43 selling point, although the other way around would surely havebeenpreferable?

Nevermind,thepoorW205had mostoftheoddsstackedagainstit. Firstly, the 205-chassis was widely criticized as being too generic, and many markets quickly realized that the C43 was just a C450 with a few go-faster bits. On top of that, it wasn'tbuiltatAMGbutrolledoﬀthe regularMercedesconveyorbelts.

I'm not done yet. Some testers (including me) simply couldn't achieve the performance ﬁgures claimed by AMG, although others matched or bettered them. Its maker claimed a 0-00km/h sprint time of 4.7 seconds but our grey convertible press car labored its way to a best time of almost six seconds.Ohdear.

Top speed was the obligatory limited250km/hwhileaveragefuel consumption hovered around 9L/00km. The 7-speed auto-box was later upgraded to a 9-speed, yet some testers disliked its occasionallyhardshifts.Andﬁnally, as tends to be the fate of lower-tier

V6 performance vehicles, most people ridiculed the trumpeting exhaustandenginesound.

Not me, though. Especially when combined with the diﬀerent drive modes and active exhaust setup, the C43 (and very rare E43 AMG) gave me the same aural delights as their Jaguar and Nissan/Inﬁniti counterparts. Yet, despite my love for them, this little AMG's howling six-pot trumpet concertosarejustashatedasthose ofitsBritishorJapaneserivals.

As for driving impressions, specs or creature comforts in its rounded cabin, I encourage you to read or view previous C43 reviews.

At the moment, a huge beneﬁt of these cars is that they represent excellentvalueduetotheirmodern technology and performance, but atapre-ownedpricewithasmidgen ofwarrantyleft.

Insummary,thepoorW205C43 was improperly named, dealt a rather half-hearted hand, and forever lived in the shadow of its “properAMG”C63sibling.

But now, just a few years later, my love for the V6 C43 was quickly reignited during our short photoshoot because it oﬀers most of the AMG trinkets with decent performance and the surefootednessof4Matic.

REVIEW

W206

I'llstickmyhandupimmediately andstatethatIdon'tseeaquantum leap in quality or novelty with this current W206 C-Class. Sure, the design is tighter and the cabin uncluttered—thankstothevertical television — but I'm not a huge fan ofreplacingdozensofsystemswith justone,forthesakeofneatness.

As the owner of a naturallyaspirated V8 AMG you could also summise that I dislike modern engines or gizmos, but you'd be wrong. I'm absolutely amazed by the amount of power that gushes out of new-age motors, the ridiculousbutentertainingnumber of gears, plus all those automated orintegrateddrivesystems.

Yes, some of them can be annoying,butluckilyMercedesand AMG let you switch oﬀ start/stop, deactivate lane assist, turn to normal headlights, or provide a manual override for most driving nannies. The new steering wheel also requires a degree of learning, especially because this one comes with touch-sensitive areas and two multi-moderotarydials.

OthercritiquesInotedfromoldschool Mercedes or AMG owners included the position of the gear lever, response of the drive train and the novel four-cylinder noises. You get subdued 4-banger noises with everyday driving, but press or swipe the right stuﬀ and it morphs intoaGolfRdriver'swetdream.

Pops,bangs,cracklesandﬁzzles foreveryonewithinearshot!

Performance from this 300kW beast is absolutely amazing, plus therearesuﬃcientratiosinthe‘box to always ﬁnd a mid- to high-range acceleration salvo; plus plenty of gripfromthe4Maticsystem.

Ourbest0-00km/htimeproved thisatjust4.5seconds(MercedesAMG claims 4.6) on an absolutely soakingwetroad.

It's in the sportier drive settings where we noticed an even more nervous steering response (the default mode is already quite sharp), increased harshness to the rather ﬁrm ride, sometimes catastrophic fuel consumption and a drive train response which borders on rude. Does that all soundabitfamiliar?

“Too hectic!” was the chief complaint about this highlyresponsive 2-litre 4-pot “electric turbo”petrolmotorandadmittedly jerky 9-speed auto-box, which lead metorealizethateverythinginthis car is new or improved… but its character is pretty similar to those ofitstwoancestors.

All three generations of the C43 got criticised for not being the real deal, costing too much or having a harsh ride. Oh, and a wee bit of a drinkingproblem.

But they all provide a naughty soundtrack, rather entertaining performanceandasuperbmixture ofsafetyandluxuryfeatures.

The 2023 Mercedes-AMG C43 sedancostZAR,608,80whennew butisnotavailableinSAatthistime.

A decent 208 Mercedes-AMG C43 sedan currently retails around ZAR600,000to700,000.

The 998 Mercedes-Benz C43 sedan was never sold in our region but UK prices currently hover betweenGBP6,500and,000. ■

W202 C43 AMG

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4,266cc V8 Petrol

5-speed Auto, RWD

225kW @ 5,850rpm

410Nm @ 3,250rpm (claimed 11.7L/100km)

6.48 seconds (claimed 6.5) (claimed 250km/h*)

NLA

3,857

*electronically limited

W205 AMG C43 (2019)

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2,996cc V6 Bi-turbo 9-speed Auto, AWD

287kW @ 6,100rpm

520Nm @ 2,500rpm (claimed 9.1L/100km)

5.96 seconds (claimed 4.7) (claimed 250km/h*)

NLA

4,200+

*electronically limited

W206 AMG C43

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1,991cc i4 e-Turbo-hybrid 9-speed Auto, AWD

310kW @ 6,750rpm

500Nm @ 5,000rpm (claimed 8.7L/100km)

4.51 seconds (claimed 4.6) (claimed 250km/h*)

NLA

Still in production

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