THIRD QTR
2010
MBCA | Carolinas Section
We Saw This Car Person! To
in
find out
what it is,
Ladies
and Gentlemen, please join us as we step back in time to the year 1989...
Look Inside!
THE OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF THE MERCEDES BENZ CLUB OF AMERICA, CAROLINAS SECTION
Better Than a Hot Tub Time Machine...
DON’S FOUND A EASIER WAY TO RELIVE THE 1980s
By Don Suttles
It’s Saturday afternoon... 98 degree weather outside, 72 degree inside... I’m sitting on the sofa scanning my laptop for any program I can find which I haven’t already read meticulously. Oh well, let’s check out e-Bay to see what’s offered in the 1989 Mercedes Benz 560SL Model. WAIT, I still have the 1989 560 SL I bought off e-Bay last
January. Boy, did I get a raw deal that time! I remember how great the pictures looked and the multiple paragraph description describing the many accolades of the car and NO BIDS and NO MINIMUM. “If I bid now, I may get this gem because the auction ends within the hour.” I BID AND WON (as it turned out, I bid and LOST). Several days later, the car
showed up looking like a Mercedes Benz salvage reject. I think the proverbial junkyard dog used the wheels as his preference over a shiny fire hydrant. OK, so I’ll let bygones be bygones and get on with my original plan to see what is now available and at what price. I logged in, entered make and model into the search block and pressed GO. Continued on page 2
STARFEST
S eptember 24 - 29
Come for the weekend or for the week. Enjoy showing your car, driving your car, talking with other Mercedes-Benz enthusiasts or just enjoy gazing at some of the greatest German made cars from the 60s, 70s, 80s 90s and today! This is a great opportunity to really learn how your car handles in a controlled environment under the watchful eye of an instructor at the speeds that your car was designed to go. All experience levels are encouraged to participate. If you have questions about driving contact: Bill Hopper, wwhopper@gmail.com, 202.364.2852.
If driving the track isn’t your thing, enjoy some of the special tours of the Virginia countryside arranged for Sunday, Monday and Tuesday. StarFest® 2010 will take place in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley just 50 miles west of Washington, DC. A scenic drive from virtually anywhere! For more information contact Jim Roberts: jertoothsaver@bellsouth. net General Registration is $45 which includes a Friday evening Welcome Reception; Detail Prep Clinics on
Friday; Technical seminars during Saturday’s Concours d’ Elegance and spectator admission to all driving events and the Concours d’ Elegance. Event and Meal Registration varies. For more information and to register go to: www.gws-mbca.org/SF/ StarFest.html Registration questions: Contact Paul Vandenberg: pdjv@pdjv.net Questions about the event: Contact Bill Hopper wwhopper@gmail.com.
T ime M achine , C ont ’ d Gosh, only five 1989 Mercedes Benz 560SLs for sale? I think this red one looks good and the seller is only 200 miles from my location. Immediately this got my attention: Mouse Over..CLICK.. Bid history: 0 bids Vehicle Description: “This is a one family-owned 560SL with complete records, window sticker, books, manuals and absolutely extraordinary! This car shows up exactly like you see photographed and without a doubt – THIS IS THE BEST! This car could win any show that it was to enter.” The original owners’ son stated the car had never been run in the rain (they all say that). I really believe the car was probably never run in the rain. It shows as a time warp back to 1989 in every aspect – even the odor of the inte-
rior is of an 560SL in 1989. we would talk again on Monday The interior is incredible, the and if we still agree, I would pick engine compartment is incredible, up the car. the soft top, the paint, the stainThat was six days ago and as of less steel, glass, wheels, tires, all now, I have had one person beg incredible. As to the run and drive me to sell (on credit terms) and – INCREDIBLE!! another cash offer substantially The car has nothing added or higher than my purchase price. subtracted from its original condiBUT: I love my wife, my house, tion, no chrome lip moldings, no and MY 1989 Mercedes Benz door edge guards, no aftermarket 560SL and I say “NO SALE.” radio, just pure Mercedes Benz. The car was always garage-kept and when driven to the office, it was in an underground parking garage. The undercarriage looks like a new 560SL with nuts, bolts, rubbers, exhaust, all still clean and shiny. Because of my prior experience, I knew not to bid so I did the next best thing. I called the number listed and talked to the seller. We agreed on a price of under The in terio r looks p ris tin e ! Maybe it $20,000 with the stipulation that IS 1989, after all!
Tax Day in Gaffney AUGUST 7TH GATHERING IN UPSTATE SOUTH CAROLINA Our August members event was a great success during the annual Tax Free Holiday weekend. Held on Saturday, August 7th at the Prime Outlet Mall, Carolinas section members enjoyed a full day of tax-free shopping and camaraderie with friends both old and new. Adeptly organized by Odette Sigler, the group first met at lunchtime at Exit 90, right off I-85 at the Prime Outlet Mall. With over 70 outlet stores included in the village-style designer center, some of America’s biggest brand names including COACH Factory, Pottery Barn Outlet, Polo Ralph Lauren Factory Store and the Nike Factory Store offered a vast array of shopping opportunities for the bargain-seekers. Around 3:30pm in the afternoon, the group lined up all of the beautiful Mercedes Benz cars in attendance for
a series of photos, including the ones that you see here. The outside activities didn’t last long, as the temperature was scorching hot. The conclusion of the day was an Aussie delight at Outback Steakhouse. “We had a great turnout,” said Rick Deiber, president of the Carolina section of MBCA. “We especially enjoyed getting to see Don Suttle’s latest acquisition, which is a superior example of a 560SL
from the late ‘80s.” The tax-free shopping event has been an annual event for the MBCA Carolinas section for several years now. If you’ve never attended, mark your calendar now for next year. You won’t want to miss out on the deals next year!
President’s Message MBCA CAROLINA’S SECTION PRESIDENT, RICK DEIBER
NEW MEMBERS Thomas & JoAnne Clemons Jerry and Caryloy Henderson William and Lavern Hiatt Dieter Klauss Dennis & Shana La Caria Nick Massarotto Stephen Nielsen Carolyn Poore Jim Threatt Marc Bowen Brenner Wood & Karen Shea Bob Boan
I have owned Mercedes Benz automobiles since my high school senior year in 1970. My first MB was a 1960 220 S, the color was “green and rust”. A friend of my family was a Mercedes mechanic at the Albany NY MB dealer and found me the car for $500. He also patched the car and kept it running through my senior year of high school and my first two years of college. Cancer (rust) finally killed the car after three years. I had become an expert on patching rust holes with fiberglass, bondall and painting, but once rust starts, you cannot stop it. After the funeral for my 220 S, I was able to find a 1963 190 C in excellent condition. This car was a dream compared to my old 220 S, no rust with low miles, European Model. I purchased it from an Army Office who brought it back with him from Germany. I drove this car for my final two years at Plattsburgh State University in Upstate NY (near the Canadian border – 60 miles from Montreal). The car served me well on “Party Trips” to Montreal, bi-weekly ski trips to Whiteface Mountain and Jay Peak in VT, and the 150 mile trip though the Adirondack Mountains to my parents’ home in Schenectady, NY. My senior year, I was driving though the Whiteface Mountain parking lot and drove over a chunk of ice and punched a hole in the floor pan in the back seat. No problem, I patched the hole with a “pop riveted” sheet of aluminum, and sealed with fiberglass cloth and resin, and put the carpet and mat over the patch. Again, this car had “terminal cancer” (rust) and only lasted another year. In the past 40 years, I have owned over 25 cars and trucks (Mercedes and non-Mercedes), but usually have at least one Mercedes in my garage.
Ed Horton
So, now that you know my story, I would like to introduce a new feature in our newsletter:
Naresh Jain Edgar McVay
Every Car Has a Story
Robert & Janet Rosenzweig Wajahat Syed Frank Weckerly
WELCOME! Cannon’s
• Specializing in Pre-Owned Mercedes• 2640 Asheville Highway Hendersonville, NC
JERRY CANNON Owner
828-606-7255 Cell 828-692-6541 Office
We will be featuring cars acquired by our members for reasonable amounts of money (preferably under $20,000) in great condition with little work needed. Examples of cars recently purchased by our members for under $20,000: • Soren Pedersen -1998 SL 600 – Found in Florida in May with only 50,000 Miles (Original Sticker Price $130,000+) • Don Suttles -1989 SL purchased last month with 46,000 Miles • My 2000 CLK 430 Cabriolet, purchased last year in Hickory with only 25,000 miles. Stored in a garage since new with a car cover, never driven in rain or bad weather. You don’t have to spend $50,000 + to get a MB! There are plenty of low mileage, mint condition Mercedes available for under $20,000. These cars, if properly maintained, will provide many years of service. Recent examples of cars for sales on Auto Trader and Cars.com - 2001 CLK 320 Cabriolet at a MB Dealer in South Florida with 22,000 miles, a 2003 ML 320 with 45,000 ($13,000) and a 2003 CLK 430 Cabriolet at a MB dealer in Charlotte with 17,000 miles. These cars usually can be found in Florida and usually only are used in the winter season. In upcoming issues we will be featuring stories on our members cars. Please send us your story about your car and we will feature it in upcoming newsletters! See you at our next event at Shelton Vineyards in Dobson NC on Saturday August 28th. Look for details on our website and in this newsletter.
H & H Auto Service
35 Hunter Road, Hilton Head Island, SC 29926
Proud Members of the MercedesBenz Club of America Since 1983
•Sales and Service of Pre-Owned Mercedes-Benzs •Service by Experts Trained on Mercedes •Great Advice and Helpful Information H&H Auto Body - Check out our website at www.hhautobodyhhi.com
(843) 681-8384 • www.handhautos.com
UPCOMING EVENTS
C heck
out full details at mbcacarolinas . org
Food Lion Auto Fair:
August 26 - 29, Concord, NC. Charlotte Motor Speedway, Car show on 150+ acres with 10,000 vendor spaces. WE’VE BEEN CHALLENGED! The Porsche Club wagers that we can’t bring as many cars as they can. Let’s prove them wrong! Let us know if you’re interested in attending this event as a car club. Events are available daily from Aug. 26 - 29.
Shelton Vineyards:
August 28, 10:00am, Shelton Vineyards in Dobson, NC. 10th Anniversary celebration featuring vintage Mercedes Benz and wine! If you’d like to showcase your car at this event, please email model and year to odette@ overgaardweb.com. Enjoy a winery tour and tasting before lunch and then feast on fabulous food at the Harvest Grill at noon. There will also be a car show, with neighboring sections bringing lots of beautiful cars, including some classics, including three 300SLs from the 1950s and 1960s. For more on the winery, visit www.sheltonvineyards.com.
Euro Classica: in Winston Salem, NC. You are
invited to EURO CLASSICA, featuring the beautifully exciting cars and motorcycles of Europe. Vehicles will be displayed in a park like setting with the buildings of the 1700’s town of Old Salem as a backdrop. The event will take place at historic Old Salem located in Winston-Salem, NC. Sept. 10-11, 2010. $5 charitable donation at the gate.
Call for Officer Nominations The MBCA Carolinas Section is governed by an elected group of officers. Every year, officers are elected by you, the membership, at the annual meeting, which will be held in December. These elections are required by the MBCA Carolinas Section bylaws. As a MBCA Carolinas Section member, you are eligible to serve on a committee or run for Section Officer. The offices for election this year are: President and Treasurer. Additionally, the position of Newsletter Editor will be open in 2011. If you would like to be an officer, or volunteer to help on a committee or produce the quarterly newsletter, please contact Fred Harris, harrisfred@hotmail.com. Thank you for your participation in the MBCA Carolinas Section!
Oktoberfest:
Helen, GA: Oct. 8 - 10, Oktoberfest fall celebration. Enjoy the natural beauty of the season with hands-on pioneer skills exhibits, hayrides through the park, traditional craft vendors, mountain music, and apple cider from a hand-cranked press. Please note: the dates for this event may change. Please consult the section’s website at www.mbcacarolinas.org.
Eurofest:
Spartanburg, SC: Oct. 15 - 16, Eurofest at the BMW Zentrum facility. The festivities will be held on Friday and Saturday this year, with the featured marque of Volkswagen. Includes a show of many fine vehicles, and lots of fun for enthusiasts.
Hilton Head Island Concours:
November 5 - 7, 2010. November 6: With car clubs traveling from throughout the U.S. to participate, the Car Club Jamboree offers an eclectic mix of over 150 cars covering the history of the automobile from early production models to modern day’s high performance muscle cars, hot rods and European sports cars. This year will feature car clubs that celebrate the 2010 Honored Marque, Chevrolet, as well as celebrate the beauty of Italian design with clubs representing Ferrari, Lamborghini, Alfa Romeo and more! November 7: The first Sunday of November, official Concours d’Elegance competition day, will feature over 150 vintage cars and motorcycles competing for the coveted top honors of Best of Show and People’s Choice. All exhibited vehicles must go through an application process and be accepted by the Concours d’Elegance Selection Committee. To be considered, all cars must be 1972 and earlier and all motorcycles must be 1980 and earlier. MBCA Carolinas section has participated as a club for several years now - please join us in Hilton Head for an amazing weekend. Details will be available on mbcacarolinas.org.
Annual Dinner:
Asheville, NC. Gather together with fellow club members at our traditional dinner in December. Plans to be announced.
NEW MAGAZINE, KLASSE, FEATURES SLKS IN FIRST ISSUE A new magazine called Klasse is scheduled to be on sale at the end of this year. The entire first edition will be devoted to SLKs! The editor, Tom Bentley, is looking for content. He’s hoping to write about: •Someone who owns three or more SLKs. •A factory mechanic or specialty shop owner who is well-versed in SLKs and really into them, not just someone who’s worked on one. •An owner who has greatly modified their car. •Someone who races SLKs. •An unsual story with your car, such as you traveled to Europe to pick up the car, or the car caused a profound change in their life. To contact Tom, you may reach him at: klassemagazine.com.
Dock Party!
July 10th in Charleston: Sunshine? CHECK. Surf ‘n Turf? CHECK. Beautiful waterfront view? CHECK. We have everything! So, it must be the annual MBCA Carolinas Section Dock Party!! Graciously hosted once again by Henry and Katherine Dunbar at their incredible home, it was a perfect day for a dock party. There were plenty of goodies and hanging out by the water on the Dunbar’s dock was a favorite pastime of the members who attended. “I was thrilled that we had new faces at the dock party,” said Rick Deiber, MBCA Carolinas Section President. “We encourage everyone to attend events and get to know the other members of the Club. I’ve made a great many new friends, just by participating!”
MEMBER BBQ IN COLUMBIA •MAY 22 ! a full weekend of activities including the sls amg
SLS AMG
interior
Dinner
SLS AMG
rear view
SLS AMG
Party Starting
Lunch
at the
at the
Tiki Hut
Brownes
at
Gervais
and
Vine
front view
Dinner
at
Gervais
Group
at
Dick Dyer MB Session
Rick Deiber
on the covered porch
Saluda River
Everyone’s
here!
Saltwater Pool
and
Vine
behind the
Brownes
Thanks to everyone that came to the Member BBQ in Columbia, hosted by Chip and Melissa Browne! The weekend included a Friday evening dinner at Gervais and Vine, a tapas bar; a Saturday morning viewing of the SLS AMG at Dick Dyer Mercedes Benz/Volvo; the BBQ on Saturday afternoon and a goodbye breakfast on Sunday morning at Cafe Strudel.
MBCA | Carolinas Section 101 Medical Circle Drive West Columbia, SC 29169
TIDBITS • USEFUL INFORMATION Carolinas Section Officers Contact List
PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID COLUMBIA, SC PERMIT #1098
AMG Driving Academy
AMG Driving Academy offers the opportunity to develop performance driving skills under the guidance of professional racers and instructors and takes place at two of the most legendary US circuits, Road Atlanta and Laguna Seca Raceway. It offers three distinct programs, each of which will push drivers to the limit in select AMG vehicles, including the most advanced AMG vehicle ever built, the 2011 SLS AMG. Visit AMGAcademy.com and use discount code ADAMBCA to register.
PRESIDENT Richard Deiber Huntersville, NC (704) 948-1433 president@mbcacarolinas.org
TREASURER Roy L. Davis Columbia, SC (803) 331-1852 treasurer@mbcacarolinas.org
From the National Business Office: With every email and
IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT Anthony Santagati Beaufort, SC (843) 522-9444 sandspub@aol.com
MEMBERSHIP CHAIR Fred Harris Statesville, NC (704) 902-6253 harrisfred@hotmail.com
be sent electronically (so it must include a valid email address). Please
VICE PRESIDENT Soren Pedersen Waxhaw, NC (980) 722-5651 vicepresident@mbcacarolinas.org
EVENTS CHAIR Odette Sigler-Pedersen Waxhaw, NC (704) 290-2257 odette@overgaardweb.com
SECRETARY Roger Levesque Easley, SC (864) 230-0081 secretary@mbcacarolinas.org
NEWSLETTER EDITOR Melissa Sprouse Browne Columbia, SC (803) 791-3800 info@mbcacarolinas.org
address update that we receive at the NBO, we will send a 10% off coupon for one item in the Club Store. One coupon per member will send these updates to Geni at geni@mbca.org.
Capriccio Ristorante Make Your Reservation for a Romantic Rendezvous!
10% Discount for MBCA Members!
1034 Chuck Dawley Blvd. Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464 (843) 881-5550