The busy season of automobile events is finally here. No more worries about salt on the road and hopefully most of the potholes are filled. The Mercedes is shined and the tires are filled with just the right amount of air. Where to go!

In about two weeks many of us will take a trip to the June Jamboree in Montvale, New Jersey to show off our Mercedes. The show at New Jersey headquarters of Mercedes Benz North America is always a worthwhile trip. Many from our section make the trip to compete in the various categories and many walk away with a trophy. I hope you can join us. The very next day we will have a Judging Class right here on Long Island at Gullwing Motors conducted by Peter Lesler the National Concours Chairman for MBCA. If you have not signed up give me a call. You can learn a lot from Peter and turn your Mercedes into a class winner.

During the summer we will have an outing to Gliptone. Gliptone is head quartered on Long Island and makes fine automobile polishes and cleaners. There you can learn how to prepare your car for the many shows held during the summer months.

Follow our Logo to Old Westbury Gardens Sept. 21, 2014

In September comes our European Classics East show (formerly Legends of the Autobahn) held with Porsche and BMW. It will be held in Old Westbury Gardens on September 21 with a rain date of September 28th. This event is now a Special National Mercedes Club event and our friends in Westchester and Connecticut are co sponsors. Take a look at our ad in the Star and join us for a most memorable event. Details for this event are in our weekly e-blasts.

I hope to see you at one or more of these events. The Board of directors wishes you, your family and your Mercedes Benz a safe and happy summer.

By Daniel Neff

My father purchased his 1971 300SEL 6.3 approximately 14 years ago. We have had several W 109 diesel over the years. There are many things about the 6.3 Mercedes of significance but the color and engine were the main attractions.

In January I received an email from Mercedes Benz Club of America looking for members to participate in Cars and Coffee at Amelia Island Concourse. Before replying to the email I called Dad to see if he was interested in attending the Saturday only Cars and Coffee. He was interested so we emailed photos and a description of our car. To our surprise Mr. Hopper replied on 31st of January saying that he selected our Mercedes for the show.  

Then it was time to figure out how to get the car down to Florida. With one snowstorm after another, driving down didn't look good. We contacted several car transport companies for quotes. Curves Ahead Transport Specialists came through at the last minute.

My parents drove down from Charlotte, North Carolina, arrived on Wednesday and met with the driver. I arrived on Thursday to torrential rain and unseasonable cold weather. Despite the weather, after lunch we headed to the Ritz Carlton to see the RM Auctions Amelia Island Sale Preview. As expected the cars on display were beyond outstanding.   In the center of the room was a 1957 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster Originally owned by Natalie Wood that sold for $1,842,500. The absolutely stunning restoration was done by 300 SL specialists Rudi Koniczek.  

1957 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster.

In the RM tent outside on Ocean Lawn there was a 1971 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 Cabriolet which sold that week for $335,500. In all, there were five MBs in the auction: a 1961, 190 SL Roadster that sold for $143,000, a 1931, 370 S Mannheim Sport Cabriolet that sold for $671,000 and 2007, SLR McLaren Roadster Sold for $275,000.

1931 Mercedes-Benz 370 S Mannheim Sport Cabriolet

After checking out the silent auction and Automotive Fine Arts Society offerings, we checked in with the driver from Curves Ahead Transportation Specialists and decided to leave our car aboard for the night

Friday morning Mother Nature was still not cooperating, but the roads were dry. Our 300 SEL was unloaded by 8:30 am. and we took a cruise to check out the island. That included a stop by Island Car Wash to see what time they closed. We must have been having fun because before we knew it was time for lunch. We drove to downtown Fernandina Beach. I found a parking spot while Dad ordered lunch at 1:15pm..

Fernandina Beach's Center Street was the destination for the Passport Transport Eight Flags Road Tour. Participants were scheduled to display their cars until 2:00 pm. So after ordering lunch, I stepped out to walk around and take some photos and enjoy the cars. An early 1920's Rolls Royce drew most of the attention.

Dad and I had tickets to the Great Offy Drivers Seminar at The Ritz at 3:00 pm. But before

Returning to The Ritz we patronized the Island Car Wash.

By the time we arrived at The Ritz things were heating up. The main driveway was buzzing with exhaust sounds from exotic and super cars from each major manufacturer. Lines were forming. People with large grins stood waiting to test drive 2014 models. Mom got in line to test drive a new Jag before she visited the Shops at the Concours.

At the seminar, Indy 500 Winner Johnny Rutherford moderated a panel of drivers including Parnelli Jones, Al & Bobby Unser and David Hobbs, who had dominated Indy using the legendary Offenhauser powered cars. What probably impressed me the most was learning that the 162 cubic inch (2.654 Liter) turbo charged Offy running 80 in Hg (24.6 psi ) boost pressure, produced as much as 770 hp (570 kW) at 9,000 rpm. This was at the same time when the 300 SEL 6.3 Liter engine produced around 300 hp normally aspirated. Today the M156 6.3 L used in several AMG cars can produce around 622 hp; however, the Offy tops the chart at 290 hp per liter versus 98 hp per liter for the M156. Either way they are both impressive engines. 

After the seminar we retuned the 300 SEL to the trailer. The guys at Curves Ahead were nice enough to let us store our 300 in the trailer over night.  

Saturday morning we arrived early to unload the car. It was a short drive to the golf course. Cars & Coffee at the Concours presented by Heacock Classic Car Insurance opened to the public at 9:00 am and ran until 1:00 pm. As we arrived they lined us up in front of the Mercedes Benz tent. It was a cool clear morning, a good start to a beautiful day. I did a little cleaning and polishing while my parents got a cup of coffee and then walked around watching the cars arrive.  

Lots of nice people and cars were at the show. Our day was spent answering questions and telling the story of our car. It was much like a typical car show except that spectators were more into asking questions. They seemed to share a similar enthusiasm and passion for automobiles. Before I knew it, it was 1:00 pm and time to exit the show to make room for the Concourse Show cars. We stayed as long as the officials would allow, and then drove off to get some lunch. We returned soon after lunch to get a sneak peek at the cars that were to be displayed on Sunday at the Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance.  

After I dropped my parents at the main entrance to The Ritz, they found their way to the 10th and 18th fairways. There the officials were preparing the grounds for the big show. I parked along the roadway leading into the golf course and walked back through the fairway to the hotel. After snapping a few car photos, I caught up with my parents near the 10th green where all the cars must pass to enter the grounds. This was the place to see and hear the Concours d'Elegance. cars entering the fairway.

It was a blast listening to dad, age 74, tell stories about almost every car. We could have stood there until they kicked us out, but reluctantly we walked slowly across the fairway and exited.

That evening the MBCA Peachtree Section hosted a dinner party at the Crap Trap Restaurant in Downtown Fernandina Beach for all members that participated in the Cars and Coffee show. If I recall correctly, there were over 20 MBCA Section in attendance.

On behalf of the NYC-Long Island Section and my parents, I would like to thank Mr. William West Hopper, Eastern Regional Director MBCA, Mr. Brian Webber Executive Director The Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance Foundation, Inc, and Heacock Classic Car Insurance for organizing a fun and exciting event.  

Thank you Dan for this stunning report - Ed. John 

Other Section's Events! Check updates. 

MBCA Trip to Germany

Cost: $3,000 U.S. per person includes hotels, meals, transportation and guided tours in English (airfare is additional). Space is limited to the first 20 guests. Your $500/pp deposit is needed soon! Call Trip Leiter and past National MBCA President Jim O'Sullivan at 843.671.2079 or email osullivanj55@gmail.com for details.

#2: Back by popular demand! Stuttgart Germany Tour | July 28-Aug. 3, 2014

"The MBCA trip to Germany is one of the best benefits offered to Club Members. Whether you are a lifelong Mercedes-Benz enthusiast or have recently acquired your first Mercedes, you will simply be 'WOWED' by the experience. I have taken this trip four times! That speaks for itself." Cliff Reyle, MBCA Central Regional Director & Member, Memphis Section   

Take MBCA's guided trip through the Stuttgart Region and experience the rich heritage of Mercedes-Benz first-hand. Enjoy VIP destinations, accommodations and five-star cuisine. No worries, just "WOW!" on this command-performance excursion for Members, families and friends. Repeat travelers give these trips two BIG thumbs up! Read a satisfied Member's Germany tour diary here:

http://www.mbca.org/sites/default/files/82813-marapr-2012_selected-pages.pdf

Again in 2014, MBCA is offering optional European river cruises after this trip. See #3 below for details.  

#3: The 2013 autumn trip was a sell-out - reserve your 2014 space now! Stuttgart, Germany Tour | September 22-28, 2014

"Trip of a lifetime! The experience was totally unique and special, giving us a much greater appreciation for everything Mercedes-Benz." Laura and Richard Simonds, National Vice President and Past National President, respectively & Members, San Francisco Bay Area Section

Hundreds of MBCA Members and guests have traveled to Stuttgart with us in the autumn; and many have joined us multiple times. See for yourself why this trip is consistently voted "Nummer Eins" ("Number One") by discriminating travelers.

Enjoy captivating guided tours of the Carl Benz Museum in Ladenburg; the Daimler Workshop in Bad Cannstatt; the AMG facilities in Affalterbach; the Mercedes-Benz Museum and Brand Center in Unterturkheim; the Technical Museum in Sinsheim; the Bad Cannstatt Engine Assembly Plant; the Classic Center in Fellbach and the Sindelfingen assembly plant that covers more ground that the entire principality of Monaco. And that's just for starters!

Cost: $2,500 U.S. per person includes hotels, all meals, transportation and guided tours in English (airfare is additional). Call Trip Leiter and past National MBCA President Jim O'Sullivan at 843.671.2079 or email osullivanj55@gmail.com for details.

MBCA is offering optional European river cruises to travelers in July and September. For information and details, please contact Randy Norris at Frosch Travel @ 800.878.2929 ext. 7105.  

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