Star Torque Issue 244 Winter 2016
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Mercedes-Benz Club of NSW<br />
<strong>Star</strong> <strong>Torque</strong><br />
M -B C<br />
N R<br />
Mercedes-AMG S 63 & S 65<br />
W 113 Pagoda History & Club cars<br />
The Best or Nothing<br />
EDITION <strong>244</strong><br />
WINTER <strong>2016</strong>
About Mercedes-Benz Club of NSW<br />
Dear readers,<br />
As custodians of the Mercedes-<br />
Benz brand in NSW, our Club<br />
is a not for profit organisation<br />
run by enthusiasts for enthusiasts<br />
of Mercedes-Benz vehicles, with<br />
support from dealerships.<br />
The Mercedes-Benz Club of NSW<br />
was founded on January 29th 1972<br />
at East Linfield by a group of nine<br />
enthusiasts sharing a common<br />
interest in this wonderful marque,<br />
and was incorporated under the<br />
NSW Associations Act in 1990.<br />
The first Club event was a picnic<br />
held on a Sunday, 6th February<br />
1972. Our Club is a member of the<br />
Mercedes-Benz Club Management,<br />
established to promote and assist<br />
Mercedes-Benz Clubs globally.<br />
Today, our members and the<br />
Club have grown to include<br />
drive days, social events, tours,<br />
technical workshops, cocktail<br />
functions, dealer events and our<br />
prestige annual Concours d’Elegance<br />
in September.<br />
Our Club members are owners and<br />
admirers of all types of Mercedes-<br />
Benz vehicles, from vintage models<br />
circa 1915, through all the classic<br />
vehicles in the 1940s, 50’s and 60’s<br />
right up to today’s high performance<br />
Mercedes-AMG cars.<br />
As well as running our own NSW<br />
based events, we are involved with<br />
other Mercedes-Benz Clubs across<br />
Australia, holding exciting interstate<br />
tours and events for members.<br />
The Mercedes-Benz Club National<br />
Rally is held in a host capital city<br />
every two years, where interstate<br />
Club members gather for a week of<br />
Mercedes-Benz social, car events,<br />
tours and car displays. This year<br />
it was our turn to host it in Sydney,<br />
which turned out to be a very<br />
successful and enjoyable event.<br />
Our website mbcnsw.org.au is<br />
being upgraded to include modern<br />
Mercedes-Benz and Mercedes-<br />
AMG information and events. If you<br />
own a Mercedes-AMG, please come<br />
forward and provide support for the<br />
Club with these vehicles, as we need<br />
to connect with new members with<br />
these cars through digital media.<br />
We post to facebook.com/<br />
mercedes.nswclub.<br />
Our Club is a fun, friendly,<br />
knowledgeable and entertaining<br />
place to enjoy together with your<br />
modern or classic Mercedes-Benz.<br />
We welcome new members and<br />
look forward to seeing you and our<br />
existing members throughout the<br />
year at various fun events and social<br />
functions. Please join us and enjoy.<br />
Yours sincerely<br />
Mercedes-Benz Club of NSW<br />
www.mbcnsw.org.au<br />
1
CONTENTS<br />
WINTER <strong>2016</strong><br />
21<br />
25<br />
1 About Mercedes-Benz Club of NSW<br />
4 The Presidents report<br />
6 Mercedes-Benz W113 Design<br />
7 Club Pagodas<br />
11 The Mercedes-AMG S 63 & S 65 cabriolet<br />
15 Mercedes-Benz Style<br />
17 Mercedes-Benz 1938 540 K Streamliner<br />
21 Local Hero: Spencer Martin<br />
25 National Rally <strong>2016</strong><br />
39 Mille Miglia <strong>2016</strong><br />
Mercedes-Benz Club of NSW Inc. Reg No. Y111 66-02. ABN 43 684 976 470. PO Box 100 Kenthurst NSW 2156. tel: 0449 883 633. website: www.<br />
mbcnsw.org.au / website manager: Bill Dawes webmaster@mbcnsw.org.au / facebook: facebook.com/mercedes.nswclub / email: enquiries@mbcnsw.org.au<br />
/ editor Dennis Dinse editor@mbcnsw.org.au design & pre-press A.King / print Beeprint Pty Ltd / adversing adversing@mbcnsw.org.au<br />
2
CONTENTS<br />
EDITION <strong>244</strong><br />
17<br />
39<br />
7<br />
11<br />
41 Calendar of Events<br />
43 Wollombi Club drive day<br />
45 Mercedes-Benz Concours Victoria<br />
47 Executive committee & team<br />
48 Motor Mart<br />
49 Editorial license & new members<br />
50 Conditional Registration scheme<br />
51 Membership form<br />
52 Membership fees<br />
53 <strong>Star</strong> <strong>Torque</strong> magazine<br />
Mercedes-Benz Club (NSW) Inc. is a not-for-profit organisaon & member of the Mercedes-Benz Club Management. STAR TORQUE is our Club magazine<br />
published quarterly for members, enthusiasts, local & overseas Clubs, Mercedes-Benz dealers & interested customers & associated businesses. “Mercedes-<br />
Benz” & three-pointed star in a circle authorised for use by Mercedes-Benz Club (NSW) Inc. All copyright and trademarks & tradenames are the property of<br />
their respecve owners, including sourced media from Daimler AG.<br />
Please visit www.mercedes-benz.com.au to find your nearest passenger vehicle dealership.<br />
3
The Presidents report<br />
As I write this report winter is<br />
about to start. We do not store our<br />
cars during the winter, as there are<br />
lot of great drives and social events<br />
organised by our Events and Social<br />
Committees. I would like to see as<br />
many Members as possible at these<br />
events, especially historic plated<br />
registration cars, as it is important to<br />
keep these vehicles moving.<br />
Club events are where these vehicles<br />
belong as we are the custodians of the<br />
Mercedes-Benz brand.<br />
It is with much sadness I announce<br />
the recent passing of our honourable<br />
Club secretary Ken Pitman’s father,<br />
Bill Greenville’s wife Janet and<br />
another long term member John<br />
Franks.<br />
The recent Victorian Concours was<br />
well attended by Vince Thompson,<br />
Matt Kean, Mark Hertz and others<br />
who reported that the day was well<br />
run with some very well prepared<br />
Mercedes-Benz on display.<br />
John Linders is settling in as the<br />
new leader of the Model advisers and<br />
the Club Shop, and merchandise, will<br />
now be run by Charles Mansour.<br />
Executive Committee:<br />
I would like to extend my sincere<br />
thanks to the Executive Committee<br />
for all their hard work in keeping the<br />
Club in smooth running order. At the<br />
last general meeting we had the most<br />
profitable raffle night ever, so thanks<br />
to Mike Fleming for organising this.<br />
Nick Harris, the Sydney German<br />
AutoFest (SGA) events director, will<br />
continue to provide excellent work on<br />
new functions for <strong>2016</strong>, along with a<br />
great events team.<br />
Membership:<br />
I am sure that we all know Mercedes-<br />
Benz owners who are not Club<br />
Members yet, so please join them up<br />
and let us all make them welcome.<br />
The MBCNSW is moving forward to<br />
aggressively attract new members<br />
and we thank Bill Greenville for his<br />
sterling work over the past years as<br />
the Club’s membership secretary.<br />
Jenny Fleming has taken over the<br />
Membership Secretary portfolio and<br />
she is actively making contact with<br />
our entire database of members<br />
to make sure details are correct<br />
and connect with them to be more<br />
involved in events and Club life.<br />
I am very pleased to report that our<br />
Membership is growing well and I ask<br />
all Members to make new Members<br />
feel welcome at meetings and events.<br />
With development plans in progress<br />
for the website, membership will<br />
become an automated online process<br />
this year, with the ability to pay<br />
quarterly by credit card or electronic<br />
funds transfer.<br />
The Executive Committee has<br />
revised the annual Club membership<br />
fees, as Club dues have not increased<br />
for over four years and our running<br />
costs certainly have.<br />
Printing costs along with many other<br />
essential services have increased,<br />
considerably, and now account for<br />
approximately half of a single annual<br />
membership fee. The new fee is $95<br />
per annum with a special price $25<br />
joining fee for new members.<br />
Website:<br />
The new MBCNSW website needs<br />
input from digitally savvy Mercedes-<br />
Benz owners with new cars, and<br />
in particular AMG owners, for<br />
suggesting content, ideas and ways<br />
to manage social media and modern<br />
car events. Please contact A. King to<br />
The Mercedes-Benz SSK 710 Count Trossi Roadster will be featured in the next issue of <strong>Star</strong> <strong>Torque</strong>.<br />
4
discuss this further at: advertising@<br />
mbcnsw.org.au<br />
<strong>Star</strong> <strong>Torque</strong>:<br />
Our <strong>Star</strong> <strong>Torque</strong> magazine is being<br />
well received as a perfect bound<br />
publication from our audience and<br />
advertisers, whom we thank for their<br />
continued support for the Club.<br />
However, Dennis Dinse and A. King<br />
are overstretched to produce this<br />
magazine every quarter and it will<br />
not continue without help from other<br />
members.<br />
We urge Club members to step up<br />
and provide content for the magazine.<br />
Stories about your car/s, experiences<br />
(good or bad) with pictures at decent<br />
resolution are needed – see <strong>Star</strong><br />
<strong>Torque</strong> Magazine section in this<br />
issue for how to do this.<br />
We URGENTLY need Club members<br />
who are able to edit and produce<br />
the magazine, with the necessary<br />
computer skills, to come forward<br />
now, as Dennis and A. King can<br />
no longer afford the time to do this<br />
due to their other heavy workload<br />
commitments.<br />
Please make contact with Dennis at<br />
editor@mbcnsw.org.au.<br />
National Clubs Rally:<br />
The National Rally <strong>2016</strong>, held<br />
recently, was one of the best National<br />
Rally’s held to date. Special thanks<br />
go to Simon Strauss and his team<br />
for their huge effort and to a job<br />
well done, as this was a world class<br />
event. I had many interstate entrants<br />
contact me about the classy and<br />
professional way it was all organised.<br />
Pebble Beach Tour August <strong>2016</strong>:<br />
Attend the world famous and world<br />
class event Pebble Beach Concours<br />
d’Elegance tour with the MBCNSW.<br />
Departing in August, this is a selfselect<br />
tour, so you can book any or all<br />
of the events with us:<br />
Vince Thompson has the trip to<br />
Pebble Beach well in hand and this is<br />
the trip of a lifetime, so if anyone else<br />
wishes to go, talk to Vince as he may<br />
still be able to fit you in.<br />
Vince Thompson - 0411 773 440, for<br />
further information.<br />
Canada Bay Club:<br />
General meetings are in the<br />
auditorium, on the first Wednesday<br />
of every month, with Tea, Coffee<br />
and food available for purchase,<br />
downstairs.<br />
The Canada Bay Club is our regular<br />
general meeting venue now, where<br />
we recently, had ex Australian F1<br />
champion Spencer Martin, give us<br />
an entertaining talk on his racing<br />
history, so please come along.<br />
Our other guest speaker last month<br />
was Ken Grindrod from the Gosford<br />
Classic Car Museum. Ken gave a<br />
detailed talk on the museum, which<br />
now has over 700 cars. They are<br />
members of our Club and I ask all<br />
Members to support this new facility.<br />
The Club has booked a Car day<br />
later this year and we are told that<br />
they will change the displays and<br />
cars regularly, which is good for the<br />
Australian Classic Car movement, as<br />
Concours and large displays can be<br />
held there<br />
Historic plate registration:<br />
We have over 180 cars on historic<br />
plate registration and we must handle<br />
the system correctly. I stress that all<br />
owners make sure they renew their<br />
Club Membership in June, otherwise<br />
the registration and insurance<br />
becomes void.<br />
Be sure to adhere to the RMS rules<br />
and I suggest you join the 60 day trail<br />
logbook scheme, which saves logging<br />
longer trips.<br />
Bill Daws will join the Registrar’s<br />
team, so we now have a total<br />
of 4 registrars with Bill Dawes,<br />
Greg Drakopoulos, Grant Karsten<br />
and myself. This will enable<br />
Club Members to have Historic<br />
Registration needs better catered for.<br />
<strong>2016</strong> – Upcoming Events:<br />
The SGA will take place at Gough<br />
Whitlam Park at the same time as<br />
we hold our annual Mercedes-Benz<br />
Club <strong>2016</strong> Concours in September, so<br />
what a great day this will be! By now<br />
you are all preparing your beautiful<br />
Mercedes-Benz’s for this year’s<br />
Concours in September, we want this<br />
one to be the best ever.<br />
This year we are combining with the<br />
Sydney German Auto Fest under the<br />
direction of Nick Harris, so we need<br />
every Mercedes-Benz in the Cub to be<br />
there especially historic plate cars,<br />
all 600’s, 300abcd, 190SL’s, 113SL’s,<br />
W111’s, Coupes and Finnies,<br />
W114/5, W108’s, R107’s, all pre-war<br />
and early 1950’s cars, plus all other<br />
Mercedes-Benz and Mercedes-AMG<br />
cars, old or new,<br />
I am bringing all of my cars this<br />
year and need help with drivers, so<br />
if you can help, please contact me.<br />
Concours Director Luke Vrettos says<br />
there is going to be a big interstate<br />
attendance this year as well. The<br />
events committee is planning events<br />
for with new drives and tech days to<br />
be enjoyed by members and guests.<br />
I ask all Members to support the<br />
Club and volunteer for duties and<br />
attend as many events and Club<br />
Meetings as you can.<br />
Ben de Boer<br />
Club President<br />
5
M -B W113 D<br />
by Daimler AG<br />
The creation of the W 113 series (from 1963 to<br />
1971) under Friedrich Geiger marked a paradigm<br />
change in SL design; not because of the Pagoda<br />
roof, but in spite of it. The break with curves and<br />
arches symbolising organic forms such as muscle strands<br />
meant SL design for the W 113 model series called for a<br />
new perspective.<br />
The result was a body with characteristic smooth surfaces,<br />
which refrained from extensive use of trim elements.<br />
Only the flared wheel arches and tyres that completely<br />
filled them conveyed a sense of power and dynamism. In<br />
the area of the rear wings, a delicate, barely perceptible<br />
shoulder echoed the tailfin era that was coming to an end.<br />
The angular end of the rear wing, in conjunction with the<br />
boot lid that followed it in silhouette, resulted in useful<br />
load compartment capacity.<br />
Owing to the low waistline and large glazed surfaces,<br />
even with the top closed the car gave the impression of<br />
lightness and airiness, making one forget the feeling of<br />
confinement which many convertibles and sports cars<br />
give their occupants.<br />
A fillet running from the headlamp unit through to<br />
the rear end, gives the compact two-seater a stretched<br />
appearance and avoids the impression of tedious twodimensionality<br />
in the side view.<br />
The front end is dominated by a radiator opening which<br />
is wider than in the previous model and integrates the<br />
Mercedes star and two flanking chrome inserts. The almost<br />
rectangular headlamp units form the outer boundary.<br />
This was the first car in SL design to display a vertical<br />
homogeneity of traditionally evolved style elements. But<br />
there were critics for whom the even wider face of the<br />
W 113 model series, though effective, was at the same<br />
time a formal exaggeration. The chrome frame on the<br />
arch bordering the top of the grille was made thicker and<br />
prominently emphasised the expressive power of the face<br />
of the SL in the W 113 series.<br />
The curvature of the bonnet with its striking powerdome<br />
contrasted with the otherwise level surface structure of<br />
the body and resulted from the installation of a vertical<br />
in-line six-cylinder engine.<br />
special feature of the W 113 series was the concave<br />
A hardtop, spontaneously dubbed “il pagoda” by the<br />
Italians – an expression which over the decades has become<br />
established as a synonym for the entire model series. The<br />
starting point for this hardtop shape came from safety<br />
pioneer Béla Barényi to create additional carrying space<br />
on the roof of a passenger car. He conducted extensive<br />
tests on saloons of various model series, but putting this<br />
idea into practice did not meet with unanimous approval.<br />
The head of development, Hans Scherenberg, regarded the<br />
Pagoda roof as a signature of the vehicle and served no<br />
functional purpose as far as driving was concerned.<br />
The design was developed under the direction of Friedrich<br />
Geiger and followed the functional trend of passenger cars<br />
of the period and the design was realised by Paul Bracq.<br />
Today the “Pagoda” is still seen as a harmonious design –<br />
as Friedrich Geiger’s original and lifelong aspiration, it is<br />
an achievement confirmed both by Werner Breitschwerdt<br />
and his successor Bruno Sacco.<br />
The design of the hardtop with concave roofline also<br />
demonstrated the increasing influence of design elements<br />
on contemporary marketing considerations. But in<br />
this respect, the Pagoda roof itself proved more or less<br />
inconsequential, since when the fabric top was in use, all<br />
arguments for and against the Pagoda roof were rendered<br />
superfluous.<br />
6
Club Pagodas<br />
1966 230 SL, Oriental Red & Cream – Bob Thomsen<br />
Here is a little trivia about the W113 and my 230 SL.<br />
The W113, commonly known as the “Pagoda”, was<br />
introduced at the Geneva Motor Show, in 1963. A total of<br />
48,912 were built, of which 19,440 were sold to the United<br />
States and production finished in 1971 when the R 107<br />
took over.<br />
The W113 SL was developed by head designer, Paul<br />
Bracq, who created its distinctive concave hard top, which<br />
inspired the name “Pagoda”. The W113 has an in line six<br />
cylinder, fuel injection engine. The bonnet, boot, doors and<br />
hard top, along with the tonneau cover, are all aluminium<br />
to reduce weight.<br />
The W113 SL’s were configured as a Coupe/Roadster,<br />
with a soft top and removable hard top, as an option. A<br />
2 plus 2 was introduced later, with a 250 SL, called the<br />
Californian Coupe, which had a fold down rear seat, instead<br />
of a soft top.<br />
The difference between the 230, 250 and 280 SLs is that<br />
the 230SL has a 4 bearing crankshaft, while the 250 and<br />
280 SL have a 7 bearing crankshaft.<br />
I found my car on the internet back in 1999. It drove<br />
very well, had log books, a very good history, was a Sydney<br />
based car and I believe I am the third owner.<br />
The car had 70,000 miles on the clock, was very straight<br />
with no visible signs of rust. The interior of the car was in<br />
good condition, but the duco was not so good. Just what I<br />
was looking for!<br />
A friend of mine, Mick Schumack, from Maroubra Auto<br />
Refinishers, could respray the car for me. So we removed<br />
the engine and the car went in for a bare metal respray.<br />
Surprisingly there was not a lot off rust to be found, only a<br />
little bit under the chrome mouldings.<br />
While the engine was on the bench, I commissioned Peter<br />
Swatch, from Auto Haus One, to rebuild the engine. The<br />
hard top was relined by Sydney Motor Trimmers and the<br />
interior of the car was given a good clean.<br />
The car still had the original rubber matting on the floor,<br />
which is only found in the 230 SL’s. All other models have<br />
carpet right through the interior. When restoring the 230<br />
SL’s, most restorers will also put carpet right throughout.<br />
The result of all this work has made my, W113, a<br />
Concours winning car. I have had great pleasure and a lot<br />
of satisfaction in taking the car to Mercedes-Benz outings<br />
and Club Concours events.<br />
1970 280 SL Roadster, Gold & Brown - Joe Kaltoum<br />
It’s like stepping into a time machine and travelling back<br />
to 1970, famous for bell-bottoms and disco.<br />
The cars of 1970 were definitely something. My 280SL<br />
Mercedes-Benz 1970 looks like a photo-shopped image,<br />
snatched out of a glossy magazine. With its golden shine<br />
and chiselled frame, not only does this model trigger a<br />
longing to revisit the past, but it remains one of the most<br />
affordable investments for me.<br />
With my “Pagoda” and the detachable hardtop roof off, I<br />
am truly ready to embrace the 1970’s life, and cruise down<br />
the streets of Sydney with no care in the world. Built in<br />
the era of the seventies, you would assume that the 280SL<br />
Mercedes-Benz would leak, rattle and squeak, but to the<br />
contrary, this car is as solid today as the day it was first<br />
driven. What a car, easy to manoeuvre and handle any<br />
corner. I have owned the car for 18 years as the second<br />
owner. The previous owner had restored this pagoda, so I<br />
take full advantage of driving this wonderful car.<br />
by Club members,<br />
A.King, D.Dinse<br />
7
Club Pagodas<br />
1964 230 SL Roadster, Blue & Navy - Mark Devadson<br />
The The iconic Pagoda has been on my watch list for<br />
decades. Partially to celebrate a significant birthday<br />
that almost coincided with the age of the car. I purchased<br />
the “230SL”, at a Shannon’s auction, a couple of years<br />
ago. I knew at the time of the purchase the car had<br />
been fitted with a 250SL engine, which had replaced the<br />
original one at some stage in its history. The car was a tidy<br />
runner that presented well, having been partially, but not<br />
comprehensively, restored.<br />
Since then, with the help from my friends at Cremorne<br />
Prestige and Koudsy Bodyworks in Artarmon, I have<br />
completed a bare metal respray, a total engine, gearbox,<br />
wheels and a wiring loom restoration. I agonised about<br />
whether to go with white walled “tyres”, but ended up<br />
staying with the more European look, black tyres. The<br />
car still has an original and working Becker radio. The<br />
car now looks and drives as if new and has a new lease of<br />
life, which hopefully, will see it on the roads in Sydney for<br />
another 50 years.<br />
1971 280 SL, Beige & Brown - Robert Harrison<br />
The original owner of this vehicle was Max Bowen,<br />
delivered by Marshalls of Parramatta on 20th July<br />
1971. Sold to Bourke in 1976, then to Aylett in 1996, on to<br />
Downie in 2005 and purchased by me in November 2012,<br />
with 58,185 miles on the clock.<br />
It has now done just less than 61,000 miles. The car is<br />
totally original and has not been restored or involved in<br />
any accidents. I have all the original service books, which<br />
are up to date, and the original tool roll. The previous<br />
owner Downie, who had the car from 2005 to 2012, had<br />
the car resprayed and fitted new soft top. There has been<br />
nothing else done to the car, apart from normal servicing.<br />
I went to Canberra for the Australian gathering of Pagoda<br />
owners, 50th anniversary, in 2013. There were 60 W113’s,<br />
from all over Australia, on display. To my surprise, I was<br />
awarded Best in Show!<br />
1963 230 SL, Cream & Cream - Frances & Tony Cole<br />
We purchased the car in 1991, after Frances had seen<br />
it for sale, in our mechanic’s display window at the<br />
front of his Bowral workshop. It was love at first sight.<br />
With approximately 28,000 miles on the clock, and in<br />
lovely condition, it has been a joy to own. Although still<br />
only showing about 32,500 miles on the clock today, it<br />
has had very few serious maintenance problems and now<br />
resides in the home garage under a dust cover, but comes<br />
out on special occasions and of course for registration.<br />
There is no doubt about it ‘She is Glamour’<br />
8
1964 230 SL Roadster, Red & Black – Peter Cole<br />
acquired my 1964 Roadster in about 1992 with a view<br />
I to owning an every-day classic car which could be fun.<br />
I have certainly enjoyed a quiet and sometimes intimate<br />
relationship – oh and travelled many miles too. That<br />
car is now an assumed member of the family and my<br />
neighbourhood seems to have taken vicarious ownership<br />
too. Approval from young surfers at the Avalon bus stop is<br />
a lovely thing.<br />
The car came as an imported “barn find” from the UK<br />
with plenty of remedial “projects” to keep me busy. I<br />
liked the robust four speed manual gearbox and it seemed<br />
to run well. After replacing the exhaust system and<br />
repairing some rust, I worked through all the linkages and<br />
running gear bearings. Simple maintenance and a good<br />
clean throughout got us onto street registration.<br />
For three years, my son and I commuted from Sydney’s<br />
northern beaches to the city centre, chatting away<br />
and being rude to each other in a true Australian show<br />
of relaxed affection. That car became symbolic of a very<br />
good time. However, he didn’t seem to want to own the car<br />
after that! I was intrigued with the car and admired the<br />
fact that a 1964 vehicle was running on fully independent<br />
suspension, power assisted disc brakes and a fuel injected<br />
petrol engine. You would be forgiven for thinking that<br />
it were a diesel fuel pump because that’s what it looks<br />
like. Anyway, the car drove well and fitted the original<br />
requirement for an everyday classic car.<br />
In its semi-retirement, the car runs on Mercedes-Benz<br />
Club plates. I have fun and go without fuss on occasional,<br />
short maintenance runs in my local area. I hope to attend<br />
more Club events in the future as my other lives allow and<br />
look forward to making the rest of you look good as I turn<br />
up in my “original” condition!<br />
1966 230 SL Roadster, White & Navy - Betty Buckley<br />
Betty purchased the car in December 1966, from Suttons<br />
Motors at Chatswood, for $9,000. The Car was used as<br />
an everyday drive, from Killara to Canley Vale, until 1980.<br />
For the next ten years the car was used every day to go to<br />
work at Terrigal Haven, where it was parked outside all day<br />
at the beach, and still no rust! In 2009 the car was retired<br />
and given a complete makeover before being handed on to<br />
her son, who has it garaged at Woolloomooloo, with several<br />
other cars in his collection. This car has clocked up a total<br />
of 123,115 Miles.<br />
1965 230 SL, White & Red - Rolf Krecklenberg<br />
am the fourth owner of this Australian delivered, 1965<br />
I 230 SL, and feel very lucky to have this vehicle as part of<br />
my collection.<br />
The interior is absolutely original with only minor<br />
external paint over sprays on some panels. A great colour<br />
combination of old English white, red interior with matching<br />
black Pagoda roof and hubcaps. With only 104,000 miles<br />
on the clock and an original patina, this has to be one of the<br />
most gorgeous examples of a W113, around.<br />
<strong>Star</strong> <strong>Torque</strong> is running a series of stories on each marque of the SL. We need members with these<br />
vehicles to write their story to us with high resolution pictures to do this. The R 107 SL is next to feature.<br />
See the instructions on the <strong>Star</strong> <strong>Torque</strong> magazine page and tell us about your SL and why you love it.<br />
9
10
T M-AMG<br />
S 63 S 65 <br />
by Daimler AG<br />
photos: Daimler AG<br />
T<br />
wo new amazing Mercedes-AMG S Classe<br />
convertible cars are now available, with the S 63<br />
and S65 Cabriolet.<br />
Carl Benz and Gottlieb Daimler invented the automobile<br />
in 1886. In so doing, they established a tradition of<br />
constant further developments and innovative new<br />
creations that continue to this day.<br />
Mercedes-Benz’s sports car and performance brand<br />
are now celebrating this 130th anniversary with the<br />
exclusive special edition Mercedes-AMG S 63 4MATIC<br />
Cabriolet “Edition 130”. Distinguished by particularly<br />
exquisite appointments, the special edition will celebrate<br />
its world premiere at the North American International<br />
Auto Show in Detroit.<br />
With the high-gloss special colour “alubeam silver” paint<br />
finish, the Bordeaux red fabric top and the matt black<br />
20-inch 10-spoke wheels with high-sheen rim flanges,<br />
the Mercedes-AMG S 63 4MATIC Cabriolet “Edition 130”<br />
presents an exclusive version of the open-top four seater.<br />
“The first automobiles from Carl Benz and Gottlieb<br />
Daimler were open vehicles. Mercedes-AMG honours<br />
this achievement of the founding fathers with this highly<br />
exclusive cabriolet, and demonstrates the developments<br />
the automobile has undergone in the last 130 years,<br />
developments which would have been inconceivable at<br />
that time”, according to Tobias Moers, Chairman of the<br />
Board of Mercedes-AMG GmbH.<br />
Limited: only 130 cars<br />
The exclusive designo nappa leather upholstery in Bengal<br />
red/black or optionally crystal grey/black as well as the<br />
trim elements in AMG carbon/piano lacquer black also<br />
underscore the special position of this limited edition, of<br />
which there are only 130 available. A badge in the middle<br />
console and an engraving on the steering wheel bezel also<br />
highlight this fact. Brake callipers painted red and floor<br />
mats with Bengal red or crystal grey edging round off the<br />
visual impression.<br />
Every customer receives a tailor-made AMG Indoor Car<br />
Cover with the embroidered lettering “Edition 130<br />
– 1 of 130” to protect this valuable vehicle from dust in<br />
the garage. Furthermore, at the handover of the keys the<br />
customer receives the Welcome Package with an Edition<br />
130 badge key ring and an aluminium box for the handing<br />
over of the vehicle’s key.<br />
The “Edition 130” celebrates its world premiere and<br />
sales release at the North American International Auto<br />
Show in Detroit. The non-binding list price in Germany<br />
is 226,457 Euros (including 19% VAT). Market launch<br />
begins in April <strong>2016</strong>.<br />
11
Aside from the expressive design of the exterior and<br />
interior, the four-seater cabriolet offers the brand’s<br />
hallmark Driving Performance. The 5.5 litre V8-biturbo<br />
engine with 430 kW (585 HP) output and 900 Nm<br />
maximum torque, the performance-oriented 4MATIC<br />
all-wheel drive, acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.9<br />
seconds.<br />
W<br />
ith the new S 65 Cabriolet, Mercedes-AMG is for<br />
the first time offering a performance car which<br />
combines the impressive power of the 6.0 litre<br />
V12 biturbo engine with the pleasure of open-top driving<br />
for four occupants. An output of 463 kW (630 hp), 1000<br />
newton metres of maximum torque, the sport suspension<br />
based on AIRMATIC and the exquisite appointments<br />
emphasise the exceptional status of the new flagship<br />
model in the S-Class family from Mercedes-AMG.<br />
A new dimension in open-air motoring is guaranteed<br />
by the automatic wind protection system AIRCAP, the<br />
AIRSCARF neck-level heating system, heated armrests<br />
and intelligent climate control. The three-layered acoustic<br />
fabric soft top is available in four colours, and has a<br />
very high-quality interior lining in nappa leather and<br />
DINAMICA microfibre.<br />
No other car manufacturer in the world offers such a<br />
wide portfolio of twelve-cylinder models as Mercedes-<br />
AMG: The S 65 Saloon, SL 65 Roadster, G 65 off-roader<br />
and S 65 Coupé are now joined by the new S 65 Cabriolet<br />
as a further high performance alternative for discerning<br />
automobile enthusiasts.<br />
“The customer base for our V12 biturbo engine expects<br />
the ultimate in every respect.That is why we are offering<br />
a four-seater high-performance convertible with this<br />
legendary power unit for the first time. The new S 65<br />
Cabriolet sets benchmarks for all relevant criteria: top<br />
performance, a breathtaking driving experience and<br />
exquisite appointments,” says Tobias Moers, Chairman of<br />
Mercedes-AMG GmbH.<br />
The peak output of 463 kW (630 hp) and maximum<br />
torque of 1000 newton metres make for effortlessly<br />
superior performance: The Mercedes-AMG S 65 Cabriolet<br />
sprints from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.1 seconds. The top speed<br />
is 250 km/h (electronically limited). The AMG Driver’s<br />
package includes an increase in the top speed to 300<br />
km/h (also electronically limited).<br />
Yet it is the unrivalled 12-cylinder driving experience<br />
that thrills much more than facts and figures: stylish<br />
driving comfort and effortless power delivery combine<br />
with great refinement and the unmistakable AMG V12<br />
engine sound.<br />
12
SPECIFICATIONS S 63 Cabriolet S 65 Cabriolet<br />
Number of cylinders V8 Biturbo V12 Biturbo<br />
Displacement (cc) 5461 5980<br />
Output (kW/hp at 5500 rpm) 430 (585) 463 (630)<br />
Rated torque (Nm at rpm) 900 at 2250-3750 1000 at 2300-4300<br />
Combined fuel consumption l/100 km 10.4 12<br />
Combined CO2 (g/km) <strong>244</strong> 272<br />
Efficiency class F G<br />
Acceleration 0-100 km/h (s) 3.9 4.1<br />
Top speed (km/h) limited 250 250<br />
13
My Service.<br />
Visit an authorised Mercedes-Benz dealership to experience the benefits of Genuine Service.<br />
Your servicing will be conducted by factory-trained technicians, who are constantly trained to keep<br />
abreast of product developments, are equipped with sophisticated diagnostic tools and only use<br />
Mercedes-Benz Genuine Parts, to keep your Mercedes-Benz in optimal condition. We look<br />
forward to welcoming you to a Mercedes-Benz Genuine Service experience.<br />
* Mercedes-Benz received the highest numerical score among luxury autos in the J.D. Power<br />
2015 Australia Customer Service Index Study, based on a total of 453 luxury car owners<br />
who had their vehicle serviced at an authorized dealer or service center, and were surveyed<br />
between August-October 2015. Your experiences may vary. Visit jdpower.com.
M -B S<br />
by Daimler AG<br />
T<br />
he product world of<br />
Mercedes-Benz Style<br />
transfers the brand’s<br />
sensual-pure design and high<br />
standards of luxury, aesthetics and<br />
technological innovation to other<br />
areas of life.<br />
The world premiere on the Côte<br />
d’Azur: The luxury motor yacht<br />
“Arrow460–Granturismo” designed<br />
by Mercedes-Benz Style has embarked<br />
on its maiden voyage off the coast of<br />
Nice, France.<br />
The first example of this new yacht<br />
model is named “Mercedes”, and true<br />
to the tradition of the name, it founds<br />
a completely new boat concept. The<br />
14-metre long, 706 kW (960 hp)<br />
“Silver Arrow of the Seas” combines<br />
the performance of Mercedes-Benz<br />
sports cars with unique innovations<br />
from the boat industry.<br />
The yacht has classic automobile<br />
proportions that bring the<br />
hallmark Mercedes design idiom<br />
of sensual purity onto the water in<br />
a highly emotional and dynamic<br />
form. The yacht also combines the<br />
advantages of an open boat with<br />
those of a hull cabin cruiser in unique<br />
fashion. The crossover design offers<br />
the ultimate in variability, with a boat<br />
that is equally suitable for day trips<br />
and overnight stays on board.<br />
Mercedes-Benz Style also makes<br />
the modern luxury for which<br />
the brand is known tangible beyond<br />
the world of the automobile. Since<br />
2010, Mercedes-Benz designers<br />
working with selected partners have<br />
been developing exclusive products,<br />
which have transported the high<br />
quality standards and unmistakable<br />
design philosophy of sensual purity<br />
into other mobility and lifestyle<br />
areas. As in vehicle development,<br />
they are guided by their passion for<br />
uniqueness.<br />
“In developing the new motor yacht,<br />
we have transferred our expertise<br />
to the marine industry,<br />
creating something never<br />
seen before in the process.<br />
The ‘Silver Arrow of the<br />
Seas’ stands for modern<br />
luxury, avant-garde style<br />
and comfortable elegance.<br />
The yacht embodies<br />
the Mercedes-Benz’s<br />
progressive, dynamic design<br />
philosophy of sensual purity<br />
on the water.<br />
Or, to put it another way, it is<br />
hot and cool in one, and stands<br />
for emotion and intelligence,” said<br />
Gorden Wagener, Vice President<br />
Design Daimler AG. “Together<br />
with Silver Arrow Marine we have<br />
managed to develop a totally new<br />
boat concept. By virtue of maximum<br />
variability, the yacht combines the<br />
advantages of an open boat with the<br />
generous interior and privacy of a<br />
cabin cruiser. It weds charismatic<br />
design with perfect functionality,<br />
much in the same way as is familiar<br />
from our road vehicles. As such,<br />
the ‘Arrow460–Granturismo’ is sure<br />
to cause a stir on the seas and at<br />
marinas throughout the world in the<br />
coming years.”<br />
Silver Arrow Marine Chairman Ron<br />
Gibbs said: “Almost everything about<br />
Arrow460-Granturismo is unique,<br />
from its concept to the smallest<br />
bespoke detail.<br />
It is a motor yacht with a personality<br />
that truly embraces life, combining<br />
the best marine engineering with the<br />
inspired innovations and elegance<br />
that the world associates with the<br />
Mercedes-Benz name. By merging<br />
marine and automotive worlds, with<br />
their respective design language,<br />
technologies and ideas, we have<br />
created a new standard of motor<br />
yacht, unlike all others.”<br />
15
The “Arrow460–Granturismo”<br />
can accommodate up to 10<br />
people. The large side windows are<br />
retractable, and the windscreen<br />
can be raised. This means that<br />
passengers can sit comfortably<br />
in the interior while enjoying an<br />
all-round view and the feeling of<br />
sitting in the open. Tables and<br />
beds are extendable, and therefore<br />
available as and when required.<br />
Superior comfort is assured by<br />
a luxurious bathroom unit and<br />
separate dressing room.<br />
As standard the yacht is<br />
equipped with every feature an<br />
owner might wish for. Apart from<br />
an air conditioning system and a<br />
high-quality audio system, it has<br />
a “wine-cellar” and an ice-making<br />
machine.<br />
Mercedes-Benz<br />
Style’s<br />
innovative aspirations also<br />
embrace the choice of materials.<br />
Wood serves to line the entire<br />
interior, rather than using this<br />
material as a conventional floor<br />
covering. As a result of this threedimensional<br />
application of wood,<br />
the fine grain of the eucalyptus<br />
follows the overarching forms of<br />
the interior lining, underscoring<br />
the overall flow of the interior.<br />
The floor covering takes the<br />
form of an industrial, sustainable<br />
composite material featuring<br />
a specific flowing décor and a<br />
harmonious colour combination<br />
The glazing is unique in<br />
two respects: the luminous<br />
transmittance can be controlled<br />
electronically, along the same<br />
lines as the Mercedes-Benz Magic<br />
Sky technology; at the same time,<br />
the silver-shimmering glazing<br />
blends apparently seamlessly<br />
into the overall profile, as on the<br />
Mercedes-Benz concept vehicles<br />
F015 and Concept IAA. This avantgarde<br />
appearance underscores<br />
the sculptural and innovative<br />
character of the Arrow460-<br />
Granturismo.<br />
The exterior design boasts clear<br />
contours and smooth surfaces.<br />
In a dynamic and sophisticated<br />
way, the muscular, extended hull<br />
accentuates the sensual purity of<br />
the design. With its long foredeck,<br />
a flowing, arched roofline and<br />
a slightly descending rear, the<br />
yacht has classic automobile<br />
proportions.<br />
The sides of the hull are<br />
structured with a feature line<br />
descending gently towards the<br />
stern. The concave and convex<br />
interaction along the entire flank<br />
creates a highly sculptural hull<br />
that conveys both dynamism and<br />
serenity.<br />
The overall composition is<br />
accentuated by elegantly styled yet<br />
functional details. Great attention<br />
has been paid to the handrails,<br />
for example, which are perfectly<br />
integrated into the roofline.<br />
Arrow460-Granturismo<br />
Specification<br />
Total length 14.14 metres<br />
Hull length 13.85 metres<br />
Draught 0.93 metres<br />
Maximum boat width 3.97 metres<br />
Maximum displacement 13.58 tonnes<br />
Fuel tank capacity<br />
1200 litres<br />
Water tank capacity 500 litres<br />
Drive system 2 Yanmar 6LY3-ETP diesel<br />
engines, each rated at 353 kW (480 hp)<br />
Cruising speed 28 to 30 knots (in calm seas)<br />
Top speed 40+ knots (with light load)<br />
Design category Class B<br />
16
Mercedes-Benz 1938 540 K Streamliner<br />
by Daimler AG<br />
Mercedes-Benz Classic showcased the 540<br />
K Streamliner at the 2014 Pebble Beach<br />
Concours d’Elégance. Following extensive<br />
restoration and reconstruction, this<br />
extraordinary vehicle dating from 1938, celebrated its<br />
international public premiere on the west coast of America.<br />
“The 540 K Streamliner represents the embodiment<br />
of perfection in its purest form”, says Michael Bock,<br />
Head of Mercedes-Benz Classic and Customer Center.<br />
“The integrity of its overall design as well as numerous<br />
technical details do not only epitomise the innovative<br />
power of the Mercedes-Benz brand but also its expertise<br />
in the development of one-off vehicles to meet the very<br />
highest expectations in terms of design, comfort and<br />
customer benefit.”<br />
This exceptional vehicle was built with a powerful<br />
supercharged engine for high-speed, long distance<br />
motoring. Thanks to its lightweight aluminium bodyshell<br />
developed in the wind tunnel, the 540 K Streamliner is an<br />
object lesson in efficiency for its size class. In addition to its<br />
lightweight construction and sophisticated aerodynamics,<br />
it is the car’s outstanding exterior and interior design,<br />
elegant appointments and spaciousness that make the 540<br />
K Streamliner such a very special vehicle.<br />
As part of a complex and time-consuming project,<br />
Mercedes-Benz Classic restored and rebuilt the<br />
vehicle to its original condition, using only the technical<br />
skills, methods and materials of the period from which<br />
the vehicle originates. The result is a spectacular, oneof-a-kind<br />
vehicle, as it was in 1938: a herald of the<br />
future, combining innovative 1930’s vehicle design with<br />
exceptional efficiency and a sophisticated, sleek aesthetic<br />
appeal.<br />
The history:<br />
Built in the first half of 1938 and delivered in June 1938 to<br />
tyre manufacturer Dunlop.<br />
Employed for the testing of high-performance tyres for<br />
particularly fast and heavy vehicles.<br />
Adopted into the collection of the Mercedes-Benz Museum<br />
during the 1950s.<br />
2011: <strong>Star</strong>ting signal given for full restoration to original<br />
condition at Mercedes-Benz Classic.<br />
The vehicle:<br />
Chassis and engine of the Mercedes-Benz 540 K.<br />
Streamlined aluminium body – an absolute one-off.<br />
Designed strictly in accordance with the understanding<br />
of aerodynamics at the time of its creation; flowing lines,<br />
low silhouette, minimal surface interruptions; panelled<br />
underbody.<br />
17
Technical data:<br />
Cylinders:<br />
8/in-line<br />
Displacement: 5401 cc<br />
Output:<br />
Top speed:<br />
85 kW (115 hp),<br />
with supercharger<br />
132 kW (180 hp)<br />
Drag coefficient: 0.36<br />
185 km/h<br />
The longer transmission ratio<br />
identified on the rear axle, at i =<br />
2.90 (rather than i = 3.08, as for the<br />
standard-production 540 K models)<br />
prevents the engine from over revving<br />
at the higher top speeds made possible<br />
by the optimised aerodynamics.<br />
On the trail of evidence:<br />
The chassis frame tells the story:<br />
traces of aluminium provide clues<br />
about the bodywork, residual colour<br />
about the silver paintwork, drill<br />
holes about the attachment of the full<br />
underbody panelling, indications of<br />
wear about the testing programme at<br />
Dunlop.<br />
Thorough research in the archives<br />
produced some important findings:<br />
following comparison with the entry<br />
in the commission book, the numbers<br />
found on the frame confirmed the<br />
vehicle’s authenticity. Further<br />
documents revealed the use of silverbronze<br />
paintwork, grey interior<br />
appointments and walnut wood trim.<br />
An important basis for the restoration<br />
was provided by the photos, quotation<br />
drawings and - the biggest find of all -<br />
a historical description of the surface<br />
of the outer shell. This drawing,<br />
produced in February 1938, includes<br />
certain important details that were<br />
found on the original frame.<br />
restoration & reconstruction:<br />
Time frame: early 2012 to mid-2014<br />
(approx. two and a half years).<br />
Restoration and reconstruction<br />
to the original condition using<br />
contemporary craft skills, methods<br />
and materials.<br />
The original line drawing of 1938 was<br />
transposed in meticulous detail to a<br />
3D surface model, using sophisticated<br />
CAD design techniques, to provide<br />
the basis for production drawings,<br />
auxiliary tools and templates.<br />
Extreme precision in the preparation<br />
and implementation of every detail<br />
and each stage of the work.<br />
Original components were preserved<br />
and re-used - and still show the marks<br />
of time.<br />
Careful craftsmanship was involved<br />
at every stage. Rebuilding the body<br />
18
shell alone involved more than 4,800<br />
hours of work – the sort of effort<br />
and expense that simply cannot<br />
be compared with a conventional<br />
restoration.<br />
Reconstruction of the underbody<br />
panelling with the help of<br />
aerodynamic experts from Mercedes-<br />
Benz passenger car development.<br />
Repair of engine and transmission,<br />
and subsequent testing of components,<br />
on the output dynamometer of the<br />
engine development department in<br />
Untertürkheim.<br />
19
Leading the field in a Brabham in the Tasman series at Warwick Farm<br />
S<br />
pencer Martin was the guest of honour at our<br />
April general meeting. He is an Australian F1<br />
championship winning racing driver. His career<br />
was highlighted by two Australian Drivers’ Championship<br />
victories, in 1966 and 1967.<br />
Spencer became hooked on racing when he was a<br />
teenager, watching drivers racing at Mount Druitt, in New<br />
South Wales. “I used to watch the drivers going around and<br />
thought that I was as good as they were,” he explained, “So<br />
I built a car myself and eventually got on the race track.”<br />
“I had my first race in 1960, at the Gnoo Blas circuit, in<br />
Orange. It was a little car that I built myself but it did over<br />
100 miles an hour and it was very successful. We had a lot<br />
of fun in that car.”<br />
A mechanic by trade, Spencer moved up through the ranks<br />
with his contacts in the trade, racing a PRAD sports car and<br />
a very successful Holden 48-215 touring car.<br />
Spencer Martin was one of Australia’s great open-wheel<br />
racers. The big turning point in his racing career came<br />
when he was offered a Holden to drive. “I think the turning<br />
point was at Catalina Park at Katoomba,” said Martin.<br />
“Norm Beechy and Bob Jane came up with their Holdens<br />
and I beat Norm around there. He was driving for Scuderia<br />
Veloce, which was David McKay’s team, who was so<br />
shocked that I beat Norm, that he put in a ten pound protest<br />
and had the motor checked out. After finding it was legal,<br />
David McKay offered Spencer a drive with his Scuderia<br />
First car & first race at Orange in 1960<br />
Driving a Holden EH in 1963 at Bathurst on 3 wheels<br />
20<br />
Front row: Spencer, Graham Hill Jim Clark & Jackie Stewart at 1967 NZ Grand Prix
L H: S M<br />
Ferrari 250LM at a dangerous turn on the Longford Track Tasman cup in 1965<br />
by S.Marn & A.King<br />
Veloce team in the 1963 Armstrong 500, co-driving with<br />
Brian Muir. “He then invited me to drive his Formula One<br />
Brabham in 1964. It was a pretty big step going from a<br />
Holden into a Formula One car!”<br />
“David gave me the biggest break of my career, as far as<br />
motor racing went.” Spencer says. “David bought a new<br />
Brabham in 1965 and then brought Graham Hill, the world<br />
champion, out to race in the Tasman Series.<br />
Graham Hill and Spencer with the BT4 Brabham at Warwick Farm 1964<br />
Spencer in the Brabham BT11A at Bathurst 1964<br />
Graham Hill drove this car, winning its very first race the<br />
New Zealand Grand Prix at Pukekohe. As I had put the car<br />
together and was Graham’s mechanic, it was a very proud<br />
moment for me.”<br />
Spencer became a part of Scuderia Veloce as a mechanic<br />
and driver. He raced the team’s Repco Brabham BT11A,<br />
as well as a Ferrari 250LM sports car, winning the 1965 Six<br />
Hour at Caversham with McKay as co-driver. He also placed<br />
third in the Italian car in the Australian Tourist Trophy in<br />
both 1965 and 1966.<br />
Spencer left the team in mid 1966, after a top ten<br />
championship finish in the 1966 Tasman Series and found<br />
employment with Bob Jane’s racing team.<br />
The next two years were two of the most successful of his<br />
career. “I had a falling out with David, who could be difficult<br />
sometimes, so I left him to drive with Bob Jane. I drove for<br />
him in 1966 and 1967, winning the Gold <strong>Star</strong> Championship<br />
in both years.”<br />
“In 1979, David was driving the Ferrari at Sandown in a<br />
demonstration run, where he crashed when an oil line came<br />
21<br />
Spencer drifting the Brabham BT11A at Warwick Farm
This signed very rare picture is of particular interest to racing<br />
fans as it is the 1955 Mercedes-Benz F1 team, who included:<br />
Director Uhlenhaut, J.M.Fangio, P.Taruffi, Stirling Moss, Karl<br />
Kling and team manager Rennleiter Neubauer.<br />
off. I sent a telegram to him, saying that I hoped he was<br />
alright, and we made up. We both went overseas to a few<br />
Grand Prix’s together and he sold me a quarter share in the<br />
Ferrari 250LM.”<br />
In 1984 we raced at Laguna Seca where there were five<br />
other 250LMs and we finished in front of all of them.”<br />
“I drove Historic racers overseas for the next 10 years for<br />
Kerry Manolas,” said Martin.<br />
“We had a lot of success: As the photos show, we won at<br />
the Nürburgring, Magny Cours, Monaco, Silverstone and at<br />
Laguna Seca - where we won the Phil Hill award for the best<br />
presented and driven car at the meeting. This was the first<br />
time anyone outside the USA had won this trophy and they<br />
were not happy - but had no other option to let us have the<br />
trophy as the car was in Concours condition.<br />
In addition to the Ferrari 250LM, I have raced a Ferrari 250<br />
Pontoon Testarossa, a Ferrari 196S, 375MM plus Ferrari,<br />
250 SWB Ferraris, 250 TDF (Tour De France) Ferrari, a 300<br />
S Maserati, an Alpha T33 and the ex-Stirling Moss C-Type<br />
Jaguar, (where Stirling came second at Le Mans) plus many<br />
other cars with Kerry.”<br />
Spencer drove Porsches well into the 2000’s with Warwick<br />
Miller, whose cars included a 2.8L Porsche RSR, a 906 Le<br />
Mans car and a 2.7L Carrera.<br />
Ferrari 196 C First place at Magny Cours<br />
Ferrari 196 C First place at Nürburgring with trophies & team mates<br />
22<br />
Ferrari 196 C winner of Phil Hill award at Laguna Seca
Historic racing at Laguna Seca in the 250LM - now worth US$18M<br />
“In 1997 it was a great privilege to race Kerry Minolas’s<br />
Jaguar C type (ex Moss) on the famous circuit at Monaco for<br />
the Historic Racing Series with 26 other cars. It was the<br />
best historic race meeting I have been to with Prince Albert,<br />
Princess Stephanie and Sir Stirling Moss giving out the<br />
awards, where we won our class in this event.” said Spencer.<br />
Spencer at full pace in a Porsche 906 at Eastern Creek raceway<br />
Driving the ex-Moss Jaguar C type in the Historic Racing series at Monaco<br />
“Going through the famous tunnel where so many other<br />
great grand Prix drivers have gone, moved me to recall<br />
all this racing history, especially with the Jaguar engine<br />
screaming off the walls to remind me!” he said.<br />
Another great historic racing event was the Colorado<br />
Grand, which Kerry had entered his Ferrari 250 SWB<br />
(short wheel base). The car was a factory racer, which came<br />
third overall at Le Mans and first in the GT class.<br />
It was called a Factory hot rod, having the very special 250<br />
TR engine (320 hp), thinner chassis tubes, all aluminium<br />
body, perspex windows combining to make a very fast and<br />
enjoyable car to drive.<br />
The Colorado Grand was run by the Colorado State Patrol<br />
where we were told that they would turn a blind eye to<br />
speed, but if we did something silly we were on our own. The<br />
event was 1,000km with sixty cars across Colorado and the<br />
Rockies, with the proceeds going to Patrol Officers families,<br />
killed in the line of duty. It was a terrific event combining<br />
high speed driving and a lot of social activity.<br />
“In 1994, I met Alan Webber and his son Mark at Amaroo<br />
where my son Mathew raced Mark in Formula Fords<br />
together. We formed a strong friendship which still lasts<br />
today and Mark came to live at our house, when he came to<br />
23<br />
The glorious Ferrari 250 GT SWB in the Colorado Grand Rally in 1997
Spencer Martin winning cars:<br />
48-215 Holden1963<br />
Brabham BT11A 1965<br />
Ferrari 250LM 1965<br />
Sydney to take a job as an advanced driving instructor.<br />
I have kept in constant touch with him during his career,<br />
ending up going to Le Mans with him and the Mercedes-<br />
Benz team in 1999 with the CLR.<br />
This CLR is the car that famously took off at over 300kmh<br />
doing a full loop-the-loop before landing on its wheels the<br />
right way up! The mechanics put another CLR together,<br />
where this happened to Mark AGAIN in that car 2 days later!<br />
In 2013, Mark invited my son and I to go to his penultimate<br />
race in F1, at Austin, Texas. He flew us first class to<br />
L.A., where we stayed for<br />
a week to get over jet lag<br />
in a great hotel. We were<br />
then flown in a private jet<br />
to Austin, for the F1 race,<br />
with the best seats in the<br />
house and he would not let<br />
us pay for anything. Many<br />
thanks Mark for being<br />
such a great friend and<br />
great racing driver.<br />
Spencer was asked to<br />
drive a Brabham Alpha<br />
Romeo at the 2006 Tasman<br />
revival for Paul Moxham.<br />
Mark and Spencer in the F1 Red Bull car<br />
Ferrari 196 C multiple winner Spencer Martin & Kerry Minolas & 1994 at Laguna Seca<br />
“I hadn’t driven an open wheeler for over 40 years<br />
and I didn’t know if I could get up to speed,” said<br />
Spencer at 68. My first test session at Eastern<br />
Creek where I went out on the track and spun on<br />
the second corner. On returning to the pits, I asked<br />
if the tyres were new and was told they were eight<br />
years old, to warm me up! With a new set, the car<br />
and the driver settled into a cracking pace.<br />
ended up in second place, being narrowly beaten<br />
I by half a car length by John Smith in a Lotus 49,<br />
which had an extra 100 horse power than us!<br />
This was my farewell race and I still enjoy the<br />
wonderful world of racing cars and the people who<br />
supported me during my career.” Spencer says.<br />
Mark in FULL FLIGHT in the CLR Spencer farewell race in 2006<br />
24
National Rally <strong>2016</strong><br />
by Club reporters<br />
Photo s: C.Rankin<br />
G.Timothy<br />
Introduction<br />
The Mercedes-Benz Clubs of Australia, National Rallies,<br />
are a tradition that had its official start in 1976. Held<br />
every two years and rotated from state to state, NSW has<br />
the privilege and responsibility to put on the rally every<br />
10 years and <strong>2016</strong> was the 40th anniversary.<br />
Sometime early in 2013 Vince Thompson, then Club<br />
President, received a call from Barry Bow (past Club<br />
President, and Silver <strong>Star</strong> winner) asking him “What<br />
have you done about the <strong>2016</strong> Rally?” Vince responded<br />
saying he hadn’t even been to the 2014 rally yet! But<br />
nonetheless, Vince and Barry made a time to catch up<br />
and Barry provided a rundown on what was needed; the<br />
main points being: get a committee, appoint a President,<br />
appoint a Treasurer and get a venue!<br />
And so preparations began for the <strong>2016</strong> Rally which<br />
was held from Friday March 11 to Monday March 14,<br />
based at the Novotel, Brighton Le Sands. The feedback<br />
we had from all attendees was tremendous, paying back<br />
handsomely the time and effort expended by NSW Club<br />
members, over nearly 3 years. Here’s a small sample:<br />
“ ....Just wanted to say a big thank you for all the hard<br />
work you and the team put into this year’s rally. It really<br />
paid off! ... felt it went like clockwork.”<br />
“..... would like to take this opportunity to say thanks for<br />
all your effort and hospitality in Sydney. We had a great<br />
time and as usual Sydney did an exceptional professional<br />
job in flying the flag. I hope we can stay in touch and would<br />
value your input in assisting in our rally in 2020....”<br />
“(Lothar Freischlade, German Consul General) ....I indeed<br />
enjoyed very much being with you last Friday and sharing<br />
a wonderful event with the Mercedes Benz Clubs.....”<br />
The people<br />
total of 267 people registered for the Rally and the<br />
events. Numbers included:<br />
A<br />
Victoria 38 Queensland 33<br />
South Australia 24 Western Australia 6<br />
ACT 10 NSW 109<br />
New Zealand 8 USA 2<br />
Sponsors 27 Policians 5<br />
Others 5<br />
There were some non-attendance due to illness, but we<br />
were in the fortunate position of being able to refund<br />
monies not spent to all those members.<br />
Event attendance numbers closely matched our budget<br />
estimates but because the event was city based, most NSW<br />
members did not stay in-house. As a result, the room<br />
numbers totalled 68 rather than our estimated 103.<br />
We were especially pleased that our US and NZ based<br />
friends made the journey. Vince had promoted<br />
the Rally at the Stuttgart based Club President’s meeting<br />
and there was some dialogue with the UK Club (who had<br />
25
26
27
National Rally <strong>2016</strong><br />
Best in Show 300D limousine<br />
1957 300 SL Roadster<br />
Kens 220 SEb<br />
representation some years ago). It was exciting to have<br />
members from overseas join us and this is an area worth<br />
putting more effort into, in the future.<br />
We had actively promoted the event by visiting and<br />
presenting to “nearby” clubs: QLD - Vince, VIC -<br />
Vince and Simon, ACT - Vince and Simon and working<br />
with all sister Club’s magazine editors, each of whom<br />
kindly published material and updates, letting their<br />
members know about the Rally.<br />
Adding to the imprimatur of the Rally was the<br />
involvement of local politicians and our sponsors:<br />
Official opening:<br />
Lothar Freischlader, German Consul General<br />
Dennis Meehan, Mercedes-Benz Australia Pacific<br />
Philip Tarrant, Oldtimer Centre<br />
Kiama:<br />
Dennis Meehan, Mercedes-Benz Australia Pacific<br />
Cruise & dinner:<br />
Ray Williams MP, NSW Parliamentary Secretary<br />
Dennis Meehan, Mercedes-Benz Australia Pacific<br />
Philip Tarrant, Oldtimer Centre<br />
Sam Movizio, Currans & AutoSalon<br />
Peter Prentice, Meguiar’s<br />
Bowral:<br />
Jai Rowell MP, Member for Wollondilly<br />
Larry Whipper, Wingecarribee Shire Mayor<br />
Richard Simons, Oldtimer Centre. Also worthy of note<br />
was local press and radio interest with at least two live<br />
radio interviews and two newspaper articles.<br />
The cars<br />
Our fellow members did not let us down with the quality<br />
of cars brought from interstate despite the long<br />
distance. Even two of our “calendar cars”, Ken Edward’s<br />
1964 220SEb and Ray Lodder’s 1957 300SL Roadster<br />
attended the Rally. At Kiama, we had 81 cars lined up<br />
around the rugby field with the ocean as a backdrop.<br />
Claus and Wendy Gronau brought their beautiful blue<br />
1960 300D limousine, which after detailed scrutiny by an<br />
international judging panel was later awarded “Best in<br />
Show”!<br />
28
Simon Strauss & Vince welcome rallygoers<br />
Club President Ben de Boer<br />
Simon’s 190 SL<br />
Novotel Cocktail party in full swing<br />
Our elegant Club members enjoying cocktails<br />
The Rally Events<br />
Registration & Cocktail party - Evian Delfabbro<br />
“Members of the Australian Mercedes-Benz clubs meet<br />
Carrie Bradshaw’s legacy.”<br />
BBasement three of the Novotel at Brighton Beach<br />
on Friday afternoon, March 11, looked more like a<br />
preview at a Shannon’s Mercedes-Benz focussed<br />
auction, than a regular car-park. It was the first<br />
day of the <strong>2016</strong> National Rally and there were an amazing<br />
array of vehicles on display.<br />
Rally goers were initially greeted by Eros Lazzaro and<br />
his effervescent wife Maria, in the hotel foyer, where they<br />
picked up their Rally Kit before making their way with<br />
their precious metal down to our exclusive parking level.<br />
The 1957 300SL Roadster (W198) convertible, parked in<br />
the porte-cochere of the hotel, was a show stopper and<br />
having heard that Ray and Sue Lodder drove her up from<br />
Melbourne, elevated all three to hero status. Also in the<br />
driveway were the Harris’ 1979 350SL (107) and Simon<br />
Strauss’ ever eye-catching 1962 190SL (W121) were<br />
comfortably displayed inside the foyer.<br />
The Presidents from each of the attending states took<br />
the opportunity to have a formal meeting between<br />
registration and the welcome party. Complimentary<br />
drinks were provided in the nautical themed lounge, as<br />
guests stretched their legs and waited for some Bay View<br />
rooms to be made available.<br />
The welcome cocktail party commenced at five thirty and<br />
within twenty minutes, over 190 people from around<br />
Australia, New Zealand and the US were reminiscing,<br />
reconnecting and enjoying refreshments. Old and new<br />
members, Presidents, Committee-holders, Sponsors<br />
and friends of the Club were trading travel tales… and<br />
Sydney’s traffic woes did not go unnoticed. Barry and<br />
Isabelle Dibley, who have attended every Rally, took to<br />
some seats and showed off their magnificent collection of<br />
Rally grille-badges and photos from the past events.<br />
Vince Thompson welcomed everyone and reminded<br />
us all of the effort that goes into organising one of<br />
these Rallies. He introduced Ben de Boer, MBCNSW<br />
President, to the say a few words. Simon Strauss, the Rally<br />
President, thanked the great turn out of attendees with<br />
29
National Rally <strong>2016</strong><br />
Lothar Freischlader opens the Rally<br />
Scenic pit stop<br />
Jim Kofinas & his wife<br />
300 SL Roadster against Kiama Beach<br />
their machines. Simon welcomed Lothar Freischlader,<br />
the Consul General of Germany to the stage, who spoke<br />
very highly of the Mercedes-Benz badge and its country of<br />
origin, of course. Lothar opened the <strong>2016</strong> National Rally<br />
by cutting the official Rally ribbon.<br />
never ending selection of tasty canapes were passed<br />
A around with bartenders and waiting staff busy<br />
preparing afternoon aperitifs and the drink of choice was<br />
the Cosmopolitan!<br />
It was an interesting role trying to determine if guests<br />
would prefer King prawn with avocado stack or crab cake<br />
with a Yamba prawn for an entree? Or which café would<br />
welcome a set classic Mercedes-Benz vehicles lining<br />
their grounds? Or where the awards dinner following the<br />
Concours should be held this year? But with long standing<br />
Club Members, their partners and their cars, all these first<br />
world problems became easy to solve. The <strong>2016</strong> National<br />
Rally Cocktail Party was one of these instances, so thank<br />
you for attending and making it worth our time.<br />
Finally, I would like to thank Jonathan, Andrea and<br />
Casey from the Novotel who worked tirelessly to<br />
accommodate our Rally and guests needs.<br />
Kiama, Saturday March 12, <strong>2016</strong> - Wendy Gronau<br />
How does one plan and organise a run with special<br />
Mercedes-Benz from Sydney to Kiama?<br />
Like a recipe, you have to make decisions about what you<br />
have to do. It takes careful planning to decide the correct<br />
ingredients, such as the time allocated for the mixture,<br />
when to start and for how long. So the chef, namely<br />
John Assarapin and his jolly band of helpers, began the<br />
procedure.<br />
At 8.30am, the fleet of fabulous Mercedes-Benz departed<br />
the Novotel Hotel Brighton Le Sands, to begin John’s well<br />
planned recipe. It had taken many hours to make this<br />
run perfect over two years of test runs and he must have<br />
felt proud watching it all come to fruition, with a perfect<br />
temperature of 28 degrees. He had created a master event<br />
and everyone congratulated him and his crew for a day to<br />
remember.<br />
We drove down the Grand parade, passing Botany<br />
Bay on our left glistening in the sun, and with three<br />
pages of easy to read instructions, the route led us through<br />
to the southern suburbs and on to the Royal National park<br />
(one of the first declared in the world). It was a fantastic<br />
30
Amazing line up of 81 Mercedes-Benz at Kiama Oval<br />
Lunch at the Pavilion<br />
run through scrublands, past southern beaches, round<br />
lots of bends until we reached Bald Head with spectacular<br />
vistas of the south coast of Wollongong and beyond.<br />
Soon we headed down the escarpment and were driving<br />
over the unique Sea Cliff Bridge, past more oh-so inviting<br />
beaches beckoning us to stop for a look and then onwards<br />
towards Kiama. We joined on the M1 freeway, giving us<br />
a chance to put our foot down (a little!). It didn’t take long<br />
before we were veering off left, into the quaint town of<br />
Kiama. Lots of people were enjoying the great jazz music<br />
of the Kiama Jazz Festival, as we drove past.<br />
Driving into the showground we were marshalled by<br />
Club volunteers into position around the oval. What<br />
a sight to behold: 81 Mercedes of all ages, models and<br />
colours. As it had become extremely hot and humid,<br />
everyone soon headed towards The Pavilion for morning<br />
tea and air conditioning.<br />
Everyone soon introduced themselves over a cuppa,<br />
meeting others for the first time and catching up with<br />
old friends from other states. Some groups went off to the<br />
town to discover the many attractions mentioned in the<br />
Rally Program. From 12.30 until 2:00pm, an excellent<br />
lunch was provided, where small groups discussed plans<br />
for the afternoon. Of the many attractions, there were<br />
museums, galleries, the rolling green hills, golden sandy<br />
beaches, the famous Kiama Blow-hole on the headland and<br />
the Crooked River winery.<br />
Claus and I decided to depart via the most direct<br />
route back to the Novotel as our car does not have air<br />
conditioning.<br />
We were soon home and relaxing in our wonderful<br />
Hotel room overlooking Botany Bay and the Mascot<br />
airport runway: “Ah the serenity”. Many thanks John<br />
Assarapin and the team of willing helpers for this very<br />
special day.<br />
Rocks tour, Sunday March 13, <strong>2016</strong><br />
Simon Strauss<br />
The 90 minute walking tour of the Sydney Rocks district<br />
provided an unexpected highlight for most people.<br />
Made extra special by the quality of the guides, the insights<br />
given to the first English settlement on Australian shores<br />
were eye-opening. The history hiding in the narrow lanes<br />
and behind the old terraces came to life in the hands of<br />
these professionals and everyone enjoyed themselves.<br />
31
National Rally <strong>2016</strong><br />
Secrets of the Sudney Opera House<br />
All aboard<br />
Drinks on deck<br />
<strong>Star</strong>ship Sydney<br />
Opera House tour, Sunday March 13, <strong>2016</strong> –<br />
Simon Strauss<br />
The Sydney Opera House is simply a marvel and icon.<br />
The tour provided access to various parts of the<br />
building that you would have to attend many functions to<br />
see otherwise. It seemed a little strange to have our guide<br />
speaking with a South American accent, but he imparted<br />
the information to all effectively. This was a “must do”<br />
for visitors to Sydney and the tour hit the mark very well.<br />
Farewell Rally Dinner aboard MV <strong>Star</strong>ship<br />
Sydney - Evian Delfabbro<br />
It was a quintessential early autumn evening. The sun<br />
was retiring and casting a golden hue from the west,<br />
down along the Parramatta River and spilling into Port<br />
Jackson.<br />
A glamorous crowd made their way to King Street Wharf,<br />
dock number Five and dressed to the nines on Sunday<br />
evening, March 13, <strong>2016</strong>. Some couples wore tuxedoes<br />
and gowns, others came in fun cocktail dresses and suits.<br />
All Rally-goers sparkled and soaked up the spectacular<br />
views from the balconies and decks of the MV <strong>Star</strong>ship<br />
Sydney, catching up with old friends from previous rallies<br />
and new connections.<br />
Pre-dinner drinks and appetisers were served from<br />
the upper lounge as we passed a new and very shiny<br />
Barangaroo development, quite contrasting against the<br />
humble, almost miniature sandstone cottages of the<br />
historic Rocks precinct we had frequented just hours<br />
earlier. We headed East underneath the great engineering<br />
triumph, the Sydney harbour bridge, which united a city<br />
through the Great Depression.<br />
Paul Sun and his band the Swinging Good Time, took<br />
to the stage as guests took their seats in the large dining<br />
room on the first deck. Set with twenty-five tables, the<br />
dining deck was anything but a mess - decorated with<br />
white and black linen, white and black feathered centrepieces<br />
and large Mercedes-Benz logos hanging from the<br />
ceiling and walls. In time, a colourful montage of images<br />
from earlier events including Rally attendees and brilliant<br />
Mercedes-Benz models on show would come to life on<br />
elevated screens.<br />
Welcome speeches commenced with a familiar MC<br />
for the night, Vince Thompson. It was a pleasure to<br />
welcome Ray Williams, MP and Parliamentary Secretary<br />
to the NSW Premier on board, who gave an entertaining<br />
welcome on behalf of the State and was considered<br />
enough to leave politics aside for the night to embrace the<br />
spirit of the event, being a uniting of local, interstate and<br />
international Mercedes-Benz devotees.<br />
Rally president Simon Strauss thanked everyone and<br />
32
Distinguished Club Presidents & guests<br />
Vince & Simon compère the evening<br />
Club members added elegance & glamour<br />
Music & dancing<br />
Luxury dining on Sydney harbour<br />
our Club President Ben de Boer said a few words. Dennis<br />
Meehan, of Mercedes-Benz Australia/Pacific, gave an<br />
entertaining speech about the badge and the Mercedes-<br />
AMG brand. The crowd applauded when he announced<br />
his company would sponsor the National Rally in 2018.<br />
Before too long, an alternate entrée was served of<br />
either twice cooked Bangalow pork belly with apple<br />
and celeriac salad or king prawn, avocado and tomato<br />
stack. Main course for the evening was either fillet of<br />
Barramundi with spinach, asparagus and pearl barley or<br />
rare beef tenderloin with potato galette and a merlot jus.<br />
Between meals, guests breathed in Sydney with City,<br />
waterfront and Harbour beaches on display. A Sydneycentric<br />
trivia competition was open to all. To finish the<br />
night off, tiramisu with macerated cherries and almond<br />
biscotti or banana and date pudding, butter-scotch sauce<br />
with hazelnut ice-cream satisfied the sweet tooth.<br />
Despite being a full day with Rocks and Opera House<br />
tours conducted earlier by the guests, our crowd took<br />
to the dance floor as the band knocked out some classic<br />
tunes from the 70s and 80s!<br />
With the King Street Wharf approaching, this signalled<br />
the end of the evening and the <strong>2016</strong> NSW Rally team were<br />
only too proud to hand a ribbon over to Brian Billing,<br />
President of MBCVIC, and Richard Jackson, President of<br />
the MBCACT, who will be hosting the 2018 Rally in it’s<br />
42nd year. A glimpse into the Victorian event was given<br />
on the night, with drives along the Great Ocean Road and<br />
through the Mornington Peninsula in mind. Sounds like a<br />
grand tourer’s dream.<br />
Congratulations to Wendy and Claus Gronau who<br />
were awarded with “Best in Show” for their 1960 300D<br />
limousine, displayed the previous day at the Kiama<br />
Oval. Claus tells us the secret to happiness is having a<br />
wonderful wife that loves him, their car and doesn’t mind<br />
polishing the chrome either.<br />
South Australia won the “Attendance Award” for best<br />
represented state (proportional basis), taking the mantle<br />
away from the ACT, a trophy accepted with glee by Georg<br />
Eigen, SA President and a brilliant effort considering the<br />
distances they travelled.<br />
Congratulations also go to quiz first place getters<br />
“WANZ” (table 12) and runners up “Dining Dozen”<br />
(table 5) who completed the difficult questions to win an<br />
array of wine, books, DVDs, CDs, chocolates and a Debbie<br />
Thompson hand crafted quilt for their efforts. Lucky door<br />
prize winners took home boxed bottles of Möet & Chandon<br />
and car cleaning gift packs, courtesy of another regular<br />
and greatly appreciated sponsor, Meguiar’s.<br />
Catherine Marshall recently described Sydney as “..a<br />
33
National Rally <strong>2016</strong><br />
A great evening with Sydney at its best<br />
Some of the MBCNSW Rally team members<br />
Don Bradman Oval at Bowral: Pagoda display<br />
A terrific turnout of cars for the Rally<br />
girl who shamelessly rejoices in her own startling beauty -<br />
that shimmering harbour and those imposing sites!” Two<br />
hundred and one rally goers got to experience what all<br />
the fuss is about and I am honoured to have presented my<br />
home city for you to enjoy, in all her splendour.<br />
Bowral, Monday 14th March <strong>2016</strong>- Luke Vrettos<br />
Leaving directly from home it felt like a Sunday morning<br />
drive as I had to arrive at the Don Bradman Oval and<br />
Museum in Bowral NSW, well before our Rally-goers<br />
and fellow members to meet up with Geoff Hosey, Vince<br />
Thompson and Bill Dawes to check arrangements were in<br />
place, ready to corral the cars as they arrived.<br />
A quick pit stop along the way at Pheasants Nest service<br />
centre for a coffee and muffin with no other Mercedes-Benz<br />
in sight, yet. On leaving, fellow member Peter Nazarenko,<br />
pulled up next to me in the car park and we headed off<br />
towards Bowral. The weather looked pretty average but<br />
hoped it would improve later, which thankfully, it did.<br />
Arriving at Bradman Oval I found some early birds had<br />
beaten me there, so I got busy getting ready for a lot of<br />
cars to turn up. As the car park could only hold so many<br />
cars it was a case of first in best dressed although plenty of<br />
street parking was available nearby for the balance.<br />
From 10:00am onwards more cars started arriving.<br />
Bill Dawes and I guided the cars to their positions.<br />
We chose the right hand side of the parking area for the<br />
more unusual vehicles including the beautiful red 300SL,<br />
Pagoda’s, Fintails, a Pontoon, a 300D and other great cars,<br />
including Big Jim’s 560SEC.<br />
Morning tea and coffee was served and the social part<br />
of the event kicked off. To officially open the event, the<br />
Mayor of Bowral, Larry Whipper and local member for<br />
Wollondilly, Jai Rowell MP, both welcomed members. By<br />
this stage the weather was improving.<br />
With the sun shining, our cricket game got underway<br />
and was enjoyed by all who had a go. Players of<br />
note included our local MP, Jai Rowell (who didn’t want<br />
to leave!) and our big hitting US base baller, ring-in, Steve<br />
Dierks. Elsewhere there was more socialising, car gazing<br />
and a walk through the museum as lunch approached.<br />
With the buffet lunch over, cricket and chatting with our<br />
interstate and overseas visitors continued and some locals<br />
dropped in to see us. The Museum organisers, staff and<br />
34
Most models of Mercedes-Benz were at Bowral<br />
After lunch, rallygoers enjoyed the Cricket<br />
Vince addresses our guests<br />
An honour to play on the Bradman Oval<br />
Individual trophies of each Rally entrants car and names!<br />
caterers made it a memorable and enjoyable day as well<br />
as all the Rally attendees. But, like all good things, it had<br />
to come to an end just as the weather was changing with<br />
dark clouds and rain imminent.<br />
My thanks to fellow club members who were involved<br />
and supported not only our Bowral day but the entire<br />
event. It was a great team effort and we can be proud<br />
to have hosted a great Rally with so many attendees and<br />
seeing great photos of these events on the Club Facebook<br />
page.<br />
Rally kit - Eros Lazzaro<br />
The Rally kit was modelled on tradition, practicality<br />
and value. The kit ultimately consisted of: “Hero”<br />
item, Rally program, grille badge, calendar, Continental<br />
cap, pen, windscreen sun visor, water, sun screen,<br />
Mercedes-Benz museum lanyard, name badge & tickets,<br />
Sydney city map, Kiama bag of tourism brochures, latest<br />
club magazine and a discount voucher.<br />
Hero Item - Vince Thompson, Simon Strauss, Ben<br />
de Boer<br />
Part of the registration process included members<br />
providing the details of their car. From this database<br />
a list of 76 Hero items was derived including the names<br />
of the Rally entrants and their nominated vehicle. From<br />
there, Ben searched the web for suitable quality pictures<br />
of each car and this data was shared with Trophyland who<br />
generated line art of each vehicle and finished art for each<br />
of the items.<br />
After multiple artwork checks and the production of a<br />
sample, then further rounds of artwork, the finished items<br />
were produced and delivered.<br />
glass trophy of 100 x 60 x 60mm with each Rally<br />
A entrant’s car and name etched into it along with the<br />
Rally logo was individually produced. The reaction of<br />
each Rally entrant when they realised that they had their<br />
own car etched into a glass trophy was superb!<br />
Program - Lionel Smith<br />
Every event the size of the National Rally requires<br />
a program designed to provide all the important<br />
information that participants need to be made aware<br />
of, particularly in regard to the events that have been<br />
included in the Rally activities.<br />
The cover was designed to give a feeling of expectation of a<br />
35
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National Rally <strong>2016</strong><br />
wonderful weekend for<br />
Mercedes-Benz owners<br />
and was a great piece<br />
of teamwork. This<br />
photo was taken on the<br />
Sea Cliff Bridge, where<br />
our Day 2, Kiama drive<br />
was scheduled and<br />
Mark Hertz’s classic<br />
W108 is featured. With<br />
the expertise of Corey<br />
Rankin, club member<br />
and<br />
professional<br />
photographer<br />
and<br />
design input of Sakura<br />
Sky Media, the cover<br />
was born.<br />
Sponsors<br />
Mercedes-Benz Australia/Pacific were our major<br />
sponsor with a very valuable and generous $10,000.<br />
Oldtimers Centre was significant cash sponsor of the<br />
Rally which we greatly appreciate.<br />
Our trusty club supporters Currans/AutoSalon (Sam<br />
Movizio), Meguiar’s (Peter Prentice) and West <strong>Star</strong> Autos<br />
(Joe Simons) chipped in with products or sponsored items<br />
and John Assarapin and Geoff Hosey made personal<br />
donations. Lesley Strauss conducted a Rocks tour.<br />
Thank you all.<br />
Calendar - Mike Fleming<br />
Mike produced an 18 month calendar of spectacular<br />
Mercedes-Benz Club cars from around Australia. A<br />
picture of a fantastic 1954 green 300S cabriolet in the<br />
Mercedes-Benz museum features on the cover and it runs<br />
from July <strong>2016</strong> to the end of 2017, so it is current.<br />
The Rally calendar was included in the show bag for<br />
all participants, as a collectible souvenir of their time in<br />
Sydney. Rally calendars are available at Club meetings for<br />
$10, or please contact mike.fleming@mbcnsw.org.au to<br />
order one now for $10 plus postage.<br />
MERCEDES-BENZ CLUBS OF AUSTRALIA<br />
NATIONAL RALLY <strong>2016</strong><br />
Precise Workmanship. Genuine Quality.<br />
Authorised Autobody Repairers.<br />
Artarmon<br />
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41 Hotham Parade, Artarmon 2064<br />
Tel: 02 9439 8366<br />
Email: staff@lsrautobody.com.au<br />
www.mblsrautobody.com.au<br />
Parramatta<br />
Parramatta Smash Repairs<br />
607 Church Steet, North Parramatta 2151<br />
Tel: 02 9630 7200<br />
Email: parrasr@bigpond.net.au<br />
www.parramattasmashrepairs.com.au<br />
Alexandria<br />
Perfect Auto Body Pty Ltd<br />
22 O’Riordan Street, Alexandria 2015<br />
Tel: 02 9699 3000<br />
Email: reception@perfectautobody.com.au<br />
www.mbperfectautobody.com.au<br />
Caringbah<br />
Miranda Auto Body<br />
64 Captain Cook Drive, Caringbah 2229<br />
Tel: 02 9525 8673<br />
Email: admin@mirandaautobody.com.au<br />
www.mirandaautobody.com.au<br />
Five Dock<br />
Pat Coles Autobody<br />
129 Parramatta Road, Five Dock 2046<br />
Tel: 02 9745 4444<br />
Email: chris@patcolesautobody.com<br />
www.mbpatcoles.com.au<br />
37
Susie Wolfe & Ellen Lohr in a 300SL<br />
F<br />
rom the SSK to the 300 SL – Mercedes-Benz Classic will be represented<br />
at this year’s Mille Miglia with ten of its own vehicles. Taking place from<br />
19 to 22 May <strong>2016</strong>, the event is run over a thousand miles from Brescia<br />
to Rome and back.<br />
Mercedes-Benz Classic is for the fi rst time entering an all-ladies team.<br />
Racing driver and new brand ambassador of “She’s Mercedes” Susie Wolff will be<br />
sharing the cockpit of a 300 SL with Ellen Lohr. A second premiere is in store for a<br />
racing version of the Mercedes-Benz 190 SL. A roadster of this model took part in<br />
the then road race in 1956 and will once again this year – exactly 60 years later at the<br />
start for the Mille Miglia. With their participation in the Mille Miglia, the ladies team of<br />
Wolff/Lohr will recall the successful history of Mercedes-Benz female racing drivers,<br />
which dates back to the 1920s.<br />
For example, Ernes Merck in her Mercedes-Benz S finished second behind Rudolf<br />
Caracciola in the international Klausen Race of 1927, while Ewy Rosqvist with Ursula<br />
Wirth was victorious in, among others, the 1962 Touring Grand Prix of Argentina.<br />
38
M M <strong>2016</strong><br />
by Daimler AG<br />
T<br />
he Mercedes-Benz 190 SL is making its debut in<br />
this year’s Mille Miglia regularity race. It was only in<br />
2015 that automotive historians provided defi nitive<br />
proof that the compact roadster was at the start for<br />
the legendary road race in 1956.<br />
This makes it an original participating vehicle in the Mille Miglia,<br />
which is a requirement that must be met by a vehicle model<br />
before it becomes eligible to take part in this high-profile regularity<br />
event. Alongside the vehicle entered by Mercedes-Benz Classic,<br />
a racing version of the elegant sports car and four other, privately<br />
owned 190 SLs will be there at the start.<br />
Mercedes-Benz’s factory team also includes six 300 SLs (W<br />
198), a 220 a (W 180) and a 180 D (W 120). A total of over 30<br />
Mercedes-Benz classic cars will participate in this year’s running<br />
of the regularity race.<br />
The route for the Mille Miglia covers 1600 kilometres from<br />
Brescia to Rome and back. The programme begins with the<br />
technical inspection in Brescia on 17 May (Tuesday). The<br />
fi rst stage, on 19 May (Thursday), takes the contestants from<br />
Brescia via Sirmione, Ferrara and Ravenna to Rimini. On 20<br />
May (Friday), the race continues through San Marino back to<br />
the Adriatic coast and across the Apennines to Rome. The<br />
following Saturday (21 May) sees the challenging stage via<br />
Viterbo, Florence, Bologna and Modena to Parma. The fourth<br />
and fi nal stage, on 22 May (Sunday), will take the participants<br />
from Parma via Cremona, Monza and Bergamo back to Brescia.<br />
The fi eld for the Mille Miglia <strong>2016</strong> is made up of 665 vehicles<br />
from 40 countries. Of those, 70 already took part in the Mille<br />
Miglia in the days in which it was a road race.<br />
Owing to its unique concentration of outstanding historical<br />
vehicles, the Mille Miglia is regarded by classic enthusiasts as<br />
a very special museum on wheels. Yet, as the race progresses<br />
through Italy, the culture of sporting mobility will also be carried<br />
forward into the future, because the 1000-mile event will also<br />
play host to the Mercedes-Benz Mille Miglia Challenge, which<br />
will take place ahead of the regularity race.<br />
The Challenge will be contested by various SL generations,<br />
numerous Mercedes-AMG and AMG vehicles, as well as other<br />
historically especially valuable models from the brand history of<br />
Mercedes-Benz.<br />
39
Mercedes-Benz SSK (W 06, 1928)<br />
Of the six-cylinder supercharged sports cars of the<br />
Mercedes-Benz S-Series, the SSK (W 06) was the most<br />
exclusive and fascinating model. The model designation<br />
stood for Super-Sport-Kurz (Super Sport Short) and<br />
featured a shorter wheelbase alongside its particular<br />
sportiness.<br />
In the summer of 1928, works driver Rudolf Caracciola<br />
won the Gabelbach Race at the first attempt as well as<br />
the races at Schauinsland and Mont Ventoux with the<br />
brand-new SSK.<br />
In 1930 and 1931, the SSK took him to victory in the<br />
European Hill-Climb Championship. The weight-reduced<br />
and further modified 1931 version, also known as the<br />
SSKL (Super-Sport-Kurz-Leicht - Super Sport Short Light),<br />
likewise achieved spectacular successes.<br />
Among the most important of these was the victory in<br />
the legendary thousand-mile “Mille Miglia” race. In<br />
April 1931, Rudolf Caracciola was the first non-Italian to<br />
win this demanding road race from Brescia to Rome and<br />
back in an SSKL.<br />
Technical data of the standard Mercedes-Benz SSK<br />
Produced: 1928-1930<br />
Cylinders: 6/in-line<br />
Displacement: 7065 cc<br />
Output: 125 kW (170 hp)<br />
with supercharger 165 kW (225 hp)<br />
Top speed: 192 km/h<br />
Mille Miglia race result<br />
The Women’s Cup was won by Silvia Marini and Saskia<br />
Stoeckkelmann in a Riley 12/4 Sprite from 1936 with<br />
the professional German drivers, Susie Wolfe and Ellen<br />
Lohr coming third in their Mercedes-Benz 300 SL.<br />
40
Calendar of Events<br />
Saturday 18 June <strong>2016</strong><br />
Charity Drive<br />
Mul-club fundraising day for Westmead Children’s<br />
Hospital.<br />
Locaon: Luddenham Raceway<br />
821- 849 Luddenham Rd, Luddenham, 2745<br />
Contact: Vince Thompson 0411 773 440<br />
Saturday 25 June <strong>2016</strong><br />
Track Day<br />
Goa fast Merc?! Enjoy your car on this great<br />
circuit. Beginners welcome and instructors<br />
will supervise this shared event with Porsche.<br />
Locaon: Sydney Motorsport Park, Amaroo<br />
Sth circuit, Ferrers Road, Eastern Creek, 2766.<br />
Contact: Nick Harris 0408 228 305<br />
events@mbcnsw.org.au<br />
Sunday 26 June <strong>2016</strong><br />
Historic house visit<br />
Breakfast at Cafe Saligna in the Cumberland<br />
State Forest, then a visit to Rouse Hill House<br />
and Farm. On to Richmond Club for a buffet<br />
lunch. Members can join or depart from any<br />
of the 3 locaons.<br />
Time: Breakfast 8:30am. Rouse Hill House<br />
11.00am. Richmond Lunch 1.00pm.<br />
Locaon: Cafe Saligna 95 Castle Hill Rd, West<br />
Pennant Hills, 2126. Rouse Hill House 356<br />
Annangrove Rd, Rouse Hill, 2155.<br />
Richmond Club Cnr of East Market Street and<br />
Francis Street, 2753.<br />
Contact: Mark Hertz 0410 679 268<br />
events@mbcnsw.org.au<br />
Wednesday 6 July <strong>2016</strong><br />
MBCNSW General Meeting<br />
Members are asked to support the Club, enjoy<br />
car related stories & chat aerwards.<br />
Time: 8.00pm<br />
Locaon: Auditorium at Canada Bay Club,<br />
4 William St, Five Dock, 2046<br />
secretary@mbcnsw.org.au<br />
Sun 10th July <strong>2016</strong><br />
190SL Restoration Unveiling - Sam Sofi<br />
Given Sam’s investment in this vehicle over 4<br />
years, we can expect to see THE benchmark of<br />
what a 190SL looked like fresh off the showroom<br />
floor. Tom Hanson from Mercedes-Benz<br />
Classic Center USA will aend and $10 dona-<br />
on to charity is required to cover breakfast.<br />
Time: 08:30am to noon.<br />
Locaon: Badgery’s Creek. Details will be provided<br />
to those that RSVP.<br />
Contact: Simon Strauss 0409 369 699<br />
scstrauss@optusnet.com.au<br />
Sat 16th July <strong>2016</strong><br />
MBCNSW Shed Tours<br />
FOUR Amazing Car Collecons in Sheds tour.<br />
Lunch at Dural Country Club. By strict invita-<br />
on only. Members only to RSVP Vince.<br />
Time: 9:00am departure.<br />
Meeng Point: McDonald’s Round Corner<br />
Dural. Corner of Old Northern Rd & New Line<br />
Rd, Dural.<br />
Contact: Vince Thompson 0411 773 440<br />
events@mbcnsw.org.au<br />
Sun 24th July <strong>2016</strong><br />
Sunday Morning Scenic Drive & High<br />
Tea at the Hydro Majestic Hotel.<br />
Travel to Medlow Bath to the Hydro Majesc<br />
for the most exquisite high tea in the mountains.<br />
High Tea will be at 12:00pm with 60<br />
places only - please contact John Assarapin<br />
ASAP to book.<br />
Time: 9.00 am for departure at 9.30 am from<br />
Eastern Creek McDonalds westbound. Drive<br />
Via Richmond, Bells Line road.<br />
Locaon: Hydro Majesc Hotel, Medlow Bath.<br />
Meeng Point: Tourist Info Centre, Hawkesbury<br />
Valley Way, Richmond.<br />
Contact: Mark Hertz 0410 679 268<br />
John Assarapin phone 0418 785 815 a 5pm<br />
events@mbcnsw.org.au<br />
Sat 30th July <strong>2016</strong> Car Day Spa at Auto<br />
Salon d’Elegance.<br />
Let Sam Movizio and his experts show you<br />
how to get your Mercedes-Benz up to show<br />
winning condion with a ‘hands on’ workshop<br />
Lunch provided. RSVP by 23rd July.<br />
Time: 12.00pm.<br />
Locaon: Auto Salon d’Elegance, 32 Percy st,<br />
Auburn.<br />
Contact: Mark Hertz 0410 679 268<br />
events@mbcnsw.org.au<br />
Wed 3rd August <strong>2016</strong><br />
MBCNSW General Meeting<br />
Members are asked to support the Club, enjoy<br />
car related stories & chat aerwards.<br />
Time: 8.00pm<br />
Locaon: Auditorium at Canada Bay Club,<br />
4 William St, Five Dock, 2046<br />
secretary@mbcnsw.org.au<br />
Sun 14th August <strong>2016</strong><br />
Shannons Eastern Creek Classic<br />
Premier show day for all car clubs in NSW.<br />
Bring lunch and have a drive down memory<br />
lane as you look over 1,600 classic and vintage<br />
cars. Spaces are limited and ckets must be<br />
purchased in advance from the Club Treasurer<br />
to display your car. Enter from 8.00 am as<br />
Cars Must be in place by 9.00 am<br />
Time: 9am - 5pm.<br />
Locaon: Sydney Motor Sport Park - Eastern<br />
Creek. Meeng Point: At Eastern Creek Flyer<br />
treasurer@mbcnsw.org.au<br />
Sun 28th August <strong>2016</strong><br />
Sunday Scenic Drive: Choo Choo<br />
Bridge Run<br />
Departure 9.00am. Travel together past all<br />
the historic railway bridges of the steam era<br />
through the Southern Highlands. Lunch at<br />
Tahmoor Inn arerwards.<br />
Time: 9am - 3pm.<br />
Locaon: Meet at McDonalds Hume Hway Casula<br />
at 8.30am<br />
Contact: Luke Vreos 0413 957 895<br />
events@mbcnsw.org.au<br />
Fri 2nd September <strong>2016</strong><br />
MBCNSW vs Porsche Club NSW<br />
Bale of the Bowls. Come and defend the<br />
honour of the club against the Porshe team,<br />
help us win back the trophy for <strong>2016</strong>. **<br />
BOOKING essenal **<br />
Time: 7.30pm for 8:00pm start.<br />
Locaon: Manhaan Super Bowl 549 Gardeners<br />
Road Mascot 93172577.<br />
Contact: Mark Hertz phone 0410 679 268 or<br />
Nick Harris 0408 228 305<br />
events@mbcnsw.org.au<br />
Sat 10th September <strong>2016</strong><br />
Tech Day at The Oldtimer Centre<br />
Come and join us for a great day at the<br />
Oldmer Centre, see behind the scenes of<br />
how cars are valued and prepared for sale.<br />
Have your car valued there. Parking onsite.<br />
Time: 1.30pm.<br />
Locaon: Oldmer Centre, 101-103 Old Illawarra<br />
Road, Marrickville.<br />
Contact: Mark Hertz 0410 679 268<br />
events@mbcnsw.org.au<br />
Sat 17th September <strong>2016</strong><br />
MBCNSW Cocktail Party<br />
The party venue is being decided so see website<br />
for details. BOOKING is essenal - NO<br />
ckets at door Smart dress only, no denim or<br />
jeans.<br />
Time: To be advised.<br />
Locaon: To be advised.<br />
Contact: Evian Delfabbro<br />
social@mbcnsw.org.au<br />
Sun 25th September <strong>2016</strong><br />
MBCNSW Concours d’elegance & SGA<br />
Enter your Mercedes-Benz in the combined<br />
MBCNSW Concours and Sydney German<br />
Autofest Display Day. Show n Shoine available<br />
and ALL cars for judging MUST be in place by<br />
9:00am.<br />
Time: From 8.00am to 5.00pm<br />
Locaon: Gough Whitlam Park, Bayview Ave<br />
Earlwood Sydney NSW.<br />
Contact: Luke Vreos 0413 957 895<br />
concours@mbcnsw.org.au<br />
Wednesday 6 October <strong>2016</strong><br />
MBCNSW General Meeting<br />
Members are asked to support the Club, enjoy<br />
car related stories & chat aerwards.<br />
Time: 8.00pm<br />
Locaon: Auditorium at Canada Bay Club,<br />
4 William St, Five Dock, 2046<br />
secretary@mbcnsw.org.au<br />
41
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Fax; (02) 9669 6605<br />
ISD Code (61-2)<br />
email: autoglass@bigpond.com<br />
www.ralphmoore.citysearch.com.au<br />
42
Wollombi Club drive day<br />
by J Assarapin<br />
photos: J Assarapin<br />
& Mulla Villa<br />
On a lovely Sydney Autumn<br />
day, about twenty members<br />
of the Club assembled<br />
in Thornleigh for the<br />
scenic drive for Lunch in Wollombi.<br />
Mercedes-Benz of various models<br />
were in attendance, Eros In his 1968<br />
280 SL and John Assarapin bringing<br />
the 114 Coupe out for a run after<br />
recent upgrades.<br />
Greg and Annette Vains were in<br />
a 450 SLC and James and Sigrid<br />
brought their W126 560 SEC, now<br />
running Borbet wheels.<br />
This was a new drive to a new<br />
destination called Mulla Villa and<br />
Nick Harris and Ben de Boer joined us<br />
at the destination, making for a good<br />
turnout.<br />
Wollombi is a historic town on the<br />
Great North Road, originally<br />
built as an alternate to the Putty road<br />
in the 1840s up to the Hunter region<br />
and beyond. Since the construction<br />
of the Pacific Highway and then later<br />
the motorway, the road, now named<br />
the Old North Road has become a<br />
more scenic way to get to the Hunter<br />
region. This was our route and a<br />
few of us took a slight detour to take<br />
in the old Pacific Highway instead<br />
of staying on the motor way. The<br />
pace was leisurely as we took in the<br />
warm Autumn sun and peaceful rural<br />
scenery.<br />
Lunch was at historic Mulla Villa,<br />
which is a house originally built<br />
by convicts as a base station for the<br />
road construction. The house has<br />
a number of interesting historical<br />
features including a cellar that shows<br />
where the convicts were chained up<br />
and a room where Aboriginal women<br />
and children could be protected from<br />
harm when necessary. These rooms<br />
can still be toured, and I understand<br />
the group was able to take a tour after<br />
lunch, although I left before this.<br />
The new owners of Mulla Villa are<br />
trying to attract more Car Clubs to<br />
do the scenic drive and then lunch at<br />
the house. They provide a set menu<br />
at a reasonable price, although the<br />
highlight for me was dessert!<br />
To accompany the food we had<br />
entertainment from Michael Parsons<br />
and Bill Scott on the Piano accordion<br />
and drums. The house has a nice<br />
outdoor area where the Club sat<br />
together and their staff went out of<br />
their way to make lunch a casual and<br />
very comfortable affair.<br />
The destination was very close to<br />
the old town which still has original<br />
sandstone buildings. Some club<br />
members were planning to have a<br />
look at the town after lunch as it was<br />
only a five minute drive away.<br />
The actual drive was well worth it.<br />
The weather could not have been<br />
better and there were a great range<br />
of cars from the sixties up to current<br />
models. It was a good day for me to<br />
get out my 250SE cabriolet and see<br />
it pass over the lucky 77,777 for the<br />
3rd time. Drivers did need their wits<br />
about them, as this road is popular<br />
with motorbike enthusiasts who<br />
seem to lack a basic understanding<br />
of physics and think it a good idea to<br />
cut in front of 1.8 ton Mercedes with<br />
1960s brakes.<br />
Nevertheless the twisty roads<br />
made for a great drive and<br />
everyone I spoke to at the lunch<br />
seemed to enjoy it. Mulla Villa may<br />
be on the Club calendar again sooner<br />
rather than later.<br />
43
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My annual pilgrimage to the Victorian Club’s,<br />
“All European Day” generated enough<br />
interest for Club members Mark Hertz, and<br />
his partner Maria, to meet me in Albury on<br />
Friday evening. Geoff Hosey met us in Melbourne, on<br />
Saturday morning, and Bill & Linda Daws and Matthew &<br />
Anissa Kean, met us at the Show on Sunday morning, at<br />
the splendid Flemington Racecourse.<br />
Cocktail Party:<br />
Thanks to some valuable networking amongst our<br />
members, we all ended up in a smart Hotel near the<br />
racecourse, which was only a short taxi drive to the venue<br />
of the Cocktail Party, on the Saturday evening.<br />
We were warmly greeted by Victorian Club President,<br />
Brian Billing, and reminded by him, and several other<br />
members during the course of the evening, of what a<br />
great job the NSW Club had accomplished with the recent<br />
National Rally. I responded that we had really enjoyed<br />
putting the rally together and enjoyed their company<br />
even more at the various events. We spoke about the<br />
2018 Rally, which will be a great driving experience,<br />
particularly the pre Rally tour into the goldfields!<br />
Concours:<br />
Having driven nearly 1,000 k’s to be there, Mark was<br />
up early Sunday morning polishing his prized W108,<br />
before filling our vehicles with his suitcases and setting<br />
off for the show. We non judging Mercedes owners, took<br />
a very pleasant breakfast together before checking out<br />
and sauntering down to the racecourse, before meeting<br />
up with the Waggarians.<br />
Matt was busy clicking away with his camera and we<br />
stopped and chatted about the magnitude of the show<br />
(possibly 2000 vehicles) and the strength of the support<br />
from the dealer, six Mercedes AMG vehicles and a huge<br />
stand handing out free water and key rings, well done<br />
Victoria!<br />
There were some magnificent other marques there but<br />
to be truthful I rarely get out of the Mercedes compound<br />
at these shows, too busy meeting old friends and chatting<br />
to new ones. I had a long chat to member Barry Smith,<br />
what an eclectic collection he has. I spent a fair while<br />
looking at the drop top SEC and getting the rundown from<br />
its proud owner.<br />
A little after 1.00pm I said my goodbyes and by 2.30pm<br />
I was on the road to Albury. Mark was waiting to pick up<br />
his runner’s up trophy and long distance award, as Bill<br />
and Linda were also winging their way home.
Mercedes-Benz Concours Victoria<br />
by V Thompson<br />
45
46<br />
Contact Simon Foster at:<br />
The Toymaker<br />
Ph: (02) 9938 5153<br />
Email: thetoymaker@aapt.net.au<br />
Address: 1/16 Sydnenham Rd Brookvale NSW, 2100
Executive committee & team<br />
President<br />
Ben de Boer (EC)<br />
0418 471 637<br />
president@mbcnsw.org.au<br />
Vice President<br />
John Assarapin (EC)<br />
0418 785 815<br />
Vice President & Editor<br />
Dennis Dinse (EC)<br />
0417 477 060<br />
editor@mbcnsw.org.au<br />
Secretary<br />
Ken Pitman (EC)<br />
0457 521 015<br />
secretary@mbcnsw.org.au<br />
Treasurer<br />
George Timothy (EC)<br />
treasurer@mbcnsw.org.au<br />
Membership Secretary<br />
Jenny Fleming<br />
0418 968 324<br />
membership@mbcnsw.org.au<br />
Adversing Manager<br />
A.King<br />
adversing@mbcnsw.org.au<br />
Website Manager<br />
Bill Dawes<br />
0419 431 531<br />
webmaster@mbnsw.org.au<br />
Exceve Member<br />
Mike Fleming (EC)<br />
9894 4504<br />
mike.fleming@mbcnsw.org.au<br />
Execuve Member<br />
Vince Thompson (EC)<br />
0411 773 440<br />
thompson007@hotmail.com.au<br />
Execuve Member<br />
Simon Strauss (EC)<br />
scstrauss@optusnet.com.au<br />
Public Officer<br />
Lionel Smith<br />
9654 9607<br />
Auditor<br />
Paul Nelson<br />
9629 3241<br />
The Execuve posions of the Club<br />
are elected by the common vote of<br />
the members at the Annual General<br />
Meeng, held on the first Wednesday of<br />
November each year, unless adversed<br />
otherwise.<br />
The Execuve members are elected<br />
to control and manage the affairs of<br />
the Club. The Public Officer and the<br />
Auditor are appointed by the Execuve.<br />
The responsibilies for each of the Club<br />
Execuves, and those of both the Public<br />
Officer and the Auditor, can be found in<br />
the Club Constuon.<br />
Any quesons you might have for any<br />
posion not listed on this page should<br />
be directed to an Execuve member<br />
who shall pass the queson on to the<br />
appropriate person.<br />
Mercedes-Benz<br />
Club of NSW<br />
est. 1972<br />
Events Director<br />
Mark Hertz<br />
0410 679 268<br />
events@mbcnsw.org.au<br />
Social Director<br />
Evian Delfabbro<br />
social@mbcnsw.org.au<br />
SGA Director<br />
Nick Harris<br />
0408 228 305<br />
Condional Registraon Scheme<br />
Registrars<br />
Ben de Boer Grant Karsten<br />
9894 0661 8845 4905<br />
0418 471 637 0418 457 997<br />
Model Advisor Director<br />
Ben de Boer (EC)<br />
9894 0661 & 0418 471 637<br />
Librarian<br />
Dennis Dinse (EC)<br />
0417 477 060<br />
library@mbcnsw.org<br />
New Members Liaison Officer<br />
Harry Hanzen<br />
0429 797 825<br />
Concours Director<br />
Luke Vreos<br />
0414 079 458<br />
concours@mbcnsw.org.au<br />
Club Shop<br />
Charles Mansour<br />
0420 371 <strong>244</strong><br />
charlesmansour48@hotmail.com<br />
Raffle Coordinators<br />
Mike Fleming & Ray Wheeler<br />
mike.fleming@mbcnsw.org.au<br />
47
Motor Mart<br />
1977 Mercedes-Benz Model: 280 SE W 116<br />
Price: $12,500.00<br />
Colour: Astral Silver/bamboo colour interior<br />
Type: Saloon 4 Door<br />
Reg: 38804-H (non transferable)<br />
Distance: 101,000 Kms<br />
Mul-award winner at MBCNSW and ACT Concours<br />
d’Elegance, this W 116 280 SE is in excellent condion<br />
inside and out. All books, manuals, original toolkit and<br />
first aid kit included. Serviced by West-<strong>Star</strong> Autos. A well<br />
known, ideal Club car and the smartest Mercedes-Benz<br />
280 SE on the market today.<br />
Phone Paul Fail: 0425 203 660 or pfmercfan7@gmail.com<br />
MBCNSW members can list their vehicle or parts here free of charge.<br />
Non-members $25 payable to the MBCNSW treasurer prior to lisng<br />
BEE<br />
sure your print job<br />
is the best it can be<br />
BEE Printmail<br />
Specialists in printing and mailing<br />
club magazines and newsletters<br />
Offset Printing<br />
Digital Printing<br />
Design<br />
Prepress<br />
Mailing<br />
Distribution<br />
Eco-friendly Technology<br />
49 Herbert Street<br />
Artarmon NSW 2064<br />
9437 6917<br />
beeprint@printd.com.au<br />
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48
Editorial license & new members<br />
Well as our President stated earlier, the colder weather is certainly<br />
rolling in on us all. Welcome to the winter edition of <strong>Star</strong> <strong>Torque</strong> and<br />
may I extend a warm welcome to all our new Club members.<br />
As you have more than likely already read we have focused on yet another<br />
Classic model in this issue of the magazine, the W113 “Pagoda” SL. I<br />
hope that we have made the owners of these particular vehicles proud, by<br />
providing a little bit of information about them and their wonderful cars.<br />
As the owner of a R107, I know that I was very happy to see my car pictured<br />
in the magazine some years ago and did not hesitate to show members and<br />
friends these photos. This is the next SL to feature in <strong>Star</strong> <strong>Torque</strong> and would<br />
like members of these fine vehicles to come forward and provide us with a<br />
brief story and some high resolution pictures please.<br />
We are always looking at content for the magazine and at times have found<br />
it difficult to source. I am certain that you would like to have your car (or<br />
cars) pictured in our magazine. All you need to do is get an article together<br />
with a few good quality photos and hey presto it is that easy. Well may be<br />
not that easy, but if you would like a hand to get it happening, give me a call<br />
and I will work with you to get your story in print.<br />
Event articles. If you have attended a recent Club event, or another Car<br />
Club event that you think is worth mentioning, please let’s hear from you.<br />
You never know you could be the next Club journalist, so give it a go.<br />
At the recent National Rally, the Presidents all agreed to share technical<br />
knowledge on repairs and know how etc. This was a great idea and will<br />
benefit members who do fiddly repairs themselves. We will endeavour<br />
to filter these articles through in new issues of the magazines and tuition<br />
videos on the website. So if you have an article that may be of assistance to<br />
other like minder tinkers, of the Mercedes-Benz following, share the joy and<br />
spread your knowledge. I will also arrange for these to be distributed to the<br />
other states and across Australia.<br />
It has not always been easy to get this magazine out, but I have had some<br />
very dedicated people to support each issue. Thank you once again to each<br />
and every one of them, it has been a team effort, so well done team.<br />
This will be my last <strong>Star</strong> <strong>Torque</strong> magazine in the role of Editor, as I have a<br />
business to run and have to allocate more time to my work commitments.<br />
In particular, A.King is in the same position as me with high workload<br />
commitments, so we urgently need a graphic layout person or small layout<br />
team capable of using the InDesign software to continue this magazine - so<br />
please volunteer and contact me as soon as possible.<br />
My full support will be given to Club members wishing to take on this<br />
responsible position of Editor and other who wish to provide articles and so<br />
on, in the short term. Please contact me as soon as possible about the editor<br />
and layout positions as the future of the magazine is in question if nobody<br />
steps up to help the Club with this great publication.<br />
I hope you have enjoyed the magazine whilst I have been the editor.<br />
Dennis Dinse<br />
Editor MBCNSW<br />
editor@mbcnsw.org.au<br />
New Club Members<br />
Michael & Alaine Fletcher<br />
1993 320 CE<br />
John & Jenny Fawcett<br />
2012 SLK 350<br />
Malcolm Sullivan & Judith Pearson<br />
2012 C250<br />
Georgie Kobanov<br />
1985 280 SE, 1975 280 SE, 1980 280 E<br />
Robert & Kim Waddell<br />
1965 230 SL, 1983 380 SL, 2003 SL 500<br />
James Sterrey<br />
1976 300 D, 1978 300 D, 1983 300 TD<br />
Ken McKinnon<br />
1978 450 SLC<br />
Brian Dobbie<br />
1994 C 220E<br />
Riaan Bezuidenhout<br />
1967 250 SL, 2004 C 180K<br />
Anthony & Ashley Taylor<br />
1974 450 SLC, 1969 450 SE, 1999 E 430<br />
Jonathon Deagle<br />
2015 A 45 AMG<br />
Robert & Barbara Barrett<br />
2014 E 350, 2014 C 250<br />
Alan Bezzina & Doreen Schaepman<br />
C 200<br />
Rod Barrett<br />
1966 250 SEC<br />
Romeo & Phillipa Belcastro<br />
2013 C 63 AMG<br />
Darby Miller<br />
Ken Grindrod<br />
Gosford Classic Car Museum<br />
Harry Moustakas<br />
2012 C 350<br />
Nick Blay<br />
1983 230 E<br />
Bill Selby<br />
1988 190 E, 1966 SL 500, 2015 E 250 CDI<br />
Peter Rowe<br />
2014 CLA 250 sport<br />
Marco Scheuber<br />
1978 280 SE<br />
Suzana Kelly<br />
1998 C 180<br />
Ethan Burns<br />
1976 300 D<br />
Jonathon Rosenberg<br />
1980 280 SL<br />
Paul & Louise Diaz<br />
1974 450 SLC, 1977 450 SEL<br />
Keenen Scott<br />
1972 280 S, 1969 280 S 3.5<br />
Saleh Alalmeddine<br />
1986 560 SL, 1967 250 SL, 1967 250 SL<br />
49
Conditional Registration scheme<br />
As most members will be aware,<br />
the MBCNSW runs a Conditional<br />
Registration System with the Road &<br />
Maritime Services (RMS).<br />
The Historic Plate System introduced<br />
by the RMS allows for conditional<br />
registration of historic vehicles over<br />
30 years old to be driven within car<br />
Clubs across NSW.<br />
When your RMS registration<br />
form arrives, complete and send<br />
with a SAE to: Mr Ben de Boer,<br />
MBCNSW Registrar, 11 Empire Bay<br />
Drive, Daley’s Point, 2257. Your<br />
Membership details will be verified<br />
as current and the form will be<br />
signed, stamped and returned to you.<br />
Other registrars are Greg<br />
Drakopoulos 0407 626 64 and Grant<br />
Karsten 0418 457 997, who can also<br />
sign and stamp your declaration.<br />
Registration<br />
The RMS forms require<br />
countersigning by the Mercedes-Benz<br />
Club of NSW Inc. to verify current<br />
membership and authenticity of<br />
your vehicle. Completed forms with<br />
the pink slip and payment for your<br />
registration need to be made to RMS.<br />
Compliance<br />
The RMS requires a Certificate<br />
of Approved Operations, issued at<br />
registration to be carried at all times<br />
in the vehicle. Document your Club<br />
runs and events to prove legitimate<br />
vehicle usage under this scheme.<br />
Membership<br />
Current membership is required to<br />
comply with these RMS requirements.<br />
If your membership lapses, the<br />
conditional registration will be<br />
rescinded and/or renewal refused.<br />
Your vehicle will NOT be registered<br />
for driving on public roads and your<br />
insurances for Compulsory and/or<br />
Third party and personal use in these<br />
circumstances become VOID<br />
Club Conditions<br />
All historic plated cars<br />
must aend at least three<br />
events or meengs per<br />
calendar year, including the<br />
Concours d’Elegance.<br />
The Mercedes-Benz Club<br />
of NSW has over 120<br />
vehicles registered, with too<br />
few aending events.<br />
This contravenes the scheme<br />
as Historic plated cars must<br />
be used and displayed. Your<br />
historic plate registraon may<br />
not be be renewed if this Club<br />
requirement is not met.<br />
Mercedes-Benz Club<br />
of NSW<br />
Quality Apparel<br />
Make a statement any me of<br />
the year with these stylish jackets,<br />
shirts and cap showing you belong<br />
to the Mercedes-Benz Club of NSW.<br />
All items have the Club logo. For<br />
full range & availability please email<br />
Baseball style cap $15<br />
merchandise@mbcnsw.org.au.<br />
Polo shirt $45<br />
So shell jacket $100<br />
Parka $100<br />
50
Membership form<br />
Mercedes-Benz Club of NSW<br />
Incorporated with limited liability ABN 43 684 976 470<br />
ONLINE Membership Application & Renewal<br />
E-form go to: www.mbcnsw.org.au<br />
Membership Application & Renewal form<br />
Please send completed form<br />
with any cheques to:<br />
Membership Secretary<br />
Mercedes-Benz Club<br />
of NSW Inc.<br />
PO Box 155,<br />
St Ives, NSW, 2075.<br />
See over for fees & opons<br />
><br />
Membership details: New Member Renewal & membership number:<br />
Member:<br />
Title First name Last name<br />
Number<br />
Street address<br />
Address:<br />
Suburb/town State Postcode Country<br />
Phone:<br />
Home<br />
Mobile<br />
Additional<br />
Email:<br />
Primary<br />
Secondary<br />
Associate:<br />
Title First name Last name<br />
Relationship (optional)<br />
Occupation:<br />
Member (optional)<br />
Associate (optional)<br />
Compliance with Club constitution<br />
I/we agree to comply with all Club rules under the<br />
current constitution. I/we understand that failure to<br />
comply may lead to membership being cancelled.<br />
Member signature:<br />
Associate signature:<br />
Date:<br />
Date:<br />
/ /<br />
/ /<br />
Australian Mercedes-Benz Club discount<br />
If you hold membership of another Mercedes-Benz Club in Australia, there is no joing fee ($25.00) for the Mercedes-<br />
Benz Club of NSW, by proving this to us with a photocopy of your membership card lodged with this form.<br />
Details of your Mercedes-Benz Vehicle(s).<br />
Year Model Reg Body colour Interior colour<br />
Year Model Reg Body colour Interior colour<br />
Year Model Reg Body colour Interior colour<br />
Year Model Reg Body colour Interior colour<br />
Year Model Reg Body colour Interior colour<br />
51
Membership fees<br />
Mercedes-Benz Club of NSW<br />
Membership fee schedule<br />
The Mercedes-Benz Club of NSW has an annual membership renewal date of July 1.<br />
Club fees are based on the financial year from June 30 to July 1. Part year new<br />
memberships are calculated from the schedule of pro-rata rates shown.<br />
New membership joining fee SPECIAL PRICE $25.00 Annual membership fee: $95.00<br />
Pro rata annual membership fee schedule for new members<br />
July 1: $95.00<br />
August: $87.10<br />
September: $79.20<br />
October: $71.25<br />
November: $63.35<br />
December: $55.40<br />
January: $47.50<br />
February: $39.60<br />
March: $31.60<br />
*April: $118.75<br />
*May: $110.85<br />
*June: $102.30<br />
*New membership applicants joining in the remaining three months of the financial year (April, May,<br />
June) are required to pay to June 30 of the following financial year by the Club administration.<br />
Joining fee SPECIAL PRICE<br />
(if applicable): $25.00<br />
New membership payment schedule<br />
Pro rata membership fee:<br />
$95.00<br />
Total payable<br />
$<br />
Membership payments can be made:<br />
1. ONLINE at www.mbcnsw.org.au<br />
2. By direct deposit (EFT) to the Club account:<br />
Mercedes-Benz Club (NSW) Inc.<br />
BSB: 012 006 Account Number: 2081 54818<br />
Ref: MUST include Name & Membership<br />
Club payments<br />
number.<br />
3. At a General Club meeting to the treasurer with<br />
cash, credit card, or cheque.<br />
4. Via mail with credit card or cheque, NO cash to<br />
the address on the membership form.<br />
Payment type: Cheque Visa Mastercard EFT Cash Money order<br />
Card number: __ __ __ __ /__ __ __ __ / __ __ __ __ / __ __ __ __<br />
Expiry date: __ __ / __ __<br />
Please check this box to automatically renew your membership and you agree to allow the MBCNSW<br />
Inc to debit your credit card with the membership fee on July 1 each year until you instruct us to stop.<br />
Cardholder name: Amount payable: $ Date:<br />
Cardholder signature: OR CCV (for web payments)<br />
Please do not send cash via mail. Return this fee schedule & membership form with any payments to:<br />
Membership Secretary, Mercedes-Benz Club (NSW) Inc,<br />
PO BOX 6082, Baulkham Hills, NSW, 2153.<br />
NEW ONLINE MEMBERSHIP FORM with Secure EFT payments (and pdf forms) at:<br />
www.mbcnsw.org.au<br />
Email enquiries to: membership@mbcnsw.org.au<br />
52
<strong>Star</strong> <strong>Torque</strong> magazine<br />
Publicaon:<br />
Quarterly in March, June, September<br />
& December<br />
Editorial deadlines:<br />
5th January, 15th April, 15th July &<br />
15th October<br />
Adversing deadline:<br />
Booked and artwork supplied by 1st of<br />
month preceding publicaon<br />
Editor: Dennis Dinse<br />
Editorial Team: Shane Steele, Rena Nikola,<br />
A.King.<br />
Submissions:<br />
Arcles & contribuons welcome from all for<br />
the magazine. The MBCNSW has the right to<br />
edit & publish any submied material.<br />
Text files:<br />
Plain text only with NO images.<br />
Image files:<br />
Hi-res only above 3000 x 2000 pixels.<br />
Technical arcles:<br />
Should be reviewed by an informed source<br />
for any errors or omissions.<br />
Contribuons:<br />
All text documents to the Editor by e-mail.<br />
Images emailed OR uploaded to dropbox<br />
and the download link or folder shared.<br />
Adversements:<br />
We ask Club members to support the adver-<br />
sers who support the Club. The MBCNSW<br />
makes no warranes and accepts no liability<br />
or responsibility for any work, or subsequent<br />
claims arising from any dispute between a<br />
Club member and an adverser. Members<br />
with complaints should contact the relevant<br />
government authority.<br />
Copyright:<br />
The MBCNSW promotes knowledge,<br />
preservaon and enjoyment of Mercedes-<br />
Benz vehicles. We give other official<br />
Mercedes-Benz Clubs free access to art<br />
material in this magazine. However, please<br />
recognise that adversements and certain<br />
arcles, primarily those from commercial<br />
publicaons and other Clubs may be<br />
copyrighted. Permission to use copyrighted<br />
material rests with the user.<br />
Disclaimer:<br />
Opinions, ideas and suggesons in this<br />
publicaon are those of the author and<br />
not necessarily those of the Execuve<br />
or the Editorial Team. Due care and<br />
diligence is taken in the preparaon of<br />
this magazine. The Mercedes-Benz Club<br />
NSW Inc. (MBCNSW) is not responsible or<br />
liable for any mistake, misprint, omission<br />
or typographical error. The publisher prints<br />
adversements, but gives no warranty and<br />
makes no representaon as to the truth,<br />
the accuracy of any statement or advice<br />
contained in the text of any adversement.<br />
The MBCNSW reserves the right to refuse<br />
any adversement for any reason that it<br />
considers appropriate.<br />
<strong>Star</strong> <strong>Torque</strong> magazine circulation & demographics available upon request to advertising@mbcnsw.org.au<br />
Mercedes-Benz Club of NSW site: www.mbcnsw.org.au averages over 37,200 hits per month.<br />
53
Peter Warren Automotive Cnr Hume Highway & Todman Road, Warwick Farm 2170
Peter Warren.<br />
The dealership you trust.<br />
As a family owned business Peter Warren has been dedicated to providing the finest<br />
and best customer service since 1958. Conveniently located under the historic replica<br />
harbour bridge, our site is home to all your Mercedes-Benz needs.<br />
Why choose Peter Warren?<br />
- Our award winning sales executives pride themselves in leading customer sales.<br />
- Our passionate finance and insurance team are here to help you find the best financial<br />
solution for your lifestyle.<br />
- Be assured, our factory-trained technicians are equipped with the most up-to-date<br />
tehcnology and facilities, to assist in the servicing of your Mercedes-Benz.<br />
- Servicing a vehicle? Relax and grab a bite at our Le Pavilion Cafe lounge while you<br />
wait.<br />
With an extensive range of new, demonstrator and approved pre-owned vehicles,<br />
there’s a Mercedes-Benz here waiting for you.<br />
Come visit the dealership that knows quality.<br />
Open 7 days Tel: 02 9828 8002 website: mbpeterwarren.com.au DL5411