We SaW ThiS Car in

PerSon! To find ouT

WhaT iT iS,

Look inSide!

THE OFFICIAL NEWSLETTEROF THE MERCEDES BENZ CLUB OF AMERICA, CAROLINAS SECTION

Better Than a Hot Tub Time Machine...By Don Suttles

It’s Saturday afternoon... 98 degree weather outside, 72 degree inside... I’m sitting on the sofa scanning my laptop for any program I can find which I haven’t already read meticu-lously. Oh well, let’s check out e-Bay to see what’s offered in the 1989 Mercedes Benz 560SL Model. WAIT, I still have the 1989 560 SL I bought off e-Bay last

LadieS and GenTLemen, PLeaSe join uS aS We STeP baCk in Time To The year 1989...

Continued on page 2

MBCA | Carol inas Sect ion

THIRD QTR 2010

January. Boy, did I get a raw deal that time! I remember how great the pictures looked and the multi-ple paragraph description describ-ing the many accolades of the car and NO BIDS and NO MINIMUM. “If I bid now, I may get this gem because the auction ends within the hour.” I BID AND WON (as it turned out, I bid and LOST). Several days later, the car

showed up looking like a Mercedes Benz salvage reject. I think the proverbial junkyard dog used the wheels as his prefer-ence over a shiny fire hydrant. OK, so I’ll let bygones be bygones and get on with my origi-nal plan to see what is now available and at what price. I logged in, entered make and model into the search block and pressed GO.

DON’S FOUND A EASIER WAY TO RELIVE THE 1980s

Time maChine, ConT’d

Gosh, only five 1989 Mercedes Benz 560SLs for sale? I think this red one looks good and the seller is only 200 miles from my location. Immediately this got my attention: Mouse Over..CLICK.. Bid history: 0 bids Vehicle Description: “This is a one family-owned 560SL with complete records, window sticker, books, manuals and absolutely extraordinary! This car shows up exactly like you see photographed and without a doubt – THIS IS THE BEST! This car could win any show that it was to enter.” The original owners’ son stated the car had never been run in the rain (they all say that). I really believe the car was probably never run in the rain. It shows as a time warp back to 1989 in every aspect – even the odor of the inte-

rior is of an 560SL in 1989. The interior is incredible, the engine compartment is incredible, the soft top, the paint, the stain-less steel, glass, wheels, tires, all incredible. As to the run and drive – INCREDIBLE!! The car has nothing added or subtracted from its original condi-tion, no chrome lip moldings, no door edge guards, no aftermarket radio, just pure Mercedes Benz. The car was always garage-kept and when driven to the office, it was in an underground parking garage. The undercarriage looks like a new 560SL with nuts, bolts, rubbers, exhaust, all still clean and shiny. Because of my prior experience, I knew not to bid so I did the next best thing. I called the number listed and talked to the seller. We agreed on a price of under $20,000 with the stipulation that

we would talk again on Monday and if we still agree, I would pick up the car. That was six days ago and as of now, I have had one person beg me to sell (on credit terms) and another cash offer substantially higher than my purchase price. BUT: I love my wife, my house, and MY 1989 Mercedes Benz 560SL and I say “NO SALE.”

STARFEST SePTember 24 - 29

The in Terior looks p ris Tin e! Maybe iT is 1989, afTer all!

Come for the weekend or for the week. Enjoy showing your car, driving your car, talking with other Mercedes-Benz enthusiasts or just enjoy gazing at some of the greatest German made cars from the 60s, 70s, 80s 90s and today! This is a great opportunity to really learn how your car handles in a con-trolled environment under the watch-ful eye of an instructor at the speeds that your car was designed to go. All experience levels are encour-aged to participate. If you have questions about driving contact: Bill Hopper, wwhopper@gmail.com, 202.364.2852.

If driving the track isn’t your thing, enjoy some of the special tours of the Virginia countryside arranged for Sunday, Monday and Tuesday. StarFest® 2010 will take place in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley just 50 miles west of Washington, DC. A scenic drive from virtually anywhere! For more information contact Jim Roberts: jertoothsaver@bellsouth.net General Registration is $45 which includes a Friday evening Welcome Reception; Detail Prep Clinics on

Friday; Technical seminars during Saturday’s Concours d’ Elegance and spectator admission to all driv-ing events and the Concours d’ Elegance. Event and Meal Registration varies. For more information and to regis-ter go to: www.gws-mbca.org/SF/StarFest.html Registration questions: Contact Paul Vandenberg: pdjv@pdjv.netQuestions about the event: Contact Bill Hopper wwhopper@gmail.com.

Tax Day in GaffneyAUGUST 7TH GATHERING IN UPSTATE SOUTH CAROLINA

Our August mem-bers event was a great success during the annual Tax Free Holiday weekend. Held on Saturday, August 7th at the Prime Outlet Mall, Carolinas section members enjoyed a full day of tax-free shopping and cama-raderie with friends both old and new. Adeptly organized by Odette Sigler, the group first met at lunchtime at Exit 90, right off I-85 at the Prime Outlet Mall. With over 70 out-let stores included in the village-style designer center, some of America’s biggest brand names including COACH Factory, Pottery Barn Outlet, Polo Ralph Lauren Factory Store and the Nike Factory Store offered a vast array of shopping opportunities for the bargain-seekers. Around 3:30pm in the afternoon, the group lined up all of the beautiful Mercedes Benz cars in attendance for

a series of photos, including the ones that you see here. The outside activi-ties didn’t last long, as the temperature was scorching hot. The conclu-sion of the day was an Aussie delight at Outback Steakhouse. “We had a great turnout,” said Rick Deiber, president of the Carolina section of MBCA. “We especially enjoyed getting to see Don Suttle’s latest acquisition, which is a superior example of a 560SL

from the late ‘80s.” The tax-free shop-ping event has been an annual event for the MBCA Carolinas section for several years now. If you’ve never attended, mark your calendar now fornext year.You won’twant to miss outon the dealsnext year!

2640 Asheville Highway Hendersonville, NC

JERRY CANNONOwner

828-606-7255 Cell

828-692-6541 Office

Cannon’sSpecializing in Pre-Owned Mercedes• •

President’s MessageMBCA CAROLINA’S SECTION PRESIDENT, RICK DEIBER

I have owned Mercedes Benz automobiles since my high school senior year in 1970. My first MB was a 1960 220 S, the color was “green and rust”. A friend of my family was a Mercedes mechanic at the Albany NY MB dealer and found me the car for $500. He also patched the car and kept it running through my senior year of high school and my first two years of college. Cancer (rust) finally killed the car after three years. I had become an expert on patching rust holes with fiberglass, bondall and painting, but once rust starts, you cannot stop it.

After the funeral for my 220 S, I was able to find a 1963 190 C in excellent condition. This car was a dream compared to my old 220 S, no rust with low miles, European Model. I purchased it from an Army Office who brought it back with him from Germany. I drove this car for my final two years at Plattsburgh State University in Upstate NY (near the Canadian border – 60 miles from Montreal). The car served me well on “Party Trips” to Montreal, bi-weekly ski trips to Whiteface Mountain and Jay Peak in VT, and the 150 mile trip though the Adirondack Mountains to my parents’ home in Schenectady, NY.

My senior year, I was driving though the Whiteface Mountain parking lot and drove over a chunk of ice and punched a hole in the floor pan in the back seat. No problem, I patched the hole with a “pop riveted” sheet of aluminum, and sealed with fiberglass cloth and resin, and put the carpet and mat over the patch. Again, this car had “terminal cancer” (rust) and only lasted another year.

In the past 40 years, I have owned over 25 cars and trucks (Mercedes and non-Mercedes), but usually have at least one Mercedes in my garage.

So, now that you know my story, I would like to introduce a new feature in our newsletter:

Every Car Has a Story

We will be featuring cars acquired by our members for reasonable amounts of money (preferably under $20,000) in great condition with little work needed.

Examples of cars recently purchased by our members for under $20,000:• Soren Pedersen -1998 SL 600 – Found in Florida in May with only 50,000 Miles (Original Sticker Price $130,000+)• Don Suttles -1989 SL purchased last month with 46,000 Miles• My 2000 CLK 430 Cabriolet, purchased last year in Hickory with only 25,000 miles. Stored in a garage since new with a car cover, never driven in rain or bad weather.

You don’t have to spend $50,000 + to get a MB! There are plenty of low mileage, mint condition Mercedes available for under $20,000. These cars, if properly maintained, will provide many years of service. Recent examples of cars for sales on Auto Trader and Cars.com - 2001 CLK 320 Cabriolet at a MB Dealer in South Florida with 22,000 miles, a 2003 ML 320 with 45,000 ($13,000) and a 2003 CLK 430 Cabriolet at a MB dealer in Charlotte with 17,000 miles. These cars usually can be found in Florida and usually only are used in the winter season.

In upcoming issues we will be featuring stories on our members cars. Please send us your story about your car and we will feature it in upcoming newsletters!

See you at our next event at Shelton Vineyards in Dobson NC on Saturday August 28th.Look for details on our website and in this newsletter.

Thomas & JoAnne Clemons

Jerry and Caryloy Henderson

William and Lavern Hiatt

Dieter Klauss

Dennis & Shana La Caria

Nick Massarotto

Stephen Nielsen

Carolyn Poore

Jim Threatt

Marc Bowen

Brenner Wood & Karen Shea

Bob Boan

Ed Horton

Naresh Jain

Edgar McVay

Robert & Janet Rosenzweig

Wajahat Syed

Frank Weckerly

NEW MEMBERS

WELCOME!

H & H Auto Service35 Hunter Road, Hilton Head Island, SC 29926

Proud Members of the Mercedes-Benz Club of America Since 1983

•Sales and Service of Pre-Owned Mercedes-Benzs•Service by Experts Trained on Mercedes•Great Advice and Helpful Information

(843) 681-8384 • www.handhautos.com

H&H Auto Body - Check out our website atwww.hhautobodyhhi.com

Food Lion Auto Fair: August 26 - 29,

Concord, NC. Charlotte Motor Speedway, Car show on 150+ acres

with 10,000 vendor spaces. WE’VE BEEN CHALLENGED! The

Porsche Club wagers that we can’t bring as many cars as they can.

Let’s prove them wrong! Let us know if you’re interested in attending

this event as a car club. Events are available daily from Aug. 26 - 29.

Shelton Vineyards: August 28, 10:00am,

Shelton Vineyards in Dobson, NC. 10th Anniversary celebration

featuring vintage Mercedes Benz and wine! If you’d like to showcase

your car at this event, please email model and year to odette@

overgaardweb.com. Enjoy a winery tour and tasting before lunch and

then feast on fabulous food at the Harvest Grill at noon. There will

also be a car show, with neighboring sections bringing lots of beauti-

ful cars, including some classics, including three 300SLs from the

1950s and 1960s. For more on the winery, visit

www.sheltonvineyards.com.

Euro Classica: in Winston Salem, NC. You are

invited to EURO CLASSICA, featuring the beautifully exciting cars

and motorcycles of Europe. Vehicles will be displayed in a park

like setting with the buildings of the 1700’s town of Old Salem as a

backdrop. The event will take place at historic Old Salem located in

Winston-Salem, NC. Sept. 10-11, 2010. $5 charitable donation at

the gate.

UPCOMING EVENTS CheCk ouT fuLL deTaiLS aT mbCaCaroLinaS.orG

Oktoberfest: Helen, GA: Oct. 8 - 10, Oktoberfest fall celebration. Enjoy the natural beauty of the

season with hands-on pioneer skills exhibits, hayrides through the park, traditional craft vendors, mountain

music, and apple cider from a hand-cranked press. Please note: the dates for this event may change. Please

consult the section’s website at www.mbcacarolinas.org.

Eurofest: Spartanburg, SC: Oct. 15 - 16, Eurofest at the BMW Zentrum facility. The festivities will be

held on Friday and Saturday this year, with the featured marque of Volkswagen. Includes a show of many fine

vehicles, and lots of fun for enthusiasts.

Hilton Head Island Concours: November 5 - 7, 2010. November 6: With car

clubs traveling from throughout the U.S. to participate, the Car Club Jamboree offers an eclectic mix of over

150 cars covering the history of the automobile from early production models to modern day’s high perfor-

mance muscle cars, hot rods and European sports cars. This year will feature car clubs that celebrate the 2010

Honored Marque, Chevrolet, as well as celebrate the beauty of Italian design with clubs representing Ferrari,

Lamborghini, Alfa Romeo and more! November 7: The first Sunday of November, official Concours d’Elegance

competition day, will feature over 150 vintage cars and motorcycles competing for the coveted top honors of Best

of Show and People’s Choice. All exhibited vehicles must go through an application process and be accepted

by the Concours d’Elegance Selection Committee. To be considered, all cars must be 1972 and earlier and all

motorcycles must be 1980 and earlier. MBCA Carolinas section has participated as a club for several years now

- please join us in Hilton Head for an amazing weekend. Details will be available on mbcacarolinas.org.

Annual Dinner: Asheville, NC. Gather together with fellow club members at our traditional

dinner in December. Plans to be announced.

Call for Officer Nominations NEW MAGAZINE, KLASSE, FEATURES SLKS IN FIRST ISSUE The MBCA Carolinas Section is governed by an elected group of officers. Every year, officers are elected by you, the membership, at the annual meeting, which will be held in December. These elections are required by the MBCA Carolinas Section bylaws.

As a MBCA Carolinas Section member, you are eligible to serve on a committee or run for Section Officer.

The offices for election this year are: President and Treasurer. Additionally, the position of Newsletter Editor will be open in 2011.

If you would like to be an officer, or volunteer to help on a committee or produce the quarterly newsletter, please contact Fred Harris, harrisfred@hotmail.com.

Thank you for your participation in the MBCA Carolinas Section!

A new magazine called Klasse is scheduled to be on sale at the end of this year. The entire first edition will be devoted to SLKs! The editor, Tom Bentley, is looking for content. He’s hoping to write about: •Someone who owns three or more SLKs. •A factory mechanic or specialty shop owner who is well-versed in SLKs and really into them, not just someone who’s worked on one. •An owner who has greatly modified their car. •Someone who races SLKs. •An unsual story with your car, such as you traveled to Europe to pick up the car, or the car caused a profound change in their life.

To contact Tom,you may reachhim at:klassemagazine.com.

July 10th in Charleston: Sunshine? CHECK. Surf ‘n Turf? CHECK. Beautiful waterfront view? CHECK. We have everything! So, it must be the annual MBCA Carolinas Section Dock Party!! Graciously hosted once again by Henry and Katherine Dunbar at their incredible home, it was a perfect day for a dock party. There were plenty of goodies and hanging out by the water on the Dunbar’s dock was a favorite pastime of the members who attended. “I was thrilled that we had new faces at the dock party,” said Rick Deiber, MBCA Carolinas Section President. “We encourage everyone to attend events and get to know the other members of the Club. I’ve made a great many new friends, just by participating!”

Dock Party!

MEMBER BBQ IN COLUMBIA •MAY 22a full weekend of activities including the sls amg!

dinner aT GervaiS and vinedinner aT GervaiS and vineSLS amG inTerior

SLS amG rear vieW SLS amG fronT vieW GrouP aT diCk dyer mb SeSSion

ParTy STarTinG aT The broWneS riCk deiber on The Covered PorCh SaLuda river behind The broWneS

LunCh aT The Tiki huT everyone’S here! SaLTWaTer PooL

Thanks to everyone that came to the Member BBQ in Columbia, hosted by Chip and Melissa Browne! The weekend included a Friday evening dinner at Gervais and Vine, a tapas bar; a Saturday morning viewing of the SLS AMG at Dick Dyer Mercedes Benz/Volvo; the BBQ on Saturday afternoon and a goodbye breakfast on Sunday morning at Cafe Strudel.

TIDBITS • USEFUL INFORMATION

From the National Business Office: With every email and

address update that we receive at the NBO, we will send a 10% off

coupon for one item in the Club Store. One coupon per member will

be sent electronically (so it must include a valid email address). Please

send these updates to Geni at geni@mbca.org.

Carolinas seCtion offiCers ContaCt list

AMG Driving AcademyAMG Driving Academy offers the opportunity to develop performance driving skills under the guidance of professional racers and instructors and takes place at two of the most legendary US circuits, Road Atlanta and Laguna Seca Raceway. It offers three distinct programs, each of which will push drivers to the limit in select AMG vehicles, including the most advanced AMG vehicle ever built, the 2011 SLS AMG.

Visit AMGAcademy.com and use discount code ADAMBCA to register.

101 Medical Circle DriveWest Columbia, SC 29169

PRSRT STDUS POSTAGE

PAIDCOLUMBIA, SCPERMIT #1098

Capriccio RistoranteMake Your Reservation

for a Romantic Rendezvous!

1034 Chuck Dawley Blvd.Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464

(843) 881-5550

10% Discount for MBCA Members!

PRESIDENTRichard DeiberHuntersville, NC(704) 948-1433president@mbcacarolinas.org

IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENTAnthony SantagatiBeaufort, SC (843) 522-9444sandspub@aol.com

VICE PRESIDENTSoren PedersenWaxhaw, NC(980) 722-5651vicepresident@mbcacarolinas.org

SECRETARYRoger LevesqueEasley, SC(864) 230-0081 secretary@mbcacarolinas.org

TREASURERRoy L. DavisColumbia, SC(803) 331-1852treasurer@mbcacarolinas.org

MEMBERSHIP CHAIRFred HarrisStatesville, NC(704) 902-6253harrisfred@hotmail.com

EVENTS CHAIROdette Sigler-PedersenWaxhaw, NC(704) 290-2257odette@overgaardweb.com

NEWSLETTER EDITORMelissa Sprouse BrowneColumbia, SC(803) 791-3800info@mbcacarolinas.org

MBCA | Carol inas Sect ion