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500 SECTION STAR
Late Spring Mercedes-Benz Club of America May 2015 Indianapolis 500 Section
Inside This Issue
Officers, Board Members, 2 and Regional Director
Technical Data 2 StarTech 2015 is proud to announce it is being held in Cincinna , Ohio on June 13-15. EuroFest 2015 3 Like Mercedes, Cincinna Has a rich German heritage, and we hope to showcase that 1955 Le Mans 4-9 for the a endees at MBCA's biggest event of the year. We will present great technical NGAI Car Show 10 lectures, and many learning experiences you will only receive at this event! Ads 11 We will kick things off by hos ng a Welcome Party sponsored by MBUSA at the Great Calendar of Events 12 American Ball Park's Mercedes Benz Diamond Club on Friday night. The Cincinna Reds were the first professional Major league Baseball team, so it is only fi ng we paired this venue with fans of the first automobile. We will have a great me in one of the newest ballparks to celebrate the kickoff of StarTech 2015. Here is a list of our We have partnered with the DoubleTree by Hilton Cincinna Airport as our host hotel, newest members: and also the loca ons of the Saturday Technical Sessions and lectures. we have been given a special rate so book your hotel rooms by going to their website (Click Here) Charles Dillon Rooms are $110 a night. Tom Foster We have speakers such as Pete Lesler, Tom Hansen, Joe Bernardi, Ted Go ried, Pierre Dave Hinshaw Hedary, Mary Nohr, Rick Drewrey, and many more. Topics will include the history of German automo ve industry, silver star preserva on, the classic center, insurance, Special Thanks to the what to look for in a councours level vehicle. and many more. To see a full list of speak- following members that ers and topics please visit the StarTech website at h p://startech2015.mbca.org/ renewed their member- Registra on is open and can be found on the startech website, or by going here ship: h ps://squareup.com/market/StarTech2015 . The full technical weekend costs $225, and the social Registra on is $130. Ralph Buschbacher For those of you not interested in the full weekend, we also have 4 offsite events that Terry Fenimore showcase Cincinna and its many gems. These can be found on the startech website by C Archibald Hawkins going here (Click Here). Our off-site events are highlighted by the Queen City Under- Russell Jeffrey ground tour. This tour has been rated a top 5 walking tour in the country, and doesn't James Lingar disappoint. This is a must see if you come to Cincinna ! W Chris an Meyer Saturday night we are planning a wonderful recep on with great food, wonderful com- Thornton Perkins pany, and possibly a keynote speaker from MBUSA. James Sturman As you can see StarTech 2015 has something for everyone, the only thing we will be Gerald Zore missing is you. REGISTER TODAY! Any ques ons, please email Peter Emslander at [email protected]. For a Paper registra on or to pay by check please call David or Kimberly Hagood at 513.404.8183. We look forward to seeing you in June! 2 CENTRAL REGIONAL NEWSLETTER NOTES TECHNICAL RESOURCES DIRECTOR
We ask our readers to support the Mercedes-Benz Club of America Classic Center adver sers appearing in this publica on, Central Regional Director The Mercedes-Benz Classic Center in Irvine, however, no inference should be made that adver sing in the 500 Sec on Star implies Rick Siefert California, is the ideal place for owners, approval of products or services by the 367 W Manor Dr collectors, and enthusiasts to connect with publisher, the 500 Sec on, its officers or Chesterfield, Mo 63017 this legendary brand. In addi on to me cu- members, or by the Mercedes-Benz Club rick.siefert@a .net lously restoring and selling classic Mercedes America. (314) 435-1903 -Benz vehicles, the Classic Center offers appraisals, provides Genuine Mercedes- We encourage editors of other Mercedes- Benz Classic Parts, and can even host your Benz Club newsle ers to reprint ar cles INDIANAPOLIS 500 SECTION special event. that may be of interest to their Sec on’s members. And would appreciate credit Mercedes-Benz Club of America Mercedes-Benz Classic Center being given to the 500 Sec on. Those 500 Sec on Star 9 Whatney, ar cles reprinted in the 500 Sec on Star Newsle er Editor Irvine, California 92618
with permission from owners of copyrights Tel: (949) 598-4850 Ken Salter on those ar cles may not be used without Toll Free: 1-866-MB-CLASSIC 6233 Mack Farm LN wri en permission from the original Mon - Fri 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. PST Indianapolis, IN 46237 owners. (317) 789-9981 www.mercedes-benz-classic.com email: [email protected]
500 SECTION OFFICERS BOARD MEMBERS ADVERTISE FREE
President Donors & Sponsors Liaison MBCA 500 Sec on Members can place Ken Salter Kevin Williams free ads which will run for two issues. 6233 Mack Farm LN (317) 514-7070 For addi onal informa on: Indianapolis, IN 46237 email: [email protected] (317) 789-9981 Membership Chairman Contact: email: [email protected] Terry Fenimore Ken Salter
(317) 878-5584 6233 Mack Farm Ln
email: [email protected] Indianapolis, IN 46237 Vice-President (317) 789-9981 Kevin Williams Board Members: email: [email protected] 11065 Spring Mill Ln Pete Allen Carmel, IN 46032 Russ Jeffrey 317) 514-7070 Randy Patee email: [email protected] Earl Salisbury David Swenby Romeo Zamberle BUSINESS ADS Secretary/Treasurer Alicia Turpin 7754 Ridge Harvest Ln $50 - Business Card Indianapolis, IN 46259 $75 - 1/4 Page (317) $125 - 1/2 Page [email protected] $150 - Back Cover Questions ? $200 - Full Page Call your Sec on President at: (317) 789-9981 Contact: Ken Salter Na onal Business Office at: 6233 Mack Farm Ln (800) 637-2360 Indianapolis, IN 46237 M-F, 8am - 5pm MT (317) 789-9981 www.mbca.org email: [email protected] 3
INDIANA’S MERCEDES-BENZ “FOREIGN AGENT”
Mercedes Benz USA had advised me over a year ago that there was no one in the organiza on that had worked with or had knowledge of Max Hoffman as the first Mercedes Cars arrived in the US a er the war. They were pleasantly surprised that I was the sole survivor known in the country represen ng Mercedes Benz outside West Germany.
Sixty years ago, at the age of 26, I was one of a few hundred proud "Foreign Agents" world-wide. In the 1950's I worked with Max Hoffman, the United States Mercedes Benz distributor, with my company, Auto Imports Ltd. which was the first agency for the state of Indiana.
Before there were Mercedes Benz factory offices in America, our firm was well aware of this decade's proudest achievement in world-wide spor ng events. The sales and service of Mercedes Benz automobiles in the heart of America was my job!
June 15, 1955 was a tragic day at Le Mans, France. It became apparent that Daimler Benz would discon nue factory sanc- oned motor spor ng events. It was difficult for our firm to understand the impact of the decision (which lasted nearly 30 years) but Mercedes Benz would con nue to lead the world with research and development for this new era of great auto- mo ve products for the world's highways.
A few months before Le Mans, I had the pleasure of mee ng with Mr. S rling Moss at the "12 hours of Endurance" race in Sebring, Florida. We had a mutual interest in the success of Mercedes, Jaguar, and Aus n Healy sales in Indianapolis. Even then, Le Mans was not his favorite motor spor ng event. Most recently, in 2014, I met with Sir S rling Moss at Pebble Beach and we discussed his career in interna onal racing. I was able to meet with Juan Fangio on a few occasions, most recently at the "100th year of the automobile" celebra on at Pebble Beach in 1986.
Early examples of technological advances were at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway including the first use of the rear-view mirror. Mercedes Benz has been on the forefront of improving safety and performance of the automobile today. The oldest automo ve firm in the world con nues to fulfill their mo o, "The Best or Nothing."
- R. Kent Emigh
Kent’s 300SL at the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race in the 50’s. 4 1955 LE MANS DISASTER 5 1955 LE MANS DISASTER 6
It was nearly 60 years ago on June 15,1955 that the le er from Daimler -Benz was sent to my office at Auto Imports Ltd. on 422N. Capital Ave. Indianapolis. The tragic accident had occurred and we as "Foreign Agents" had to be no fied. Anyone that represented Mercedes-Benz outside of West Germany was considered a Foreign Agent. We were within Max Hoffman's distribu on of the United States, and was responsible for the State of Indiana, as you might recall. A day later a follow-up le er was sent from Hoffman's New York offices. - R. Kent Emigh 7
Juan Fangio, Alfred Neubauer, S rling Moss the day of the race, June 1955
Photos Courtesy of: The 1955 24 hours of Le Man’s start. Fangio being the last SLR on Daimler Benz Archives. course. With S rling standing behind #19 car. Circuit de la Sarthe. Remembering John Fitch, His Words & Deeds 8 1955 ERA ENDS
1955 zenith and termination of the 3rd Mercedes Benz racing era. Terminations: World War I and World War II
Photos Courtesy of: Daimler Benz Archives. Circuit de la Sarthe. Remembering John Fitch, His Words & Deeds 9 10
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Bob Squires 317.769.3536 Mon - Sat 10-6 12
MBCA 500 Section 6233 Mack Farm LN Indianapolis, IN 46237 To the Mercedes-Benz Enthusiast:
Eurofest 2015 Sunday, June 7th, 2015 Time: 10:00 AM -4:00 PM
IPFW, 2101 E. Coliseum Blvd Fort Wayne, IN 46805
2015 EVENT SCHEDULE
APRIL 2015 MAY 2015 JUNE 2015 JULY 2015 Auburn Cord Duesenberg Indianapolis 500 EuroFest 2015 Ertel Cellars Winery Museum IMS has no car club spon- 6/7/2015 Batesville, IN Joint Event with Cincinna sored events Ft Wayne,IN TBA and 3 Rivers Sec on Saturday/Sunday April 18-19 STARTECH 2015 6/12/15– 6/14/15 Cincinna , OH
16th Annual NGAI Car Show Sat, June 27 - 9am-3pm Indiana War Memorial
AUGUST 2015 SEPTEMBER 2015 OCTOBER 2015 NOVEMBER 2015 Show n’ Shine/Concours Tech Session - Autobahn Drive & Dine Board Mee ng TBA Oktoberfest August 9th,2015 Carmel Clay Park West DECEMBER 2015 Gemütlichkeit 2015 8/19/15– 8/22/15 Holiday Party Pi sburgh, PA December 6th, 2015