april 2017 gazette - mercedes-benz club · 2017-07-09 · main sections, the top level masterclass,...

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In this month’s issue Gazette April 2017 The official Mercedes-Benz Club Founded 1952 Paris-Vienna Rally GLC250d R107 SL headlamp washers

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Page 1: April 2017 Gazette - Mercedes-Benz Club · 2017-07-09 · main sections, the top level Masterclass, the middle level Concours d’Elegance and the entry level Enthusiasts Class. Last

In this month’s issue

GazetteApril 2017

The official Mercedes-Benz ClubFounded 1952

Paris-Vienna Rally GLC250d R107 SL headlamp washers

Page 2: April 2017 Gazette - Mercedes-Benz Club · 2017-07-09 · main sections, the top level Masterclass, the middle level Concours d’Elegance and the entry level Enthusiasts Class. Last

www.mercedes-benz-club.co.uk • APRIL 2017 • 3

Gazette distribution queries: Catherine Barlow, PO Box 284, Stamford PE9 9BY Tel: 01780 482111 (9.00am to 5.00pm Monday to Friday) E-mail: [email protected]

Advertising, Design and Production: Hine Marketing, Hill Farm Studios, Wainlodes Lane, Bishops NortonGloucestershire. GL2 9LNTel: 01452 730770 E-mail: [email protected]

■ First ever Mercedes-Benz Club – founded 1952

■ Only UK club recognised by Mercedes-Benz

■ Monthly Gazette ■ Technical support ■ Free access to the Mercedes-Benz Electronic Parts Catalogue and

Workshop Information Service■ Discounted insurance ■ Club shop

■ Local, national and international events ■ Discounts from many MB dealers ■ Members’ website forum ■ Free subscription to Mercedes-Benz

Classic magazine ■ Discounts from parts suppliers ■ Discounts from hotels and ferry

operators ■ Unique archive of photos, brochures and technical literature

Editorial Office: Chris Bass PO Box 284, Stamford PE9 9BY Tel: 01483 481836.

E-mail: [email protected]

Chairman and Editor-in-Chief Ian Keers OBE

Vice Chair, Membership Services and Events Director Rosemarie MaslinFinance and Internet Services Director Kenny Ooi

Company Secretary Phil Greaves

Technical Director Jeremy Stevens

Regional Development Director Trevor Mitchell

Club Services Director Tony De Frates

Marketing Director Michael Morrison

Correspondence for Club Directors should be sent to: The Mercedes-Benz Club, PO Box 284, Stamford PE9 9BY

Honorary President John Surtees CBE

Honorary Life Vice-Presidents Tina Bellamy, Erika Gupwell, Jacqueline White, Roger King, Vic Harris, Chris Cloke, Nicky Porter and Michael Chapman

Founder R H Johnson

Past Presidents G C Monkhouse (1952-1971), Interregnum, Roger King (1989-1992), Tina Bellamy (1992-1995), Interregnum

Past Chairmen C W E Kerr (1955-1963), A J Ray Whiteway (1963-1970), John Barley (1970-1975), Gerald Coward (1975-1982), Dr Herbert Ochs (1982), Roger King (1982-1989),Jacqueline White (1989-1996), Mike Powell (1996-2003)

Mercedes-Benz Silver Star WinnersRon Cushway (deceased), Tina Bellamy, Roger King, Gordon Hoey (deceased), Jacqueline White, Maurice Stapleton (deceased), Vic Harris, Mike Powell (deceased) and Steve Emeny.

This is a rarely made award from the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart to club officers who have made a particularly long and distinguished contribution to their club.

Board of Directors

Member of the Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs

The ‘Good Garage Guide’ and contact details for all Club Officials can be found in the Club Directory distributed with the February Gazette. The password for access to the Members’ pages of the Club website is no longer required as this is now controlled by membership number.

Advice and recommendations in the Gazette are given in good faith by the authors concerned, but neither they nor the Mercedes-Benz Club Ltd will accept responsibility for any direct or consequential loss or damage resulting from persons acting on such advice or recommendations.

Reproduction of any part or whole of this magazine is prohibited, unless written permission has been obtained from the Editor.

Published by the Mercedes-Benz Club Ltd

June April 14July May 12

Gazette copy dates

Contents

Membership benefits

For membership and general enquiries telephone 01780 482111, 0345 6032660 (9.00am to 5.00pm Monday to Friday) or see www.mercedes-benz-club.co.uk

324 ClubPubMeetings

4 DiaryDates

7 ForthcomingEvents

11 InvitationsReceived

13 News&Views

22 YourLetters

26 ClubShop

28 Viewpoint

Features

30 F1 news31 Car of the month32 BTCC34 From deep in the Archive36 Paris-Vienna Rally43 G-Wagen or Rancho? 47 A rare collection

TechnicalCorner

50 R107 headlamp cleaning system

52 Spares register53 M = V x I

55 RegionalReports

72 Back numbers72 Special notices

73 NewMembers

77 CarsforSale

34

47

53

The RNLI is the Mercedes-Benz Club’s adopted charity

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8 • APRIL 2017 • www.mercedes-benz-club.co.uk

ForthcomingeventsSEC Day, Mercedes-Benz World – Sunday June 4

In recognition of the W126 SEC being a separate model register within the Club we are having a unique gathering of SECs. For the first, and probably only time, we will have Ayrton Senna’s 500SEC and Nigel Mansell’s 560SEC together and on the track. One of rock’s biggest Formula One fans was George Harrison and his 500SEL AMG will also be with us.

However, the line up won’t be complete without your SEC, no matter what the condition, colour, or mileage. This model is attracting attention and now is the time for it to come out of the shadows.

We will have a few prizes – for SECs with the highest mileage, best panel gaps, least parcel shelf rot, you name it. Our panel of judges will include Charles Ironside, Edward Hall and James Johnson (auctioneer). A charity photo opportunity will be available for some of the cars too.

There are hoped to be SEC parade laps around the Mercedes-Benz World handling circuit and other events to keep you busy throughout the day, including the ‘Silver Arrows’ driving display team. This event is twinned with the 50th AMG anniversary celebration being held by the Club at MB World on the same day, with some stunning vehicles to be seen.

Of course the day will be open to all Club Members – it will be a great opportunity to see iconic Mercedes of all types, old and new. MB World offers a great family day out. You can book AMG drives with MB World for the day directly (www.mercedes-benz.co.uk or 01932 373000) should you wish to (payable on the day to MB World), but pre-booking on arrival or before is essential).

Should you wish to join us please contact Catherine Barlow via [email protected] or 01780 482111 for a booking form. The cost of this event is £15 per car. If you wish to take part in driving around the MB World track you must bring your driving licence with you for registration. Details will be sent to those booked by Catherine.

Richard Mason

Come and see a unique display of SECs.

National Concours, Mercedes-Benz UK, Milton Keynes – Saturday June 10

As 2017 slowly begins to warm up it is only a short time to the Club’s annual Concours competition. It is now time to think about your entry and make an early start to preparation. There is a £12 (including VAT) per car charge to compete to help cover some of the high costs incurred, but non-competing spectators will not have to pay this.

For some Members the Concours is the highlight of the year and provides an opportunity to display and view some of the best cars in the Club. As many of you will know the major benefit of the Milton Keynes location is that all the entries will be parked on hard-standing and there will be enough space for any final preparation of your car without you getting covered in mud, grass or any other unpleasant substance! The Judges also have an easier time in inspecting. The hospitality afforded to the Club by Mercedes-Benz UK on this day is always excellent and there are always plenty of cars see and opportunities for exchanging views and ideas. In addition to the competitive classes we will again be looking to offer some displays.

Exhibition ClassThis year’s Exhibition Class is open to iconic vehicles. In particular we will be having a section dedicated to the now sought-after W126 SECs. We are again hoping that MBUK will have some of the latest models available for your perusal and enjoyment and we will know more about these nearer the time.

As well as the cars there will be stands from some of the Club’s Insurance Panel, Meguiar’s will have products available for final

concours preparation and the Club’s Technical Team will be on hand to answer any queries. As last year, the Archive Team will be coming with brochures, manuals and other duplicate items from the collection on sale. On-site catering will be available for you to purchase snacks throughout the day.

Judged classesThe competitive part of the day will, as usual, be made up of three main sections, the top level Masterclass, the middle level Concours d’Elegance and the entry level Enthusiasts Class. Last year’s class winners in the Concours d’Elegance will automatically progress up to the Masterclass. Masterclass participants from 2016 may, if they wish, have another crack at the coveted top trophies or drop back into the Concours d’Elegance.

The Concours d’Elegance will again feature a smaller number of classes, reflecting the change in the profile of the numbers and models of cars entered.

Enthusiasts Class winners from 2016 will automatically have to move up to the Concours d’Elegance level. If any Member would like guidance on deciding at which level to compete please contact me. We have introduced a further class in this year’s Enthusiasts Class for cars older than 30 years.

We will be retaining the special Low Mileage Class – for cars over 10 years old that have covered fewer than 10,000 miles and would otherwise not be eligible for the Concours d’Elegance classes.

One of the great benefits of the location is hard-standing and plenty of space.

The display classes are always fascinating.

There will be the chance to snap up a bargain from the Archive.

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www.mercedes-benz-club.co.uk • APRIL 2017 • 9

Forthcomingevents

This year’s S-Class Fest will be held at the Donington Racing Car Museum, Castle Donington, Derbyshire DE74 2RP on July 30 starting at 10.00am and ending at 4.00pm. The Avantgarde Cup will again be presented for the best in show while individual cups will be presented to the winners of each S-Class type.

Added attractions will be the Club Shop, technical experts for those difficult questions, car valuations, a free raffle for all entrants and two cars brought to the show by Mercedes-Benz UK (S-Class coupé and a 450SEL 6.9 from their heritage fleet). Model Register Captains will give an interesting overview of their S-Class models. Finally, every entrant will receive a commemorative gift which we’re sure you’ll appreciate.

The Donington Racing Car Museum has the largest collection of racing cars in the world, once driven by household names such as Mansell, Prost, Moss, Fangio and Stewart. Also on site is a collection of World War II vehicles and memorabilia – tanks, armoured vehicles and rare motorcycles. The museum includes a café for drinks and food. They will charge £10 a head for entry to the museum itself on production of your Club membership card (otherwise £12 per head). They have special rates for ex-servicemen – see www.donington-collections.co.uk

Booking forms are available from me via [email protected] or 01332 674748. Entry will be £12 please which is £10 plus VAT (a change from previous years). If you would like your car valued please book this on the form. I’m afraid that booking on the day will not be accepted. The cost of valuations is £24 and this should be included with your cheque.

Peter Summers

There is one class for all models, judged in accordance with Concours d’Elegance rules. The winner will not be eligible for the 2018 Masterclass unless the car has covered 10,000 miles by then.

As some of you will have heard from Red Mackinnon, to commemorate 50 years of AMG we will have a special class this year for cars built with AMG engines, ordinary cars just with AMG body kits will not be eligible and this will be strictly monitored by the Judges. These will be judged to Enthusiasts Class rules but the bonnets will need to be left open. This special class will be open to cars over 10 years old that have covered more than 10,000 miles.

As always we would like to emphasise that the National Concours is intended to be an enjoyable experience with the added chance of winning a prize, and we have extended the Enthusiasts section from last year to help. Previous competitors will know how much

fun collecting an award can be, but as ever the Judges’ decisions on the day will be final and no subsequent correspondence will be entered into!

All entrants are requested to bring their Club membership cards to facilitate registration on the day. It is also always a good idea to have with you the documentation you have for the car, such as service books and records, MoT certificates etc. As in previous years we must emphasise that all cars in competitive classes must be driven to the event under their own power, any vehicles arriving on trailers will not be eligible for the judged sections of the competition.

I am more than happy to answer queries on any aspect of the day, preferably by e-mail to [email protected] or by telephone on 020 8958 3319.

Malcolm Franks, National Concours Manager

Silverstone Classic – July 28-30

Final chance to buy discounted Club stand ticketsThis event offers:• A packed schedule of historic motor racing on the famous GP

circuit.• Full access to the paddocks – get close to the cars and talk to the

drivers.• Great viewing from the grandstands and on the big screens.• The chance to display your car with like-minded enthusiasts on

our Club stand.• A vintage funfair and much more… all included in the ticket

price!Everyone will need an entry ticket for this event. There will be no

discounted tickets or car passes available after May 31. The prices for each pair of tickets and a car pass (excluding booking fee and postage) are: Friday £50 Saturday (limited availability) £76 Sunday £65 Friday and Saturday £92 Saturday and Sunday £104 Three-day weekend pass £118

For children’s ticket prices check when you book, via the Silverstone Classic website (www.silverstoneclassic.com/buytickets) or by phone on 08712 310849. You will need to provide your car make, model and registration and have your credit card details and the Club booking code to hand. This code, which is only for Club Members and their passengers, is available from Catherine Barlow (01780 482111 or [email protected]). The tickets will be posted to you just before the event.

There will be space for at least 200 Club Members’ cars each day and all cars booked onto our Club stand will receive a vehicle pass for access to the infield area.

We have been invited by the organisers to participate in a 50th anniversary parade lap for genuine AMG-engined cars at lunchtime on Friday July 28. To take part in this you need to book tickets as above. A maximum of 50 cars will be accepted.

I look forward to seeing you all at Silverstone in July.Vivienne Franks

CLKs on the track in 2016. This year there will be a chance for AMG-engined cars.

S-Class Fest 2017, Donington Racing Car Museum – July 30

The largest collection of racing cars in the world.

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News&Views

www.mercedes-benz-club.co.uk • APRIL 2017 • 13

These badges can be supplied with either provision for mounting on a bar or on a grille.

Four-door AMG concept

Grille badges

Nought to 62mph in under three seconds... ...plus practicality.

‘New Edition’ models from Mercedes-AMG

As part of the 50th anniversary of AMG celebrations, some new models are being produced, although at the moment not all destined for the UK. The AMG GT C roadster Edition 50, the C63 cabriolet and C43 4-Matic coupé are heading our way, but the C63 S cabriolet Ocean Blue Edition and C43 4-Matic cabriolet Night Edition are not available for UK market. All were presented at the recent Geneva Motor Show.

500 AMG GT C roadsters will be built with a choice of two paint finishes – designo graphite grey magno or designo cashmere white magno. ‘Black chrome’ accents will be applied to the side-skirt trims, front splitter, the air intakes of the ‘Panamericana’ grille, the fins on the side air outlets in the front wings, the rear diffuser and the exhaust tailpipes. The surface of the cross-spoke AMG forged wheels will also have a black chrome finish. The black and silver theme is carried through to the interior.

AMG GT C roadster Edition 50...

...and its interior.

Grille badges are available from the Membership Office. They come in two types – grille or bar fixing and are approximately three inches (76.2mm) in diameter plus the base for the bar version. The grille badges come with fittings enabling them to be mounted on most radiator grilles. The bar type require a clamp to affix the badge to a bar (not supplied).

The cost is £25 for either type. These prices include postage and packaging. Please specify your car model when ordering. To order your badge please contact Catherine Barlow on 01780 482111 or e-mail [email protected]

Tony De Frates

Also presented at the Geneva show was the concept for the third model series, after the SLS and GT, to be autonomously developed by AMG. The ‘EQ Power+’ is a four-door variant with a V8 petrol engine plus an electric motor and high performance batteries. As well as four doors it has a large tailgate and variable interior and luggage space – but will be able to accelerate to 62mph in less than three seconds.

John Surtees CBEJust as we were going to press it was with great sadness that we heard that the Club’s Honorary President John Surtees CBE had died. We are sure that every Member will want to join in sending condolences to John’s wife and family.

We will have a tribute to John in the next Gazette.Chris Bass

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News&Views

www.mercedes-benz-club.co.uk • APRIL 2017 • 19

Forum reportWinter thoughts and actionIn this month’s review of ‘things on the Forum’ I have chosen a few new topics or those with a live running commentary reflecting both fireside musings on the way of the world and what people are up to in their garage.

What style of new cars do we want MB to produce?

next show season or just to fix problems, niggles, rust or scheduled maintenance. These next two threads follow jobs at the ‘bigger’ end of the scale. They happened to be on R107 SLs but the work applies to many older models.

Front end body refurbishment

X-Class concept vehicle.

Daimler AG has a duty to its shareholders to make a profit and maximise sales volume through designing cars which are contemporary and meet the aspirations of perhaps younger or would be younger buyers. Image and styling need to meet the tastes of many global markets but some newer designs might appear brash to some long-term MB drivers. Some Members have said they don’t care for this style trend and feel the brand is being watered down – more affordable and less exclusive if you like.

I guess we have to accept that the profile of some Club Members is not necessarily the target market for MB, hence the importance of owning, cherishing, driving and showing older and newer classics. The MB heritage and classics in particular seem to have carved their own place in mainstream car psyche, just look at the interest in the 280SE generated from one being driven in TV ads for a certain car insurance comparison website by a Mr Corden.

It’s a lively debate, have a look – just search for ‘What style of new cars’.

Long trip preparation

A Member wanted to reduce the risk in taking a 500SL to the south of France and got some useful responses. Apart from listing a few things to check and spares to take, there was a strong feeling that such journeys should not be considered unusual or risky. ‘It’s just another journey,’ and as long as you are using your car regularly and not just once a year to take its MoT test, it should be no problem. I would love to drive my 500SL along the Corniche from Nice to Menton if I had the chance!

The theme widened to include recommendations on repair and recovery organisations and dealing with traffic light windscreen ‘cleaners’. I thought these had died out and they were now running their own car-wash franchises!

Have you had any good or bad experiences taking your (older) MB on a significant journey abroad? If so please tell us. Just search ‘Long trip preparation’ on the Forum.

Winter jobsMany Members use the winter to do small and big jobs on their cars while they are all tucked up in their garages, to prepare them for the

Classic SL French Riviera tour.

Plenty of rust and bodged old repairs evident in the front sill area.

New parts fabricated and welded in.

Jim Stuart is giving us a ‘warts and all’ diary with many photographs of his bodywork refurbishment on his V8 R107. There are really good detailed pictures of the trials and tribulations of rusted fixings, replacing rusted-through metal work on the inner wings, bulkhead and sills. Members have been only too happy to offer their advice and experience and it is great to see rapid progress and for it to be so well documented.

Replacing the fuel injectors and timing chain

Broken chain guide parts found in the sump.

Coming back together after some detailing.

Getting to the lower chain path.

Our R107 Model Register Captain John Boggis (420SL) planned this work some time ago and is giving us a regular update of progress over the weeks. Replacing all the parts of the timing chain gear has meant removing the front subframe and taking the sump off, so John’s detailed cleaning and replacement with MB parts along the way hasn’t gone unnoticed. He discovered that one of the upper guides and the oil pump chain guide had broken, despite evidence of a previous new timing chain being fitted before John’s ownership. So replacing all parts should keep it back on the straight and narrow. We have seen a video of cranking the engine to get the oil to the cams and then starting it very briefly to ensure all was OK before putting the cooling system back together.

A very useful thread with part numbers and some costs etc for anyone who is contemplating this important work on their M116/7 V8.

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22 • APRIL 2017 • www.mercedes-benz-club.co.uk

YourLetters The opinions expressed are those of the individual writers and do not necessarily reflect Club policy. The Editor reserves the right to edit letters if necessary.They should be sent to the editorial office at 94 Connaught Road, Brookwood, Woking, Surrey GU24 0HJ or [email protected]

Letter of the MonthAs a thank you (and as an incentive for even greater efforts) we like to choose a letter of the month. Meguiar’s has kindly agreed to sponsor this and the Member whose letter is selected receives a Wash & Wax car care kit.

Aberdeen recommendationDear Chris,I should like to nominate Westhill Garage, Mosscroft Avenue, Westhill, Aberdeen AB32 6EQ, telephone 01224 742336 as being worthy of inclusion in the ‘Good Garage Guide’. Derek, the manager, runs a very tight ship and is very accommodating. However, the jewel in his crown, from a classic Mercedes perspective, is his technician Jim Knowles who is highly experienced; indeed, when he worked at the then main dealer in Aberdeen, namely Callanders, he serviced two 300Es I drove in the late 1980s, early 90s.

I have a 1987 500SL which he has tended during the six years I’ve owned it. Consequently I have no hesitation in recommending Westhill Garage as independent specialists. RegardsAngus MacCuish, Aberdeen

Dear Chris,I would like to nominate Westhill Garage, Aberdeen. For the last three years I have entrusted them with maintaining my 1989 R107 300SL and have invariably found them to be highly competent. From a technical knowledge stand-point I would particularly mention their classic Mercedes specialist Jim Knowles, who is a very experienced, Mercedes-trained technician with an encyclopedic mechanical knowledge. I have also found Derek, the manager, and all his team to be invariably good humoured, courteous and helpful in all my dealings with them. I therefore have no hesitation in highly recommending this garage to other owners.

Kind regards,Ken Matheson, Aberdeen

History wanted

Distributor caps on SLsDear Chris,The article in the February Gazette sets out the problems with the distributor caps on SLs which I was subjected to totally by mistake. I went to a local garden centre which had a hand car-wash facility, and with a grubby car it seemed like a good idea to get them to clean my 25-year-old 300SL while I went for a coffee and my wife did the shopping thing.

On return to the car I was delighted to see that it gleamed but on climbing in was very crestfallen to find it wouldn’t start. After much effort with the starter I got it running, albeit very badly. It was then I saw that the car washing business was using a high-pressure washer, which I hadn’t noticed before leaving the car in their hands, and surmised that it had sprayed into the engine compartment of the SL which had caused the problem. Having got the engine hot I drove it home and, indeed, drove it around for the next five or six weeks without much problem, albeit with the occasional misfire.

One cold morning I set off for Newbury, our local town, and the SL started instantly. However after approximately two miles it stopped in traffic, having pushed it to the side of the road and failing to start it, and stupidly not having a mobile phone with us, my wife offered to walk the half-mile to AutoMerc, who dropped everything and came out and towed us into their garage where they quickly whipped off the distributor cap, cleaned it and sent us on our way in half an hour without any charge and a cheery smile. In hindsight, having read the article, it is evident that water got into the distributor and shorted it out, and thank goodness Gordon at AutoMerc knew about the problem and went straight to the fault and sorted it out.

I have learned four lessons. One – don’t wash classic cars with high-pressure washers. Two – always take a mobile phone when venturing out in old cars, whatever the distance. Three – read the technical articles in the Gazette. Four – have a good garage on your side when things go wrong.

So thanks to the Gazette and AutoMerc, our regular Mercedes garage, we are back on the road at minimal cost and with a bit more knowledge.

Yours sincerely,Colin Heslop, via e-mail

Dear Chris,Can anyone help me with any past history on my new baby? It’s been in a private collection for the past six years and was converted by Stratton from new and sold for £94,000 in 1984. I have no other information on the car other than that in 1995 its registration was changed from MBJ 729 in Stoke. It’s a 500SEL AMG from the days before Mercedes bought out AMG and as you can see from the pictures it was obviously made to order for someone special (or a drug dealer). It’s fully-loaded, even down to a cigar box that still has Havana cigars inside, and was obviously a chauffeur-driven car. So any information on its history would be appreciated thanks in advance.

Alan Drake, via e-mail

Ian Keers suggests: How about taking this rare car to the AMG Day at Mercedes-Benz World on June 4? Do you know anything about this car?

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26 • APRIL 2017 • www.mercedes-benz-club.co.uk

Club sweater, now in Burgundy plus other colours.

£30.00

Padded body-warmer with Club logo. £32.00

Available from the Club websitePost and packing is not included in the prices shown

More detailed clothing descriptions, sizes and colours shown on the website

Contact details Mike Colls

To order please ring 01934 418364If we are unable to answer the phone, please leave a message on the

answer-phone and we will call you back. The e-mail address is [email protected]

Sorry, but due to bank charges, we have had to introduce a minimum order value of £5.00.

Buy on the Club websiteVisit our Club website shop where all items can be viewed. Orders can now be made via the site with payment by credit card or cheque. Log onto the Club website and start shopping the easy way. Please make cheques payable to Mike Colls.

All orders will be despatched within 14 days, if there is a problem we will contact you. Post and packing is not included in the prices given above. Goods found to be faulty through design flaws or postage damage will be replaced free of charge.

Club holdall/sports-bag in various colours £24.00

Baseball caps in navy, black, red, burgundy or bottle green with silver

Club logo. £10.00

ClubShop

Club rugby shirt, £32 Club fleece in various colours. £30

Reversible jacket with Club logo. £55.00

Coolplus polo shirt in blue, black or

sapphire. £26Gazette binder. £11

Club polo shirt in various

colours. £22

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28 • APRIL 2017 • www.mercedes-benz-club.co.uk

by Ian KeersViewPointGood news and bad newsHard for me to believe, but I have had my W211 E320 CDI for 10 years, a really great car that has now covered 170,000 miles. It was my last company car and the business acquired it through a Mercedes-Benz Finance arrangement via the Northamptonshire dealership. When this ended I decided to buy the car and took a car allowance, and then when I retired I took it home and it’s still here. Even though it is worth little now, there seems no point in changing it as, frankly, it feels as good as it ever did and there is barely a mark on it. It still performs as normal and returns around 36mpg as it always did. To change it would mean forking out savings (you can’t earn it back when you’re retired) and to be honest I’m not sure an expensive W212 or even W213 would yield that much difference in the overall performance to make it worthwhile. Anyhow, I have decided to

My E320 CDI at the 2014 National Concours, it still looks as good today, I might enter it again.

keep it for the foreseeable future and just pay for the normal maintenance required by the 7,000 or 8,000 miles per year it now covers. It was delivered on March 1 2007, so that determines MoT test time and nowadays, due to the lower mileage covered, an annual service. It was supplied and has always been serviced by Mercedes-Benz Northampton but I must admit that for the last couple of years I have seriously considered moving it to an independent specialist, but as I get a 10 per cent discount on parts and a well-discounted labour rate due to it being an ‘older car’, I have returned to the dealer. I booked the car in for its MoT test and service in late February and dropped it off at 9.00am. Around 2.00pm I received good news – the car had passed the MoT test with two advisories, firstly the rear brake discs were badly scored and the pads were down to 2mm and secondly there was some surface corrosion to the front to

rear brake pipes, they even e-mailed a video showing the problems. Now, I had received the same advisory on the rear discs and pads last year and had decided to let them run on for a bit and had managed another 12 months so I felt that was OK, after all it was me who had worn them out! As I had received this ‘bonus’, I decided to authorise the replacement of the discs and pads this year even though they were just an advisory. Around 4.00pm, I received the bad news – the discs and pads had been replaced but on road test the ABS light was on! Diagnosis had revealed this was due to a corroded rear ‘pulse ring’ which had obviously been disturbed due to the disc replacement. They sent me another video showing corrosion around the pulse ring, something quite common on older cars it seems. The part was only £8.90 before discount but it needed three hours’ labour to replace! There was no choice so I gave the go-ahead. I suppose that had the disc not been replaced the problem would not have arisen, but there we go. The part had to come from Milton Keynes so I picked the car up a couple of days later and as I drove the beautifully valeted E-Class out of the dealership I noticed the diesel glow-plug light was on meaning one had failed – grrrr! But I know this fault well and it doesn’t affect running and will have to wait a while to be attended to, a good example of the ‘law of sod’ I suppose.

Victims of our own success perhaps?In the past there were no specific ‘model days’, just general events that any Member in any model attended as they wished. We did have the SL Day I suppose, and still do, but that is for all types of SL and SLK, not just one. Over the last few years the Board has actively encouraged Register Captains to hold specific days for their models (as ever, anyone can attend in any Mercedes-Benz car but the featured model will be ‘display parked’) and the larger registers have done so, with great success so far. However, not all have but it is a gradually developing picture and at the end of the day we are all volunteers and we cannot make people do things! We now have established days for SL (all), W123, W124, SLK, S-Class and CLK and I am delighted to see that Clive Henderson and Richard Mason, our new Register Captains for W215 and W126 S-Class coupés respectively are forging ahead with specific model days, in fact Clive held his first one last September and is doing so again this September but has expanded it to include all types of coupé. As no-one knows for sure how these events will go at the first attempt, it is better to start low-key and build from there, which is why Richard’s inaugural SEC Day will be held jointly with Red Mackinnon’s AMG Anniversary Day at Mercedes-Benz World on June 4. If we get a good turnout of the big S-Class coupés, no

A nice line-up of W201s at last year’s National Concours, the model celebrates its 35th anniversary this year.

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30 • APRIL 2017 • www.mercedes-benz-club.co.uk

F1newsby Will Gardner

John Surtees CBEAs reported elsewhere in the Gazette, Club Honorary President John Surtees died on March 10 at the age of 83. John was widely known for being the only racer to win a world championship on both two and four wheels, claiming the 1964 F1 title in a Ferrari 158 with a 1.5-litre V8 engine. He also drove for Lotus, Cooper and Honda before running his own team, which had its greatest success in 1972 when Mike Hailwood won the European F2 championship. In later life John led the Henry Surtees Foundation named after his son, whose tragic death in a racing accident in 2009 inspired its creation with the aim of assisting those suffering accident and head trauma, as well as having a wider remit of supporting young people to find a career path and a place to thrive in society. In 2015 John was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Engineering by Oxford Brookes University. Perhaps the most fitting tribute was offered by Damon Hill, who said that John was simply a “lovely man.”

Team newsAhead of the new season, both Toto Wolff and Niki Lauda have committed themselves to Mercedes until the end of the 2020 campaign. Both are shareholders in the team and their contracts are now in line with the team’s F1 status, whose entry to the championship runs for the same term. Wolff went on to say that he and Lewis Hamilton had met after Christmas to have frank discussions about their individual concerns and expectations for the future and that the scene was now set for a productive partnership between Hamilton and new boy Bottas for the coming season. New team mate Valtteri Bottas.

Meanwhile, former Ferrari technical director James Allison has joined the team and ahead of testing, ominously for the other competitors, Andy Cowell the team’s power train lead said the team had taken an “unprecedented step” in further developing the engine for 2017.

Deputy Team Principal of the Williams team, Claire Williams, received an OBE from Prince Charles at the end of January for services to F1. The team has appointed Dirk de Beer as Head of Aerodynamics. De Beer has had spells in Indy Cars and with the Sauber, Renault and Ferrari teams and took up his post on March 1.

Ahead of the new campaign, Otmar Szafnauer, Chief Operating officer at Sahara Force India, was confident that his team could capitalise on its recent improvements in form, which he said were down to the stability and commitment of the workforce together with the consistency of a nine-year partnership with Mercedes as power train supplier. The team has invested in technology to be able to build their chassis in house as well as improving their tooling and machining capabilities, and is targeting becoming a top-three player this season.

Renault has been able to start preparations for 2017 with a clean sheet – having had to take over the partially developed Lotus car for the last campaign – the team, based at Enstone, Oxfordshire and in Viry near Paris, is publicly stating that it is targeting fifth place in the constructors’ championship this season.

Former Mercedes partner McLaren revealed an orange colour scheme, harking back to the team’s early days, when it launched the MCL 12. The new car also sported a particularly intricate front wing design based

on multiple curved fins, with team boss Eric Boullier talking about it showcasing clever aerodynamic solutions going into the new season.

TestingWith the changes to regulations for 2017, a further third test session was mooted, but in the end the now familiar format of two four-day sessions at the Circuit de Catalunya was retained.

The first of two tests started on February 27, followed by the second session on March 7, ending just a fortnight before the first race weekend in Australia. Ferrari claimed the fastest pace over the two sessions, with both drivers out-pacing the Mercedes team in the second session. Lewis Hamilton admitted that over the test he had failed to find the sweet-spot of the new car, with team mate Valtteri Bottas saying that the team had further work to do to unlock the car’s full potential. The team clocked up the most laps of testing with an impressive 3,127 miles covered, which equates to around 17 GPs.

Meanwhile potential title challenger Red Bull suffered reliability issues with its new power train which engine supplier Renault says it is confident it can rectify ahead of the Australian race. These problems also had an effect on Renault’s own team and customer Toro Rosso.

Perhaps against expectations, Williams’ driver Felipe Massa produced the fifth fastest time of the test, behind the Ferrari and Mercedes drivers. Good reliability meant the team was able to clock up over 2,300 miles over the eight days, whilst fellow Mercedes customer team Force India also had a positive test, again with good reliability, strong times and over 2,200 miles of data to pore over ahead of the first race weekend.

Despite new colours and clever design, the new McLaren appeared difficult to handle. Under pressure to explain the issues, team boss Boullier appeared to shift the blame to power train supplier Honda, saying that there were drivability problems with the engine linked to the synchronisation of the energy regeneration and turbo systems. Many pundits see this as a deepening of the team’s woes, but Boullier went on to stress that there would be a fix in place before the start of the new campaign.

Lewis Hamilton in the 2017 Mercedes at Barcelona.

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Car of the month

If you would like your car to be a Car of the month, please send a good photo (conventional or digital) and a few details to the Gazette Editorial Office: Chris Bass, PO Box 284, Stamford PE9 9BY or [email protected]

Car of the month

Andy writes: ‘Back in 2004-ish, when I was living in Abu Dhabi, I bought this Designo CLK320 cabriolet. Low mileage, one careful (colour-blind) owner, full service history, all the bells and whistles and in immaculate condition. I don’t know the correct name of the colour but, as you may notice, it is a very bright emerald green – yes, exactly!

I remember being quite shocked when seeing it for the first time and even more shocked when I opened the door to see the seats, steering wheel and door cards all in the same shade of green – even the black mats are trimmed with it! I had last owned a Mercedes about 12 years previously and when I took it for a test drive lots of good memories came flooding back. Whilst I loved how it drove and performed, and that Mercedes feeling of solidness, I actually walked away from it at the time because of the colour.

There followed about a month of looking and testing a variety of different cars, but I couldn’t stop thinking about the CLK. Eventually I called the owner to see if it was still

available and we did a deal. I even think I got the seller to knock a bit off the price because of the ‘unusual’ colour.

To say that it caused a few comments is a bit of an understatement, but after I had painted the wheels black and fitted a black AMG grille to match the black soft-top, it looked a bit more ‘designer’ to me and became known as the ‘Mean Green Machine’.

I ended up keeping it for about four years, which is just about the longest I have ever owned a car, mainly because I couldn’t think of anything that I wanted to replace it with. During part of the time that I owned it I was doing a daily 200km (125-mile) commute and consequently it did many kilometres, all without any significant cost except for routine service items. I still occasionally see it when I return to the UAE on business and it still looks... hmm, how shall I put this? er, different. Friends and acquaintances still mention the ‘Mean Green Machine’, so it certainly made its mark.’

Andy Hewitt’s CLK320

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32 • APRIL 2017 • www.mercedes-benz-club.co.uk

Adam Morgan and the Ciceley team kicked off their 2017 campaign with a test at Donington Park. It was a mixed

session – for all types of racing car. There were some of Ciceley’s Renault Clios as well as Aiden Moffatt in the sister A-Class on track with classic F1 cars, including a 1980 Williams. Also there was an AMG GT3 (more on that below).

The Ciceley A-Class is pretty much a brand new car having been re-shelled during the closed season. The TOCA ‘control’ engine is also new as are the Dunlop tyres.

The car was running in plain metallic grey and black which looked superb, in fact if Mercedes decided to produce an A-Class Black Series I bet it wouldn’t look much different to the Ciceley car!

The engine is improved in a number of ways. Firstly it is lighter. It is also more fuel efficient meaning a bit less fuel needs to be

Neat side exhaust exit.

Adam Morgan getting to grips with the new engine

and rubber in the ‘black series’ A-Class. Note the

revised grille design.

BTCC – test at Donington Park

by Paul Kellycarried for a race. It is also more powerful, up from 370hp to between 385 and 390hp. The French Swindon [the company that produces these engines] technician could tell me no more as the exact specification is confidential.

Micky Butler, boss of Dunlop Motor Sport, was there to analyse the new tyres. He told me, “The tyres are up [in size] from 245 to 265, which is an increase in width of 13mm, and the side-walls have grown by 3mm. This gives an increase in grip and the side-wall is now less prone to flex”.

There are also changes to the front of the A-Class. The grille is now solid apart from an air intake to feed the turbo. The air for the radiator and inter-cooler is channelled below the grille and controllable via a flap in the aluminium air-box. This improves the aerodynamics. At the side the exhaust exit pipe shape has been improved visually with a neat heat shield surrounding it.

Driver Adam Morgan told me, “The extra grip from the wider tyres is very noticeable, the rear of the car hooking up out of the bends, I encountered a slight problem with the steering as the wider rubber is harder to control, but that can be sorted easily”.

With all these changes the car’s lap times are sure to fall this season! Another test, at Oulton Park, was scheduled to give the team more time to iron out any problems before the season starts.

As mentioned above, there was a 2016 AMG GT3 car out on track in Rofgo/Gulf racing livery. This team is owned by an enthusiastic car collector/racer Roald Goethe. He has an impressive stable of cars plus a 1969 Mercedes 0317 race car transporter in Gulf/Porsche colours – one of only two remaining out of the three built! The GT3 is to contest the Paul Ricard and Texas 24-hour races this season with driver Stuart Hall, who won the Monaco Historic GP race and is the lap record holder there.New TOCA engine produces a bit more

grunt.

GT3

Mighty AMG GT3 on the Donington track.

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Feature

From deep in the Archive by the Archive Team

In last month’s ‘From deep in the Archive’ article we looked at the SLS AMG, the thinking man’s Mercedes-

Benz super-car. And this month we are continuing with the theme of performance

and how, in Mercedes-Benz’s early days, the company pioneered technology that is still in use nearly a century later.

The Archive Team’s train of thought started with the cataloguing of a brochure

titled ‘Faszination Kompressors’. This dual German/English language publication outlined the history of Mercedes-Benz’s development of forced induction and its initial use in the fabled SSK range of cars.

So, this month we are talking about compressors or ‘blowers’ – or superchargers in today’s parlance – as a means of increasing a vehicle’s performance. Mercedes-Benz’s early adoption of this technology was instigated by Paul Daimler (Gottlieb’s son). He decided to investigate forced induction as a more efficient means of increasing engine power – rather than the then prevalent approach of using bigger engines.

The structure of the supercharger.

A ‘kompressor’ engine – the supercharger is at the front, feeding the carburettor.

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Feature

Paris-Vienna Rally – June 13-18 2016

by Michael Eatough

Michael Eatough’s Fintail with a

Jaguar E-type at Chateau Bourron.

The Napoleonic Chateau at Fontainebleau.

1917 La France roadster.

Bianchi Speedster.

A competitive classic car rally is one of the highlights of my year, a chance to meet old friends whom I may only see on such events. It is a time of excitement and anticipation. The biggest secret to enjoy such an event is to make sure you have a good car. I mean a really good car, one which will stand driving flat out over possibly rough roads, closed hill climbs and can cope with long distances. It also needs to be comfortable and safe. My weapon of choice is my highly trusted 1965 230S Fintail, which has campaigned twice in North America, in Iceland and throughout Europe and never let me down.

The second biggest secret is make sure your car is well prepared, any little problem will be magnified and may cause failure. This means the event for you is spoilt, and that of course is not good. So preparation is key. My friend and mechanic, Owen Warboys, now 72 years old, is a perfectionist and whilst this can be frustrating at times, I would have it no other way.

The big old Mercedes is not pretty or glamorous, just built out of granite and steel girders to a quality and standard modern car manufacturers can only dream about. Over the years it has been modified but still runs under FIVA regulations. She now has a 280 rear axle and more recently received

a fully rebuilt 280 engine. The 230 engine, still good, is waiting for a different kind of event. The additional 40hp makes a big difference, giving this big Benz 160hp, not much by modern standards but enough to propel this car at high speed over closed roads. The engine gives bags of torque and it is physically big to look at. It’s the same size as the 230 in external dimensions so fits straight in with minor modifications, using the same huge Zenith carburettors and gearbox, which is plenty strong enough to cope. The engine is smooth and pulls strongly with only 1,500 miles since the rebuild. The old girl runs on 16-inch wheels and eight-ply radial van tyres, plus competition Bilstein shock-absorbers and the usual under-body protection.

For this trip I took only one spare wheel, a few tools, a spare alternator and starter motor, hoses and gaskets that’s it, plus 10 litres of emergency fuel in a steel jerry can. Many competitors have their cars transported to these events, and with some of the very old cars that is more than understandable, although an Australian entry, a 1926 Dodge tourer, had no such luxury. They had driven from London.

I had collected my ex-business partner and friend Peter Godwin the previous day,

we left Ringwood with great expectation and enthusiasm knowing Sunday morning was the best time to travel. The journey to the Channel Tunnel was uneventful, the car driving well, but the weather was poor with rain all the way. The event started south of Paris at Fontainebleau, a beautiful town with a château which was the winter home for Napoleon, a massive sprawling property with hundreds of rooms in magnificent grounds. The roads around Paris were a bit of a nightmare that wet Sunday afternoon, the Mercedes coping well. We arrived at our destination at about 5.00pm, already a mass of beautiful cars was gathering.

Monday was a day for getting ready and scrutineering, each car was checked

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Feature

GLC250d 4-Matic AMG LineMy only extensive experience of what are now known as ‘Sports Utility Vehicles’ dates from the late 1980s when, for a few years, I had a 230GE (ie short wheelbase, 2.3-litre petrol G-Wagen) as a company car. This was primarily because I had recently had a serious accident in a high-performance saloon and wanted to get away from such temptations, but also because a lot of my weekends (and evenings!) were then taken up with preparing (and repairing) a racing Hillman Imp which a friend of mine drove in a couple of classic saloon championships.

The G-Wagen was an ideal tow vehicle. The weight of the trailer and car seemed to have little or no effect on the Gelandewagen’s power-to-weight ratio and on the long drives to the likes of Cadwell Park and Oulton Park it was easy to forget you were towing anything. Additionally, the 230GE’s interior seemed to be indestructible – what ever oily or dirty parts, tools or other rubbish we threw in it, it

would always hose down as good as

new afterwards. I think it was rumoured that the entire interior could be cleaned this way because all the switches seemed to have little neoprene inserts protecting their electrical gubbins (I never tried to prove this). The only negative things I can recall about the G-Wagen was its high fuel consumption (not a problem in the heady days of 1980s company cars) and its lack of ABS – unthinkable nowadays but I can recall the 230GE locking all its wheels in slippery conditions and becoming a huge sledge, until I remembered my schooling in ‘cadence braking’. Also its heavy clutch (five-speed manual transmission) and almost as heavy accelerator (deliberately so in order that the driver being thrown around off-road

would not result in involuntary acceleration or deceleration) could be rather wearing on long journeys. My better half blames the G-Wagen’s clutch for a knee problem she suffers with to this day.

I never had any real need for its off-road capabilities, but couldn’t resist taking it onto the army ranges near where I live – despite my friends’ best efforts its mud-plugging could not be defeated.

The G-Wagen was of course initially a military vehicle, its origins lying with Steyr-Daimler-Puch rather than the Mercedes-Benz car family line of descent – as its strictly functional interior and flat windscreen showed. In those days I was involved in producing advertising for Mercedes-Benz UK and it seemed clear from our briefings, here

G-Wagen or Rancho?by Chris Bass

www.mercedes-benz-club.co.uk • APRIL 2017 • 43

Familiar four-cylinder diesel engine.

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Feature

Brian Ellis has an amazing collection of Mercedes. He is not interested in the commonplace, but only in

absolutely pristine cars that have some sort of extra distinction, maybe that there are only a very small number of this particular model, or that it has especially low mileage. He keeps his cars in a modified industrial unit that houses them safely and in ideal conditions, and he spends a lot of time there just ensuring that each car is absolutely immaculate. In addition, most have individual number plates featuring Brian’s initials – PBE (Peter Brian Ellis).

This visit to his unit started with 5 PBE, a stunning red 1962 W111 220SEb cabriolet. This is a beautiful car that has won awards at Tatton Park, Event City Manchester and the Club’s National Concours at Milton Keynes. It is manual and left-hand-drive, and the engine is an M127 with 2,195cc. The extra significance of this car is that it is ‘chassis’ number 12, ie the 12th car of this model to roll off the production line. It was originally sold in the USA and was later totally rebuilt there. It was then shipped to Europe and Brian bought it in Holland. Since then it has been down to Gratt Motors for some extra tweaking including conversion of all the

by Peter Hampson

A rare collectionBrian Ellis’s garage, 500SL nearest the camera.

Brian’s 220SEb.

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www.mercedes-benz-club.co.uk • APRIL 2017 • 47

Feature

Brian Ellis has an amazing collection of Mercedes. He is not interested in the commonplace, but only in

absolutely pristine cars that have some sort of extra distinction, maybe that there are only a very small number of this particular model, or that it has especially low mileage. He keeps his cars in a modified industrial unit that houses them safely and in ideal conditions, and he spends a lot of time there just ensuring that each car is absolutely immaculate. In addition, most have individual number plates featuring Brian’s initials – PBE (Peter Brian Ellis).

This visit to his unit started with 5 PBE, a stunning red 1962 W111 220SEb cabriolet. This is a beautiful car that has won awards at Tatton Park, Event City Manchester and the Club’s National Concours at Milton Keynes. It is manual and left-hand-drive, and the engine is an M127 with 2,195cc. The extra significance of this car is that it is ‘chassis’ number 12, ie the 12th car of this model to roll off the production line. It was originally sold in the USA and was later totally rebuilt there. It was then shipped to Europe and Brian bought it in Holland. Since then it has been down to Gratt Motors for some extra tweaking including conversion of all the

by Peter Hampson

A rare collectionBrian Ellis’s garage, 500SL nearest the camera.

Brian’s 220SEb.

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50 • APRIL 2017 • www.mercedes-benz-club.co.uk

TechnicalCorner

I purchased an R107 420SL in 2016 and realised after a while that the headlamp washer system was not working so decided later in the year to try to repair it.This system comprises a motor mounted in the offside wheel-

arch which drives a rack, mounted across the front of the car behind the front bumper, operating two wheel boxes, one for each headlamp wiper. The electrical connection is via a connecting block mounted on the engine bay valance behind the coolant filler bottle. The harness from the motor has three wires which are connected to this block. A yellow wire is attached to the rear terminal which powers the washer pump when the system is operating. A red one is attached to the centre terminal and provides power to the motor when the windscreen washer switch is depressed when the side lights and ignition are switched on. A black wire is attached to the front terminal and sends power back to the motor when the side lamps are on and causes the motor to self park the headlamp wipers.

Removal1. Remove the front bumper and driving lamps. This requires two people to avoid damage to the front wings.2. Undo the end and centre fixings on the right-hand side of the front spoiler and let it drop down to the floor.3. Remove the two bottom plastic nuts retaining the plastic outer wheel-arch liner to allow it to be moved rearwards.4. Undo the three screws attaching the three wires to the connecting block on the valance, the coolant bottle and washer bottle fixings need to be removed to give access. Undo the harness clips and the earth wire attached to the headlamp mounting panel.5. Undo the six screws holding the rack assembly to the front of the car.6. Remove the three bolts on the engine side of the wheel-arch and carefully lower the motor, pulling the harness through the valance and feed the motor and rack assembly rearwards from the car and onto the floor. It is not possible to disassemble the rack from the motor on the car.

Rectification 1. To strip down the rack it is necessary to prise open the wheel boxes, remove the back plates and pull or drive out the geared segments, then the cables can be pulled out of the tubing. See photos one, two and three. These parts were not particularly rusty, just seized solid. The spindles were cleaned up with fine emery paper and oiled and greased ready for reassembly. 2. The motor, with its drive cable, can be pulled out of the rack.12 volts applied to the red wire showed that it was not working. It was stripped down, which revealed that the brushes were stuck solid in their housings having bonded to the plastic body. They were freed with a Stanley knife and cleaned up, the commutator was cleaned, the grooves cleaned out with a screw driver, but the motor still did not work. I called Club Technical Director Jeremy Stevens who suggested the thermal cut-off (‘Otter’) switch had failed. This was proved by

R107 headlamp cleaning system restoration by Brian Harris

Wheel boxes stripped down.

1

2

3

The motor dismantled.

‘Otter’ switch (right) and its replacement.

4

5

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52 • APRIL 2017 • www.mercedes-benz-club.co.uk

SparesRegisterA FREE Service For ALL MEMBERS

NB Complete cars for sale must be advertised in the classified section.

All Spares Register entries should be limited to 40 words maximum and sent to Bob Coxshall, 55 The Avenue, Bengeo, Hertford SG14 3DS to arrive by the 26th of the month preceding publication. All correspondence should be by post or e-mail to [email protected] In emergencies only, telephone 01992 302238.

Have you tried the Club website

Reference Library?Before you write to the Gazette or call one of the Club’s volunteer Technical Advisers try the Club website. All past technical queries and technical articles have now been posted on the Club website in the Members’ pages Reference Library.

They are fully indexed and there is a Google-style search facility to help you find exactly what you need.

The website address is www.mercedes-benz-club.co.uk To access the Members’ pages click on ‘Log in’, enter your membership number and

follow the instructions for ‘First time logging in’ then choose your own password. The password previously given in the Club Directory is no longer

required. Then click on ‘Reference Library’. If you have any difficulties please e-mail [email protected]

SparesRegisterA FREE Service For ALL MEMBERS

All Spares Register entries should be limited to 40 words maximum and sent to Bob Coxshall, 55 The Avenue, Bengeo, Hertford SG14 3DS to arrive by the 26th of the month preceding publication. All correspondence should be by post or e-mail to [email protected] In emergencies only, telephone 01992 302238.

NB Complete cars for sale must be advertised in the classified section.FOR SALEBreaking W123 280 coupé; 1998 C250 CDI estate; 2000 W208 CLK

cabriolet; W124 300D multi-valve estate, good vented wing; W126 420SEL, good engine and box; W108 280SE. Parts off the shelf for W111 coupés and Fintails, W108, W123, W201 190 series, W124, W126, W202 C-Class and W210 E-Class. Please phone or text on 07710 672986 or e-mail [email protected] Dave West Yorkshire.

W108-W112 parts Including new old stock exhaust sections and outer sills, good and poor doors, used seats, bumpers, air suspension axles, M189 engines, wheels and tyres, Dunlop callipers, lights etc. Sell or ideally swap for parts for my W111 Universal project. [email protected] west London.

Workshop manuals, parts catalogues, special tools, owners’ handbooks and sales literature too numerous to list. These are all original (not reproductions), factory-printed books for all post-war models up to 1984. Geoff Marshall 07414 538004 [email protected]

Dismantling W112 300SE coupé Many mechanical parts available including complete engine, auto box, limited-slip rear axle, some air suspension parts, bonnet, boot-lid, doors, radiator, wooden dash, instruments etc. No bumpers, wings or interior trim. [email protected] 07836 510760 north Hertfordshire.

R107 SL Front lower sports valance in red, part number 077900288, genuine Mercedes-Benz in used good condition £200. For R107 1979 SL complete bonnet grille in good condition £85. Stephen Crone 01992 462866 [email protected] Hertfordshire.

W114/W115 All sorts of odd things for saloons and coupés – bonnets, wings, front seats, interior and exterior trim, gearbox, electrics, glass, instruments etc. I may have just what you need. Colin Bonfield 01485 570286 [email protected] near Kings Lynn.

M-Class Set of four genuine 19-inch wheels for W164/W166 shod with used Continental tyres £450. James 07974 387762 [email protected]

W113 Air louvre chrome grille, grille frame surround (original), grille shroud/star, speedo head (mph) with 12 months’ guarantee, rev counter, headlamp lenses, headlamp (right-hand -drive), outer door handles, rear lamp lenses, lamp and surrounds, fuel gauge (new), indicator switches (new, boxed), various mouldings and more. David 01773 835462 Derbyshire.

R129 SL Various spares, some brand new, some used but working order, some very hard to find. Numerous Mercedes-Benz Audio 10 radio/cassettes and radio/single CD players, all with codes, some with handbooks. Too much to list. Chris [email protected] 01278 769000. Buyers must collect from Somerset, two minutes from M5 junction 22 Burnham-on-Sea.

W113 Brake fluid reservoir in good condition, unobtainable new £125. Brake master-cylinder, left-hand-drive, good condition £90. E-mail for pictures and further information. Patrick 07961 165771 [email protected]

W123 Two steel wheels with tyres and studs, TE luggage cover, five wheel discs, bits box including washer bottles, oil filter and minor interior fittings £20 buyer collects all – to clear space. 07957 631113 [email protected] Twickenham.

W201 Air conditioning condenser radiator for two-litre, part number 2018302870 MB price £590 plus VAT. Also receiver dryer, MB price £103 plus VAT. Both new unused. £300 the pair. 01614273399 [email protected]

R107 300SL Complete used exhaust system in re-usable condition, as removed from my own vehicle. 01460 271749 [email protected] Somerset.

R/C107 SL/SLC Front seat spring base, as new, never fitted, cost £185 from SL Shop. 2010-16 W212 estate used partition/dog guard, genuine MB accessory, cost £275. Sensible offers please. 01284 828652 [email protected]

1998 R129 SL320 Silver panoramic glass roof with folding stand and padded storage bag plus rings to hang on wall £750 or offer. [email protected] 07887 514700 evenings.

R107 SL Selection of near and offside doors, complete with motors and glass. Other panels available. Stephen Crone 07716 875798 [email protected] Essex/Herts.

R107 SL Front bumper chrome sections in excellent condition, £300 for the pair. Right-hand front bumper backing, in good order £30. New rear cross-member, part number A1076100217, cost over £400 will accept £100. Mike Nixon 07712 184028 [email protected] Leeds.

1992 R129 SL300-24 Four alloy wheels, 15-hole, very good condition, part number 1294010602, 8J x 16 H2ET34, tyre size 255/15/R16 £80. Michael 01487 710342 Huntingdon.

B180 Set of five-spoke alloy wheels with tyres, size 205/55 R16, new centre caps included, £400. Brian 01992 466256 Herts.

MB alloy wheels Four seven-spoke 7J x 15 H2 FT37 with centre caps ref C&E series 1995 PMO. Five Mexican hat with caps and bolts 6J x 14 HZ 120 400 1902, fully refurbished, fitted with new 195/70 x R14 tyres (never used). Bill 02892 638342 or 07850 388750 Co Down.

Four eight-hole alloy wheels 16 x 7.5 offset ET 4,1 good condition, part number 210 04010702 with matching as-new winter tyres 205/55 x16. Were fitted to my W124. £285. Jack Holt 01274 614824 or 07909963921 [email protected] Bradford.

W113 Four hubcaps, black, some damage £100. Four hubcaps, restored £200. Four rim embellishers and clips, some damage, £50. New trims, part numbers 113 795 01 85, 113 795 02 85 and 113 728 02 24 £30. Sun-visor, right-hand, used £10. Speedo cable, new, part number 113 542 10 07 £25. Bosch fuel injector pump £750. Set of Bosch wiper blades, new £15. W123 air intake grille, right-hand with hole for wiper fixing, new £30. Roger 07904 243304 [email protected] Kent.

W113 SL Large selection of spares, ideal for restoration etc, will sell as one lot only, e-mail for list and price. Also some R107 SL parts. [email protected]

W123 new parts From 1983 280CE project I didn’t proceed with. Bilstein front/rear shock-absorbers, air, fuel and oil filters and gaskets, cam roller chain and front spring, gasket, steering joints, control arm mount. Still sealed and boxed. Linton Connell 01590 622175 [email protected]

ML250 Brabus PowerXtra Performance Kit Improve your fuel consumption, acceleration and torque with this genuine Brabus D4 performance kit for W166 ML250 Bluetec SUVs, producing an extra 35bhp. Cost £1,800 from MB, offers around £500. Rod 07764 781657 [email protected]

W203 2004 C-Class Pair of headlights, right-hand-drive £70. John, in North East 07850 922035 [email protected]

Breaking 1997 W210 E430 Seven-seater estate. Also 2000 C240, all parts available. 1983 W126 380SEC doors, bonnet, axles etc. W126 560SEL doors, bonnet, wings etc. Robert 01483 282830 Surrey.

Breaking W124 1989 300E Complete. 1989 W124 260E panels. 1985 W201 2.0 complete. 1990 W124 300D complete. Set of four wheels and tyres from SLK. Charlie 01787 461751 07909 171330 ESSEX.

170D/DS/SD W136 OM 636 diesel engine, can be heard running £1,200 or near offer. Many spares for W136 170S, DS, SD, SV. Bob 01992 302238 [email protected]

WANTEDW111 or early W108 Leather interior, prefer tan colour but will take

others and also incomplete sets to make into one. UK address Middlesex and may also pick-up. Narve 0047 9821 5094 [email protected]

1998 R129 SL Four wheels, part number A1294010702. Tom 01536 712248 [email protected]

1972 W114 280CE/8 Front seats in blue cloth and MB-Tex, even damaged. Plus any other first series blue interior parts or complete. [email protected]

1981 R/C107 Rear off-side bumper in serviceable condition. Roy Parsonage 07703 495001 [email protected] North Yorkshire.

2005 SL350 Wind-deflector. Colin Froggatt [email protected] 1999 R129 SL Six-bar grille for the bonnet, must be in perfect condition,

please e-mail photos and price [email protected] 1986 W201 190E 2.3-16 Exhaust centre section, genuine or other

considered, can collect. Michael 01487 710342. 1992-5 W124 estate Full interior in in excellent condition, cream or beige

leather, MB-Tex or velour, fair price paid, will travel. Eric 01516 390149.

W201 front and rear bumpers For my 1989 2.0. Must be in as-new condition. Len 07772 787693 [email protected]

Page 20: April 2017 Gazette - Mercedes-Benz Club · 2017-07-09 · main sections, the top level Masterclass, the middle level Concours d’Elegance and the entry level Enthusiasts Class. Last

www.mercedes-benz-club.co.uk • APRIL 2017 • 53

TechnicalCorner

This ‘equation’, Motivation is equal to Value times Interest, is courtesy of Pepper de Callier, a corporate and

personal coach, living in Prague. Personal motivation, with respect to a particular activity is the product of how one values the activity multiplied by one’s level of interest in the activity. This equation magnificently justifies why people take on all manner of activities; ranging from jobs which they do not enjoy, all the way through to undertaking various follies like restoring old cars. Personally, I succumbed some years ago to the folly of converting my pretty, maple yellow W123 300D from diesel to petrol; specifically to the 185hp straight-six, double-overhead-cam, 2.8-litre M110.988 engine. This conversion was covered in a previous article.

The M110.988 is an impressive engineering creation, designed without attention to costs. To make this conversion 20 years after the engine had gone out of production was bound to be inviting problems. What surprised me was the range of the problems that I encountered while rebuilding the engine, and I touch on them here as a cautionary tale for others who let their motivation lead them astray. Problem – engine oil dripping

The twin overhead camshafts.

out of the air filter housing!Cause – the oil/air separator for by-pass gasses inside the camshaft cover had become blocked solid and would not permit any gasses to escape. This forced gasses plus oil into the by-pass passage through two small drain tubes, and from there to the air filter housing!

Problem – camshaft timing marks not lining up when I rebuilt the engine – by around 2mmCause – the new, one-metre timing chain from Mercedes was around 6mm too long, when hung vertically next to another new chain. To this day I do not know how that can be possible.

Problem – the warm-up regulator (WUR) is renowned for failureCause – I stripped two used WURs and in both the air chambers were half full of engine oil! The air chamber is connected to the intake manifold to prevent the ingress of dust and dirt. Great idea, but the connection is at a low point where oil in the by-pass gasses accumulates. And from there it makes it way to the WUR.Problem – the new (Mercedes) clutch would slip under full power.Cause – were the springs in the Slovakian pressure plate too weak? (I checked all assembly dimensions). So I ordered and fitted a Sachs ‘Performance’ clutch (€500).

Problem – engine would start when it was cold, but only the starter motor would rotate when it was hotCause – the toothed ring on the flywheel was

spinning around and around the flywheel! I reinstalled it with Loctite stud and bearing retainer, plus three 3mm dowels (effectively three Woodruff keys).

Problem – new (Mercedes) timing chain tensioner lacked two small oil slots to allow oil to reach its working partsCause – I reported this to Mercedes in Dresden and was told, ‘There is no defect with the tensioner’. What can you say... I made my own slots with a needle file.

The air conditioning compressor when mounted on my 300D had operated silently but was noisy on the 280ECause – a little observation showed that the compressor was mounted on four rubber bushings on the 300D, but directly to the block on the 280E (why?) I had two 6mm steel mounting plates machined so that that compressor could ‘float’ on its four rubber mounts – silent again!

Lesser problem – the 280E engine is renowned for oil leaksCause – OK noted, but between the aluminum cylinder head and the aluminum camshaft housing there is a 0.3mm steel gasket. What for? It looks like the over-zealous work of a salesman who convinced Mercedes that the gasket, perhaps with pre-applied sealant on both sides (it is supplied without any sealant), would expedite the assembly of the cylinder head and camshaft housing. Needless to say the engine works perfectly without it, and without any leaks.

So now I recommend one to put one’s feet up, have a drink and keep M = V x I at a good safe distance.

M = V x I by Anthony Smith

The crankshaft from Anthony Smith’s 280E engine being checked with a dial gauge...

...and re-installed in the up-turned block.

Page 21: April 2017 Gazette - Mercedes-Benz Club · 2017-07-09 · main sections, the top level Masterclass, the middle level Concours d’Elegance and the entry level Enthusiasts Class. Last

www.mercedes-benz-club.co.uk • APRIL 2017 • 55

RegionalReports

--

f /lancastenns ti @Ian caster _ins us MBC A4P20l6

0800 988 9515 www.lancasterinsurance.co.uk

Anglia – North

I always think the Mini is a British tragedy – a great car produced by a not-so-great British company. However it is now in the hands of a German company (not Mercedes-Benz) which has done with the marque what should have been done by British Leyland many years ago. However, one area where the original Mini was a success was in competition, with Minis being successfully raced and rallied by John Cooper, Paddy Hopkirk and many others.

Mini racing was very much at the forefront of Anglia – North’s events following Richard Lee-Warder’s very successful slot-car racing at Presto Park, which Members enjoyed immensely in January and February.

Due to the success of these two mini-racing (but maxi-enthusiasm) events we are planning to organise a Mini-Mercedes-Benz event where Members will experience the thrill of racing the cars themselves and the possibility of winning the first ever Anglia – North Slot Car Racing Championship. Watch out for starting instructions in a future Gazette. It may only be April but we have no fewer than three events lined up for you this month, please watch out for our excellent monthly e-newsletter for details of how to join in each one

Chaplefield Gardens – Sunday April 2Join a personalised tour of these gardens, in Norwich, organised by Richard Lee-Warder. This wonderful tour will be followed by an Italian meal, Norfolk style… bootiful!

For further information and to book your place please contact Roger Hinton via [email protected] or 01603 741989.

The Marsh Harrier – Wednesday April 5Our next pub meeting will be at our new venue of the Marsh Harrier (Ipswich Road, Norwich NR4 6DX). These meetings are always held on the first Wednesday each month. Please arrive anytime after

6.30pm for a drink or a meal and some friendly conversation.

Beautiful bluebells – Sunday April 30This is a fantastic opportunity see the amazing fields of Bluebells at Bickling Hall, Norwich followed by a delicious lunch at the Muddy Boots restaurant nearby.

To book your place and get further details of the meeting place and times please contact Roger Hinton via [email protected] or 01603 741989.

People often assume that a car club is all about lifting bonnets and having a bag of spanners close by, however a brief glance at our three April events makes you realise that cars are just the conduit to get you along to see two lovely horticultural events and a get together, not to mention three veritable feasts. If you come to one of our events, you will be made to feel most welcome and we look forward to meeting you.

Finally, may we offer a warm welcome to our three new Members in the region, Scott Jeffery who owns a C180, Johannes Knopp who owns a W124 E-Class and Dominic Lewis-Chapman. We look forward to welcoming you to one of our excellent forthcoming events.

Richard Lee-Warder, Roger Hinton and Paul Jobling

Club Members at the Marsh Harrier.

Anglia – South

Monthly meeting at the George and Dragon KelvedonWednesday February 8 was a night that nearly didn’t happen, or at least that was what we thought whilst sitting in stationary traffic and wondering why hadn’t we put the radio on for the traffic news!

My wife and I visited Sainsbury’s on route and thought it would be lovely to get to the pub early and enjoy a coffee before everyone else arrived. However, as we drove down the slip-road onto the A12 for what should have been a 15-minute drive to Kelvedon, we found the traffic crawling along and it turned into a two-hour journey. From the radio, we learned that all local roads were in a similar state of grid-lock, due to a tragic accident at Witham, where a lorry had crashed through a bridge landing on the A12 below, closing the road. About an hour into the trip a familiar car came alongside, it was Malcolm King, so we had a quick chat through the windows and I agreed to phone the George and Dragon to let them know our situation. Michael, owner of the G&D, answered and we learned that some Members had arrived, he relayed a running commentary together with some friendly banter, and much laughter could be heard!

By the time we arrived, at 7.30pm, everyone else had found their way, using back roads and various unusual routes. The chef worked his magic, producing some really great food, of the usual high standard, to a group of 12 Members. It was a great evening with much to talk about, partly because many of us had not seen one another since before Christmas. The conversation included our plans for Drive It Day and other great trips we have planned throughout the year.

The George and Dragon is listed in the 2017 Michelin Guide with an inspector’s comment: ‘Bright and welcoming former pub with a

sleek, contemporary style encompassing topiary planters, marble tiled floors, antique mirrors and art deco pictures. Simple, well-priced menu with locally caught fish specials. Pretty terrace. Good cooking, fresh ingredients, capably prepared, simply a good meal’. I hope reading this will tempt a few new Members to come and join us for a great evening of food, conversation and laughter.

David Page

Lighting news from the Shepherd and Dog pub meeting, Crays Hill

Stuart Curtis with his SLK350...

Stuart Curtis regularly attends this pub meeting and brings his SLK350, which is a 2005 model with a 3.5-litre V6 engine. He has owned it for nearly a year now and tells me it came with many options, and now he has purchased another, called ‘puddle lights’. These are door lights, with the diameter of the light varying according to how high your car is. Stuart’s sports car is lower than a saloon and therefore a smaller projection, of about 18 inches diameter, shines on the floor. In bright, shining lights it shows the Mercedes-Benz name and the star symbol. I don’t know if anyone else has seen these

Page 22: April 2017 Gazette - Mercedes-Benz Club · 2017-07-09 · main sections, the top level Masterclass, the middle level Concours d’Elegance and the entry level Enthusiasts Class. Last

www.mercedes-benz-club.co.uk • APRIL 2017 • 77

CarsforSale� e best policies for either

classic or modern Mercedes-Benz

Call for a quote today

01376 573033www.peterbestinsurance.co.uk

500SEC. 1986, 125,000 miles. MoT to Dec ’17. £3,850 Tel: 07836 220515 or 01243 811744. (W. Sussex) (04/17/13)

E Class 2.5. 7 seater. Year: May 2012. 36,000 miles on the clock. Full of extras. Very good condition. Tanzanite grey. £17,500 ono. Tel: 01392 461393/07836 646290 (Exeter) (04/17/NM3)

450SL auto, 1979 LHD, USA import from dry state, 79.000 miles, royal blue, tan leather interior, excellent hard and soft tops, new MoT, appreciating asset. £13,500 ono. Tel: 01453 811364 (Glos) (04/17/08)

450SLC 1977. Silver blue metallic, black leather, circa 50,000 miles with history.  Electric sunroof, tailored car cover, FM upgraded original radio. £14,000 Tel: John 07768 123358 (West Yorkshire) (04/17/07)

190E 2.6 for sale. 93,000 miles. Full service history and all receipts from new. Sport bodykit by Carat Duchatelet. Excellent condition throughout. MoT to October 2017. £7,995. Tel: 07805 008346. (Sussex) (04/17/06)

W202 C200 Elegance in superb condition 118,000 miles. One fastidious owner (IAM) from new in 1995. Absolutely no accidents. Sunshine roof, walnut & light beige interior with leather trim items. VGC. Petrol automatic, Mercedes serviced, full history. MoT until Aug 2017. Engine, brakes, transmission, steering, etc all working fine. A few very minor body/paintwork blemishes. Private sale. £1,250 please ono. Tel: 01285 850684 or 07760 110 223 E: [email protected] (Glos) (04/17/11)

500SL, 1985, 40,000 miles, LHD but full UK spec, always garaged, no rust anywhere, fully original and never restored, full  maintenance records, black metallic w/grey leather, rear child seat, auto climate control, hardtop, 2 owners (1985-1997 + 1997– to date) always MoT’d, all books/manuals/keys, a more original W107 will be hard to find. £42,500 Email: [email protected] or Tel: 07989 888880  (Kent TN25) (04/17/04)

C107 450SLC. 1978. 70,000mls. Silver with charcoal velour interior and all the bits that came on the day, including original radio and docs. Excellent condition, recently serviced and restored to highest spec. Garaged. Club member. £17,000/€20,000 onco. Tel: 00 353 876468377 (Ireland) (04/17/01)

1982, Xreg W123 manual, 59k miles, MoT Sept 2017. Excellent condition, summer use mostly to shows. Reluctant sale £4,250. Tel: 01506 811288 or 07940 436211. (Edinburgh) (03/17/14b)

www.mercedes-benz-club.co.uk • OCTOBER 2014 • 75

CALL THE SL 107 SPECIALISTS NOW ON 0844 414 2116OR VISIT OUR WEBSITE www.theSLshop.com

Service & Restoration of 113/107/129SL’s

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• Full or part restoration• Servicing and tuning• Bodywork repairs and resprays• Engine and gearbox rebuilds• Rewiring and retrimming• Chassis restoration on our jig• ... in fact all aspects of Classic Mercedes care!’ For free advice and estimates,please call Andy Child at:

Pre 1990 Mercedes Specialists

REES BROS.CLASSIC CAR RESTORATION

Enthusiastic craftsmanship at very competitive costs

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69 Gordon Road, Aldershot, Hampshire, GU11 1NG01252 323 038 www.reesbros.co.uk [email protected]

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98 HELLESDON PARK ROAD, NORWICH, NR6 5DRTEL: 07500 047560 FOR MORE IMAGES PLEASE VISIT

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Signal Red/contrasting Charcoal Cloth. Power Steering, Central Locking, Manual Steel Sunroof,

Electric Heated Mirror/s, Sundym Glass, Graduated Tinted Top Screen.

This is a wonderful, original 3 owner example which has covered 34,000 miles from new. There are 7 Service Stamps (Mercedes/Specialist) in the service book includinga fi le containing past MOT’s and for some of the work undertaken over the years to verify the low mileage. Manuals, Tool Kit and Triangle are all present. The car is in outstanding original condition, commensurate with the low mileage with no rust

whatsoever, the vehicle still retains it’s original ABS sticker! Accordingly the interior is in beautiful condition with no wear to the driver’s seat and the carpets including theboot area remain as new. Mechanically the vehicle is in fine fettle, drives extremely taught and without fault. We have just undertaken a thorough service on the vehiclereplacing all fl uids due to the vehicle being subject to very little use during the past

few years. This car is a sensible proposition for those looking for a quality classic for frequent use. Priced at £5,795.00 including 12 months MoT at point of sale.

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We urgently require Mercedes-Benz SL’s Of interest are high calibre 113•107•129 models

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Page 23: April 2017 Gazette - Mercedes-Benz Club · 2017-07-09 · main sections, the top level Masterclass, the middle level Concours d’Elegance and the entry level Enthusiasts Class. Last

80 • APRIL 2017 • www.mercedes-benz-club.co.uk

SpecialistServices

CAR STORAGE

INTERIOR WOOD TRIM SPECIALISTS

Richard Thorne The Courtyard Garage, James Lane, Grazeley Green, Reading RG7 1NB Tel: 0118 9831200 Fax: 0118 9831414 www.rtcc.co.uk Dehumidified, alarmed storage. Transport from anywhere, MOT. M4 J11 3 miles.

Nick Martin, The Workshop at No 39, 39 Albert Street, Spalding, Lincolnshire, PE11 2LDTel: 07977 741889 www.nicholas-martin.co.ukEmail: [email protected]

VANLEIGH COACH WORKS Unit 7, Central Ave, West Molesey, Surrey KT8 2QH Tel 0208 783 [email protected] All aspects of repair & restoration undertaken to the highest standard at competitive rates

P J Smith Classic and modern paint and bodywork Ltd Unit 2, Manor Park, Windsor Rd, Bedford MK42 9HW Tel: 01234 341410 Accident repair and restoration specialists

Unit 1, 28 Send Road, Caversham, Reading, Berks RG4 8EHTel: 0118 946 [email protected]

Specialising inMercedes-Benz servicing & repairs

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SM Auto-Care 19 Enterprise Way, Thornton Dale Ind Est Pickering, N Yorkshire Y018 7NA Tel: 01751 474847 Fax: 01751 477725All repairs carried out on Mercedes models by trained technicians

Radford Road, New Basford, Nottingham NG7 7NQ Service & repair work, body work repairs,

used car sales, MOT’s, A/C servicing, valeting, collection & delivery. Nottingham’s alternative to

main dealer service at an affordable price.www.mercserve.co.uk

Lazarus Court, Woodgate, Rothley, Leics, LE7 7NR Tel/Fax 0116 230 3801From classic to modern all MERCEDES BENZ vehicles serviced & repaired, MERCEDES Trained Technician, full workshop facilities available, free quotations and friendly advice Discounts for club members.

SilverStar Garages Limited

www.silverstargarages.co.uk

With over 40 years experience in restoration, we are Mercedes specialists maintaining and restoring these cars to customer requirements with Historic event preperation and modifi cation as part of our services. Please remember we also cater for other main marques from 1900 to 1972 and that

we are agents for Penrite oils. We look forward to your enquiry!

Tel: 01603 880522 Fax: 01603 880058www.adamsautomotive.co.uk

email: [email protected]

ADAM’S AUTOMOTIVEENGINEERING

Merc-Care has been established since 1988 with fully equipped Mercedes workshops and fully trained technicians. We at Merc-Care offer a personal service to your vehicle with all the latest Star computer diagnostics and Mercedes special tools. NO JOB IS TOO BIG OR SMALL. All types of body repairs and insurance work undertaken

ONE CALL AND MERC-CARE DOES IT ALL!

Tel: 020 8361 6750

Redcastle Classics Limited 19 Sir Alfred Owen Way, Pontygwindy Industrial Estate, Caerphilly, CF83 3HUTel: 029 20882110 Mob: 07710 077605 www.redcastleclassics.com [email protected] in 190SL restoration, servicing & repairs Also Pagoda 113 series, Fintail, Ponton etc. 1950s-1980s

JOSEPH JOOSOver 50 years experience

Specialist service,repairs and overhauls

Quality second-hand spares

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07831 432186Fax: 01908 217353www.josephjoos.co.uk

Project1:Layout 1 15/12/09 09:50 Page 1

CAR MATS

SERVICING SPECIALIST REPAIRS

Classic Mercedes Mats

www.classicmercedesmats.co.uk07919 885705

Sovereign Motor Centre Unit C5, Connaught Business Centre, Forest Hill, London SE23 1AH Tel: 0208 699 4455Servicing, electrical, mechanical repairs, air-con, bodywork.

Steve Redfearn Motor Co Ltd 169 Gladstone Rd, Wimbledon, SW19 1QSTel: 0208 540 2311 Fax: 0208 [email protected] in Mercedes Benz repairs & servicing. Full test & report facility available before you purchase your new car

T.M. Motors Unit 8, 24 Central Avenue, West Moseley, Surrey KT8 2QH Tel: 0208 941 4044 Fax: 0208 941 4340

T W NEALE MOTORS 65 School Road Himley, NR Dudley West Midlands DY3 4LG Tel: 01902 897447 Fax: 01902 892450 INDEPENDENT MERCEDES BENZ SPECIALISTS EST. 1968. REPAIRS AND OVERHAUL + SERVICING.

ACCIDENT & BODYWORK REPAIR

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Mercedes 107,123,124,116 and 126 Coupe and Saloon ModelsServicing, MOT, inspections, restoration, waxoyl and parts.

Check out our website www.sec-shop.com or call 01732 76395607970 553071 or email [email protected] anytime to discuss your particular requirements.