By Stu Hammel
It is only fitting that owners and admirers of the
Mercedes-Benz Grand 600 would be treated to an affair to remember during this
the fortieth anniversary year of the commencement of production of these
fantastic automobiles. The International
M-100 Group, at this year’s Annual Meet known as the “Lode Star Fest - 2003,”
presented the largest single gathering of Grand 600 vehicles ever in one
location, June 12–14, 2003. A total of
thirty-nine Grand 600s were assembled on the turf at the Woxall, Pennsylvania
estate of Karl and Ruth Middelhauve. In
addition to the short wheelbase 600s present, the collection included two
six-door Pullmans, the only 600 hearse to have been produced, as well as one of
two 600 coupes that exist in the world.
It is believed that there have never as many 600s on hand at any one
time in one location even at the factory during the model’s production
run.
While the Grand 600 model is the crown jewel of the three
Mercedes-Benz models to carry an M-100 engine, the 300SEL 6.3 and the 450SEL
6.9 models were also well represented at this year’s Meet. A total of fifteen 6.3s and seven 6.9s were
driven from as far away as Oregon to be shown and raced at the Meet. Of special note was the presence of the only
300SE 6.3 cabriolet, a 300SE 6.3 coupe with computerized fue management system,
and a supercharged Grand 600, all of which were produced by Classic Car
Restorations.
All told, nearly one hundred-twenty M-100 enthusiasts and
family members from near and far converged on Pennsylvania for the largest
annual meet of the International M-100 Group in its twelve year history. Nineteen International attendees came from
Malaysia, Australia, Germany, Spain, Netherlands, and Ireland. The assembled guests were treated to a full
schedule of technical sessions and demonstrations throughout the three-day
event.
This year’s event offered all participants the chance to
have their cars run on the dyno tester at Second Street Speed Shop in nearby
Perkasie, PA. Some excellent data were
generated for analysis. However, the
heart and soul of the annual event is always the program entitled “Cars on the
Lift.” The purpose of this program is to
offer each attendee the opportunity to have his or her car inspected by master
technician Gary Ensor of Winchester, Kentucky.
Gary provided a full safety and preventive maintenance inspection on
seventeen vehicles in addition to conducting a live rear brake caliper
transplant and complete front brake overhaul on Richard Rose’s fine six-door
600 Pullman.
Technical and educational presentations included an
informative demonstration and discussion of Grand 600 hydraulic functions
provided by Helmut Schattenkirchner of Munich, Germany. Participants came away with a much clearer
understanding of how the hydraulic system operates and how to make simple
emergency repairs as needed. Mr.
Schattenkirchner, one of the world’s leading experts on the Mercedes hydraulic
system who still rebuilds many of the hydraulic components, spent many
additional hours with individual attendees answering their specific questions
throughout the three-day event.
The latest technological innovations in computerized fuel
management systems and their application to M-100 vehicles was the subject of
Dale Cherrie’s presentation. Dale’s
concepts have been incorporated into several M-100 vehicles to date and have
resulted in some impressive improvements in fuel efficiency and motor power. To make this tech session easier to
understand, Karl Middelhauve had built an AMG 6.3 engine on a stand running
with transmission, steering box, air suspension set-up, and complete
instrumentation as well as a computerized fuel management system. Dale explained all engine control functions
displayed on a laptop computer.
Drew Tibcken, of Heritage Woodworks, Andrews, North
Carolina, presented a workshop on the care and restoration of interior wood in
each of the three M-100 models. Drew
covered the actual process by which sun-dried, faded, cracked wood is restored
to original and show quality levels.
Drew’s quality craftsmanship could be found in some of the finest 600s
and 6.3s on display in Woxall.
The staff of Extreme Motorsports Painting, of Pottstown,
PA, offered an informative presentation on the correct methods to employ in the
preparation of the exterior of the automobile for quality painting as well as
the painting process itself. Several of
the vehicles in attendance at the Meet had actually been painted at Extreme
Motorsports and looked fantastic.
Rich Varjan, proprietor of European Transmission
Exchange, one of the few transmission specialists in the US skilled in
rebuilding the M-100 transmission, explained the intricacies of the transmission
as well as its durability. Rich did an
outstanding job of making one of the more complicated mechanical components of
the M-100 vehicles clearly understandable.
The addition of a complete M-100 gearbox on the “operating table” served
as an excellent instructional tool. A
lively discussion followed Rich’s superb session.
Group member Michael Tovalillo and German guest Uwe
Schuler inspected the brake fluid for water content in every M-100 vehicle at
the Meet. Only 17 cars had less than 1%
water content (good), while another 6 cars were measured at 1%
(acceptable). A 2% reading was found in
8 cars, which means fluid should be changed.
Eleven cars were at 3%, which is the danger level. Overall, more than half the cars present
should have had their brake fluid flushed and changed. Because this is such a critical item in the
proper maintenance of M-100 vehicles, this testing service will become a
regular feature of future M-100 Meets.
Alderfer Glass Company, from Telford, PA, demonstrated
the proper installation of a Grand 600 windshield.
International M-100 Group member Rayland Beurlot
discussed ways to improve original M-100 audio systems. As an example, Rayland demonstrated a system
that he had created and fitted into his own vehicle. The results were exquisite, with the
cosmetics blending well with the original interior as well as producing sound
that was exceptional in all respects.
A highlight among the educational sessions was the
keynote presentation made by Manfred Pfander, former Grand 600 customer order
liaison for Mercedes-Benz in Stuttgart.
In his position, Mr. Pfander was responsible for all special equipment
orders as requested by purchasers of Grand 600 limousines during their full production
run. His presentation gave fascinating
insight into the special options that were available as well as some of the
special requests and accommodations Mercedes-Benz had been asked to provide for
special customers.
One of the fascinations many Meet participants shared was
a keen interest in options and special equipment that was available at the time
of purchase of these fine vehicles. One
such rare accessory was a set of headlight wipers and washers on an interesting
300SEL 6.3 that had just made the trip to the United States from Germany. The unusual operation of the wiper/washers
was demonstrated by Konrad Linckh of Born, Germany.
Dan Smith, of Newberg, Oregon kicked off the annual
Concours d’Elegance with an excellent discussion of the standards that are
applied in Concours automobile judging.
Dan’s presentation was a prelude to the People’s Choice judging that
took place on the last day of the Meet.
As valuable as all of the technical and educational
programs were found to be, the Meet offered a day of excitement at Island Raceway
in New Jersey, where the bravest members of the International M-100 Group put
their cars through the paces.
Quarter-mile time trials were offered the entire day thanks to the
generous sponsorship by Neil Dubey of Star Motors, Endicott, NY. The fastest performances in each category
were achieved by Dan Smith of Oregon for the fastest 6.3 (nearly breaking the
14 second mark); Brett Stabler of Alabama, for the fastest 6.9; and Anthony
Bove of New York, for the fastest Grand 600.
It was reported by Dan Smith that Terry Jackson of Dublin, Ireland, had
to be the fastest tire changer at the track.
In juxtaposition to the speed that was the topic of
conversation throughout the Meet and at the track, we were fortunate enough to
have a hot air balloon on the show field on Saturday, providing gentle rides to
all takers.
The People’s Choice Concours d’Elegance concluded the
scheduled activities of the Meet, with results announced at the conclusion of
the traditional German Pig Roast. This
year’s winners included Anthony Bove, for the best Grand 600 for his
magnificent Anthracite Metallic short wheelbase automobile. The award for top 6.3 went to Dan Smith for
the “Silver Bullet,” his stunning silver metallic 6.3 that is as fast as it is
good looking. Hanno Schill, of Delaware,
took home the honors for the best 6.9 displayed. Special awards were presented to those
attendees who drove their cars the longest distance to Woxall. The award for longest distance driven for a
6.3 went to Dan Smith from Newberg, Oregon.
Brett Stabler of Alabama took home the 6.9 honors and Albert Plekker of
Pittsburgh drove the longest distance in a Grand 600. This year’s Concours d’Elegance concluded
with the awarding of the Ladies’ Choice Prize to Albert Plekker for his
excellent 600 short wheelbase sedan.
Lode Star Fest 2003 would not have been the same without
the wonderful food and drink that nearly overshadowed the cars we all brought
to Woxall. Ruth Middelhauve’s home baked
cakes and pastries were again the perfect way to top off a thoroughly enjoyable
Meet.
The International M-100 Group wishes to dedicate Lode
Star Fest 2003 to our friend, Director, and technical wizard, Randy
Durrance. His untimely death has touched
us all very deeply.
Based on comments made by many participants in this
year’s Meet, Lode Star Fest 2003 was an overwhelming success. We now turn our cites to St. Louis, where we
will host Lode Star Fest 2004!