CROSSING RUSSIA BY W211 E-CLASS THE EARLY YEARS AT ILMOR MERCEDES-BENZ BRENTFORD IN THE 1960s W211 E-CLASS ALTERNATOR REPAIR - THE OFFICIAL ...
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Gazette
July 2020
CROSSING RUSSIA BY W211 E-CL ASS
THE EARLY YEARS AT ILMOR
MERCEDES-BENZ BRENTFORD IN THE 1960s
W211 E-CL ASS ALTERNATOR REPAIR
THE OFFICIAL MERCEDES-BENZ CLUB FOUNDED 1952
What’s inside... Regulars
36
4 CLUBINFORMATION
4 CLUBPUBMEETINGS
5 DIARYDATES
7 FORTHCOMINGEVENTS
8 NEWS&VIEWS
11 YOURLETTERS
22 CLUBSHOP
FEATURES 35 Archive quiz
20 Peter Maslin 36 Seminal album 46 REGIONALREPORTS
23 Rob writes... 43 Car of the month
71 SPECIALNOTICES
26 My time at Ilmor
TECHNICAL CORNER 73 NEWMEMBERS
31 F1 news
44 Spares register
32 Helping with ‘Humility’
45 ‘Visit workshop’ 73 BACKNUMBERS
34 From deep in the Archive
79 CARSFORSALE
23
45 26
Gazette
Published by The Mercedes-Benz Club
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First ever Mercedes-Benz Club
– founded 1952
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Free subscription to Mercedes-Benz
Gazette copy dates Only UK club recognised by Classic magazine
September July 10 October August 14
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Tel: 01780 482111 (9.00am to 5.00pm Monday to Friday)
30 Scotgate, Stamford PE9 2YQ
telephone 01780 482111, 0345 6032660 (9.00am to 5.00pm Monday to Friday)
E-mail: catherine.barlow@mercedes-benz-club.co.uk or see www.mercedes-benz-club.co.uk
NEWS&VIEWS
FROM ROSEMARIE
MASLIN
Life in the UK is still very strange and, for
me at the moment, difficult, but with positive
thoughts we will all get through this.
On a very personal note I would like to
say thank you to everyone for all your kind
words, cards and flowers sent for Peter. I
really do appreciate everything and I know
Peter would have been very pleased to be
so well thought of.
I am still trying to get back into
‘normal’ but it is taking time. I must admit
I am, as I suspect most of you are as well,
really longing for ‘normal’ to start again.
Take care, keep safe and well and I
really look forward to seeing you again at a
Club event once they recommence. Peter Maslin.
UPDATED E-CLASS COUPÉS AND
CABRIOLETS
There are styling and engine tweaks to the AMG.... ...and ‘standard’ models.
Revised E53 4-Matic+ coupés and cabriolets have been announced. Following similar
changes to the saloon and estate models, the two-door E53s will now have ‘AMG-specific’
radiator grilles and flatter all-LED headlamps. Inside there will be larger display screens and
a new AMG steering wheel. The ‘electrified’ three-litre engines, with twin turbo-charging via
These badges can be supplied with either an exhaust gas turbocharger and an additional electric compressor generate 435hp and peak
provision for mounting on a bar or on a grille. torque of 520Nm. The EQ Boost starter-alternator provides an additional 16kW of power
plus 250Nm of torque and also feeds the 48-volt electrical system. There is AMG Speedshift
CAR BADGES nine-speed automatic transmission and fully variable all-wheel-drive.
Car badges are available from the Club The non-AMG coupés and cabriolets will receive similar updates, with revised grilles,
Office. They are approximately three headlights and tail lights. These models will be available with the OM654M four-cylinder
inches (76mm) wide and come with diesel engine, fitted for the first time with an integrated starter-alternator. This version of
fittings enabling them to be mounted the 48-volt electrical system has a recuperation function and the ability to ‘glide’ with the
on most radiator grilles. The cost is £25 engine switched off. The starter-alternator is now part of the transmission rather than the
including post and packing. To order your engine which means it can be more easily combined with different engines. Its extra boost
badge please contact Catherine Barlow is available immediately and can deliver as much as 15kW of power and 180Nm of torque.
(catherine.barlow@mercedes-benz-club. This technology is also available in the M256 in-line six-cylinder petrol engine.
co.uk or 01780 482111). All these new models are scheduled to go on sale in the UK in late June, but UK pricing
and specifications are still to be confirmed. First deliveries are expected in the ‘late summer’.
same time we know that his expertise will be of great value to Aston
MANAGEMENT CHANGES AT Martin, a company with which we have a long-standing and successful
partnership.” [Daimler AG has a stake in Aston Martin and AMG
AMG – AND ASTON MARTIN supplies it with engines.]
Daimler AG has announced that Philipp Schiemer has been appointed Philipp Schiemer has held various management positions with
Chairman of AMG, Mercedes-Benz’s high-performance subsidiary. He Daimler in Germany and Brazil since 1987, including head of product
will move from his current position as head of Mercedes-Benz Brazil. management for the A-Class and head of marketing at Mercedes-Benz
In addition, Jochen Hermann has been appointed as Chief Technical Cars. Since 2013 he has been responsible for the business in Brazil.
Officer of AMG. He will return to AMG from his current position as Jochen Hermann previously worked as head of overall vehicle
head of electric-drive development at Daimler AG. development at AMG from 2014 to 2016, before focusing on electric
Tobias Moers, who has been Chairman of AMG since 2013, is to drive systems and battery research at Daimler AG. He has been with
leave the company at his own request to become the new CEO of Aston Daimler since 1997 and has also worked on driver assistance and
Martin Lagonda in the UK. Moers will take up his new position on steering systems.
August 1 when Schiemer and Hermann will also move to their
new roles.
Ola Källenius, Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler
AG and of Mercedes-Benz AG, said: “With Philipp Schiemer and
Jochen Hermann, we will have two very experienced executives
leading AMG. They will be able to take AMG’s development forward,
including ensuring that electrification plays a key part in our high
performance brand’s future product portfolio. Tobias Moers has led the
AMG brand to great success and we would like to thank him warmly
for all his achievements at Daimler. We have mixed emotions about
his departure. On the one hand we are losing a top executive, but at the
Tobias Moers with the Mercedes-AMG GT.
8 • JULY 2020 • www.mercedes-benz-club.co.uk
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 30 Scotgate, Stamford PE9 2YQ or chris.bass@mercedes-benz-club.co.uk YOURLETTERS
Ireland are only €200 and annual road tax
Letter of the Month only €56.
I spent a year searching every classic
As a thank you (and as an incentive for even greater efforts) we like to choose site in the UK looking for such a car, and
a letter of the month. Meguiar’s has kindly agreed to sponsor this and the thankfully found this one from a dealer
Member whose letter is selected receives a Wash & Wax car care kit. who for some reason had it on his hands
for some time. If it were a younger car
A 20-YEAR-OLD’S CLK (less than 30 years) a serious amount of tax
would be payable, let alone annual road tax
of €1,890.
We are currently restricted here by
covid19 and I am really looking forward to
getting her out on the road to enjoy, if only
at 15mpg. Needless to say our classic show
scene here is non-existent and I really miss
the craic (Irish for fun) and banter. Hope
springs eternal and now my fun is polishing
the car, cleaning the soft top and detailing
the engine with a tooth brush.
I am very happy, it looks remarkable
for a 30-year-old car, with MoT certificates
to prove its 66,000 miles. As the song says,
‘Here comes summer’.
Paddy Needham’s CLK240.
Tony Byrne, via e-mail
A QUESTION OF
CHOICE
Dear Chris,
That was an interesting article about
Mercedes’ product simplification by Rob
Halloway in June’s Gazette. It is a bit
ironic that in the same issue ‘From deep in
Paddy has dyed the roof... ...and had the wheels refurbished.
the Archive’ featured a brochure with the
header ‘Choice is also a factor of quality’.
Dear Chris, The new 500E in the 1990s had a choice
I bought my CLK240 convertible at the age of 18 and I have had it nearly two years of 14 metallic paint colours and, more
now. I have always had a keen interest in cars and since the age of 16 I have been pertinently, five different colour interior
working in the motor trade as a car salesman. I wanted a weekend car and a bit of a fabrics and five leather trims. Providing
project, so started looking at what car would be a good match. It had to be reliable, this range of interior options would have no
comfortable and easy to work on. After looking at BMW 3-series convertibles and a effect on the requirement for costly extra
short time ownership of an MGF I decided to buy a CLK. I just love the styling and, emissions testing as Rob indirectly infers.
because my mum owns a C-Class estate, I knew the reliability of a Mercedes was Am I concerned? Not really –
fantastic. disappointed and disenchanted, yes.
I found this 2003 CLK240 Elegance with a roof that was not working in Birmingham. Meanwhile, my cavansite blue SL400,
It had a full service history and had its first service at Mercedes-Benz Canary Wharf. with its lovely porcelain leather interior,
So I drove from Doncaster to Birmingham to look at the car and the bodywork was increases its appeal with every passing day.
brilliant. The only damage was a scuffed bumper corner and I was amazed that It had
no rust or dents at all. It had 105,000 miles on the clock with a full service history and a Best regards,
recent gearbox refurbishment. Since I have owned the car I have had the roof repaired Chris Rayner, via e-mail
(not working due to damaged micro switches), dyed the roof myself with Renovo twice,
had a full service, refurbished the alloy wheels, repaired the water bags next to the rear Dear Chris,
window myself and many other little jobs. The car is now on 109,000 miles and drives Having been a Member of the Club since
fantastically. I’ve never had any issues with the engine or gearbox. This month I have just August 2018, it is hugely encouraging
fitted a new six-disc CD changer as the other one was broken. to see the level of enthusiasm across
There are a few other jobs to do, but it is a project and I have no plans to sell it so the country for Mercedes-Benz, classic
I don’t mind. Not many 20-year-olds drive a sky blue CLK, but I love it and when the or modern. It is this enthusiasm that is
sun is out there is no better feeling than driving my Mercedes with the roof down. of utmost importance for the marque
to acknowledge and support, be that in
Kind regards, the classic department or with the latest
Paddy Needham, via e-mail models.
However there have been decisions
taken at Mercedes-Benz UK that have
‘HERE COMES slightly concerned me. I started writing
SUMMER’ this after the June Gazette arrived, thus I
read Rob Halloway’s response on ‘product
Dear Chris, simplification’. I do support the idea of
Greetings from the Republic of Ireland. gathering options together in packages,
As a Mercedes owner for half a century, I on modern Mercedes there are options
would like to share with you the successor which not many would like to spend
to my departed R107 SL. time deliberating over or individually
This car is 30 years old, obviously one selecting – Bluetooth telephony, infra-red
of the first of its kind. The reason I bought reflecting glass, normal electric sunroof
it is, as a 30-year-old car, import duties into or full glass panoramic, etc. With classic
Tony Byrne’s 500SL.
www.mercedes-benz-club.co.uk • JULY 2020 • 11
FEATURE
drove the short distance to our hotel and
the adventure had begun. It proved to be a
fantastic and very well organised holiday.
We were hooked.
On our trip to Normandy we seemed
to ‘click’ with Peter and Rosemarie and we
soon became very good friends. We met at
several events that year, including the Club’s
Concours at Milton Keynes and the National
and SL Weekend at Berkeley Castle. We also
booked to go on the following year’s Club
rally organised by them, but this time, being
more adventurous, as it was to be a tour of
northern Spain.
As we got to know Peter better it became
apparent that both he and Rosemarie did
an enormous amount of work for the Club.
Apart from the Club’s annual European rally,
they also organised its National Weekend
and SL Day. Peter was involved with the
Club stand at the NEC annual Classic
Motor Show, he was a Concours Judge,
Peter Maslin officiating at a Club event...
wrote articles for the Gazette and latterly
P
he organised the Club’s attendance at the
eter and Rosemarie, our Club had travelled outside our Lancashire area Donington Classic weekend. It’s difficult
Chairman, were married some 39 with the Club and it seemed as though we to think of anyone who did more or spent
years ago after meeting on the island were undertaking a trip into the abyss. The more of their time for the Club, as well as
of Rhodes. Rosemarie was a holiday rep following morning, after the overnight supporting Rosemarie in her capacity as the
and Peter was on a lads’ holiday – and the sailing, we arrived in Caen where we then Club Membership Director.
rest as they say is history. They eventually
Memories of my
settled down and set up home in Empingham
near Rutland Water with Rosemarie
commuting into London every day whilst
Peter worked for a German company which
was manufacturing pumping equipment, and
friend Pedro
his job took him all over Europe. In 1990
Peter bought Rosemarie an R107 380SL,
which she still owns, and that was the start
of their association and love affair with the
Mercedes-Benz Club.
– an appreciation of
I first met Peter on a ferry as we were
sailing from Portsmouth to Caen, it was May
2011 and we were on the Club’s overseas
rally which had been organised by Peter
Peter Maslin
and Rosemarie and we were on our way
to Normandy. This was the first time we
by Brian Ellis, additional photos by Clive Henderson
...and, as always, helping a Member.
20 • JULY 2020 • www.mercedes-benz-club.co.uk
FEATURE
...from Russia in the second leg of the Paris-Beijing
In the autumn of 2006, to promote the event, testing the mettle of the 2006 New
reliability and durability of the freshly- Generation E-Class.
facelifted W211 E-Class, DaimlerChrysler Despite the damp drizzly weather, and a
organised an epic re-enactment of the old runway that was almost as rough as the old
‘Peking-Paris’ run. This time a convoy of Brooklands track, we thumped back to land
cars was driven in five stages from Paris, safely, before attending an event briefing
across Europe, overland through Russia and and dinner in the city centre. Then, the next
eventually into China – finally stopping off morning at 0700 (4.00am UK time) we set
at the press day of the Beijing Motor Show. off in convoy for Moscow, 430 miles and
The drivers were mostly invited about 10 hours away.
journalists, from all over the world – each
major market had a national car to drive; St Petersburg to Moscow
and colleagues from the company took part When Peter the Great commissioned St
too. Engineers, PRs, doctors, interpreters, Petersburg he apparently learned from the
fuel technicians and survival experts. I took best Europe had to offer. He hired Italian
part in two of the six stages and, despite architects and Dutch canal builders, the
being PR manager at the time, ignored the resulting city being a beautiful blend of
bar each night to write an account of the Renaissance buildings, familiar-looking
day’s drive. I knew then that it would be a Amsterdam-style canals and – nowadays
very special trip, never to be repeated. – imposing symbols of the former Soviet
Over the next four months, Mr Bass Union. The area is surrounded by swamps A town full of war memorials.
has kindly agreed to expand my ‘Rob and mosquitoes, and like Venice is mainly
writes...’ column and I’ll share my built on wooden piles. It’s an inhospitable boulevards were designed. Wide, relatively
edited blogs of part of this epic journey. place to make a city – but the results are smooth and arrow straight, they gave the
This month we publish the first half of glorious. 36 E-Classes in our convoy a swift and
my detailed account of a week driving Four hours’ sleep and a light fruit comfortable route out of the former Russian
across Russia with a nice man called breakfast was an interesting start to our first capital.
Mike... Russian morning, but we boarded the bus Only the local Volgas and Ladas,
ready to head to the heart of the old city with their seemingly random Brownian
A rough landing and to the start of the longest distance drive motion [For those of us less well educated
As our descending plane bounced and on the whole tour so far. than Rob this apparently means ‘random
rolled through the clouds, the marshy Peter may well have had the Paris- movement of particles in a fluid’ – Ed.],
surroundings of St Petersburg appeared Beijing experience – or the ancient gave us any stress as we began today’s
beneath us. We were here to participate equivalent thereof – in mind when the journey south eastwards to Moscow.
Rob writes... by Rob Halloway
Most of Russia looked like this to us.
www.mercedes-benz-club.co.uk • JULY 2020 • 23
FEATURE
Jeff Williams during his time at Ilmor.
My time at Ilmor
– part one
him complaining that Anthony Eden had
invaded Egypt and there was a petrol crisis.
He could no longer get five-star petrol,
which the Lotus engine needed.
At Cosworth I found that Keith had
changed with his acquisition of millions,
his considerable history of race wins and
by Jeff Williams, photos from Liz and Patrick Morgan he had become rather outspoken and had
several yes-men. Keith was a great lateral
I
payable in England the graduates are left thinker and very clever, but he did not have
was a university teacher, but this job with no engineering job and large debts. a palatial office, seeming happy in a small
became an expensive hobby when Mrs We are now told there is a shortage of place with everyday office furniture. The
Thatcher came to power. The closure engineers! window sills were covered in engine parts
of many grammar schools by Labour and I decided to try to return to industry, but which had failed.
the consequent drop in entry standards was as I felt I was almost unemployable and in The co-founder of Cosworth, Mike
by then making life difficult, as we had my 40s I would need to get some up to date Costin, I found to be always very pleasant
more to teach to reach the required levels to and relevant experience. Initially I spent and equally competent. My way home
produce useful engineers. a sabbatical term at Cosworth. I had met took me on a route which was the same as
When the Thatcher government Keith Duckworth when I was at Imperial Mike’s. One evening I had a Large Ford
introduced the Staff-Student Ratio, there College, but he was a year ahead of me. He saloon in my mirrors on a very twisty road.
were already some polytechnics which was president of the Motor Club, and drove I had a 1.8-litre VW GTI, so I expected
had become universities and some of these ‘Boanerges’, the college’s 1904 Johnson to leave the Ford well behind, but to my
were producing engineering graduates with and Brown, on the London to Brighton surprise it kept up easily. Next day I found
dubious qualifications. It became apparent Veteran Car Run. it was Mike who was following me. He
that in order to retain all his academic staff He was not without money and in really is a very good driver, which I am not,
our head of department was prepared to 1956 he drove a Mk6 Lotus with a stage- and I would be no good in a race. He had
lower standards. I felt that as we would three Coventry Climax engine to college been a successful racing driver.
have to reduce standards employers would every day. When he accelerated down There were two young engineers at
not want our graduates. This has happened Exhibition Road the sound of tearing calico Cosworth whom I found very impressive,
in many places now and with the fees was something I still remember. I recall Paul Morgan and Mario Illien. These two
26 • JULY 2020 • www.mercedes-benz-club.co.uk
Claire Williams.
denying that Team Principal Toto Wolff
was resigning at the end of this season. If
The 2020 Mercedes-powered Williams. Wolff did leave the role, then the chances
F1 NEWS
of Lewis Hamilton leaving the team at the
end of his current contract are likely to
increase. Hamilton has made no statement
on the matter, but rumours suggest he may
announce his retirement at the end of the
this campaign – he has always been clear
that he would leave when he felt he had
by Will Gardner achieved all he could in the sport.
CHANGES
CONSEQUENCES Meanwhile, whilst cutting 15,000 jobs Whilst Hamilton’s future contract looks
As spring moved into summer, the financial across all its operations as a result of plunging uncertain, one certainty is that Sebastian
impact of the coronavirus started to be felt car sales, Renault has said it will remain in F1 Vettel won’t be challenging him in a Ferrari
across the sport. McLaren – one of the most for the foreseeable future, citing the agreed next year. The team announced that it will
financially stable teams – announced 1,200 budget caps that take effect from the 2021 be parting company with the four-time
job losses across its operations as the virus season as delivering a fairer playing field champion at the end of this year following
impacted sales of the firms super-cars as where less well funded teams such as Renault a difficult partnership that culminated
well as F1 income. have a realistic chance of success. in Vettel being out-performed by rookie
Williams also announced that the team, Charles Leclerc, who will now be partnered
owned and run by Sir Frank and his family, NEW SEASON next year by Carlos Sainz. The ripple effect
was for sale. The announcement came As we went to press, the Austrian of these changes sees Daniel Ricciardo
after the Williams group of companies government had approved hosting the first moving from Renault to McLaren, leaving
posted a combined loss of £13m in the last two rounds of the 2020 campaign at the the tantalising possibility of Fernando
financial year. Deputy Team Principal Claire Red Bull Ring, starting on July 5, with the Alonso returning from retirement to re-
Williams said that all options were on the second round a week later. The races, held join Renault where he clinched his first
table, from an outright sale to adding one or behind closed doors, would see the track championship in 2005.
more investors to the board with the team and its immediate environs designated Meanwhile, Valtteri Bottas is also out
apparently already in talks with a small ‘covid-free’, with comprehensive testing in of contract for Mercedes at the end of this
number of interested parties. She went on to place and the ability for everyone involved season, with Toto Wolff adding pressure
say that she hoped to complete the process to stay on-site for the duration of the races. by saying that the team would have to look
over the next three to four months, but If the first two rounds run successfully, carefully at its options if a driver of Vettel’s
stressed that the team was fully funded for F1 would move on to Hungary, then calibre were available, though the challenge
the current campaign. Silverstone for similar double-headers, of bringing such strong adversaries as
Despite running the Mercedes power- with the UK government making special Vettel and Hamilton to the same team might
train through the current hybrid racing arrangements for the teams to avoid its be something even Wolff might shy away
era, the team has seen a gradual decline in quarantine regulations. from, on the other hand who wouldn’t
performance year-on-year, from finishing relish having two drivers with 10 world
third in the constructors’ title in the 2014 MERCEDES championships between them in your team?
season it has become a familiar back-runner, Amidst covid-19 turmoil, the Mercedes
languishing at the bottom of both the drivers’ team has issued a statement strongly
and constructors’ championships.
It feels a long time
since Bottas was
photographed
in pre-season
testing at
Barcelona.
www.mercedes-benz-club.co.uk • JULY 2020 • 31
FEATURE
unimaginable situation filled with ‘Grim
Reaper’ daily Downing Street briefings.
Whilst some households oddly stocked
enough toilet roll to serve a large hotel with
a dodgy buffet, a growing sector of society
found itself in even more uncertainty than
usual. Hence, by week ending March 28 the
Government had ordered all local authorities
and councils to place rough sleepers
and the homeless into priority sheltered
accommodation or hostels. Whilst recently
criticised as overused, this action to get
vulnerable and exposed people off the streets
really was unprecedented.
Along with voluntary support services
and charities across the country, this official
step had significance to myself and over a
thousand other volunteers with the Nishkam
(Selfless) Sikh Welfare and Awareness
Team, popularly known as SWAT. Seeing
the desperate situation of needy homeless
individuals in Southall over a decade ago,
founder Randeep Singh Lall felt the urge to
take action and with his own local network
arranged an ‘outreach’ service of meals
and support from the boots of some cars.
Recently NishkamSWAT was bestowed
with the Queens Award for Voluntary
Service, effectively an MBE for an entire
organisation! The NishkamSWAT outreach
‘Humility’ – one of the SWAT vans. sessions take the 500-year-old teachings
Helping with
from the founder of the Sikh faith, Guru
Nanak Dev Ji, to the streets, the concept of
‘langar’ or a free kitchen for all, irrespective
of race, faith or status. Serving someone
in need is simply a humane act and not
necessarily even religious. Vegetarian
‘Humility’
‘langar’ is served in Sikh Temples or
Gurdwaras (the Guru’s doors), this even
featured on Jamie Oliver’s ‘Meat Free
Meals’ with his visit to Bangla Sahib
Gurdwara in Delhi where he reported up to
100,000 free meals were served daily!
by Satinder S Grewal Initially I joined the NishkamSWAT
O
rota to serve meals at one of the larger
ctober 2006 BC (before child), situations or supporting communities, outreach sessions along The Strand on
Stuttgart. I really was the ‘meme’ globally. Stuttgart presented itself as a fine Sunday evenings; up to 200 meals an hour.
of the kid in the candy shop. I was city of style and sophistication, as well as I have also supported the operation in
actually at the Mercedes-Benz Museum, having the convenience of a (swift) train Trafalgar Square and Camden. Closer to
with my notably patient wife, as I waltzed ride to the Porsche Museum which at that home I am now a core-team member for
from one legendary three-pointed-star to time was only the size of a large dealership, NishkamSWAT in East London. Around
another. Inventive, old, pre-war/post-war, although I believe since then a significant 50 meals are served in Ilford High Road
fast, super fast, long, limo, short, low, tall, upgrade has evolved. Also worth the visit between 7.30 and 8.30pm every Wednesday.
‘leicht’ to heavy and heavier. All here under was the 2006 World Cup football stadium, During the same time frame on Thursday
one huge, curvaceous roof in the autumn formerly named Gottlieb Daimler Stadion, evenings up to 120 meals are served at
sunshine. Amongst the various galleries of which was renamed Mercedes-Benz Arena the Stratford Centre. Each site has its own
exhibits exuding lust and luxury I always in 2011. challenges. Ilford is outdoors and exposed,
recalled the ‘Helpers’, illustrating the role March 2020 (lock-down), London. From whilst Stratford is inside a shopping mall
and importance of Mercedes-Benz vehicles distant reports of a fatal contagious virus which, due to a public right of way status,
over the decades in priority and emergency on the other side of the world to a ghostly, remains open throughout the night and has
itself become an unofficial shelter for rough
sleepers.
SWAT vans
Queues form in anticipation at over 20
locations across the UK most evenings of
the week, greeting with warming cheers and
applause the arrival of the highly distinctive
black and white NishkamSWAT service
vehicles loaded to serve humanity. Casually
referred to as ‘SWAT vans’, these Mercedes-
Benz Sprinters are actually classified by
the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency
as minibuses. The four decommissioned
The NishkamSWAT fleet.
police vans, still featuring rear seating with
32 • JULY 2020 • www.mercedes-benz-club.co.uk
W169 A-Class offered in three and five-door
formats but on the same wheelbase.
From deep in
engine were only available in Elegance
SE format, with the choice of a special
Avantgarde SE (plus £195) upgrade
package.
The W169’s safety equipment was also
the Archive
very comprehensive, with driver and front
passenger front and side air-bags, ABS
and Brake Assist (BAS), ESP (Electronic
Stability Programme) and Acceleration
Skid Control (ASR), ISOFIX and front
passenger child seat recognition sensor.
by the Archive Team During its eight-year production life
the W169 benefited from various minor
A
specification upgrades and a mild, mid-
fter looking at the range-topping roomy inside, indeed ‘Tardis’-like might be life, face-lift – all completely normal for
500E in last month’s ‘From deep a better description. a volume production, small car. What
in the Archive’ we go from one At launch the W169 was offered with was more unusual was the W169 was the
extreme to the other as far as the Mercedes- an extensive range of engines, including subject of advanced Mercedes-Benz power-
Benz car range is concerned. three petrol units covering the 95 to 136hp train experimentation in its lifetime.
Sparked by the recent Archive discovery power band and three diesels with power First, in 2008, Mercedes made tiny
of its launch brochure, this FDITA features outputs ranging from 82hp to 140hp. numbers of an F-Cell hydrogen fuel cell
the second generation A-Class (W169). Given its compact size and low weight, version. These A-Class F-Cell models were
This model has tended to be overlooked by this A-Class was a reasonably sprightly trialled by selected large customers such as
Mercedes enthusiasts, even though it – and performer with any of the available Deutsche Telekom and DHL.
its W168 A-Class predecessor – both sold engines. [I have stirring memories of a few Mercedes then used the W169 as the
over 1,000,000 units apiece. days in an A200 Turbo with 193hp – see the basis of further power-train developments
Launched in 2004 this second July 2006 Gazette, Ed.] with the 2010 reveal of the A-Class E-Cell
generation W169 A-Class was a pretty little The W169 was definitely a well- battery electric model. Tesla is said to have
car and remained in production till 2012. equipped, premium specification small helped with drive-line development of this
It was slightly larger externally than the car and its pricing reflected that status. 120-mile range electric car. There was also
W168 and differed from its forebear in that At launch in 2004 its list price started at talk that 500 of the A-Class E-Cell cars
it was only made in one length, but was £13,655 and topped out at £19,995, and it would be made to be leased by selected
offered in both three and five-door formats. was possible to spend more than that with European customers to trial.
For a compact, sub-four-metres long car, various options, including a sunshine roof, The Mercedes-Benz Club’s digital archive
the W169, like its predecessor, was very automatic transmission etc. is having new material added every month and
All three and five-door models now includes thousands of items. If you haven’t
were available fitted with all the yet done so please take a look by registering.
available engines. And, when it It’s a simple process, just go to: http://archive.
came to trim levels, there was mercedes-benz-club.co.uk and follow the on-
plenty of choice for the prospective screen instructions – happy browsing!
A-Class customer to select from. If you would like to dispose of surplus
It was simply done in that all Mercedes-Benz literature or photographs
but the models specified with the please let us know. Whether it’s one brochure
A200 CDI engine were available or a car-load your surplus material will
in Classic trim. The customer benefit Club Members. Even early Gazettes
could then choose to add a Classic are welcome, although the Archive does
SE (plus £300), Elegance SE (plus have a full collection of the later A4-format
£1,800) or Avantgarde SE (plus editions. Please contact the Archive Team: Jon
£1,995) upgrade package, which and Lynne Bell, Bryan Allman, Andy Holmes
included most commonly specified and Phil Reed (archive@mercedes-benz-
options. club.co.uk). If you do not use e-mail please
The two models specified telephone 01932 346981 and leave
Larger external dimensions endowed it with more with the most powerful A200 CDI a message.
space within than its predecessor.
34 • JULY 2020 • www.mercedes-benz-club.co.ukFEATURE
home postal address in case you win first
prize. Oh yes, there is a valuable Mercedes-
Benz related prize for the winner!
John Wallis, Archive Team and
Internet Services Director, comments,
“The Archive Team sincerely hopes that
the great Mercedes-Benz Club Archive
Quiz will provide a bit of light relief
for all Club Members in these strange
times”.
The great Mercedes-Benz
Club Archive Quiz questions
1. What was the actual Christian name of
‘Bunty’ Scott-Moncrieff, one of the Club’s
founders (see photo)?
2. Over what period was Alfred Neubauer
the manager of the Mercedes-Benz racing
team?
3. What date in 2000 (day and month)
marked the 100th anniversary of Emil
Jellinek setting up his company in Monaco
for the sale of Daimler cars and engines?
4. What was the price of a 25/30hp four-
Question six.
cylinder live axle Mercedes chassis as
It’s the great
advertised by the sole GB dealer in 1913?
5. How many type 290 (W18) models did
Mercedes offer for sale in 1935?
Mercedes-Benz
6. Where did the Club’s first international
rally go in 1954 (see photo) and what was
the oldest car that attended?
7. How many different models did
Club Archive Quiz
Mercedes-Benz advertise for sale in the UK
in 1954?
8. What was the maximum speed for the
A
Mercedes-Benz W108 250S listed in the
fter a recent trial run of the great So now you have something to take company’s brochure for 1966?
Mercedes-Benz Club Archive Quiz your mind off the seemingly never-ending
(MBCAQ) on the Club Forum the lock-down – that’s of course excepting 9. What type of Mercedes-Benz did David
Archive Team has decided to roll out an those of you who have been told by Boris Bowie use for his European tour in 1975
expanded version for all Members to enter. to gird your loins and go back to work. and who was the previous owner?
The great MBCAQ is a Mercedes-Benz
Club break to escape from it all – the only 10. Mercedes-Benz was the first
travel required being to your computer. So manufacturer in the world to offer
you can enter the new quiz in the comfort customers ABS in its cars. When was this
of your own home – and find all the and which model range was the first to use
answers in the Archive. it?
If you have not registered to use access
the Archive on-line content please follow 11. How many two-tone paintwork
the on-screen instructions at: http://archive. combinations were available for the W210
mercedes-benz-cub.co.uk range in 1995?
Then you are up and running and able
to access thousands of interesting Mercedes- 12. How many designo leather options were
Benz facts – including all the answers to all available for a C-Class in 2005?
the MBCAQ’s questions.
Go on – have a go. Once you have 13. How much would an optional AMG
completed your MBCAQ entry please interior carbon fibre package for an SLS
e-mail it by Monday August 3 to archive. AMG set you back in 2010?
competition@mercedes-benz-club.co.uk
The winner will be the Club Member 14. Who supplies the clock for the current
to send a correct set of MBCAQ answers, Mercedes-Maybach S600 cabin?
complete with the iBase ID number and
the title of the relevant item in the Archive Remember – please provide the iBase ID
database where you found the answer to number and the title of the relevant item in
each question. the Archive database where you found the
Also please provide your name and answer to each question.
Question one.
www.mercedes-benz-club.co.uk • JULY 2020 • 35FEATURE
The showroom and offices at Brentford at night
in 1969. Displayed in the showroom are a 280SL,
280SE, Audi 100LS, a Gullwing, another Pagoda
and a 220 saloon.
Seminal album by Nick Kisch
M
y bi-annual pilgrimage to the were opened at 9.00am, there was already By 12.30pm we had back packs
Beaulieu Autojumble didn’t a substantial queue of customers in strapped on and lunch rolls in hand as we
get off to a good start in 2019, readiness for weekend repairs. Relieved headed off into the melée of stalls. I’ve
despite me making sandwiches and of £45.00 we headed back to my garage stated in previous reports that there is
fuelling the car the night before. At where I swapped the coil packs over until precious little picking for Mercedes owners,
8.00am I collected my mate Giles from discovering the dud one. I’d marked two however, I had a list of sundry small tools
Teddington station and set off down the of the plug caps previously to identify and consumables that I needed to replenish
M3. Just as we passed the Sunbury exit, ones that had already been replaced. the tool cabinet.
last junction before the M25, a miss-fire With the car now in a healthier state, a I had taken note of Giles’s tip to start
became a permanent distraction. [I have second attempt was made on Beaulieu. An at the furthest (yellow) field, there tend to
been asked by Club Technical Director hour or so later, deep in conversation, we be more novice stalls there, selling one-
Jeremy Stevens to point out that the car sped past the exit for Beaulieu on the M27 off garage clearances and some foreign/
referred to is from an inferior German and had to divert to Lyndhurst through the continental sellers – more likely to have
manufacturer – Ed.] By the time we hit the New Forest – roadworks, cows and horses any Mercedes bits. The first stall that
Bracknell turn-off we’d decided the best all seemed to conspire against us actually stopped me had the requisite box of 1960s
course of action was a return to base and getting there before packing up time. to 70s Motor and Autocar magazines.
Euro Car Parts for what I suspected was a We joked that on at arrival we would be They have a good survival rate due to the
defective coil pack. greeted by security’s raised palm greeting national pride in the motor industry, their
Arriving at Euro just as the doors us with, ‘Sorry mate it’s full’! vast circulation and little else of such
automotive authority being published. All
resulting in prices from 50p to £1 each.
It amazes me how cheap these still are,
considering they are 50 years old now.
With their period ads and sexist cover
shots, nothing accelerates you back to
motoring nirvana (about 6.7 seconds to be
exact), more instantly. Usually I can find
at least one feature or advertisement of
interest as a just excuse to purchase. Having
lugged boxes of them around myself at this
very event to sell, I sympathise with the
‘for goodness sake buy the whole b***dy
box as I can’t be arsed to take it home
again’ attitude most sellers have.
The same view by day, here displaying a Unimog, Audi 80, 230S Universal, another Audi 80, a 250SL Car and Driver or Road and Track
and another Unimog.
36 • JULY 2020 • www.mercedes-benz-club.co.ukCar of the month
Colin Fowler’s SL500
C
olin writes: ‘ This is my 2004 R230 with the sought after panoramic hard-top. years and many thousands of happy miles.
SL500 which I acquired in 2018. My After much searching and many false Its successor was to be a W209 CLK or
route to SL ownership has been a long starts, I finally found the ‘perfect’ car and R230 SL. The car I eventually chose has
one. Growing up, the R107 was my favourite travelled 300 miles to buy it. It was riddled exactly the same scheme as my CLK,
car and whenever I saw one I would rush over with faults and a serious disappointment. with contrasting conservative elements
to check which model it was (six-cylinder The next day, on the rebound, I bought (dark blue exterior, cream leather and
cars were a great disappointment). on sight and without a test drive a 1998 wood interior) combined with rather less
About 15 years ago my hunt for my CLK320 in azurite blue, with cream leather conservative ones (AMG body-kit and
own SL commenced. I settled on an R129 and wood Elegance trim, AMG body-kit wheels). It’s a combination I adore and its
as I much preferred its driving experience and alloys. It was supposed to be a stop-gap rarity means I have forgiven it for various
to the R107. I had a clear idea of what I car and for a short time the search for the glitches in its first months with me. I’m
wanted – SL500 (six-cylinder cars were elusive black SL500 continued, however hoping it now goes on to repeat the CLK’s
out, obviously), black exterior and interior, the CLK won me over and I kept it for 11 decade of sterling service.’
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, 30 Scotgate, Stamford PE9 2YQ or chris.bass@mercedes-benz-club.co.uk
www.mercedes-benz-club.co.uk • JULY 2020 • 43SPARESREGISTER A FREE Service For ALL MEMBERS
1960s sales brochures Original 230SL brochure, complete with pull-out
FOR SALE specification and folded picture sheets, excellent condition, a little
Breaking W123 280 coupé; 1998 C250 CDI estate; 2000 W208 CLK
fogging on cover £125. Original 230SL brochure, complete with pull-
cabriolet; W124 300D multi-valve estate, good vented wing; W126
out specification sheet, fair condition, a little fogging on cover and
420SEL, good engine and box; W108 280SE. Parts off the shelf
signs of use £100. Original 600 brochure, like new and in protective
for W111 coupés and Fintails, W108, W123, W201 190 series,
cover £125. Small book-mark style 1960s UK range price list (a
W124, W126, W202 C-Class and W210 E-Class. Please phone or
230SL from £3,481 and a 600 from £8,926!) £5 or free with any one
text on 07710 672986 or e-mail retrodave111@aol.com Dave West
of the above. All prices include post and packing. Roger King 01959
Yorkshire.
534214 rogeranddiana67@gmail.com
Workshop manuals, parts catalogues, special tools, owners’
R107 300SL Mercedes-Benz original equipment wind deflector, excellent
handbooks and sales literature too numerous to list. These are all
condition £230 ono. Neil 07976 472894 dnpatterson@btinternet.com
original (not reproductions), factory-printed books for all post-war
R107 SL 1985-1989 Original Mercedes-Benz, correct size leather-
models up to 1984. Contact me with your requirements. Geoff
bound steering wheel complete with centre crash pad and emblem.
Marshall 07414 538004 marshall.geoffrey@gmail.com
Offside complete rear lamp assembly. Offside electric window winder
Breaking W124 1989 300E Complete. 1989 W124 260E panels. 1985
mechanism. Steering box. Air conditioning control switch. 01460
W201 2.0 complete. 1990 W124 300D complete. Set of four wheels
271749 cjmfp@totalise.co.uk
and tyres from SLK. Charlie 01787 461751 07909 171330 Essex.
R129 SL/W140 S-Class 722.620 five-speed automatic gearbox £250.
Sales brochures R107 1985-89 £35. R129 SL (hardback) £25. Limited
M119 quad-cam five-litre V8 engine £500. Both in good working
Edition covering Atlantic, Almandine and Silver Arrows £10. R230 SL
order. Dave 07734 49181 david.a.white@eon.com
(hardback) £20. R170 SLK (face-lift edition) £30. W201 190E £10.
R230 SL350 Genuine Mercedes 17-inch alloys, part number A230 401
W202 C-Class £5. All prices include post (within UK) and packing.
3902, 8.5J x 17 H2 ET35, fitted with MB recommended Dunlop SP
Michael 01932 245711.
Winter Sport 3D MO 255/45/R17 98V winter tyres, complete with
W121 190SL and W180 220S Pair of rear lamps, complete and in good
storage bags. 1,400 miles in the last two winters. Pristine, no kerbing
condition £180. robertcoxshall{@outlook.com 01992 302238.
or scuffs. Original cost £1,928 just 18 months ago. £950 plus carriage
W112/W111 220SE/230SE/300SE Saloon front offside bumper half
at cost, collection preferred. Central Scotland, two miles from M90
section, good chrome, no dents £200. Also nearside and offside
motorway. Will store for up to six months for a 50 per cent non-
top sections, good condition £50 each. All plus post and packing.
refundable deposit in view of ‘lock-down’ restrictions. Photos available.
robertcoxshall@outlook.com 01992 302238 Hertford.
Quentin Lucas 07521 189244 quentinrql@gmail.com
W113 Pagoda SL Set of hard-top chrome mouldings, exterior door
W113 230SL Complete set of six new Mercedes-Benz original
handles, air louvre chrome grille, radiator grille assembly, grille barrel
equipment pistons, part number 127 030 02 18, 83mm, Gen2, Pin
and star, fuel gauge, speedo head (reconditioned), locking petrol cap,
24mm £1,088. Telephone or WhatsApp Les on 07739 900522
viscous fan coupling (unused), exterior chrome mouldings. David
mag2les@aol.com
01773 835462 Derbyshire.
W124 Set of four original factory wheel trims for 15-inch steel rims, from
Breaking W124 200E All parts available, pothole-damaged suspension.
1989 estate £10 plus post and packing. Alan 07770 484977.
Good engine, wheels, tyres, gearbox. Blue interior and exterior.
W115/W123/W124/W201 diesel engines Three OM617 910, two
Various new old stock service parts. Paul 0794 907819 paul.
OM617 for 123/Hymer, one OM616, one 601 2.3 for W201/
thomas@staffs.ac.uk Midlands.
W124/308, one 602 2.5 and auto gearbox for W201/W124. M114
W113 Pagoda SL New, original windscreen (without the blue sunshade),
920 petrol engine, spares or rebuild. Silver W124 face-lift good
part number A113 671 03 10. £250 or best offer. Collect only,
bonnet and grille and two front doors. Retirement so lots of parts
Manchester M28. Allan Mills 07976 575445 amp47@icloud.com
need to go. Alan 07973 481161 alanbrooke3@sky.com
W121 190SL Bosch type 12V 30A voltage regulator, near-new condition,
W124 Pair of matching eight-hole 15-inch 6.5J alloy wheels, part number
Auto Electrical Spares part number 130032, replaces Bosch
A124 401 1202, clean and fair condition with part-used 225 60 R15
0190300036 £45 including postage to a UK address. The money will
tyres £95. Centre console trim panel (section between front seats up to
be donated to the Marie Curie charity. Richard James 07836 549553
lower dash), mushroom leather, unmarked £85. Nearside rear side trim
richardjamescheam@hotmail.co.uk
panel for CE coupé (between rear seat and window), also mushroom,
W124 Pair of matching eight-hole, 15-inch, 6.5J alloy wheels. Part
good condition £50. Radiator grille, clean and fair condition with
number A124 401 1202, clean and fair condition with part-used 225
mesh £60. Front bumper chrome trims, clean and fair condition £50.
60 R15 tyres £95. Centre console trim panel (section between front
Geoffrey 07766 953084 geoffrey_hunter@btinternet.com
seats up to lower dash), mushroom leather, unmarked £85. Nearside
Four W124 eight-hole alloy wheels 6.5 x 15 from a 1996 W124 coupé,
rear side trim panel for CE coupé (between rear seat and window),
in good condition with useable tyres, centre caps and wheel bolts,
also mushroom, good condition £50. Geoffrey Hunter 07766 953084
£200 collected from Coulsdon, Surrey. Courier could be arranged.
geoffrey_hunter@btinternet.com
Photos on request. Jude 07981 062374 judeburcombe@yahoo.co.uk
W222 S-Class/E-Class Mercedes-Benz original cigarette holder and
ash tray in cream, as new, never used £100. Set of Mercedes-Benz
wireless headphones, in original container, with remote control, WANTED
suit S-Class, E-Class, ML, GL, GLK £175. W124 E-Class front W113 230SL Pagoda Electric fuel pump. W121 190SL ignition switch/
grille, excellent condition, with top badge £70. W116 door panel tumbler and oil temperature gauge. Used parts in good working
hinge, part number 116 832 0698, new never used £20. Selection condition are acceptable. Bill qkchia@gmail.com
of bonnet badge chrome parts, four units, suitable as spares or W208 CLK320 cabriolet Sony CDX-C580R FM/MW/LW radio/CD
repair £55. All items plus agreed postage. 003538 72457174 player in good working order. annarob15@gmail.com 07930 618858.
tbmanagment@yahoo.com Ireland. 1980 W123 200 Buckle part of front passenger seat-belt, part number
Set of four Continental Contact winter tyres 205/55 R16 91H MO on A123 860 4169, but would take whole belt if necessary. Also chrome
seven-hole alloy rims from 1998 W208 CLK. Tread 5mm fronts, 7mm passenger mirror (sort of pyramid back shaped). ian.wood369@
rear. Also included is a wheel stand for storage. Alan 07770 484977 btinternet.com
Hampshire. W124 pre-facelift Front and rear mud-flaps, also the same for 1993
1983 W201 190 Petrol, left-hand-drive, red, remains from a crash, boot W201 190E. Chris Gray chrisgray103@btinternet.com
lid, rear wings, roof panel (undamaged), rear seat, wheels and more. W209 cabriolet Original Mercedes-Benz wind deflector, perfect
The salvage is free to a Club Member to take away (Winchester). condition. Jeremy Lawton 07534 670756 jeremy.lawton@sky.com
01962 865871 cjjbalfour@yahoo.co.uk 1995 W124 E-Class Wood rimmed steering wheel, any condition, with
W124 coupé Pair of front mud-flaps with fixings, brand new, boxed, or without air-bag, part number A1404 605 3039B50 07748 638750
never fitted to a car. Part number Q 3 40 12420 £30 plus post and davidwrbaker@yahoo.co.uk
packing. Alan Haynes 07860 215693 alanshaynes@me.com W201 190E 16-valve Enthusiast requires any parts, small or large please
Engine suppressors Two of part number A 0001565610, six of for project leewarder@me.com
0001565910, new, still in original packing £200. CLK screen side Mercedes-Benz Club Gazettes (Pale blue), most issues from 1957,
panel, left-hand, new never used £25. W210 E-Class boot-liner, very 1958 and 1959. Geoffrey 07766 953084 geoffrey_hunter@btinternet.
sturdy £30. W212 E-Class rear passenger tail light assembly, lens, com
new, never used, set of owner’s manuals, in original package £60, 1964 W111 220SEb coupé Panels under front instrument console
very slight water damage. rowanby@yahoo.com 003538 72457174 part numbers 4, 5 and 6 on pages 40, 41and 42 of Mercedes-
Ireland. Benz spares catalogue D 1962. John Simpson 07795 192558
W124 cabriolet Front grille £50, fuel pump £50.00, comfort control unit echomaxsales@aol.com
part number 124 820 3226 £50, relay part number 001 542 9619 One AMG type 2 17 x 7.5 ET42 alloy wheel Part number 1244010302,
£12. A-Class 17-inch alloy and tyre, part number A246 401 1400 preferably with tyre, any condition considered. Jude 07981 062374
£120. Nigel Rooney 07936 151814 nigelrooney@yahoo.com judeburcombe@yahoo.co.uk
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 bob.coxshall@
mercedes-benz-club.co.uk In emergencies only, telephone 01992 302238.
44 • JULY 2020 • www.mercedes-benz-club.co.ukMalcolm Jermy’s E220 CDI estate.
‘Visit workshop’
by Malcolm Jermy
I
had the red ‘You’re all gonna die’ large of south of France runs every year. It also
main screen warning flash come up in carted a lifetime’s house contents on several
my W211 E220 CDI estate just before journeys, firstly into storage and then to a
Christmas saying ‘Visit workshop’ and with new home when we settled on a house to
a nice diagram of a battery. This always buy in 2014. This whilst dragging a two-
seems a bit hysterical to me compared metre by two-metre by three-metre internal
with the old red ‘ignition light’ coming on size box trailer loaded to the gunwales. The
discretely when charging ceased. But this car is now on 195,000 miles and has been
is an SBC (Sensotronic Brake Control) such a workhorse load lugger we now call
electronic brake model, so perhaps caution it the ‘Silver Barrow’.
is merited. I did have a couple of brake In the first instance the warning came
failures in the 1960s on old single circuit on for just a second or two and then
cars and a repeat at my age may prove too extinguished, but around 20 miles later,
exciting for my own good. 10 minutes from home, it reappeared
This car was bought at auction in 2009 and remained on. Investigations with my
as a stop-gap after I’d given my recent multimeter at both the main battery and
(then) W210 E320 to my son who had SBS ‘back up’ battery terminals showed
just bred. The ‘new’ car had a little over there to be no charging, so I ordered an
100,000 miles on its clock and cost under alternator regulator since this was the likely
The alternator with the regulator removed.
half the retail price of similar models. I failure and cheaper than a new alternator.
hung on to the car initially as the brood Due to the Christmas doldrums the part it necessary to remove the air filter and its
increased since it’s a seven-seater and we was delayed but I had the alternator off and mounting shelf as well as the air feed hose
all fitted in. And I still have it. It has done ready to be fitted with the new bit. A couple to the turbo and the air out hose to the inter-
many round Europe trips and does a couple of hours later and all was well again. You cooler to get access. It may be simpler on
can clearly see in the photo the old brushes petrol models and possibly the regulator
were much shorter than the new. This was a could be swapped with the alternator in
bit of pain on the OM646 engine as I found place on those.
Its alternator with the regulator still fitted as
removed from the car. the two regulators together – the new one having the longer brushes.
www.mercedes-benz-club.co.uk • JULY 2020 • 45REGIONALREPORTS
ANGLIA – NORTH
Resuming activities? nights are sociable events with an excellent menu for those who wish
to dine. Our conversations are wide-ranging, not just for ‘petrol-
We have been reflecting on how we might begin, cautiously, to heads’, and a very generous 10 per cent discount is available to
resume some of our former activities when the ‘lock-down’ is Members on the evening. We are keeping in touch with the hotel and
eventually eased and our thoughts turned, naturally, to our monthly will keep Members informed of any emerging plans to resume by
Club nights. way of a newsletter and the Club Forum.
It seems an age since we last met at our new venue, the Park If you wish to join us and be generally kept up-to-date as our
Farm Hotel at Hethersett, between Norwich and Wymondham ideas unfold, you need to ensure that we have your up-to-date e-mail
(postcode NR9 3DL), but we haven’t forgotten it! It is in a delightful address. So, if yours has changed or you think for any reason that
setting, is easy to access and to find, with ample parking. We meet you’re not on our newsletter mailing list please let Roger Hinton
in the Georgian Room, next to the Conservatory. Our monthly Club know (roger.hinton@mercedes-benz-club.co.uk).
Something to look forward to for next year
grown significantly over the last nine
years, beginning on a playing field in the
south Lincolnshire village of Baston. Last
year its success meant that it had to move
to a larger venue, Grimsthorpe Castle,
where it attracted over 10,000 people
with around 1,000 vehicles on display and
is widely regarded as the best motoring
show in the area. This event will be of
particular interest to Members living in
the PE postcode part of our region. So,
Grimsthorpe Castle.
pencil a date into your 2021 diary – July 4,
The 2021 Baston Car and Bike Show. We for a Club presence at next year’s show, Independence Day.
are, in conjunction with colleagues in the which is held at Grimsthorpe Castle in Richard Lee-Warder
Midlands – East Region, making plans Bourne, Lincolnshire. The show has and Roger Hinton
CAMBRIDGESHIRE
Update on future events and Club nights
Please note that this was written on May Sunday July 12 cancelled by the organisers. likely to be simplified in order to reduce
19, for the latest information on our Surfleet Selection, Spalding, inter-personal contact.
events please refer to the most recent Lincolnshire – Saturday August 8 on Cars by the Lake, Bury St Edmunds
Cambridgeshire e-newsletter or e-mail your hold, subject to review at the end of – Sunday September 6 not taking place
query to us (graham.black@mercedes- June in the light of the Government’s this year, but we are looking into an
benz-club.co.uk or viv.paul.brickett@ covid alert level at that time and any alternative event for this date.
mercedes-benz-club.co.uk). recommendations relating to socialising. Club nights – cancelled until further
Kimbolton Car Show, Bedford – If the event does proceed the format is notice.
Lock-down roof down
Amongst the plethora of cancellations, I
am pleased to tell you about one Mercedes
event that did take place. It happened
on my drive in the middle of May, and
although it all went according to plan the
number of Members attending was at an
all-time low – just me!
My 2003 R230 SL spends more time in
my garage than the external environment.
Nevertheless once a year I treat the rubber
seals of its roof and doors to a wipe over
with a ‘conditioner/protector’ – those
words come from the front of an Autoglym
Vinyl and Rubber Care container, but I
view this mostly as a cleaning exercise to
remove built-up dust and thereby ensure
the seals slide into place nicely. It is also
an opportunity to check the drain-holes in
the roof seals and elsewhere. (For further
information on hunting out R230 drain-
holes see Mic Bennett’s excellent article
in the November 2019 Gazette). I am not The R230 SL’s roof can be propped partially open.
46 • JULY 2020 • www.mercedes-benz-club.co.ukYou can also read
