Breaker one-nine, we got us a convoy... - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

blackmercedes · #1 02-13-2003, 04:33 PM

This morning my cousin, my aunt, myself, and my friend Lindsay all headed out to Lindsay's "cabin" (nicer than most homes...) to see the completed project. Lindsay and his wife started construction about six years ago, and thanks to many delays didn't finish the thing until last fall.

My cousin Jan (500E) and my aunt (C240) happen to be visiting for a few days, so we all headed out.

Whistling down Highway 37 this morning was:

1998 C230 (Us)
2001 C240 (Aunt)
1992 500E (Cuz)
2002 E320 4-matic (Lindsay)

We got a few stares from the SUV and Mini-van crowd as we went zipping by. Not too often you see more than one MB in these parts. Then, about half way out, we came upon a well-driven early '90's 300E. He joined our little pack until we reached our turn off. Nice! Five MBs! Our local MBCA chapter has a tough time getting that many to turn out!

At one point, I was leading, and we were making a decent pace, but by no means pushing it. Jan and her 500E were playing caboose, and I guess she tired of it. As we came around a bend onto a fairly long and clear straight stretch, she "let the big dog eat" and gave the 500E what it begs for: right foot to the radiator.

That car went FLYING past us all. It looked like we'd all stopped as she increased her speed differential within such a short distance.

Not bad for an 11 year old car.

When we got to Lindsay's cabin, he was more than a little surprised at the capability of the "innocent looking" W124 car. (His words) He's not an MB nut, and just happens to own a W210 E-Class. We're busy converting him, though.

The ride back was equally pleasant, with lots of passing "road-block" SUV's. Back in town, the kids (Mine and Lindsay's are close in age) wanted to go to McDonalds for lunch, so we stopped. It's been a long time since I ate anything there, and now I feel positively ILL. Yuck. I had a grilled chicken thing to keep the fat/cals down, but it was still gross. The lettuce was disgusting, and the bun seemed like it was baked in another country and sent here by mule team. We go there occasionally so that Catrina can slake her "play-place" thirst, but I take our own food and buy a diet-Coke. This was the first time in a long time we actually ate the food. I can tell you it will be the last time until I get dementia and somehow forget how I feel right now.

Mcdonald's is proud of the fact that "46 million people a day eat at McDonalds" and have it on posters in the store. 46 million people with no taste buds and iron-clad stomachs?

The point of my post? None. Just rambling on...

Ashman · #2 02-13-2003, 05:09 PM

sounds like it was a great trip john.

McDonalds isn't very good. I only eat it once in a while, and even then, I usually dont enjoy it...

Alon

Pete Geither · #3 02-13-2003, 09:29 PM

Actually,,,, McDonalds have a chicken flat bread sandwich out for a limited time that is an actual delight. The WSJ did a piece on the "healthy" fast foods and the flat bread was a lot healthier than most of the other touted establishments.

rickg · #4 02-13-2003, 10:31 PM

5 Benz's in a row

Talk about a Kodak moment!

drbrandini · #5 02-13-2003, 11:57 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by rickg
5 Benz's in a row Talk about a Kodak moment!

seriously, where was the camera?

blackmercedes · #6 02-14-2003, 12:16 AM

at home

Planning another GTG, camera will be on board.

peterl · #7 02-14-2003, 02:24 PM

Going to the '02-fest at LRP 2 years ago. 10 2002s cruising down the Mass. Pike, ranging from '69-75, show-quality to rusty daily driver, more than a few chugging out nice blue clouds. We got quite a few interesting looks.

From the SUVs, "Honey, what are those funny looking little cars..."

Eberhard Weilke · #8 02-14-2003, 06:20 PM

Now this is a convoy

:

Kind regards
Eberhard

Eberhard Weilke · #9 02-14-2003, 06:21 PM

Same cars, different order:

rickg · #10 02-14-2003, 06:23 PM

So many Benzes over there they have clubs for each color!

rickg · #11 02-14-2003, 07:00 PM

Was wondering if Mercedes has anything like the near cult status there in Germany as here in the states, seeing as how they are all over the place like Chevvies here. Do you guys really appreciate what you have?
And are there any US cars over there that are sought after? I realize we never have, nor never will build anything as well as a Benz, but curious if there is ANYTHING we build that europeans like and want and collect?

Eberhard Weilke · #12 02-14-2003, 07:14 PM

Ups, that was a crossposting

Appreciation of Mercedes in Germany? Oh jeah!

I just came back from a trip to the headquarters of the VDH (Verein der Heckflossenfreunde)

Our club is pretty much the biggest Club for older Mercedes with more than 3000 members.

Today a few of us unloaded a tightly packed 40 ft. container filled with rust free parts we procured in CA.

There is a big scene for the older models. It usually starts around the time the second sucessor ceases production that enthusiasts start to collect the cars (like the W 123 after the W 210 stopped production) But there are even guys who collect W 124. W 210 and alike also have owners who love their car, but most cars of these models are more or less just in plain use (who cares about the W 210 anyhow. And don't get me started to complain about the W 202. That model, together with the CLK, pretty much is the eclipse of poor quality)

Concerning the US-cars: Of course, there are clubs for the old Mustangs, Corvettes and alike. For the normal Sedans of the 80s and 90s there are not too many enthusiast.

Any product coming from the US we as europeans admire? Well, the maglite is good

Kind regards
Eberhard
(who moved around 200 doors around today)

Eberhard Weilke · #13 02-14-2003, 07:54 PM

Well, not really

But everybody was kidding us for having cars with no color.

So I said: "Well, than lets have a tour exclusive for white Mercedes"

Was a pretty good fleet: Fintail, Pagoda, W 114 and of course W 123 und W 126.

Kind regards
Eberhard

rickg · #14 02-14-2003, 10:26 PM

I've never liked white cars. Always felt they were just cars waiting for a paint job

But I have to admit certain Mercedes do look classy in white, especially if they have chrome wheels. I'd love to pick up a nice later 560SEL in white with Chromes.
Too bad the U.S. can't figure out what "quality" is really all about. Working in machine shops for 18 years now, the worst milling machines I've ever used are U.S. built, the best are (choke) japanese. Haven't had the opportunity to use any european machines, but I hear some of them are pretty good too.
And people still wonder why the heck I prefer my german cars!
Ahhh! Don't get me going!!

Eberhard Weilke · #15 02-15-2003, 04:51 AM

Some interesting details (please don't nail me down on the exact numbers:

Market share press- and form machines for sheet metal for car industry build by Müller/Weingarten (for example the new hydroforming technology): about 60 %

Market share of plasma welding and cutting machines build by Trumpf: I think it was about 80 %

There is a lot of german engineering in a lot of cars on this world.

Machines from Italy are good, thought.

Kind regards
Eberhard