We are in 2001 (if you have not notice it yet) and, nobody has mentioned anything about the Mercedes Shop "gathering" for the Benzmac's MB Autowerks Grand Opening in June 2001. It is only 5 months away. Is it still a GO? Comments, anybody??????

I think I speak for most Canadian Mercedes-Benz enthusiasts when I say, ROAD TRIP!!!

Somehow, I think I missed something. I remember a few months back a long thread and there was mention of a the grand opening in April. Is it June now? Is there an exact date set yet? Will there be any oil change wars, if so I insist that all guns are unloaded and on the table, or taken by the sheriff at the door.

I'm really looking forward to it. My worry is that it seems like every time there is something that I really want to attend, something comes up.

Looking for that exact date,

Larry:

The page http://www.peachparts.com/mbautowerks/mbautowerks.htm shows an opening date in June. I would like to see the team that does this site, but it would be a looong drive alone. We will have to see how much interest is out there.

JCE -

Might not be a bad idea to pair up here in California, scoot to Dallas to pick up Larry and head to Georgia from there....

Sounds good to me. Now, I have to decide what to drive. You know sort of like my wife trying to figure out what to wear.

I would expect that since this is the day of the cellular phone, we could manage to synchronize our schedules well enough for me to take the 240D assuming it is back together by then. Here's the need for the phone. Call ahead so I can make it to the entrance ramp about fifteen minutes before you get to that point. Then call about six minutes before your passing that entrance ramp. That gives me the six minutes I'll need to get it up to speed so that you don't just blow right by me. After that, you can throw me a tow line if I can't keep up.

Seriously though I'm looking forward to it. If you get Mike Tangas to escort you, that'll give you the visa you need to make it across Texas with California plates without finding yourself in Judge Roy Beans jail. I would imagine that Mike's Aggie status would work for the purpose. Being a lawman, he might have some pull with Judge Bean as well.

I'm looking forward to June.

Georgia or bust,

David:

That would work for me - more civilized to do the Race Across America in an MB instead of on an 18 lb. road bike! :D From the Santa Monica Pier to Atlanta in 30 hours :eek: ! Maybe just a leeetle bit more leisurely than that.

We were held up a little with land permits, but they are out there digging! It WILL be in Early june or late MAY. I hope May. Thanks for asking! I can't wait for this!

We may have to rent the lot next door to fit all of the Mercedes!

We are building a 10 bay, 9,100sq ft shop with alignment, dyno (later, when we have the money),full A/C, and full detail bay. Bill and I have been working on this non stop forever.........Now it is under way.

Would be a hell of an advertisement, a shot of MB Autowerks in the background, with hundreds of benzes from all over the country, parts of canada, mexico, etc. hehe

What an ad.

"People come from all over to get the service you have just around the corner!"

A Great local ad if ya ask me. :)

If I can make it I'll come. If not for a great time, just to have benzmac give the car a good thorough service. :) hehe

Alon

This is cracking me up. My wife was just wondering why I was laughing like a hyena in here. This thing is taking on a life of its own.

JCE - Just so you know, I'm old enough that the steel between my legs weighs a sedate 23 pounds (the only titanium or aluminum on my ride is right underneath my prostate) and doesn't spend much time in excess of that number in miles per hour on average. I might be able to do a RAAM, but only as part of a team.

Anyway, I think the whole thing would be too hysterical to soon forget.

I sure look forward to meeting all of you. My ride should be less stressful than most, as I'm only 45 minutes away. Benzmac, I leave you with this line from Field of Dreams-" If you build it, they will come. They may have a hard time deciding what to drive, but, they will come.

Ken Yancey

Grand Opening & Mercedes Meet
 

the idea of some kind of special event or gathering really sounds GREAT!! bill & donnie please keep us informed.

i think there would [will] be a large turnout. like one member was saying it would maybe be one hell of a living, breathing,walking,talking,car-kissing ADVERTISEMENT!!

whatever you decide to do, i'm sure will be a BIG success!!

THANK YOU for this web-site, and all the help & care & concern, and regard for all of us.

mercedes shop [for me]is a most addicting website!

looking forward to a party in your town...

Larry, don't forget to bring oil & filter!
 

Either by the time you get there, or on the way back, you will have logged 3000 miles! :D
That, or there will be one helluva long line for the Oilchange bay!!! :D Geeez, I'd like to get a pic of that! Imagine a long line of MB's around the block, just waiting to get in...what a headturner that would be. People will probably think its a car show, and wonder where the band is. :D

-Larry (who will probably be ready for an oil change too! :))

David:

Glad to hear about the slow avg. speed! We can occupy the time not spent talking about MBs by swapping lies about the '4 hour centuries' we used to do twice a week on our Columbus or Reynolds tubed machines back in the '60s and '70s, and how it is only maturity and the knowledge that we have nothing left to prove that has slowed us down. (Hope you have a BIG shovel in your travel kit!)

BTW, about the only time my road bike goes over 20mph any more is down hill, where I can capitalize on my unfortunately increased potential energy (PE=mass*gravity*height), or with a stiff tail wind where my superior "sail area" gives me an advantage!
I figure if we don't drive non-stop :eek: , it will be 4 or 5 days each way. My brain thinks it is 20, and can do non-stop. My body admits to about 35 more years than the brain, and has reservations about this. The two usually work out some sort of compromise, mediated by coffee and advil.

Maybe Ashman will want to ride/drive too. If he wants to convoy instead of ride, we can tell long jokes over Motorola handsets, or complain to each other about our cell services not forwarding text messages in roam areas! Of course, we could always just ship the cars to Atlanta, fly there in one day, then brag about our 90 MPH average speed through 7 states with no tickets! Only downside, we wouldn't be able to link up with Larry Bible in Dallas and the story would fall apart.

This is going to be Fun!





[Edited by JCE on 01-10-2001 at 01:22 AM]

Larry B,

I'd be glad to escort all the Californios across the the Great State of Texas, as long as I can use one of these...

http://www.pe.net/~mktangas/w210pd.jpg

Color scheme is just about correct, stripe should be a little narrower, but it'll do (but do I hafta use the "Euro siren?).

Unfortunately, I have to schedule my leave by Jan 1, so I've kind of spread it around. Hopefully the opening event will fall somewhere in the general vicinity of at least one of my scheduled leave periods. A little more catch up on the maintenance that had been neglected for so long, and I'd have no qualms about a cross country run.
There should even be enough time for Larry to take possession of a car carrier (MB tractor of course), that way he can bring the entire fleet :D.

Hey Mike:

If all the California members flew to Dallas, do you suppose there would be enough of us to convoy Larry's cars to Atlanta for him? :D
Are you up for a little tour in May? California is Hot Rod land, and we need your 4.5 liters to lead the parade!!!

[Edited by JCE on 01-10-2001 at 01:39 AM]

JCE:

As with any road trip, the more the merrier. Somebody more creative than me has got to figure out a code-word Donnie and Bill can email out to everybody to get this little underground rally started when the shop is actually ready. What was the word in "Cannonball"?

As for cycling, here's one to get you started. As you can imagine, the computer on my handlebar records average and max. speed and I am loathe to reset it because it currently reads 47 mph for the max. The boys at the local cycle snob shop don't need to know, but your description of speed is entirely appropriate for my story. The hill was a little longer and steeper than we first anticipated, so going up was complete agony. Going down the other side, however.... My riding buddy thay day is 14 years and 50 pounds my junior and at the bottom of the hill was falling over his handlebar gasping for air he was laughing so hard. I guess he never thought he'd get wheelsuck going downhill, but then, he's not too smart.

Hmmm....ferrying Larry's cars, who gets the new one :D?

The only problem with the end of May begining of June, is I might be traveling to Indianapolis for 2 weeks on TDY. Don't know if that is a go yet or not. If it is a no go, then I might be able to enjoy a drive. I better start making plans to have the speedo head reworked, to ensure correct mileage. Dang, another thing on the to do list.

I do!

Whoever drives the others will have to pay for fuel and oil. Whoever drives my daughters car may have to pay for more oil than fuel.

Mike,

The only other necessity for the Polizei car would be palomino interior so that the mustard stain from the bratwurst doesn't show.

What's this TDY about, security for the Indy 500?

Georgia or Bust,

[Edited by LarryBible on 01-10-2001 at 02:14 PM]

I'll be there
 

only about 2 hours away. Should be fun.

My two wheeler is a Bianchi Eros. It has been about 5 years since I did a century in 4 hours and that was on a Cannondale. Don't those only come with sport suspension? :)

Jim
'95 E320
'97 Honda CRV

Jim:
We won't get into just how many decades (let alone years) it has been since my last century, and then it was a lot closer to 6 hrs than to 4 hours. And the SportLine suspension on those bikes was a Brooks Pro molded leather and copper rivet saddle that doubled as birth control.

I am happier contemplating this ride to Atlanta in a 300E than on a road bike!

Larry:
Didn't you convert the trunks on your cars into dual (new and used) oil reservoirs with a constant flow low volume pump from one to the other through the engine? ;) I was going to ask you for the plans so I can do mine as well!

[Edited by JCE on 01-10-2001 at 12:16 PM]

Correct me if I am wrong BUT, based on the responses received so far: a small (12, including me) but LOUD group of people are going AND, 4 of those 12, are driving Larry's vehicles :^). Right???

J.H.
Maybe everyone else is bashful, or can't get a word in edgewise. I know a lot more people talked about going the last time this thread was open.

JCE,

There WERE more in the previous thread. I probably chased them away from Mercedesshop with some of my belligerant posts.

The oil reservoir tank system is not yet complete. When it is, however, I'll offer you a set of plans and as my first customer will not enforce patent infringement. Maybe it would be better to bite the bullet and rebuild the bottom end. The way my year looks, I don't think it will get done before June, however.

Have a great day,

Well it just seemed like you West coast people were having fun talking amongst yourselves that we didn't want to interrupt :D but I'am sure there are other people from the North east that are going to be there with me!

Quite a few posts back Dtanesq made a reference to a code word for this run across America. I think the movie he was thinking of is "Gumball Rally" (1976). The password was "gumball". It's one of my favorite car movies, along with of course "Le Mans", but that's another subject all together.

Rick:

Thanks. I was having a senior moment and got stuck on "cannonball" knowing that something was seriously wrong. Too many trips over the handlebar head-first.

Of course if you remember there was a very nice MB in that movie. So maybe it would be appropriate to use "gumball" as a code word. Actually now that I am thinking more about the movie, there are 2 Mercedes in the movie. The first one is a goregous black W???, hell I can't picture it right now. I think it's the chassis before my W116. This car appears at the begining of the movie and then there is the 300SL convertible that's in the "race" itself.

Larry,

The TDY is for the World Police & Fire Games, we (the 4 who went to Jackson, MS) were invited after our performance in Jackson. The Indianapolis trip is contigent on funding, of course. Timing is great yet bad. If we get to go, I miss out on possibly going to Atlanta, but we might be able to get to Indy early enough for the race. But alas, it's all about funding, so I wait patiently.

Yes, a palomino interior would be best, especially since I LOVE lots of mustard and onions on my brats (boiled in beer, then grilled of course).

I now know the meaning of PERMAGRIN. I can't stop laughing. I hope this gathering is HUGE!

I'd love to go. :) Could I take I -95 Coming from N.Y all the way down? If so I seriously might go, would we set up a tent Benz city ? :)

Almost Alex
 

95 south to Florence, SC, 20 west to Atlanta.

Mike,

The world police and fire games sounds great! It should be on TV. I've gotten such a bad opinion of the coke snorting, wife beating, "role model" professional athletes, it would be great to have real role models competing on TV for a change.

Georgia or bust,

Florida Weighs In
 

Sorry folks, I've been away for a few days and just now catching up. I'm definitely in for this gathering. Larry Delor - are you there? I'm on your way up I-75 and so is Steve Brotherton. If Donnie & Bill's place is too busy (and it sounds like it will be), then we can stop at Steve's for an inspection and oil change.

Is there anyone willing to go down to Georgia with me from N.Y? How long would we stay down there. It would be lots of FUNNNNNNN!!!!!

Larry Delor brought up an interesting point. If this turns out to be pretty big attendance, will 10 technicians be enough to handle the crowd? I am sure that there will at least need to be some oil changes, and in Atlanta in June, maybe the occasional evaporator core. ;) Plus, a lot of people may want Donnie to give his personal attention to their car at a time when he is likely to be very busy, to say the least. Maybe we need to think about ways of setting up appointments in advance, and raffling off one complete vehicle checkout from Donnie. (This should suitably impress his 10 new technicians as to his technical expertise.) Maybe a poll about expected services needs?

As for code words, I am tempted to say we could use "Sherman" for all the Yankees planning to march on GA, but that would probably offend local sensibilities. No offense - little known fact: Calif tried to declare for the South (by a margin as close as the last presidential race), but was occupied by the North at the very start of the war to "protect" the gold mines. The first CA volunteers heading for the South were surrounded by Yankee Regulars in southern CA out by Mike Tangas' neck of the woods, disarmed, and placed in POW camps, causing an influx of even more Yankee regulars to occupy the state. There are even the remains of a Yankee run POW camp in Long Beach, allegedly haunted!

BTW, if there are any mistakes in this posting that I didn't catch, it is because I am trying out DragonWare voice recognition software instead of the keyboard. You know your a couch potato when you are too damn lazy to even push keys!


[Edited by JCE on 01-12-2001 at 11:15 AM]

For the DIY crowd, simply pack lighter on the clothes, leave room for your ramps, tool box, oil and other sundries. I'm sure Donnie et al will be able to obtain enough empty 55 gallon drums for recycling purposes (depending on the size of the planned storage tank), plus ensure they have sufficient stock of necessary filters on hand. All the DIYers can change oil & filters to their hearts content freeing up the technicians for those who don't DIY. Might even be a record in there for most gallons of oil changed in a specific time period (sorry Larry, no over night oil draining allowed).

JCE - only error that jumps out at me is in the last line. "Your" should be you're.



[Edited by MikeTangas on 01-12-2001 at 11:48 AM]

Official Airline of the Mercedesshop
 

I know this is an automotive site, but for all you west coast people, Delta is THE airline in Atlanta, and any patronage you can provide might mean a few more pennies in my pocket towards a newer Benz!

Beware of Mike Tangas's TDY, he didn't mention the huge assortment of guns and several tons of ammo he carried for last year (I am not kidding!!!). Make sure your suspension is in good shape!

I live 1.5 hours south and west of the new shop and hope to be there with my wife and both of our MB cars.

Deezel:
If I wind up having to fly back, I will certainly fly Delta. That is, IF I can get a ride in the supercharged AMG CLK32 you plan to buy with your share of the standby baggage class ticket I would purchase :D .

COUNT ME IN!!
 

Can't wait! Now you'll all have to venture to Cleveland when I open up my MB garage in the next couple of years! Hmm, what to drive down for Donnie's opening? Well of course the 250SE Cabrio. Top down the whole way!!

Rick,
 

that sounds like a feasable idea! All I have to do now, is talk someone into taking my place at work. About 10 hours or so to get to Atlanta? I am about an hour south (south Sarasota) of Tampa.
Is this going to be a weeklong event or a weekend event, or what? Or maybe till the last non-local Benz leaves the shop? :D
-Larry

Aaron,

I vote for the Cabrio, that is unless you feel rebellious and bring the BMW. Of course, the BMW would probably draw rocks, keys and spray paint. That would give you some fill in work for the body shop side of your new facility when you open up.

I will, if at all possible, make it to your grand opening, IF, there's at least 300 Watts of Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young in the shop, AND I get a top down ride in the Cabrio on a nice day. I'm not interested in visiting the "mistake on the lake" (just kidding, I like Cleveland, I used to do some work in Highland Heights) if it's January.

Have a nice weekend,

I vote for Buffalo Springfield (Stills and Crosby) in the Jensen (MoPars best sound)!

Oh my gosh, thanks Larry for pointing it out. I guess I better walk I sure don't want anyone messin with my 540i.

I would sure rather drive it than the wife's ML320. I got it, I'll park at the airport and take a cab.

Although I have made relatively few postings to this board, I have been reading it for months and I almost feel obligated to attend. However, driving the 280SEL is not an option, and the 300SD will likely need a rebuilt or newer used engine to make the long voyage (I live in Denver). If I can somehow piece together the money for some engine work, you can guarantee that I will be there. And I will likely have lots of little repairs to be completed. Good luck!

I hope everyone will wear a nametag of course, except me.
Do we get to drag race? I would love to race all the W116 fellow travelers. Will there be complimentary towing if we have completed more than half of our journey? I would love to meet all of you in Georgia. I wish my body restoration would be done by then. I will not be done until August. Are really ugly Mercedes allowed?

I'd love to go however would I be the only Yankee their?? I'd stick out like a swore thumb with my N.Y accent :) Are there any guys from N.Y that can convoy?

One problem do I take the 98 E300 Trubo Diesel or should I take the 1987 300E. I KNOW that if we had diesel drags that I would win!!!

I wanna' go!!!!!
 

Atlanta in June! Yahoo!!!!
I'd love to attend. If my 500SEL isn't ready I will have to take my 300D. Maybe I can get some other Michigander to go along.

Larry Delor, are you gonna' go? If so, lemme know as soon as you can.

Anyone interested in meeting in the middle Ga area (Macon/Warner Robins) and riding up from there let me know. It is about a 2 hour ride from the house. I would like to suggest to Benzmac and Bill that the first opening day be on a Saturday because the traffic is not as bad in Atl. on weekends.
Jim
'95 E320
'97 Honda CRV

We have talked about that, we will open on a Saturday. It makes sense. Also, there IS a drag strip within one hour of here.