Back to School and a New Look for the NEWS

NEWS

Nr. 11 - September 2009

“Back to school”…and a new look for the NEWS.

After nine and a half years and 135 published issues, the “NEWS”, which started as a simple single-page typewritten list of announcements, and which evolved over the years into a multi-page presentation of models – pictures included – as well as of background info, deserves a bit of modernization. As our eyes, like it or not, are about ten years older too, I wanted the copy to be more legible as well. Thus the choice of the “Verdana” font. I trust you’ll like the new look too.

In addition, our Anglophone club members being spread around the globe, I decided to drop the “MBMC North America”.

I think by now, everyone in our Club (and beyond) knows where the “NEWS” comes from, and that yours truly is the one responsible for anything emanating in English from the MBMC, grammatical errors and spelling mistakes included J!

Wanted: a reliable Webmaster

Back in 2003, our then new North-American MBMC-website was the pride of the entire MBMC, and the envy of all the other Mercedes-Benz Clubs. Unfortunately, as time went by, our Webmaster Alex Antonov, due to family and job obligations, could not find the time to keep our website up to date.

At this point, I’m ashamed of our site! Apart from the “Model of the Month” and from the “Model of the Past”, which I am capable of updating myself, all other areas are in serious need of attention, technical attention as well.

Initially, the “job” would involve establishing contact with our present Webmaster, getting rid of some minor technical glitches, updating some minor parts of the existing text (it is high time that “Daimler AG” should replace “DaimlerChrysler” for example), and updating some sections mainly with pictures and some text, which I’d supply.

Most, if not all of the updating the Webmaster needs to look after would take place once, maybe twice a year.

Actually, it should not involve too much time either. In fact, I distinctly do remember the present Webmaster mentioning he could do the updating in about half-an-hour.

To be clear, the job pays absolutely nothing. Like all people actually involved in making the MBMC what it is, any work is done purely on a voluntary basis, for the love of our common hobby, for free.

If interested, please contact me at

And now, to the news:

Minichamps has just released the E-Class T-model (S211) in 1:43 scale, under the reference # 400031512.

As silver is, next to black, the colour chosen most often by purchasers of Mercedes-Benz cars, Minichamps decided to issue their model in silver metallic. Price: around 32 €.

Also made by Minichamps, and available from Mercedes Accessories as of right now: the 1:43 “Vodafone” McLaren Mercedes MP4-23 – Lewis Hamilton, world champion 2008. Sold in an elaborate grey cardboard box showing on the lid’s inside the 5 races, which L. Hamilton finished in first place in 2008, the model is limited to 1000 pieces, and priced at 45.90€ (ref.# B6 696 2422).

(Picture courtesy H. -J. Lütke)

In case you are not interested in the box, but in the racecar model only, it can be purchased under the # B6 696 2421, for a mere 39.90€.

Now, if you are a veritable F-1 fan, you owe it to yourself to own the very steering wheel Lewis Hamilton gripped with his hands, to win the world championship in 2008. Failing that, a 1:1 replica will probably have to do. You can now own such a replica, made with the same materials, and “ingredients” from the same suppliers who provided all the stuff to make the real wheel. Simply go on to the website of the Collector Studio in Toronto, Canada: www.collectorstudio.com, and place your order.

As the revamped and customer-friendly site is now multi-lingual as well, you’ll have no more excuses not to part with your Euros, Dollars, Rubles, or Yuan.

For only $ 2995 Canadian Dollars, plus S&H, you can be the proud owner of the FIA-approved 1:1 replica carbon-fiber steering wheel, with functioning paddles, and authentic switches by MCL Tooling. Wow!

In 1:18 scale, Minichamps has now released the 2007 McLaren Mercedes SLR Roadster, in red, under the ref. # 100037130.

Sneak preview

The model maker Pivtorak of Kiev, Ukraine, well known for his excellent but expensive models was recently commissioned by pb-models of Bellevue, WA. (USA) to produce a 1:43 scale model of the Mercedes-Benz 380 (W22) sport roadster, manufactured by Daimler-Benz in 1933 and 1934.

The model should be available shortly. There are several colours to choose from: black/red (top down or up), silver/red (top down or up), and dark blue/white (top down).

Note: contrary to the often read designation “380K”, there was a choice of 4 different engines for the predecessor of the 500K, and the car was available with or without compressor. It is properly called a “380”, no more, no less.

For further information on this model produced in a very limited quantity, price (expect expensive) and availability of the model of your choice, please contact:

Another preview

(Pictures courtesy H. -J. Lütke)

This year 2009 marks the 75th anniversary of the debut of what was to become the legend of the “Silver Arrows”. It all started with the 1934 “Eifelrennen”, which was won by Manfred von Brauchitsch, at the wheel of his W25 with the starting number 20. Spark has now made, exclusively for Mercedes-Benz Accessories, the 1:43 scale model of this car, presented in a special 75th anniversary box. The B6 number and price are not yet known, but the model should be available from Mercedes-Benz Accessories shortly.

Last but not least

IXO has now released in its “Classic Road Cars” series the Mercedes-Benz SL500 (R129), which we saw previously in the now finished Altaya series “La leyenda Mercedes-Benz”. The IXO version comes along in a pearl-white exterior with a beige interior. The 1:43 scale die-cast model is available under the reference number CLC195.

The smart life

For all of you, who gave up your S-class for the pleasures of the smart life, here are a few authentic pictures. For those of you who kept your S-Class, you may continue to grin and bear “it” (… i.e. the traffic hassles, the parking tickets, the bicyclists….) Alright, lets have some fun here!

Yes, we can! What you can do, I can do better!

Two Fortwo Forfour ??

To be continued…

NEWS © Bernd D. Loosen, 2009.

No reproduction without prior authorization