- Tampa Bay - Mercedes

Tampa Bay Star
June/July 2015
At The Tampa Art Museum
See Pages 6 & 7
Coming Events
July 19, 2015
Ringling Circus Museum
& Dinner
Sarasota, FL
August 30, 2015
Buddhist Thai Temple Tour
& Lunch
Tampa, FL
September 19, 2015
Fine Scale Modeling Tour
& Dinner
Odessa, FL
At The Tampa Auto Museum
See Pages 8 & 9
Important Dates
Officers
President Dan Cabrera
813-480-3484
[email protected]
Vice President Paul J. Cooper
727-726-6837
[email protected]
NOTE: The
night for the monthly business meeting is the FIRST MONDAY
of each month (except for September and sometimes July & January when it
moves up 1 week) and is open to all members. We go to a nearby restaurant for
dinner after the meeting. Please join us and help us with your input.
Jul 6
Monday 6:30PM
Business Meeting & Dinner
Crown Eurocars
6001 34th Street North
St Petersburg, FL
Secretary Lynn Hutchinson
727-726-6711
[email protected]
Treasurer Pat Tornblom
727-856-5584
[email protected]
Jul 19 Sunday 3 PM
Ringling Circus Museum
Sarasota, FL
See details in THIS issue
Past President
Dave Hutchinson
Newsletter Editor
Linda B. Cooper
727-726-6837
[email protected]
Chairpersons
Membership
Paul J. Cooper
727-726-6837
[email protected]
Aug 3 Monday 6:30PM
Business Meeting & Dinner
Crown Eurocars
Aug 30 Sunday 1PM
Buddhist Thai Temple
Tampa, FL
See details in THIS issue
Sep 19 Saturday 10 AM
Fine Scale Modeling Tour
Odessa, FL
See details in THIS issue
Oct 2
Monday 6:30PM
Business Meeting & Dinner
Crown Eurocars
Nov 2 Monday 6:30PM
Business Meeting & Dinner
Crown Eurocars
Dec 7 Monday 6:30PM
Business Meeting & Dinner
Crown Eurocars
Sep 14Monday 6:30PM
Business Meeting & Dinner
Crown Eurocars
Activities Lynn Hutchinson
Photography
Dave Hutchinson
Historian Lynn Hutchinson
Technical Legal Advisor
Dick Wolverton
Webmaster
Dan Cabrera
[email protected]
SE Regional Director
Pierre Hedary
407-765-2867
mbownersforlife
@bellsouth.net
2
About the Newsletter
The Tampa Bay Section, Mercedes-Benz
Club of America, Inc. publishes this bimonthly newsletter in even-numbered
months. Opinions expressed are those of
the authors. Express permission is hereby
granted to other Sections of the MercedesBenz Club of America to reprint articles
contained herein, without exception. Articles
of general interest are solicited for inclusion
in the newsletter, and should be mailed to
the Editor or e-mailed to LindaBCooper@
verizon.net. Copy deadline is the first day of
even numbered months.
An Overview of the Club
Established in 1956, MBCA has more
than 20,500 members in over 84 sections
across the nation. These local sections organize hundreds of events each
year, ranging from social gatherings to
specialized technical sessions. We’re a
not-for-profit organization.
Join the Club
Enroll as a member of MBCA for:
One Year $49
Two Years $95
Three Years $139
Call 800-637-2360
Local Activities
Your dues include membership in the section of your choice. Each section publishes a newsletter with news of its activities
and its year-round calendars of events, including rallies, defensive driving courses,
car shows, technical sessions, and dinner
meetings. Many sections host special
events. Any MBCA member may attend
any section, regional, or national event.
Mercedes-Benz
Roadside Assistance
Call 1-800-FOR-MERCEDES
24 hours a day.
June/July 2015
President’s Message
May’s club event was a visit to the Tampa Museum of Art.
Forty-three members got together to see a collection of works by
Norman Rockwell. I consider him one of America’s Master Artists. The docents walked us through the gallery telling us about
the man and the artist as we viewed his wonderful paintings. As
you looked at his works, you could feel the energy and the emotions of the subjects he painted. No one captured life in America
during that time, as he did, whether it was a magazine cover, a
poster for war bonds, an advertisement, or the political climate
of the time. When we completed our tour, we had an enjoyable
buffet lunch on location.
June took us to the Tampa Bay Auto Museum in Pinellas
Park….. a private collection of automobile models mostly from
France, Germany, and Czechoslovakia. To earn a place in the
museum, the vehicle had to represent a new innovation to the
automobile industry. Dave Hutchinson took wonderful photos
of the cars, as you can see in this issue; if you want to see the
cars in color you can go to our Facebook page. Lunch was at the
Square 1 Hamburger Restaurant in St. Petersburg. The food was
very good and the company was excellent.
We will go to the Ringling Circus Museum in Sarasota in
July. Your ticket for this event will also give you access to the
other museums located on the grounds. While the official gathering is at 3pm, Ben Berman will be there at noon with our tickets.
This will afford an opportunity for those attending to take in the
other museums on site. Afterwards, we will meet for dinner at
Barnaby’s Seafood Restaurant. See page 4 for details.
August will take us on a cultural adventure. We will visit a
Buddhist Temple and Market. We have been told that it is both
educational and colorful and should be an enjoyable experience.
See page 5 for details. This is a FREE event!! – other than the
food you might want to sample.
September 19th we will visit The Suncoast Center for Fine
Scale Modeling in Odessa. See page 11 for details.
October we will tour the Daytona Speedway.
One of our event goals is to go to places in Florida that
expose us to new cultures and educates us about our history and
the people who are part of our diversity; what makes America
and Florida so special. Another club event goal is to share our
love of automobiles, especially Mercedes Benz. I remind you if
you have an idea of a place to visit or an activity, please email us
with your suggestion(s).
.
Dan
The Tampa Bay Star
Welcome
New Members!
Leigh Bohne • Tampa
Michael Cox • Clearwater
Lawrence Edelstein • Spring Hill
Helen Sanders • Dave City
Eric Thompson • Sarasota
Renewed Members
Rosmarie Bannagott • St Petersburg
Benjamin Berman • Sarasota
Richard Caserta • Palm Harbor
Jim Clasen • Lutz
Robert Collins • Apollo Beach
Gary Dolin • Bradenton
Richard Harris • Sarasota
David Horton • Land O Lakes
Kevin Johnson • St Petersburg
James Jones • Bradenton
Daniel Konkol • Highland City
Mitchell Krach • Belleair Beach
Ellen Lizzo • Sarasota
William Martin • Sarasota
Lance Meyerson • Tampa
Nancilou Patton • Homosassa
Mark Raciappa • Tallahassee
Bruce Rogers • Bradenton
Marcia Schulz • Oldsmar
Bernd Tessmann • Land O’ Lakes
John W Thomas • Tampa
Patricia Tornblom • Shady Hills
Robert Yaeger • Sarasota
Above are the new and renewed members from May
1 through, June 16, 2015.We look forward to meeting
the new members and hope to keep seeing our renewed
members at many of our events. – Editor
3
Ringling Circus Museum Tour & Dinner
Important Info
WHEN:
Sunday, July 19, 2015
WHERE: Ringling Museum of Art
5401 Bay Shore Rd, Sarasota, FL
941-359-5700 • www.ringling.org/
Barnacle Bill’s Seafood
5050 N Tamiami Trail Sarasota, FL
Details:
COST:
$20.00/person for museum entrance
CALL:
Ben Berman • H 941-355-2469
Cell: 941-266-5814 • [email protected]
TIME:
RESERVE BY:
3:00 PM for guided circus tour
4:30 PM gather for dinner
July 12th
Remember the excitement of visiting the
circus for the first time? Their docents recreate that experience when they introduce you to the history and magic of
life under the big top. 40-minutes of pure joy, this tour is scheduled for us at 3:00 PM. Museum Admission includes entry to the
Museum of Art, Circus Museum, Ca’d’Zan and Bayfront Gardens.
The $20.00 entrance listed here is a special group rate. Ben will pay for all the tickets at the same time. For those of you
who would like to see the other areas of this awesome museum, Ben will be on hand around beginning at noon with your ticket.
Look for him inside the entrance.
Directions: Editor: I put the address in Google Maps, Mapquest & my iPhone and they all found the museum address. Please
test your GPS/phone before the day of the event. If you are lost call the museum for directions.
Ringling Circus Museum Tour & Dinner
July 19, 2015
Name ____________________________________________________________
Phone _______________________ Email ____________________________________________________________
Address __________________________________________________________
4
$20/person Cell Phone________________________
___________ Enclosed Make check payable to:
Tampa Bay Section MBCA
I/we will be staying for dinner Yes
Mail by July 12, 2015 to:
Ben Berman
4223 MacKay Falls Ter
Sarasota, FL 34243-4260
No
June/July 2015
Visit a Buddhist Thai Temple & Lunch
Important Info
WHEN:
Sunday August 30, 2015
WHERE: Wat Mongkolratanaram Temple
5306 Palm River Road,
Tampa, FL
813-621-1669
http://wattampainenglish.com/
COST:FREE
CALL:
Dave & Lynn Hutchinson
Cell 727-420-0424 • [email protected]
TIME: 9:30 AM -Noon
RESERVE BY: August 29th
Details:
Wat Mongkolratanaram (also known
as Wat Tampa) is a Buddhist Thai temple located on
the bank of the Palm River in Tampa. Wat Tampa was
established under the auspices of the King of Thailand,
His Royal Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej. The
Temple was formally opened in May 2007
It is known for its Sunday food market. Free parking and free admission. The local Thais sets up food booths on the
grounds serving authentic Thai noodle and curry dishes among others as a temple fund raiser. There is a large variety of food
items – seasoned to your taste plus desserts and drinks. Most food items are $5. It is first come/first serve. It gets crowded so
that is why we are coming early. The temple usually runs out of food by 1 pm. There are picnic tables near the river to eat your
food. Visitors are welcome to visit and photograph the spectacular temple even if a monk is leading a service.
Call Lynn and Dave Hutchinson at 727-726-6711 or e-mail to [email protected] to let us know to expect you.
Directions: Editor: I put the address in Google Maps, Mapquest & my iPhone and they all found the Temple address. Please
test your GPS/phone before the day of the event.
For Sale
Any member wishing to place an ad in the newsletter for automobiles and/or related equipment for sale, may do so at
no charge by sending a typed or printed copy to the Editor
no later than the 10th of the odd number months.
FOR SALE – Bonnie & Dick Wolverton cars 2007 S-550,
55k miles, Options include parktronis backup camera,
Iridium silver; all services at Crown. $26,000. 2003 SLK32
AMG black, 53k miles, all service Crown, new tires, 349
hp, very good condition. Great for driving events. $15,250.
Call Dick (H) 727-896-1995, (O) 727-823-1399 or [email protected]
The Tampa Bay Star
FOR SALE – 1984 500SL dark blue w/tan interiors, 2 tops,
160K miles, always garaged, 2 sets of wheels, $7,500. 727864-1622 (St. Petersburg, FL) call Bob Alexander for appt
FOR SALE - 2005 SLK 350. SUPER clean -auto -7 spd-V6
268 HP -Black -Beige interior; Harman/Kardon sounds21,650 miles. $21K Call John @ 941-755-9154
FOR SALE - BECKER GRAND PRIX AM-FM stereo/cassette car radio. OEM for 1980s Mercedes, Porsche and Audi
cars, perfect working condition. Checked out by Becker technicians. $250. Call Dr. Anthony LoBalbo in Beverely Hills,
FL at 914-548-5450.cell or e-mail: [email protected].
5
Rockwell Exhibit & Lunch
Tampa, FL
May 17, 2015
By Linda Cooper
W
ow! If you missed the May event, did you
ever miss a terrific day! Having seen a traveling Norman Rockwell exhibit several years
ago, I knew I was going to enjoy my day but having a
docent explain his painting/scene process and how he
got the “gig” doing the Saturday Evening Post covers – it really pushed our visit over the top. His works
and his obsession to every detail is such a wonderful
history of the events of the era most of us experienced.
Besides many, many Post covers there were portraits of
Presidents Kennedy and Eisenhower, war bond posters
from WWII, and lots about the Boy Scouts as he was the
illustrator for their publication.
When I contacted the Tampa Art Museum to plan
this event, they recommended the Sono Café located in
the atrium of the Museum. I called the Café and they
suggested a limited menu, as they have a small kitchen,
should we go over the planned for 20-25 members; I
agreed. So the week before the tour I called them with
our head count of 43 members and we
proceeded to discuss the menu choices. I
have been planning events for our Section for 25 years and you would think I
would have had the forethought to check
out their menu in advance – well I didn’t.
The manager proceeded to suggest that I
pick 2 sandwiches and 2 salads and that
the price would be fixed at $15/person including a non-alcoholic beverage but not
the tip (a little high in my opinion especially since one of her suggestions was a
“gourmet four cheese” sandwich that was
grilled! Reminded me of what my mother
served with tomato soup for lunch!!).
Above: Event planner Linda Cooper with
JoAnn Dean & Debbie
Cabrera
Left & below: Our
docent
She then suggested that they could do a buffet for
$19/person that included salad, hot chicken entrée, 2
vegetables, fresh fruit, and dessert. This sounded like a
much better value so Paul and I decided on that option. It
was one of the best lunches ever. The service was great
and we had a lovely view overlooking the Hillsborough
River and the Straz Center. If you are looking for a great
group activity in the downtown Tampa area, keep Sono
Café in mind.
All event photos in this issue taken by Dave Hutchinson.
6
June/July 2015
Below: Betty Hendrix, Len
Berman & Scott Suits
Above: Charlie Sambrook, Jim & JoAnn
Dean, Michael Gulick, Dan Cabrera, Bill
Iseman, Paul Cooper, Bob Martino, Don
Eckerson, Gary Dolin, Mary Fronst & Lynn
Hutchinson
Below: Dan Cabrera
Above: Debbie & Marsh Houck, Charlie
& Barbara Sambrook, Krissy Bacon, Lou
Dughi, Splash & Don Eckerson, Gene & Evelyn Heil and Jim Dean
Above: Bob Martino, Gary Dolin, Dan
Cabrera, Michael Gulick, Catherine
Martino, Lynn Gulick & Lynn Hutchinson
Left: Elaine Lee & Cammie Hill
Left below: Bill & Mady Iseman
The Tampa Bay Star
7
Tampa Auto Museum Tour
Pinellas Park, FL
June 6, 2015
By Dave Hutchinson
O
ur June 6 club event was a visit to the Tampa Bay
Automobile Museum in Pinellas Park. The Museum showcases an exquisite collection of unusual
cars, impeccably restored and maintained. The club had
visited this museum 10 years ago and it
was interesting to notice the changes in the
collection.
Thirty Tampa Bay Section members
joined us as knowledgeable guides John and
Gary told us the history of the museum and
its private collection owner, Alain Cerf. The
museum has well over 50 cars. Many of the
cars are one-of-a kind.
Above: Event planners Dave &
Lynn Hutchinson
Left: Our guide points out details for Linda Cooper
Below: Debbie Cabrera
Of interest to Mercedes Benz enthusiasts, the museum had two unique 130H
rear-engine Mercedes models from 19341936. Well known vintage brands like Cord, Citroen, Willy’s, Tatra and Delorean were represented. The collection
also included cars with exotic names like Delahaye, Talbot,
Hanomag, Allard, Chenard and Stower. I think everyone’s
favorite was the beautiful 1929 Ruxton with the mahogany
paint scheme. This car was the first car out of a production that only lasted six months. My personal favorite was
a black Cord with its beautiful sweeping lines and iconic
hood.
We were pleased to see a number of new members as
well as members like Lee Vannes whom we had not seen in
years. One of our new members, Robert Merrill, had once
owned an Alvis. An example of that car was on display at
the Museum.
Following the tour almost everyone joined us for lunch
at Square 1 Burgers and Bar. Everybody raved about the
terrific burgers and salads. We hope that you will join us
for a future event..
Above: Julian Hartzog &
Sandy Schwartz
Right: Tim & Marianne
Gorske
8
June/July 2015
Above: Krissy Bacon & Lou Dughi browse a brochure
Below: Carolyn & Ed Jarotz check out an interior
Above: Caroline Orndorff & Lynn Hutchinson
Below: Paul Cooper
Below: Scott Suits & Betty
Hendrix
The Tampa Bay Star
9
Member Car Spotlight
Safety Harbor, FL
by Dave Hutchinson
T
his issue’s Featured Member is Len Berman. Len and his brother
Ben are active in just about everything that the Tampa Bay Section
does. And both are obsessed with their cars. I think that Len tells
his story the best:
“My obsession with Mercedes Benz SL roadsters started when my
brother Ben bought a very used 1958 190 SL from a classmate in 1971.
Although it lasted less than a year before being sold with a blown head
gasket, that car ignited the desire to have one of my own. By 1976, when
all of my friends were starting families and buying houses, I took
a different tack and literally spent everything I had to buy one
(that’s another story). Somehow that didn’t entirely quench the
thirst, and in 1992 I took the plunge once more.
When I retired and moved to Florida at the end of 2001,
the radically changed R230 SL was being introduced, so I made
up my mind to buy one last SL. After protracted negotiation with
more twists and turns than a mystery novel, I ended up with a
2003 SL 500, red with an off white interior, just like the previous
two SL’s. Unfortunately, it had so many debilitating electrical problems that Mercedes Benz ended up buying it back and replacing it
with a new 2004 SL 500. It became apparent soon afterward that the
first car’s problems had been caused by the dealer’s service department, but that’s yet another story.
In the meantime, upon coming to Florida I had quickly replaced my Cadillac daily driver sedan with a CLK cabriolet, which was replaced by a new
one in 2004 when those cars were redesigned. It was also red with an off
white interior.
After a while, what was probably immediately obvious to my more
rational friends and neighbors dawned on me – I had two cars so similar
in style and function it was actually difficult to decide when to use one as
opposed to the other. In 2006 I traded both in on the newly refreshed 2007
SL550, my last SL. Maybe.”
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10 June/July 2015
Suncoast Center for Fine Scale Modeling
Tour & Dinner
Important Info
WHEN:
WHERE:
Saturday, September 19, 2015
Suncoast Center for Fine Scale Modeling
2645 Success Drive • Odessa, FL 33556
http://www.finescalemodeling.org
Pappas Ranch Restaurant
11345 State Rd 54 • Odessa, FL 33556
727-376-3336
COST:
$7.00/person for tour
CALL: Dan Cabrera • H 813-759-0776
Cell: 813-480-3484 •
[email protected]]
Details:
TIME: 2:00 PM for tour
From their website: this center has been
4:00 PM gather for dinner
established to promote the art of fine scale modeling, and
RESERVE BY: September 12th
to share ideas, methods and techniques for the advancement of the hobby. We showcase models by notable model
builders and artisans from around the world. The new
7800 square foot facility currently houses these spectacular displays: The Sundance Central Fn3 Railroad Visit The Sundance;
Muskrat Ramble On30 Railroad View the pictures; Dolly Varden On30 Railroad and The Silverton Central Sn3 Railroad. The
pictures on the website are awesome. I had a hard time choosing one for this page. Check it out at the link above - FYI it was
happier opening in Chrome. The restaurant has a Facebook page – yummy pics!!
Fox 13’s own Charlie Belcher completed a live broadcast from the Suncoast Center for Fine Scale Modeling June 6th.
Directions: Editor: I put the address in Google Maps, Mapquest & my iPhone and they all found the center address. Please
test your GPS/phone before the day of the event.
Fine Scale Modeling Tour & Dinner
September 19, 2015
Name ____________________________________________________________
Phone _______________________ Email ____________________________________________________________
Address __________________________________________________________
$7/person Cell Phone________________________
___________ Enclosed The Tampa Bay Star
Make check payable to:
Tampa Bay Section MBCA
Mail by September 12, 2015 to:
Dan Cabrera
3016 Leila Estelle Dr
Plant City, FL 33565
I/we will be staying for dinner Yes
No
11
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• Family Owned & Operated Since 1994
• Specializing In Historic German Cars
• Call 547-0818 For An Appointment Today
GERMAN TECH, INC. • 10881 75th Street North • Largo, FL 33777
Business Hours: Mo-Fr 7:30 am - 5:30 pm • (727) 547-0818 • [email protected]
We’re Crown Eurocars. We’ve been selling and
servicing Mercedes-Benz for decades. We’re
passionate about what we do. It’s this kind of
dedication for German vehicles and
engineering that sets Crown Eurocars apart
from everyone else.
If you’re considering a new Mercedes-Benz or
a Certified Pre-Owned Mercedes-Benz, don’t
settle for anything less than Crown Eurocars.
800.330.2887
www.CrownEurocars.com
6001 34th Street North St. Petersburg, FL 33714
Crown Eurocars. The Better Way To Buy.