The Texas Star - North Texas - Mercedes

The Texas Star
Your MBCA Section is the 3rd Largest in the Nation!
We Welcome Our New Members
North Texas Section
May/June 2011 Vol. 2 No. 3
The Texas Star
Inside This Issue
President’s Message...........................2
#3 in the Nation!...............................2
Mystery Rally Recap.......................3
DIY Tech Session Recap...................4
Join Us at Henk’s...............................4
6th Annual Texas MB Get Together..5
CLS63 AMG....................................6
Legends of the Autobahn.................7
Welcome New Members!..................8
Burgers, Bratz and Benzes..............9
DIY Tech Session May 14th.............9
Message from the
President
By Lee Ewing
I would like to welcome all of our new members that have
joined the North Texas Section in the past year. And in order to give a Texas sized welcome, I thought it would ever be
so proper to have a picnic! Come and join us on May 7th to
welcome our new members to the club! Not only that, but
we also have a Tech Session coming up on the 14th of May at
Park Place Mid Cities!.
Also, don’t forget about the 6th annual Mercedes-Benz get
together in Centerville, Texas! If you would like more information on any of these events, go to our website, www.mbca.
org/northtexas , watch for our bi-monthly e-newsletter, and
our newsletter, The Texas Star! I look forward to seeing you at
one of our events!
www.mbca.org/northtexas
Amelia Island Concours
#3 in the Nation!
Top Ten Sections Nationally:
1. Greater Washington 1173
2. San Francisco
822
3. North Texas
617
4. Minuteman
580
5. Seattle
566
6. Connecticut
534
7. North New Jersey
530
8. NYC/ Long Island
517
9. Chicagoland
503
10. Peachtree
463
Maurice Nahas, Rosemary Nahas, Lee Ewing, Lucia Ewing
May/June 2011 Vol. 2 No. 3
Page 2
The Texas Star
Mystery Rally Recap
By Gene Jurick
Saturday morning April 16, 2011 was just the start to what was to
be a perfect day, not just for the weather, but a perfect day to Rally
in North Texas. Nearly half the participants hit the Rally course
‘top down’.
The Rally course began at Ewing Autohaus in Plano, a perfect place
to start; plenty of staging area, free coffee, refreshments and snacks
all provided by Jeff Gaden, General Sales Manager at Ewing Autohaus.
As participants signed in, each was given a Raffle Ticket and the
assurance it could have good value at the Driver’s Meeting. Key
points of the Rally were covered at the Driver’s Meeting as the Rally was to be based on; driving directions, questions and answers,
miles driven and time elapsed.
All that handled it was time to see what the Raffle Ticket was for.
Jeff Gaden and Ewing Autohaus were providing a brand new 2011
SL550 for the winner to drive on the Rally. Everyone was paying
attention, the winner, Nancy Goslee who had arrived in her 280SL
(no slouch there) to tackle the Rally. The Ewing folks gave Nancy
and her navigator a quick course in operating the new SL and it was
Rally Time.
Cars started on two minute intervals with mileage and time out
recorded in their Rally booklet. The Rally had a total of (83) questions where the answers could be found along the course plus (10)
Bonus questions that depended on the participants knowledge and
ingenuity for the answers. You would lose a point for each wrong
answer to the regular questions but gain a point for each correct
Bonus question answer. Points were also lost for incorrect mileage
and time based on the Rally’s official mileage and time.
The Rally ended at the Bavarian Grill restaurant in Plano.
Members ordered form the regular menu and were provided
individual checks allowing everyone to enjoy the food and
drink just the way they wanted to. Awards were provided after
lunch. The top three finishers each received a plaque.
May/June 2011 Vol. 2 No. 3
Page 3
The Texas Star
Do-It-Yourself Tech Session Recap
By Hyatt Cheek, Jr.
On March 19th, Marshall Motors hosted our Do-It-Yourself Tech session at their modern shop located
at 11450 Sprowles St in Dallas. Marshall Motors is owned by January and Tom Marshall. Their technicians were highly skilled and were very helpful to us with our various tasks.
We had fourteen cars in attendance along with a few other members who came by to kick tires and “advise” us in our work. Work ranged from changing oil and transmission fluid to changing rear springs.
Other tasks included changing spark plugs; trouble shooting electrical problems and looking for oil
leaks. We appreciate Marshall Motors very much and we look forward to visiting their shop every year.
Join Us At Henk’s!
By Hyatt Cheek, Jr.
All club members are invited to attend
an informal lunch held every Thursday
at Henk’s Black Forest German restaurant. Henk’s restaurant is located at 5811
Blackwell St. immediately behind Half
Price Bookstore one block east of North
Central expressway.
Meeting time is from 11:30 – 12:00.
There is no agenda, just good fellowship.
We look forward to seeing you.
May/June 2011 Vol. 2 No. 3
Page 4
The Texas Star
6th Annual Texas MB Get Together
June 11th
The 6th Annual Texas Mercedes-Benz Get Together will be held on Saturday, June 11, 2011. Caravans of Mercedes-Benz
autos leaving from Austin, the DFW Metroplex, Houston and San Antonio will once again meet at the midway point
between Houston and Dallas on I-45 known as Centerville for a day filled with automotive fun!
This is an event open to all Mercedes-Benz owners, regardless of the age or condition of their car, from garage queens
to daily drivers to beaters. Owners from points beyond Texas are welcome to attend. We’ve had repeat attendees from
Florida, Tennessee, Georgia, Mississippi, Oklahoma, and Kansas participate in this get together. Smart and Sprinter owners are invited to attend, too.
The caravans will depart at a time that will give them a 12:00 Noon arrival time in Centerville. You can check below for
the departure time for the caravan nearest you. We will have reserved parking and a BBQ lunch in a room reserved just
for us at the world famous Woody’s Smokehouse on the NORTHBOUND side of I-45.
After everyone has eaten, we’ll head 4 miles south of town on old Highway 75 to Fort Boggy State Park for the Show and
Shine! Admission to Fort Boggy is FREE. Awards will be given out based on People’s Choice for best Vintage Model (Pre
1980), Best 1980s Model “Young Classics”, Best 1990s Model, and Best 2000-present Model. Bring the camera, water and
some sunscreen to the park because it probably will be hot. Come on out to Texas’s Premier Mercedes-Benz Event and
have some fun with fellow MB owners and fans. We’re gonna have a good time!
Departure Point: DFW Metroplex Love’s Truck Stop: 2500 S I-45 (Exit 272, Fulghum Rd. Exit) Hutchins, TX 75141
Meet at 9:45am, depart at 10:15am
The Vintage & Collector
Car Insurance Specialists
800-922-4050 | WWW.HAGERTY.COM
May/June 2011 Vol. 2 No. 3
Page 5
The Texas Star
CLS63
AMG
April, 2011 Automobile Magazine
By Basem Wasef
With any new Mercedes-Benz comes, sooner or later, the inevitable AMG
version, some of which seem appropriate and some gratuitous. We count the
new, second-generation CLS four-door coupe among the former. Like the
CLS on which it’s based, the 2012 CLS63 AMG re-interprets its predecessor’s restrained lines with a more expansive, aggressive approach. The snout
draws from the gull-winged SLS, and a steep windshield flows into an arching roofline, meeting a muscular rear haunch that culminates in a tail with deep overhangs. The look is husky and mean,
offering more gravitas than its delicate looking progenitor.
The CLS63 still feels intimate and-well, coupelike inside, though there’s more space than you might expect for such a rakish silhouette. Nestled in the rear seat, a five-foot, eleven-inch person fits comfortably below the roofline, with sufficient
legroom to allow a relaxed posture. Piano black details meet touchstones like burled walnut trim and an IWC timepiece
that’s a nod to Art Deco glamour. The performance package gains edgier exterior details, carbon fiber interior panels, and
a steering wheel partially wrapped in Alcantara, as well as the power-enhanced engine and carbon ceramic brakes.
Though acceleration is appropriately willing under light throttle, a stab of the gas punches this 4114-lb car through space
with tenacity, good for 0-to-60-mph jaunts in a claimed 4.4 seconds, or 4.3 ticks with the performance package. In contrast to the standard issue CLS, the CLS63’s seven-speed transmission ditches a torque converter for a wet startup clutch,
and shifts occur smoothly and swiftly, with extra alacrity and added steering stiffness when you click from “C” (comfort)
to “S” (sport), S+, or M (manual.) Ride quality is firm and sometimes jarring, getting stiffer with more aggressive settings.
But high entry speeds are rewarded with surprising feedback from the electromechanical steering, making this sixteenfoot car feel taut and nimble on tight roads. The “AMG” button amps up everything from shift times to suspension
damping, offering downshifts that are seemingly prescient and shotgun-quick. Though not quite as aurally expressive as
the normally aspirated 6.2-liter engine,
the new twin-turbo nonetheless grunts
and growls and snorts between shifts.
Bulked up but not brawned out, the
2012 CLS63 offers an appreciable
improvement in speed, fuel economy,
and, arguably, styling over its antecedent. The first-generation CLS apparently needed time for consumers to
become accustomed to its then-radical
shape, as it had its best sales in 2010,
its last full year on the market. Based
on our drives of both the regular CLS
and the new CLS63, both of which hit
dealers in June, it seems that MercedesBenz has another hit on its hands-long
adoption curve, or not.
May/June 2011 Vol. 2 No. 3
Page 6
The Texas Star
Legends of the Autobahn
WEST
COAST
SUMMER
CONCOURS
LEGENDS OF THE AUTOBAHN CONCOURS RETURNS
TO MONTEREY HISTORICS WEEKEND IN AUGUST 2011
After a very successful 2010 inaugural year, the Legends of the Autobahn: West Coast Summer Concours
returns as part of the Monterey Historics Weekend in 2011 on Friday, August 19. Co-hosted by the
Mercedes-Benz Club of America (MBCA), the BMW Car Club of America (BMWCCA), and the Porsche
Club of America (PCA), Legends of the Autobahn has become one of the “must see” attractions of this
world-renowned automotive weekend.
The one-day Legends event brings enthusiasts, owners, and
aficionados of distinctive German cars together to view some
of the finest marques in the world. Held on the greens of the
beautiful Rancho Cañada Golf Club in Carmel Valley, California, Legends attracted an audience of over 1,000 to view the
250 cars on display in its first year. Organizers are expecting
an increase in numbers for 2011.
“This year Mercedes-Benz is celebrating the 125th anniversary of the invention of the automobile and MBCA is celebrating the club’s 55th anniversary,” according to Laura Simonds, MBCA National Treasurer and an event
coordinator. “With Mercedes-Benz as a featured marque at the weekend’s famed Pebble Beach Concours,
this is sure to be an epic weekend for any Mercedes-Benz enthusiast.”
New, experienced, and non-auto enthusiasts are encouraged to attend for the fun and fervor of the show.
For those interested in entering the Concours (1991 or older vehicles), a $60 entry fee will apply. For those
wishing to enter their vehicle in display-only corral (any vintage), a $30 entry fee will apply. Spectators
are welcome with no admission fee. There will be food, displays, and club booths where guests can enjoy
the cars, mingle, get educated, and more.
Organizers of the event encourage MBCA members to arrange their own caravans for travel to Monterey in August.
Hotel reservations should be made as early as possible as
this weekend draws people from all over the globe to local
hotel rooms. A good on-line resource for reservations can be
found at www.resort2me.com. The San Francisco Bay Area
Section of MBCA is planning a post-concours reception and
dinner for all MBCA members and their guests. For details
on the dinner visit the section website at www.mbca.org/sfba
and navigate to the event calendar.
To register on-line visit www.legendsoftheautobahn.com/mbca. The discounted “early bird” registration
deadline is August 1, and all registration closes on August 12. For more information, contact Laura
Simonds at [email protected] or 650-592-7613, or Robert Schilling at [email protected] or
650-619-7550.
May/June 2011 Vol. 2 No. 3
Page 7
The Texas Star
Welcome, New MBCA Members!
Members we have added to our MBCA family over the last 6 months:
Jose Acosta
Biola Adesulu
Chris Aigbekaen
RonaldAnthony
Tudor Apostolescu
Mike Armstrong
Henri Arraj
Richard Baca
StevenBaker
AdrianBarfield
Paula Beleckis
Charles Bircher
Theresa Borders
RonaldBriggs
MeomiButler
Howard Chen
David Cherry
Mary Chumbley
Michael Coleman
Charles Combs
HomerCorn
Fred Cornwall
Craig d’Souza
Albert Dahouk
Lisa Day
Debra Digiacomo
NicoleDrennon
Michael Eldridge
DannyElfrez
Anthony (Tony) Engel
J Escalona
Jason Fogler
Jason Forrester
Sterling Gee
John Gibson
Jeff Goudreau
PatrickGreene
BlancaGuardiola
Ravi Haniyur
Skip Hansen
Michael Harling
Stanley Hayes
JeromeHolland
David Hooker
Russell Hudson
Adrienne Hyle
Chris Jackson
Justin Johnson
AngelaJohnson
Ernest Kamuruko
Tricia Kennedy
StevenKhashab
David King
Joey Knight
Stephen Kreger
Douglas Kreyling
Andrew Kueny
Alvin La Grenade
Yongsuk Lee
Dale Leslie
HaroldLilly
Bryan Liptoi
RobertMahon
John Mbavarira
Rita Middleton
Valarie Middleton
Ron Mills
Janice Moreland
Chuck Mwoko
Sreeman Namputhiri
Jonathan Ndiulo
Chris Newberry
Cindy Njos
Peter Nouth
Gail O’brien
Mark Oram
Brian Pennewell
David A Petersen
Andrew Phelps
Sridevi Poosanam
Charles Pyne
Matt Rasul
Catherine Reams
Cora Resuggan
Larry Revels
Ron Richardson
Carol Roberson
Nate Roberts
Adrienne Rush
William Russo
Patricia Saari
Tom Sadowski
Marwan Saker
Victor Salvino
Friedrich Schulz
William Seale
Ronald Seifert
Lizzy Shadrawy
Zia Shams
Steve Shaver
Leo Simmons
Charles Slotnik
Marshall Smith
Ken Southard
William Stephens
Walter Stokes
Richard Swayze
Mathew Thomas
Fred Tucker
Phil Van Beek
R Van Meter
Eric Vandervelden
Angel Vasquez III
Monique Ward
James Welch
Greg Whitner
DeniseWilliams
Jim Woods
Marc Xaykao
Seobounma Xiengsouvanh
Hany Youssef
Mohammad Yousuf
Cesar Zea
May/June 2011 Vol. 2 No. 3
Page 8
The Texas Star
Burgers, Bratz, and
Benzes
New Member Picnic
May 7th at 1:30pm
Executive Board
Come one, come all! Come to the highest point in Dallas!
Where is this? It’s at Flag Pole Hill overlooking beautiful
White Rock Lake! Flag Pole Hill is located at Buckner Blvd.
and Northwest Highway and is a beautiful setting for a great
picnic!
So, bring the family, and plan to come on Saturday afternoon,
May 7, from 1:30pm to 4:30pm to honor our club’s newest
members. There will be music, fun, food, games and a kids
bounce hourse! Please RSVP to Gene Jurick, our treasurer,
at 972-461-1981 or [email protected] by May 3rd so we will
have an accurate headcount for the protein and other items.
Come casual, cool, and comfortable – or anyway you please,
but be sure to come! You’ll be glad you didn’t miss this event!
Be sure to save the date, and visit our event website page for
more info www.mbca.org/northtexas.com
Board Members
“Do-It-Yourself ”
Tech Session
May 14th
President
Lee Ewing
214/325-3147
[email protected]
Vice President
Christopher Bero
972/824-3103
[email protected]
Secretary
Rosemary Nahas
214/548-4658
[email protected]
Treasurer
Gene Jurick
972/461-1981
[email protected]
Past President
John Spawr
817/478-0448
[email protected]
Advertising Chair
Christopher Bero
972/824-3103
[email protected]
Technical Chair
Hyatt Cheek, Jr.
214/327-6890
[email protected]
Social Committee
Lucia Ewing
214/325-3147
[email protected]
Membership & Social
Committee
Lee Ewing
214/325-3147
[email protected]
Membership Chair
Maurice Nahas
707/815-0828
[email protected]
Park Place Liaison
Doug Wofford
214/443-8290
[email protected]
Ewing Liason
Larry Reeg
972/599-0909 Ext. 2908
lreeg@ewingautohaus.
com
Webmaster
Mark McGahan
214/827-3168
[email protected]
MBCA North Texas
[email protected]
mbca.org/northtexas
Advertising Information
You know we have the best “Do-It-Yourself ” Tech Sessions in
the West! In May we will be meeting at ParkPlace Mid Cities
at 8:00am. Check out pictures online from past sessions. We
welcome new folks to join us. Visit www.mbca.org/northtexas.com for more info.
Would you like to advertise in the next edition of
the MBCA Newsletter?
Phone: 972/824-3103; Email: [email protected]
Join The MBCA Now!
Call: 800.637.2360 8am-5pm (MT time)
Visit: www.mbca.org
May/June 2011 Vol. 2 No. 3
Page 9
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the moment you visit our showroom, through the purchase process, to any service
needed for your Mercedes-Benz.
Our clients also receive exclusive benefits and services, including the Park Place
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t'BNJMZGSJFOEMZDMJFOUMPVOHFXJUInBUTDSFFO57TJ1BETDPNQMJNFOUBSZ
Wi-Fi, gourmet coffee bar and children’s playroom
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Visit one of our three DFW locations and look for our
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Park Place Motorcars Fort Worth . 5601 Bryant Irvin Road . Ft. Worth, TX . 817.263.3600
Park Place Motorcars Bedford . 3737 W. Airport Freeway . Bedford, TX . 817.359.4700
ParkPlace.com
Mercedes-Benz Club of America
North Texas Section
5656 Turner Street
The Colony, TX 75056
The Texas Star
Calendar of Events
September 6 Board Meeting, Park Place Dallas 6:30pm
May 2
Board Meeting, Park Place Dallas 6:30pm
May 7
Burgers, Bratz, and Benzes, New Member- September 17 DIY Tech Session, Ewing Autohaus 8am-12pm
ship Picnic
May 14
DIY Tech Session, ParkPlace Mid Cities September 24 Election Dinner/ Octoberfest (TBD)
8am-12pm
October 3
Board Meeting, Ewing Autohaus 6:30pm
Board Meeting, Ewing Autohaus 6:30pm
October 15 Clean Car Show ( Location TBD)
6th Annual Texas MB Get Together
November 7 Board Meeting, Park Place Dallas, 6:30pm
Board Meeting, Park Place Dallas 6:30pm
November 12 DIY Tech Session, Autoscope 8am-3pm
DIY Tech Session, Louden Motorcars December 3 Christmas Party (TBD)
8am-12pm
June 6
June 11
July 5
July 16
August 1
August 27
Board Meeting, Ewing Autohaus 6:30pm December 5 Board Meeting, Ewing Autohaus, 6:30pm
Club Rally
www.mbca.org/northtexas
May/June 2011 Vol. 2 No. 3