Newsletter 02/2016 - HK

Newsletter 02/2016
CONTENTS
Review of Rétromobile Paris 2016
10 Years of Mercedes-Benz Museum Stuttgart
Miscellaneous
Current Car Offers
Events 2016
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REVIEW OF RÉTROMOBILE PARIS 2016
Classier and bigger!
The 41st Rétromobile ended successfully on the 7th of February and presented itself even classier
and bigger than last year. With 110,000 also the number of visitors was at a very high level.
The atmosphere was good and there was only little evidence of the tense situation in France. The
Rétromobile is and will be a magnet for the most important collectors around the world.
A highlight of the show was certainly the auction of the Ferrari 335 S company race car for
spectacular 32.075.000 Euros – an Euro-world record.
However, the sales of the Mercedes- Benz 300 SL were, with three vehicles sold for an average price
of 1.8 million Euros, significantly higher than those from the previous year.
The exhibition stand of HK Engineering was a special highlight of this year’s Rétromobile due to
the special exhibition in honor of David Douglas Duncan‘s 100th birthday. There was a particularly
high focus on the exhibited vehicles.
The Celebration of David Douglas Duncan attracted considerable attention. Following this article,
see the speech of the event held by Mr. Wolfgang Rolli on the HK stand.
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A David Douglas Duncan Special
In order to celebrate the 100th birthday of David Douglas Duncan, HK - ENGINEERING had
prepared a very special exhibition. HK - ENGINEERING showed the 300 SL Roadster prototype
that David Douglas Duncan photographed on a secret mission for Mercedes-Benz as well as
Picasso’s 300 SL Gullwing which David Douglas Duncan drove as the first owner even to the Red
Square in Moscow. The exhibition was completed with an image gallery for the maestro himself.
Here, some of his unique photographs were showed.
Also a speech in honor of David Douglas Duncan could not be missing in such an occasion. The
speech was held by Wolfgang Rolli, former director of the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart.
Speech by Wolfgang Rolli
Former Director of Mercedes Museum Stuttgart
Retromobie, Paris 3rd of February, 2016
It is the spoken word
Good morning ladies and gentlemen,
on behalf of all the members oft he 300 SL clubs worldwide and our host HK- Engineering together
with its owner and president, Hans Kleissl, I want to welcome you at this little event and reception.
We are here together to pay tribute to the highly esteemed and famous photographer David
Douglas Duncan. Only ten days ago, on January 23rd, 2016, David celebrated his 100th birthday
near Cannes in France where he lives.
Happy birthday, David!
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Therefore, HK-Engineering made it possible
to bring these two very special cars here on
display – together you see them for the very
first time: DDD‘s “Black Torpedo” and the
very first prototype of the 300 SL Roadster.
Both vehicles are playing an important part
in DDD‘s life, more about that later.
DDD was born in January 1916 in
Kansas City. After his studies and two
university degrees he joined the US Army
and became a member of the US Marine
Corps where he was an officer, being a war
reporter and photographer. In those days,
especially during World War II, DDD was
frontline in many battles from Japan to
Europe. His camera was the eye to see the
cruel realities of war.
After leaving the army the highly decorated
officer started his career in the late 1940ies
as a free-lance photo journalist.
He became a “LIFE” photographer and
was again frontline reporting from Korea,
Cambodia, Africa, Turkey and later Vietnam.
Freddy Langer, a journalist of the German newspaper “FAZ” recently wrote: “DDD has
probably photographed more wars and their victims than anybody else.” And DDD himself
once said: “Next to me they died like flies.”
The second really important field of DDD`s life is his very close friendship to the painter Pablo
Picasso which began in the mid 1950ies. No one else has taken more photos of Picasso than David.
And nobody with a camera was closer to him – Picasso in his bathtub is a good proof! DDD moved
from Rome to Cannes, became a “neighbour” of Picasso‘s – and he still lives there together with his
wonderful wife Sheila.
The third field I want to mention is DDD‘s love for the Mercedes 300 SL which meanwhile has
lasted for more than 60 years. In summer 1955 DDD was contracted by the American “Colliers”
magazine to make a photo feature of the most spectacular sports car of this time: the Mercedes
Benz 300 SL gullwing. As a result the “Ghost of Sindelfingen” was an extremely successful and
impressive photo story. Moreover, it made this car series in the US to become a legend and brought
Mercedes as a company tremendous benefits in terms of PR value.
DDD became a close friend to the “fathers” and chief engineers of this model at Mercedes. So only
one year later, in spring 1956, he photographed the very first prototype of the SL roadster at the
legendary “Alpenfahrt”. DDD‘s photos were published even before the car was presented on the
Geneva Motor Show in 1957.
This roadster, which Hans Kleissl and HK-Engineering proudly present here today was lost for a
long time and only re-discovered some years ago. Ever since the “Alpenfahrt” DDD himself was
infected with the “300 SL virus”, and so he ordered his own gullwing: black – black outside – black
inside! DDD‘s car was delivered personally to his hands by the MB management in 1956.
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The “Black Torpedo” – this nickname David gave to the car – became his every day car and his
faithful working horse for the next forty years, including 450,000 kilometres. Aside from DDD
Picasso fell in love with the car. He once mentioned that he wanted to cast a bronze sculpture from
this unique design. Even though this did not become reality DDD, Picasso, his wife Jacqueline and
other artist friends used the car for many excursions.
Within these 40 years the “Black Torpedo” itself became a legend: A trip to Moscow in 1958, a
theft in Holland in 1976 ... just two examples in the exciting life of a car. Today, this extremely
original car, meanwhile almost 60 years old, in second hand belongs to Claude Picasso, the son of
the famous painter – and so it is still in the family.
Thank you, Claude, for this unique loan for this show!
Ladies and gentlemen, I hope you now have an idea how these two cars are integrated into an
exciting and very long life of one of the best and most important photographers of our days.
As car enthusiasts and collectors we should keep in mind, that DDD definitely is not only the senior
under all the 300 SL Aficionados:
- no one has driven this car as an every day car for over 40 years
- no one has made more than 450,000 kilometres in this model
- no one has a 300 SL with such a long and unique car history
- and no one has brought to Mercedes as a car company- and to this model in
particular – more popularity, fame, spirit – and to say it short in today‘s words: PR!
Thank you, David!
And therefore, we, the entire world of the 300 SL Aficionados call you, dear David, with all our
respect The Ambassador of this car legend! Of course, Hans Kleissl and the 300 SL clubs invited
David to this event today to be present as the Guest of Honour!
You should know that David still is in a very impressive condition, mentally and health wise. When
I called him recently he was overwhelmed by the idea, being honoured here at “Retromobile” in
this way.
But finally David thought the effort would be too much for him coming all the long way to Paris. So
he sends his regards and greetings and is waiting for a report and some photos.
David, again:
Congratulations and many happy returns.
Please, ladies and gentlemen, raise your glasses and toast to David.
END
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10 YEARS OF MERCEDES-BENZ MUSEUM STUTTGART
In 2016, a special anniversary is coming up.
Mercedes-Benz Museum will be 10 years old and looks back with pride on a success story. There
have been over 7 million visitors from more than 160 nations, and they have been delighted. Since
opening in May 2006, the Museum has become a major magnet for visitors, with enormous appeal
not only in the region but also worldwide.
Also the building draws attention to itself. The multiple prize-winning architecture by the Dutch
architect Ben van Berkel and the exhibition concept developed by the Stuttgart museum designer
HG Merz complement each other right up to the details: on nine levels, paths are interlooped in
the shape of a double helix along a time axis stretching from the discovery of the automobile up to
the present.
At various events throughout the year, the Mercedes-Benz Museum continuously reinvents itself.
Whether it’s the Bonhams auction or Cars & Coffee, the International Trick Film Festival, open-air
cinema, social media nights or culinary star evenings – the range of attractive events is of a wide
variety. This fine mix of museum presentation of automobile history and popular public events
make visitors from all over the world are eager to visit the Mercedes-Benz Museum many times.
Highlights from 10 years MB Museum:
For example: “Mille Miglia - Passion and rivalry”
The Mercedes-Benz Museum made an experience out of the Mille Miglia, the legendary Italian
1000-mile road race in Stuttgart. The special exhibition „Mille Miglia - Passion and rivalry“
presented fascinating racing cars from Mercedes-Benz and their competitors by renowned Italian
manufacturers. A total of nine vehicles can be seen.
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MISCELLANEOUS
Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Club Annual Meeting in Trier, Germany
Dates23rd of June 2016 - 26th of June 2016
Organizer Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Club e.V.
VenueTrier
Every year the international annual meeting of the MB 300 SL clubs takes place in different cities:
this year it will be in Trier from 23rd of June 2016 - 26th of June 2016.
The deadline for registration was extended until the end of February - also for non-members.
If you are interested in participation or if you need any further information please contact us:
Tel.: +49 881-925609-0
Fax: +49 881-925609-19
E-Mail: [email protected]
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From the Archive of Hans Kleissl
With this new category in the newsletter, we present to you never before published photographs
from the history of the 300 SL.
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300 SL COUPÉ
Year of construction
1955
Painting white
Interior black leather
This 300 SL Coupé has been delivered to New York in 1955. The first owner sold the car in 1978
and it found a new owner in Indiana.
The car is currently under restoration at HK-ENGINEERING. All technical components will be
checked and revised if needed. The engine is currently getting a full overhaul. The old paint will be
removed and the Coupé receives a fresh bare metal repaint.
Matching numbers.
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EVENTS 2016
UNSERE
UNSERE AKTUELLEN
AKTUELLEN FAHRZEUGANGEBOTE
FAHRZEUGANGEBOTE
For 2016 we would like to recommend the following events:
•
04. - 06. Mar. 2016 Classic Salon, Antwerp, BE
MB
30017.SL
Roadster
•
- 20.
Mar. 2016 Retro Classics, Stuttgart
•
06.
10.
Baujahr: 1958 Apr. 2016 Techno Classica, Essen
•
14. - 17. Apr. 2016 Spring Rally of the 300 SL Club Italien, Venice & the Villas of Brenta, IT
Lack:
Silber
•
28. 04. - 01.05.2016 Arabella Classics, Fuschl Palace
•
17. May
2016 HK Trackday, Cremona, IT
Interieur:
Leder
Rot
•
19. - 22. May 2016 Mille Miglia, Brescia, IT
matching numbers
•
20. - 22. May 2016 Concorso d‘Eleganza, Villa d‘Este, IT
schwarzes
•
27. -Softtop
28. May 2016 HK & Espressorally, Polling
•
23.
Jun. 2016 Jewels in the park, Schloss Dyck
europäische25.
Scheinwerfer
•
23. - 26. Jun. 2016 Annual meeting of the 300 SL Club, Trier
Becker
Radio
•
01. - 03. Jul. 2016 Concours d‘Elégance, Schloss Bensberg
•
08.
- 10. Jul. 2016
Le Mans Classic, FR
Lack und Interieur
wurden
•
17. - 23. Jul. 2016 Rally 300 SL Club in Belgium, Böhmen
kürzlich
erneuert
•
21. - 23. Jul. 2016 Course 1 for amateur mechanics, Arendsee Palace, Northwest-Uckermark
•
05.
07. Aug.
2016Zustand
Classic Days, Schloss Dyck
Technik in- sehr
gutem
•
12. - 14. Aug. 2016 AvD Oldtimer Grand Prix, Nürburgring
398.000,-Euro
•
19. - 21. Aug. 2016 Pebble Beach with Laguna Seca, USA
•
•
•
•
•
MB
27. - 28. Aug. 2016
03. - 04. Sept. 2016
09. - 11. Sept. 2016
29.09. - 01.10. 2016
06.
- 09.
Oct. 2016
300SL
Coupé
Les 24 Tours du pont, Potsdam
Concours d‘Elegance, Chantilly, FR
Goodwood Revival, Goodwood Motor Circuit, South of England
Course 2 for amateur mechanics, W111, Arendsee Palace, Northwest-Uckermark
Motorworld Classics, Berlin
Baujahr: 1954
Lackierung: Silber
Interieur: Leder Blau
Erstauslieferung nach Venezuela
anschließend 3 Besitzer in USA
seit 1974 beim letzten Besitzer
original Farbkonfiguration
Geschichte komplett nachvollziehbar
Zentralverschlussräder
495.000,-Euro
MB 300 SL Coupé
Baujahr : 1955HK-ENGINEERING GmbH
HK-ENGINEERING GmbH
Lack : frei wählbar
in der Classic Remise Berlin
Klostergut - Kirchplatz 1
Wiebestraße 36
Interieur : frei 82398
wählbar
Polling
10553 Berlin
In Restaurierung
bei HK-Engineering.
Germany
Germany
Tel: kann
+49 (0)noch
881/925
609 0
Farbkombination
gewählt
Tel.: +49 (0)30 34 56 06 44
Fax: +49 (0) 881/925 609 19
werden.
Fax. +49 (0)30 34 50 99 40
Mehrwertsteuer ausweisbar
[email protected]
[email protected]
http://www.facebook.com/pages/HK-ENGINEERING/117676988331814
www.hk-engineering.com
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Geschäftsführer Johannes Kleissl - Amtsgericht München HRB 158346 - Sitz der Gesellschaft: Polling - DE814485816