Topic: Breaking news for UK members!

[littlefin]

Hi All!

Just announced on the UK Mercedes-Benz Club Forum:

 "Further to comments elsewhere on this forum, I had a meeting with the Concours Manager and I am delighted to confirm that if you guys are willing we would love to have a 40th anniversary display of W116s at our Concours Day at MB HQ Milton Keynes on Saturday 23rd June. "

How about it guys? This represents a real breakthrough as far as recognition by the MB Club UK is concerned.
We can discuss in detail when we meet on the 3rd March at Brooklands. 

[adamb]

Sounds like a date for our diaries! I will try to make it unless out of the country.

[marku]

Of course they would say that! The last thing the club wants is a break away register as that leads to the general fragmentation of the club structure. Nothing much to see at MBUK headquarters though but the club concours competition  is an interesting display from early to current models but tends to be won by who ever has the most money. 

[littlefin]

Mark,
I've been lobbying hard for more recognition of the W116 within the UK MB Club lately, using the 40th Anniversary in2012 as a lever. And it seems to be paying off now...a little gentle cajoling in the right quarters can work wonders. It also can't hurt our cause that the club Chairman owns a 450 SEL 6.9 !

I think in a club which covers so many different models, it is inevitable that some get more exposure than others. That's largely down to how active the individual members are in turning out to/organising events. Inevitably the SL's of all types get a lot of exposure - the R107 is still the largest register within the UK club as far as I know - but classic saloons (sedans) are beginning to reassert themselves these days - there are now events staged to appeal specifically to W123 & W124 owners. W108 owners are also beginning to become more active within the club.

Hopefully with a new W116 Model Register Captain, there will soon be W116 themed events also - but that relies on the owners actually turning up to club events - which is potentially where we come in. The events simply won't happen if there is no demand. I don't think that my membership of this forum will affect my involvement with the MB Club, on the contrary I am hoping to encourage more members of this forum to join in with their events. They may not appeal to everyone, but WTF - give it a go? There are great benefits to be had from attending MB Club events at Brooklands - three of my kids had free driving experiences in dual control A-Classes last summer.  At the Concours event in Milton Keynes there are usually demonstrator cars available for members to drive. I had a go in an electric Smart last time I went.

Nothing much to see at MBUK headquarters though but the club concours competition is an interesting display from early to current models but tends to be won by who ever has the most money. 

I think that is true of most high-level Concours events, but I would argue that many of the guys who regularly win at the MB Club Concours are true enthusiasts and not the wealthiest members of the club by any means.

OCD helps, I believe 

[WGB]

Good on you guys.

At the local M-B Club meets the 116 is not hot news but if you do turn up with a 6.9 everybody seems to have a story about one and wants to see under the bonnet.

There also seems to be some fame in having the biggest post war M-B motor and people who know that I own a 6.9 as well as a W212 E500 think the 6.9 would run away and hide from the E500 when of course the reverse is the truth.

Bill

[scraf]

Sure would be great seeing a bunch of W116's navigating all those roundabouts.

[Type17]

As a matter of interest, with two weeks to go, how many of us are going to this?


I’m going, as I won a ferry trip to cover the €370 (stg£300/US$465) cost!


1. Type17 - ’76 350 SE

[littlefin]

That's great news! All you've got to do now is raise a mortgage for the fuel!

1. Type17 - ’76 350 SE
2. Littlefin - '79 280 SE

[Type17]

Well, it wasn’t looking justifiable for a one-day event, but with the ferry sorted, and seeing as it’s the W116’s 40th, I can handle the fuel and accommodation.



Anyone else coming? 

[gavin116]

I shall unfortunately be in Spain, otherwise I would most certainly have been there.  I will just have to make do with your pictures and write-ups.  I am sorry that I will miss my chance to see Phil's new 280, and also to get a glimpse of Type17's immaculate 350.  I'll be stretching the 450's legs this weekend on a trip to Belgium: going on the Eurostar car train.  I just hope she's on her best behaviour

Keep us posted, hope the day isn't too rainy.

Gavin

[littlefin]

I'll be stretching the 450's legs this weekend on a trip to Belgium: going on the Eurostar car train.

Eurostar car train to Belgium? 

Why?

[gavin116]

Hi Phil

We're going to drink beer and eat mussels!    And to see our opera singer that we sponsor doing her final post-grad concert in Ghent.  Worked on the car a little today, otherwise I still have those W126 seat belts for the rear if you're still interested in them?

Regards

Gavin

[littlefin]

I was wondering why you were going on the train rather than DRIVING to Belgium.

Mrs Littlefin drove the 280SE down to Cornwall at half term (last week) - that's further than Ghent!!!

The car's been out in all the rain we've been having 

But only had a small leak into the boot from rh light cluster seal   

Doh! I just realised that you meant you were taking the Euro Tunnel to France then driving to Belgium... apologies 

Yes, I am still looking for rear seatbelts if they are surplus to your requirements. I am using the 280SE on an almost daily basis at the moment - but can't legally take the kids in the back   

[littlefin]

Well, a small but significant (I think) turn out of W116's at the Mercedes Benz Club's Concours at Milton Keynes on Saturday.
Coincidentally the same number as at 'Autotainment' at Brooklands last Sunday 17th June. What happened to the rest of you?



One 450SEL 6.9

Two 350SE's

and one 280SE (mine)

Apologies - I only took one picture, and that isn't very good to be honest 

[Type17]

I only took one (that covered the 116’s) myself:





Great show, great fun, and great to put faces to the names.