northern new jersey section — mercedes-benz club of america · trophies for sedans, 2 door's...

12
VOLUME 5, ISSUE 5 September-October 2009 Northern New Jersey Section — Mercedes-Benz Club of America President Doug Ochwat [email protected] Vice President Tech Advisor Andreas Molde [email protected] Secretary Joe Grattan, Past President [email protected] Treasurer Lucille Chabala [email protected] Editor-Webmaster Ken Spingarn [email protected] Board Members John Bleimaier [email protected] Greg Calabro [email protected] Claire Wegner [email protected] Nick Ford [email protected] Committee Chair-Social Valerie Cristiano [email protected] Committee Chair-Membership Dave Hall [email protected] Committee Chair-Driving Jim Potts [email protected] Photographer Carl Ian Schwartz [email protected] I/We will be attending the NNJS Mid-Atlantic Regional Picnic & Car Show on Saturday, September 26, 2009 beginning 10:30 AM. Please bring along an appetizer, salad or entrée as well as an item to donate for the silent auction. You may also want to bring along folding chairs, umbrellas and other comfort items. There is no charge for this event. As always, the Northern New Jersey and the South Jersey Section are co-sponsoring this event. Name(s):_________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ Email:____________________________________________________________________ No. of people attending:________________ No. of cars to be displayed:______________ I am bringing to the picnic: Appetizer ____Salad ____Side dish____ Entrée____ Lucille Chabala 6 Brook Way West Orange, NJ 07052 973-731-9133 [email protected] G et ready to enjoy our annual picnic at “Falkenhorst”, John Bleimaier’s 18 th century country home. We will have some chairs and tables, but if you have your own, please bring them. The fourth Saturday in September will be hot and sunny, the smell of freshly mown grass will be in the air, free hamburgers, hot dogs, pizza, sodas and a bunch of other stuff will be on the tables under the tents. We will enjoy the friendly competition of a seven category popular vote car show. There will be a ‘silent auction’ (proceeds to charity). Bring something lightly used. NNJS will conduct our bi-annual election this year. Please see page 4 for more information. This is your opportunity to vote for the officers who will serve you for the next two years beginning January 1, 2010. Sounds like a lot to do in one afternoon, but we’ll squeeze it all in. Plan to bring the kids. This event is co-sponsored by the two New Jersey sections. There is no cost to you, but WE NEED A COUNT. In addition to the victuals we ask you to bring, we have to buy other food, beverages and supplies. So, please complete and mail the coupon or contact Lucille Chaballa by phone or email. Directions to “Falkenhorst” may be found below and on our website. Weather permitting, we will set up for the annual lawn sprints at Falkenhorst this year.

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Page 1: Northern New Jersey Section — Mercedes-Benz Club of America · Trophies for Sedans, 2 door's & coupes, Wagons & SUV's, Roadsters & Convertibles, along with Best of Show. Pre-reservation

VOLUME 5, ISSUE 5 September-October 2009

Nor thern New Jersey Sect ion — Mercedes-Benz Club of Amer ica

President

Doug Ochwat

[email protected]

Vice President

Tech Advisor

Andreas Molde

[email protected]

Secretary

Joe Grattan, Past President

[email protected]

Treasurer

Lucille Chabala

[email protected]

Editor-Webmaster

Ken Spingarn

[email protected]

Board Members

John Bleimaier

[email protected]

Greg Calabro

[email protected]

Claire Wegner

[email protected]

Nick Ford

[email protected]

Committee Chair-Social

Valerie Cristiano

[email protected]

Committee Chair-Membership

Dave Hall

[email protected]

Committee Chair-Driving

Jim Potts

[email protected]

Photographer

Carl Ian Schwartz

[email protected]

I/We will be attending the NNJS Mid-Atlantic Regional Picnic & Car Show on Saturday, September 26, 2009 beginning 10:30 AM. Please bring along an appetizer, salad or entrée as well as an item to donate for the silent auction. You may also want to bring along folding chairs, umbrellas and other comfort items. There is no charge for this event. As always,

the Northern New Jersey and the South Jersey Section are co-sponsoring this event.

Name(s):_________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

Email:____________________________________________________________________

No. of people attending:________________

No. of cars to be displayed:______________

I am bringing to the picnic: Appetizer ____Salad ____Side dish____ Entrée____

Lucille Chabala ● 6 Brook Way ● West Orange, NJ 07052 973-731-9133

[email protected]

G et ready to enjoy our annual picnic at “Falkenhorst”, John Bleimaier’s 18th century

country home. We will have some chairs and tables, but if you have your own, please

bring them. The fourth Saturday in September will be hot and sunny, the smell of freshly

mown grass will be in the air, free hamburgers, hot dogs, pizza, sodas and a bunch of other

stuff will be on the tables under the tents. We will enjoy the friendly competition of a seven

category popular vote car show. There will be a ‘silent auction’ (proceeds to charity). Bring

something lightly used. NNJS will conduct our bi-annual election this year. Please see page 4

for more information. This is your opportunity to vote for the officers who will serve you for

the next two years beginning January 1, 2010. Sounds like a lot to do in one afternoon, but

we’ll squeeze it all in. Plan to bring the kids.

This event is co-sponsored by the two New Jersey sections. There is no cost to you, but WE

NEED A COUNT. In addition to the victuals we ask you to bring, we have to buy other food,

beverages and supplies. So, please complete and mail the coupon or contact Lucille Chaballa

by phone or email. Directions to “Falkenhorst” may be found below and on our website.

Weather permitting, we will set up for the annual lawn sprints at Falkenhorst this year.

Page 2: Northern New Jersey Section — Mercedes-Benz Club of America · Trophies for Sedans, 2 door's & coupes, Wagons & SUV's, Roadsters & Convertibles, along with Best of Show. Pre-reservation

PAGE 2 STAR TRACKS 2009 VOLUME 5 , I SSUE 5

Saturday, October 3rd from 11 am to around 3:30 pm — Chubb Park, Chester, NJ

On old RT. 24 approximately 1 mile west of RT. 206

Featuring Authentic Oktoberfest Music ● German Food ● Official German Oktoberfest Outfits

Cost: $20.00 per car. Here's what you get back; up to $10. per car in food vouchers, free admission to the Oktoberfest.

Water, coffee & snacks are supplied by the club. $10. of the $20. is donated to the Lions Club for their charitable work.

Trophies for Sedans, 2 door's & coupes, Wagons & SUV's, Roadsters & Convertibles, along with Best of Show.

Pre-reservation is welcomed, although you may pay at the gate. We would appreciate a

count of the amount of cars attending. Please contact Lucille Chabala at Lulu-

[email protected] or 973-731-9133. Please direct any questions about the event to Bob

Wegner at [email protected] or 973- 515-0052

Exclusive Mercedes-Benz Grouping!

Name (s):____________________________________________

Address:________________________________________________________________

Phone:______________________Email:____________________

Cost: $20.00 per car if you are bringing one. No cost per person to attend. No. of cars being entered:____@$20.00

Please contact Lucille Chabala at [email protected] or 973-731-9133

6 Brook Way ● West Orange, NJ 07052

J uly and August have historically been slow months from a club activity point of view, but starting in

September we again will be in full swing. We start off with Saturday, September 12th, at Benzel-Busch

for the new E-Class introduction that will include test drives. Then September 26th, we will have our an-

nual Regional Picnic and car show at Falkenhorst. This year the event will include electing officers.

Oktoberfest will take place in Chester on October 3rd, followed by a Fall Foliage tour in beautiful, historic

Warren County on October 18th. We will have a tour of the Edison Home in West Orange on November

14th and wrap up the year with a Christmas Holiday luncheon at the beautiful Essex Fells Country Club, on Saturday

December 5th.

In case you weren’t counting, that’s six events in the last four months of the year. Now, please get your calendar and

write in as many as you can attend.

From the President From the President From the President From the President - Doug OchwatDoug OchwatDoug OchwatDoug Ochwat

O ur active long time member, Claire Wegner has been invited to participate in the Monmouth County Concours d'

Elegance at Hop Brook Farms in Holmdel, NJ on September 26th. This is the second year for this “White Glove

Event” with highly qualified judges and participants. It is an “Invitation Only” event. To be accepted and have your

car entered, you must submit a detailed history and photo's. Claire’s winning 190 SL has been accepted at this benefit to

sponsor the Embrace Kids Foundation. Last year there were 135 upscale classic cars participating in the Concours d’

Elegance. Unfortunately, Claire and Bob will be unable to attend our picnic at Falkenhorst this year due to their entry

into this event which happens to be on the same date as our picnic. We congratulate Claire and Bob. We will miss your

expert grilling of hot dogs and hamburgers at the picnic this year. Editor

Page 3: Northern New Jersey Section — Mercedes-Benz Club of America · Trophies for Sedans, 2 door's & coupes, Wagons & SUV's, Roadsters & Convertibles, along with Best of Show. Pre-reservation

FOR SALE: 1991 350SDL, Burgundy metallic / Palomino leather. Over 22 MPG around town. All service records since new. Mechanically excellent, cosmetically very good, well maintained with only genuine MB parts by fanatic. Recent work includes new head gasket, brakes, tires, battery, glow plugs, belt tensioner, and more. My driving patterns have changed and I just don't need this car anymore. Asking a realistic $4000, but will consider any offers. Come see the car in Northern Bergen County.

Contact Don Rotolo at (201) 666-9776 after 6pm, or by e-mail at [email protected]

PAGE 3 STAR TRACKS 2009 VOLUME 5 , I SSUE 5

FOR SALE: 1972-1985 SL Black Hardtop including cart and cover. Fits all W107 chassis. Hardly

used, constantly garaged and in mint condition. I need more storage space. $1825.00

Ralph Esposito [email protected] (917) 796-5120

FOR SALE: 1987 560SL Convertible. Signal Red/Palomino. 83K miles, both tops, service records,

excellent condition, same owner since 1996, only driven on weekends in good weather, ga

raged. $12,900. Call for details/photos. Curt Bradbury (973) 838-9403, [email protected]

FOR SALE: 1984 300TD Turbo Diesel in excellent condition.

Color: Lapis Blue. Original miles: 145,000. Classic car. $7500.00

Joe Bemelmans Email: [email protected] (908) 995-4997

FOR SALE: 1992 400E Smoke Silver with Creme Beige interior. 108K miles. Near Showroom Condition in and out. One of the best exam-ples of this desirable model to be called a daily driver. It is currently equipped with newer 16" rims and tires which gives it a similar ap-pearance to and handling qualities of a 500E. The original 15" rims and tires will be given to the new owner. $8,950. Please contact Alan Snyder at (908) 756-5599 or [email protected]

FOR SALE: 1985 300TD Diesel Station Wagon, Navy Blue Exterior, Saddle Interior,

Automatic Transmission, Air Conditioning, Original AM/FM/Cassette Radio,

Manual Sunroof, Luggage Rack, Rare Third Seat, 229,000 miles,

Excellent Driving Condition. $6,000

Andy Permison [email protected] 973-379-7283

FOR SALE: Set of 4 OEM SLK/ML 16" 7-spoke wheels with very good Yokohama Avid V4 tires, currently in use on a 560SEC, $400 for the set. 1 set of AMG 17" 5-spoke CLK wheels, excellent condition, $500 for the set. Mike Tortorella, [email protected]

FOR SALE: 1987 560SL Convertible. Arctic White with Navy leather interior. Two tops (white hard top and navy soft top). Hard top comes with wheeled caddy for stor-age. Pirelli P4000 Super Touring tires. Alpine 6 CD and cassette player with AM/FM radio. Always covered and garaged. 102K miles. Maintained by a Mercedes me-chanic. Excellent condition. Driven only on weekends and in good weather. Ask-ing $14,500. Call Rick 973-464-5845

Page 4: Northern New Jersey Section — Mercedes-Benz Club of America · Trophies for Sedans, 2 door's & coupes, Wagons & SUV's, Roadsters & Convertibles, along with Best of Show. Pre-reservation

PAGE 4 STAR TRACKS 2009 VOLUME 5 , I SSUE 5

Article IV

Nominations and Elections

A). Nominations and elections: Nominations and elections

of Section officers will be every two years, according to the

following procedures.

1. Nominations of Section Officers: The President

shall appoint an election Chairperson. This person shall be

a member in good standing of the MBCA NNJ Section. The

name of the Section Election Chairperson shall be an-

nounced, by the President, in the May/June edition of the

Section newsletter and at the June meeting. By-law elec-

tion procedures shall be reproduced in the same edition of

the Section newsletter.

2. Election procedure:

A). Any member in good standing can submit to the elec-

tion Chairperson by the June 30th, in writing, his/her

name and position sought or a slate of four candidates for

the positions of President, Vice President, Secretary and

Treasurer.

B). Each person/slate is encouraged to submit brief bio-

graphical sketches of the person/slate members by the

above mentioned deadline.

C). At the annual/election meeting, additional nominees of

persons/slates will be accepted from the floor. If there is

more than one candidate for any position, including slates,

a written ballot shall be distributed at the meeting. All

members of record as of August 1st of the NNJ Section,

including Second Section members, are eligible to vote. If

there is only one candidate, including slates the election

will be by voice vote. In either case, the results shall be

determined by a majority vote of those members present at

the meeting.

3. Term of Office: The term of office for officers, commit-

tee chairs, and appointed Board of Directors members

shall be two (2) years commencing on January 1 following

the election, or by appointment.

4. Vacancies: A vacancy in any Section office may be

filled for the unexpired term by vote of the remaining

members of the Board of Directors.

w e will hold the bi-annual election of officers at our annual picnic on Saturday, September 26 at

Falkenhorst. The two year term will begin January 1,

2010. John Bleimaier [email protected] has been des-

ignated Election Chairman this year. If you are inter-

ested in running, please notify John according to Article

IV of our By-laws which is reproduced below.

Andreas Molde

I n this column, I’d like just to summarize some of the is-

sues we have discussed in the past.

Oil Changes: We have gone from 3K, 5K to 7.5K with

conventional oil and 10 K, 13-16 K (Flexible Service Sys-

tem) and then BACK to 10K, with Synthetic (!) Oil. You

have to figure out, where you (or rather your MB) fits into

this. I personally don’t run more than 3000 miles on any

MB with conventional oil and I am willing to go to 7.5 to

10K on newer cars; with Synthetic Oil AND the original MB

oil filter, but not 13-16K

Oil Level: If you are lucky enough to have a dipstick on

your MB, check it on a regular basis and while the engine is

at operating temperature. The marks on the dipstick indi-

cate the MIN and MAX level and that is approximately a 2

quart difference, the MIN does not mean it is empty. DON’T

OVERFILL IT! The same goes for checking the level in the

instrument cluster.

Tire Pressure and TPC: Check the tire pressure while

cold, not after driving, if at all possible. Use the pressure

indicated in your owner’s manual or inside the fuel flap.

Note: A couple pounds (PSI) extra hasn’t hurt anybody

(personal preference). And reset the Tire Pressure Monitor,

if so equipped.

Tire Rotation: The recommended tire rotation interval is

5000 to 6000 miles. No tire rotation is possible if you have

“staggered“ (different size front and rear) tires.

Wiper Blades: They should be changed every 6 months or

more often as needed. Remember when you left the wipers

on while raining, parked your car and then it froze over-

night and the wipers ran over the frozen windshield? Those

wiper blades are most likely “history”!

More than 1137 members to date

have saved money on their Mercedes-

Benz purchases through the MBCA

Buyers Loyalty Program. In the

2006/2007 time period 523 of our

members and an additional 614 mem-

bers took advantage of this program

in 2008. Up to $1500 in gift cards can

be used to purchase parts, service,

vehicle & personal accessories. More

information for 2009 may be obtained

at the MBCA Website.

http://www.mbca.org/index_members.

htm

Did You Know?

Page 5: Northern New Jersey Section — Mercedes-Benz Club of America · Trophies for Sedans, 2 door's & coupes, Wagons & SUV's, Roadsters & Convertibles, along with Best of Show. Pre-reservation

PAGE 5 STAR TRACKS 2009 VOLUME 5 , I SSUE 5

A Special Place to Store Your

Beautiful Mercedes

Catering to the private car collector

We offer a Clean, Indoor, Temperature –Controlled Storage Facility

5 days a week access 8 AM to 5 PM

In TOWACO, NJ

Monthly and Annual Rates

A Full Service Detail Shop and Spa

Washing, Hand Waxing, Compounding

and Carpet Shampoo

Contact John Van Houten

for a free quote and tour

973 331 8105

Inside storage for motorcycles and watercraft,

Outside for boats, campers and RVs.

Reminder:

Did you know that For Sale ad submissions are free for mem-bers? Just email your ad to the editor by the15th of the month prior to publication. You may include one or more digital pho-

tos with your ad.

Reminder:

The next deadline for sub-mission of material to the edi-

tor is October 15, 2009.

Please send your submis-sions to Ken Spingarn [email protected]

H ere we are, the (very wet) summer almost gone and fall right around the corner. Let’s hope the rain

disappears with the summer, so that we can enjoy the upcoming fall events, since most of them are

outdoors. Coming up next is the Introduction of the new E-Class Sedan and Coupe at Benzel-Busch, where

you will have the opportunity to road test either, followed by the Picnic at Falkenhorst which in my book is

a “must go to” event. I was surprised to learn that even some long time members have not attended, mainly

due to distance, but “Hey” this is a car club and we like to drive, don’t we? Besides, John Bleimaier seems to

have a direct line to the “Weather Gods”, since I and the others I’ve talked to have never seen rain at the picnic. Please,

don’t forget to register for the event using the coupon found on page one. Please remember to bring a food item and con-

tact Lucille Chabala to let her know if you will be attending. Hope to see you out there.

Vice President’s Message…….Andreas MoldeVice President’s Message…….Andreas MoldeVice President’s Message…….Andreas MoldeVice President’s Message…….Andreas Molde

www.mbca.org/northern_new_jersey/

Page 6: Northern New Jersey Section — Mercedes-Benz Club of America · Trophies for Sedans, 2 door's & coupes, Wagons & SUV's, Roadsters & Convertibles, along with Best of Show. Pre-reservation

James Black

Lillian Black

Christine Chase

John Collins

William Ethem

Howard Fox

David Harcourt

Jaime Kopchinski

Robert Logiudice

Jimmy McCabe

Diane McCabe

Michael Parent

Henry Picado

Estela Picado

Peter Pulice

Mark Reich

Deysi Saldana

Hugo Juque

Naiobe Sharrock

Richard Stern

Vivatchai Suwangbutra

Peter Weigang

PAGE 6 STAR TRACKS 2009 VOLUME 5 , I SSUE 5

T his year’s fall driving event will be held on Sunday, October 18th beginning at10:30 am. We will gather and depart

from the Panther Valley Mall parking lot—one mile south of the intersection of Rt. 517 and Exit 19 off of I-80 in

scenic Warren County, NJ. The first car will leave at about 12:00 noon on a 70+ mile cruise that will end with a mid-

afternoon Dutch Treat lunch. Our Driving Chairman, Jim Potts [email protected] will organize and hand out maps

and directions for the areas of interest we will visit. Jack Frost has hinted that the fall artistry will be at it’s most color-

ful and at $20.00 a car load, how can you go

wrong. Bring a friend or two and enjoy the day.

Please complete the coupon ASAP and

contact Lucille Chabala

[email protected] or 973-731-9133

● 6 Brook Way ● West Orange, NJ 07052

“Fall Color“ Driving Tour — Sunday Oct. 18

Name:________________________Email:___________________________

Address:______________________Phone:___________________________

No. of cars @ $20.00/car:____=$_______

Page 7: Northern New Jersey Section — Mercedes-Benz Club of America · Trophies for Sedans, 2 door's & coupes, Wagons & SUV's, Roadsters & Convertibles, along with Best of Show. Pre-reservation

PAGE 7 STAR TRACKS 2009 VOLUME 5 , I SSUE 5

Clarion GROUP

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Food service blues got you down? We can help.

• We help companies, professional firms and colleges

• Improve quality and service

• Reduce costs and increase efficiency

• Create new, imaginative concepts

• Design innovative new or renovated dining facilities

• Implement your special project

For information, contact:

Joe Grattan, 973/628-1781 [email protected]

Angela Phelan, 973/544-6223, [email protected]

Tom Mac Dermott, 603/642-8011 [email protected]

visit our website, www.clariongp.com

Providing solutions

and uncovering opportunities in dining service

Pankaj T. Dayal

238 Ernston Rd Ste. #3

Parlin, NJ 08859-1947

732-588-5229

T here has been a change of venue for our Holiday Party this year. We are trying something new. The party will be

held at the Essex Fells Country Club ● 219 Devon Road ● Essex Fells, NJ on Saturday, December 5, 2009 start-

ing at 12:00 noon. Please note that this is a change from our usual evening affair. This will be an extensive brunch

and the cost will be $45. per person and $10.50 for children under 10. There will be a CASH BAR available. We will be

holding our annual Toys for Tots program again. Kindly bring a donation of an unwrapped toy to help fulfill the wish list

for a deserving child. Directions to Essex Fells Country Club will be provided in our next issue. Hope you can attend.

2009 Holiday Party at Essex Fells Country Club

Saturday, December 5, 2009 at 12 Noon

Deadline for reservations is Wednesday, November 25

Name:_____________________________________________

Address:____________________________________________

Telephone:_______________ Email:___________________

No. Attending @ $45/per person:________

No. Children under 10 @ $10.50/per person:_________

Make check payable to MBCA-NNJS and send to:

Lucille Chabala ● 6 Brook Way ● West Orange, NJ 07052 [email protected] 973-731-9133

Page 8: Northern New Jersey Section — Mercedes-Benz Club of America · Trophies for Sedans, 2 door's & coupes, Wagons & SUV's, Roadsters & Convertibles, along with Best of Show. Pre-reservation

W hen I was a lad my parents had a very close

friend, a genial physician who had been trained in

Vienna. Dr. Gerhardt Klawitter was a Renaissance man

and a car person par excellence. He loved automobiles

and always drove interesting vehicles. It was Gerhardt

who gave me my first car magazine

when I was nine years old, and, as

they say, the rest is history.

During the ‘60s Gerhardt installed a

tape player in his pontoon Mercedes

and would occasionally play romantic, light music which

former colleagues in Austria would send to him. I par-

ticularly remember a sentimental ballad sung in the lilt-

ing Viennese dialect which began with the rather engag-

ing couplet: “Herr Doktor, errinnern Sie sich noch a’

zwoelfer Jahr, als alles so sehr anders war?” Loosely

translated it means, “Doctor, can you still remember the

good old days of 1912, when the whole world was so very

different?” Of course our friend was not old enough to

have remembered 1912, that was around the year when

Gerhardt was born. However, many central Europeans

have a special soft spot for the glorious fin de siècle, the

halcyon days before the First World War.

Ah, Vienna in 1912; the city of Sigmund Freud and Gus-

tav Klimt, of madness and magic. Emperor Franz Josef

holding forth in Schoenbrun palace and a regiment of

uhlans in full dress uniform riding through the Prater

with gleaming lances. Intellectuals and revolutionaries

are everywhere, but more importantly there is music

everywhere. And in the wonderful world of things me-

chanical look for a young engineer destined for greatness

named Ferdinand Porsche.

What brings all this to mind is the fact that I

have recently witnessed a most stirring sight.

At the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix a 1912

Mercedes race car was running in peak form

at the head of a pack of pre World War I com-

petition cars. The proud “V” radiator cuts the ether once

again as it did in days of yore. The skinny wire wheels

keep diminutive contact patches to the pavement. The

roar of an unmuffled long stroke engine and the smell of

Castrol racing oil. This is what life is all about.

The spectators at the Vintage Grand Prix will never be able

to fully imagine what it was like to live in a world which

treasured the arts and philosophy above all else; to sojourn

among people obsessed with creativity and innovation.

They cannot fathom a time where romanticism and mod-

ernism were actively in competition for the heart and mind

of society. Klimt, Freud, Porsche and the old Emperor are

all gone and even their memories are blurring from a con-

temporary perspective. But, by jingo, the old racing Mer-

cedes of 1912 is still soldiering on. So there is still some-

thing from that distant epoch which we can recollect with

the immediacy of yesterday which is yet suffused with the

aura of quintessential nostalgia.

PAGE 8 STAR TRACKS 2009 VOLUME 5 , I SSUE 5

John Kuhn Bleimaier

I f you attended June Jamboree at MBUSA this year, you may have sat in the new E-Coupe or AMG E63, but you didn't

get to test drive it or see it up on a lift! Now is your chance.

Benzel-Busch will once again be treating the North Jersey Section to the introduction of a new M-B vehicle with a Tech

session and test drive of the new E-Class scheduled for Saturday, September 12. As with the C-Class, Smart Car, and

GLK introduction, all participants will learn about the features and benefits of the vehicle as well as have the opportu-

nity to get behind the wheel for a test drive. Also, don't forget that Benzel-Busch offers MBCA members a 15% discount

on Parts AND Service! See their ad on page 11.

There is no charge for this event, but space is limited so you must Register and RSVP to Lucille Chabala

[email protected] 973-731-9133 no later than September 7, 2009.

Directions: Plan on getting there early—9:30 for a 10:00 AM start. We will meet at the service center directly behind the

showroom. Take the Grand Ave exit toward Englewood off Route 80. Proceed to 28 Grand Avenue, Englewood

Greg Calabro

“Herr Doktor, errinnern Sie sich noch a’ zwoelfer Jahr, als alles so sehr an-

ders war?”

Page 9: Northern New Jersey Section — Mercedes-Benz Club of America · Trophies for Sedans, 2 door's & coupes, Wagons & SUV's, Roadsters & Convertibles, along with Best of Show. Pre-reservation

PAGE 9 STAR TRACKS 2009 VOLUME 5 , I SSUE 5

Page 10: Northern New Jersey Section — Mercedes-Benz Club of America · Trophies for Sedans, 2 door's & coupes, Wagons & SUV's, Roadsters & Convertibles, along with Best of Show. Pre-reservation

PAGE 10 STAR TRACKS 2009 VOLUME 5 , I SSUE 5

Saturday, November 14, 2009 at 9:30 A.M Thomas Edison National Historical Park

w e will meet at the Laboratory Parking Lot on Main Street, West Orange at 9:30 AM. There you will receive

your passes to the Glenmont Estate where we will start our tour at 10:00 AM. Glenmont was Edison’s

home from the time of his second marriage to Mina Miller in 1886 until his death in 1931. This 23 room mansion

was home to Thomas’ six children and is where many social gatherings

took place as well as visits from famous guests and dignitaries. The green-

house will be open for you to explore Mina Edison’s rare and beautiful

plants. The garage will be open to view Edison’s cars and his unique turn-

table parking system. The graves of both Thomas and Mina Edison are

also on the grounds.

A fter the tour of Glenmont, we will meet at the Laboratory Complex on

Main Street around 11:00 for the next part of our tour where Edison

worked and developed many of his famous inventions including the electric

light bulb, phonograph and motion picture camera. His original working

inventions are all on display. After our tour, if desired, you may join us for lunch at Bella Italia Restaurant, lo-

cated nearby. If you are interested in attending please indicate your preferences below and contact Lucille Cha-

bala at [email protected] or 973-731-9133 by November 10th at the latest. Please sign up early so accommoda-

tions can be made accordingly with the Edison National Park office. The cost of the tour is $7.00 per person. More

information and directions may be obtained at www.nps.gov/edis

O n August 16, 2009 over 35 members attended a very informa-

tive “Tire Kicking” Session hosted by owner Felipe Cuadra at

Precision Auto Center in Rockaway, NJ. The weather was ideal for

both viewing our own member’s Mercedes and participating in a

comprehensive discussion of all things Mercedes-Benz. Along with

Andreas Molde, VP & Technical Advisor and Felipe Cuadra, MB

factory trained technician, several maintenance and auto care top-

ics were discussed. We also had a thorough question and answer

period.

I n addition to our usual socializing, we were treated to a tempting coffee and pastry spread courtesy of Felipe and his

wife. We thank our hosts for providing their facilities to our membership and allowing us to

passionately view and discuss our favorite marquee.

M ore “Tire Kicking” sessions are being planned for next year. This is a popular event, enjoyed by our members both for giv-

ing us substantive “hands on” car maintenance experience and al-

lowing a congenial atmosphere among members to discuss our auto-

motive interests. We hope to see many familiar faces at our next

session and hopefully, many new faces as well.

Name:_________________________________Address:_____________________________________Email:_____________

Phone:_________________________________No. of reservations for tour:_____No. of reservations for lunch:______

Please submit to Lucille Chabala at [email protected] or 973-731-9133 by November 10 at the latest.

Page 11: Northern New Jersey Section — Mercedes-Benz Club of America · Trophies for Sedans, 2 door's & coupes, Wagons & SUV's, Roadsters & Convertibles, along with Best of Show. Pre-reservation

PAGE 11 STAR TRACKS 2009 VOLUME 5 , I SSUE 5

Page 12: Northern New Jersey Section — Mercedes-Benz Club of America · Trophies for Sedans, 2 door's & coupes, Wagons & SUV's, Roadsters & Convertibles, along with Best of Show. Pre-reservation

150 Leeds Ct. Madison, NJ 07940

NORTHERN NEW JERSEY SECTION — MERCEDES-BENZ CLUB OF AMERICA

NNJS Upcoming Events

Saturday, September 12 Saturday, September 12 Saturday, September 12 Saturday, September 12 — E-Class Introduction & Tech Session — Benzel-Busch - Englewood, NJ — See page 8

Saturday, September 26 Saturday, September 26 Saturday, September 26 Saturday, September 26 — Annual Regional Picnic & Election of Officers — Falkenhorst — Hopewell, NJ — See Page 1 & 4

Saturday, October 3 Saturday, October 3 Saturday, October 3 Saturday, October 3 ———— Oktoberfest 2009 — Chubb Park —- Chester, NJ — See page 2

Saturday, October 10 Saturday, October 10 Saturday, October 10 Saturday, October 10 ———— SCCA Auto-cross — Raceway Park, Englishtown, NJ — See page 11 — May-June Star Tracks 2009 issue

Sunday, October 18 Sunday, October 18 Sunday, October 18 Sunday, October 18 ———— Annual Fall Foli-age Road Trip in Northwestern NJ — See page 6

Saturday, November 14 Saturday, November 14 Saturday, November 14 Saturday, November 14 ———— T. A. Edison Day — Tour of Lab & Estate at Glen-mont — Llewellyn Park, NJ — See page 10

Saturday, December 5 Saturday, December 5 Saturday, December 5 Saturday, December 5 ———— Holiday Party Brunch — Essex Fells Country Club — W. Caldwell, NJ — See page 7