M-100 Events

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Francis E. Abate

Hey guys,
I just rediscovered the M-100 Forum after I lost username, password and connection through a messed up website some time ago.
Some comments to Otto's postings, which I really liked, even though I could really feel his frustration.
I participated in the Lode Fest in Florida 2011, when I was still living in South Carolina.
It was great, I had some trouble with my Benz, but I never forget the lobster feast on the gala night! I got the second place award for my 6.3 - out of 3 in the concours.
That shows, how scarce those vehicles are!
Therefore I agree with my M-100 colleagues - it is the rarity of the cars mainly.
One example: I am also member of the Porsche Club and there are more members in just my region, than the M-100 membership around the world!
They had to divide the 356 FL owners into four regions, just to cover the distances and hold smaller events.
But I agree with you Otto, we should try to gather more often in smaller events. - so keep up the spirit!
Since I moved down to FL (I am moving since 2 years - another reason having been quiet) and nearly settled, I am willing to meet or to help organizing a local gathering.
I just have to get my 6.3 running again - it suffered from moving (another reason for not participating).
So be happy and proud to have one of these monsters and keep up the good spirit!

This is just to give another perspective.
I live in the Ft Lauderdale area and have four Mercedes of which two are running. Unfortunately the 6.3 is not yet ready for a road trip but that wouldn't stop me from going to an event including to see a 6.3 for sale within three hours.
I belong to the Mercedes Club as well as Porsche Club of America. For many years my wife and I went racing in PCA plus HSR and SCCA. Our interest was in racing only because there was no time, or money, for restoring cars.
Now that I am retired, there is time for the 6.3 to be worked on and sailing on the weekend.
I would help with or come to any event involving the M-100 in southern to middle Florida.
The M-100 group is invaluable in my opinion, one which I believe is shared by anyone aware of our group and I am grateful to all of you who share your knowledge and love of these cars.

Rich B
USA

there's a 6.3 mentioned in the orlando craig's list. Says it's in good shape, but needs air bags for 6,500$. A road trip to go see it would be a worthy event in itself. -CTH

I just wanted to create some " action " even with other classic Mercedes-Benz.
Comparing our M-100 cars to other rare brands and models it seems that we are bit short on activity.

I also truly believe the value of specific Make/Model of a car is in direct correlation of their owners ability to share their passion of that specific car with other enthusiasts and the general public.
I fell in love with M-100 at a car meet and now I have 2 600s, a 6.3 and a 6.9 in my car collection.

Otto

Otto-- As Art & Mike have explained, it is not lack of interest, but rather the small numbers of M-100 fanatics available to attend, as well as logistics, other commitments, and finances. Jane & I belong to a fairly active central Ohio MBCA group, and our 6.9 is a curiosity at their events--- plus it is usually a 2.5 hour drive each way. There ain't no such thing as an M-100 that I know of here in West Virginia, so you gots to go where the action is. Do not get discouraged. Dan

[b] [red]

Otto,
Michael is correct. The M-100 register for 2013 that I have from when I was president shows 8 members in Florida at that time. For the whole of Australia, which is bigger than mainland USA minus Alaska, there were 40 members. When I ran the Down Under Rally in 2008, we traveled from Queensland to Adelaide and then back via Melbourne and Sydney and involved about 20 cars with a maximum of 13 together at any one location, with members from different states coming and going as we passed through. At local Mercedes-Benz Club events here in Queensland, the most M-100 cars that I have seen at any given event, usually a concourse, is 5 or 6. Many of the members have cars which they are working on rather than driving.

You are never going to get 100-300 M-100 vehicles at an intra-state event. They don't exist. Porsches are "a bob a dozen" compared to 6.3's, 6.9's and 600's, even if you restrict entry to cars made in the 1960's and 70's.

It is not a lack of interest, it is a lack of numbers. That is why we have this International Group to share information and interest.
Art

quote:

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Originally posted by Monster-600

It is very obvious to me now that there is no interest for events like this in the M-100 Group.

---

Otto, Ron

I don't think it's so much a lack of interest as it is a lack of cars and owners. Mercedes sold a grand total of around 4,000 M-100 cars in the USA. The last ones were built 34 years ago, and the vast majority of them, mostly 6.3s and 6.9s, no longer exist. We're talking about a few hundred remaining cars spread out over a vast country.

By comparison, Porsche sells about 4,000 cars in the USA every six weeks. A much greater proportion of them are still on the road, so we have hundreds of thousands of running/driving cars, vs a couple of hundred with the M-100. Assuming your get together was open to all Porsches of any vintage, it's not so surprising that you managed to get a good turnout.

The 2011 meet was held in Fort Myers. About 40 people attended.

It is very obvious to me now that there is no interest for events like this in the M-100 Group.

quote:

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Originally posted by Monster-600

Ron:
Where in Florida are you located?
It would be a lot of fun to organize a local event - even on a small scale.
Let's make it happen.

Regards,
Otto

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In the Fort Myers/Naples area. Great year-round weather, easy to get to, many places to stay and visit.

Al:
Mercedes came very close in the 60's to purchase BMW - if it happened it would be a cool Mercedes now.

Ron:
Where in Florida are you located?
It would be a lot of fun to organize a local event - even on a small scale.
Let's make it happen.

Regards,
Otto

I dig the M1.


With best regards

Al

I went to the Lode Fest in SW Florida three years ago and it inspired my purchase of a 1970 6.3, #3366.

We have a very active section of the MBCA that would assist us with a GTG.

Regards,

Ron C.

I am also into Porsches and organized a rally with my Porsche Dealer that ended up at my house where we had a party about 6 months ago and 150 cars showed up.
We are repeating the event on May 17th and expect over 300 cars.
It is very surprising to me to get that little response.

Lode Fest was held in Florida about 3 years ago. There is absolutely no reason it cannot be held there again. The Board is always looking for people locally to put up their hand to help organize a Meet. As I am in Australia, it is unlikely that I would be able to attend, but I am a bit surprised that only Charlie has responded from the US members of the Board and no one else in Florida who reads this Message Board has either.
Art

It takes a minimum of two people to make a meet, give or take.

Reach out to other groups, like the MBCA or the guys at the web forums. Doesn't matter if you're into turning wrenches, or driving with the wind in your hair. Start with a basic plan, time and place and you probably won't be the only guy there. Start at point A, drive to point B and then do something, even it's just a picnic at the side of the road. Then head back to where you started and call it a day.

One of my fondest memories of Stu was a very informal GTG at a storage shed in Reading PA that I picked up cheap some years ago. Stu and Gerrett stopped by with two other friends and we took a drive south to a nice restaurant for lunch. It was a great way to waste a Saturday afternoon doing nothing useful at all.

I'm in NY so I won't be stopping by FLA any time soon, but I'd sure like to hear about how the GTG works out.

-CTH

Since the Lode Fest is held only once a year it is maybe time to do a few meets / get togethers / drives or dinners on a local level.
If there is any interest by M-100 members in the Florida area I would be happy to organize something in Sarasota, FL.
Other vintage or classic Mercedes are welcome too.
After all our cars are meant to be driven.
Any thoughts and suggestions on this matter are appreciated.