This story is one you’ll enjoy. Thanks to the president of the MBCA’s Road Star Section for sending it out. And, thanks Scott Suits for bringing it to our attention.

Meet the Miller’s

Consider the strange story of Alex and Imogene Miller of East Orange, VT.  They eked out an existence on a small farm.  Alex would scrounge rusty nails from burnt buildings to repair his roof.  He drove a ratty VW Beetle, and when it died, he found another even more ratty, and another…the rusting carcasses littered his yard.  Alex died in 1993, and Imogene died in 1996.  The local church took up a collection so they could be buried in the churchyard, and the state began the process of taking the farm for taxes.  That would have been the end of a sad story, except…

Forget the VW: a ’28 Franklin ($4500US) and a ’23 HCS($14,500 US) lurk inside.  While preparing the estate for auction, the sheriff discovered a cache of bearer bonds taped to the back of a mirror.  That triggered a comprehensive search of the house and outbuildings.  The estate auction would eventually be handled by Christies, and it would bring out collectors from all over the world… Continue reading » »

Planning to participate in the AMG Driving Academy for thrills? Well, how about a discount? Here’s how you can save on AMG’s high performance driving school.

Mercedes-AMG offers Mercedes-Benz Club of America (MBCA) members special pricing to attend the AMG Driving Academy. The discounts are significant and it only costs $45 to join the club (www.mbca.org). You get it – join MBCA and you’ll qualify for the AMG Driving Academy special pricing discounts listed below (U.S. tracks – see below).

What is the AMG Driving Academy?

AMG Driving Academy offers the opportunity to develop performance driving skills under the guidance of professional racers and instructors. The high performance driving school takes place at two of the most legendary US circuits, Road Atlanta and Laguna Seca Raceway. AMG Driving Academy offers three distinct programs, each of which will push drivers to the limit in select AMG vehicles, including the most-advanced AMG vehicle ever built, the 2011 SLS AMG. Read on for discounts – Continue reading » »

Mercedes-Benz Star Magazine Receives 13 Medals In 19th International Automotive Media Awards (IAMA)

The official magazine of the Mercedes-Benz Club of America (MBCA), the Star, led all publications with 13 medals at the 19th International Automotive Media Awards (IAMA), recognized by the automobile industry as the Academy Awards of automotive journalism. The Star magazine won two gold, four silver, and six bronze awards as well as the Best of Graphics Award.

This year’s IAMA’s awards is the highest medal count in the publication’s history. And, The Star earned its first “Best of” Award for Jean Constantine’s photography for the feature article “W154: Back on the Track.” The article discusses the private restoration of one of the legendary 1939 W154 Mercedes-Benz “Silver Arrow” race cars.

Here’s the official press release provided by Lisa Juhl, Marketing Director with MBCA:

AMG Market News (amgmarket.com) from MBCA/COLORADO SPRINGS, CO/July 16, 2010/ –  “The Star, the official magazine of the Mercedes-Benz Club of America, led all publications with 13 medals: two gold, four silver, and six bronze plus the Best of Graphics Award” at the 19th International Automotive Media Awards (IAMA), recognized by the automobile industry as the Academy Awards of automotive journalism. Continue reading » »

The Mercedes-Benz Club of America (MBCA) South Jersey Section is hosting a national driving event in Millville, New Jersey on October 24-28, 2008. Drive your Mercedes-Benz like it was built to be driven – Coaching by Trained Instructors! Track events are excellent venues for any AMG Mercedes-Benz. Registration is now open for this event.

Download the Registration Packet

Special events include: Concours d' Elegance, Defensive Driving, Autocross, Time Trials, Acceleration Runs, Rally and Awards Banquet.

Track activities will be held at the brand new New Jersey Motorsport Park in Millville, NJ, using the 1.9 mile Lightning Circuit.  This ten-turn circuit is challenging, featuring some of the most interesting corners and dramatic elevation changes in the park. Track website: NJ Motor Sports Park

Area attractions:

• 60 minute drive of Philadelphia, Wilmington, Atlantic City, and the Jersey Shore;
• Wheaton Arts – World Class Glass art created in the Glass Studio;
• The Millville Army Air Field Museum – the history of "America's First Defense Airport" dedicated in 1941 to train P-47 (Thunderbolt) pilots;
• Millville Arts District – Glasstown Center Arts District, an area with studios and galleries, restaurants, antique shops and an arts and pottery school.

For more info contact: Rob Fini by phone: (215) 680-7556.

Central VA Section Holiday Gala
Date: January 11, 2009
Time: 11:00AM
Details at the MBCA Central VA Section website

Tech Session
Date: March 22, 2008
Cost: $25 per car, includes 2-person registration
($10 per person w/o car)
Brown Mercedes
Rt. 250 E. Pantops Mountain, Charlottesville, VA
Brown Mercedes graciously hosted several Tech Sessions. The event is always a great success enjoyed by a large group of our members.

Contact: Justin Sarafin

July 13, 2008
Summer Picnic & Rallye
Scottsville, VA
Meet at Monticello/Albemarle Co. Visitor's Center at Route 64 and 20. Then drive down Route 20 through Scottsville, destination Gilbert Somers’ Farm (maps provided). Door prizes will be awarded at the picnic. By 2:00 p.m. the grills will be
smoking with chicken, hamburgers, and hot dogs. You are encouraged to contribute your favorite dessert.

That's not all, join us for a tour of Gil's stained glass restoration studio
and examine his eclectic collection of automobiles, including multiple Mercedes-Benz models located throughout several barns on the property. Gil has a history and story for each car, many of which he has owned and driven for decades.
Additional details will be provided in our email newsletter.

August 30, 2008
Private Tour of Monticello
Charlottesville, VA
Meet at Monticello for a private, after-hours tour including dome room, then meet on the downtown mall in Charlottesville at Enoteca for food and wine. Indoor and outdoor seating. A nice Friday summer evening in Charlottesville. Details will be provided in our email newsletter.

Sept. 26- Oct. 1, 2008
National Event – MBCA Starfest 2008
San Francisco, CA
The San Francisco Bay Area with the Sacremento Section present StarFest 2008. The Concours on Treasure Island will have a dramatic backdrop of the San Francisco skyline. Rally across Golden Gate Bridge and through wine country to Thunderhill Raceway Park in Willows. Track events will be held at Thunderhill. For more information please contact Laura Simonds.

Past Events:

January 13, 2008 – Holiday Gala- Brunch at Henry Clay Inn -Ashland, VA

Location: Henry Clay Inn, 114 N Railroad Ave, Ashland, VA 23005
Ph: (804) 798-3100

The Henry Clay Inn is situated adjacent the railroad tracks in the center of Ashland, in historic Hanover County. The Inn is re-created in Georgian Revival architecture and features balconies, fireplaces and rocking chairs on the porches.

Meeting Time: 11:00 AM
Cost: $25 per person ($45 per couple)

Please join us for a Holiday Brunch at the Historic Henry Clay Inn in Ashland, Va. The Inn overlooks the Old Ashland Train Station and the campus of Randolph Macon College. We'll sit in the parlor and watch the trains roll by…starting with Libations at 11:00 AM.

Registration Details
Given seating is limited, please register as soon as possible. The deadline is January 7. Please send check made payable to "MBCA Central Virginia Section," the number of people attending and your meal choice to:

Event Coordinators
Therese and Shirley Dodge
1017 Francisco Road, Richmond, VA 23229-6637
Ph: (804) 285-2138

Additional details in our current newsletter.