Mercedes-Benz Classic Center USA Dream Job Opening

Mercedes-Benz Classic Center USA just posted a new job opening that for many of our readers would be a dream job

Mercedes-Benz Classic Center USA just posted a new job opening that for many of our readers would be a dream job.  They are looking for an experience technician to work in the classic workshop on restorations like the Mercedes 300 SL, 190 SL, 300 S and SC cabriolet, you get the idea.  The Metal Fabrication / Body Technician job is based out of Souther California at the Mercedes-Benz USA’s Classic Center.

For those of you that fit the bill, you can contact the Classic Center at classiccenter@mbusa.com, with the subject ‘Application for Restoration Technician’. Send them your resume, tell them a bit about yourself and your experience in body work / metal fabrication, restoration and repair. And, if you’re smart, you’ll send along photos that showcase some of your work.

The full job description can be found by clicking here.

2013 Goodwood Festival of Speed

A Mercedes-Benz Type W 196 R Grand Prix racing car will be auctioned off at this years Goodwood Festival of Speed

At this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed in West Sussex, England, a Mercedes-Benz Type W 196 R Grand Prix racing car will be auctioned off. The auction, to be held on July 12, will no doubt be one of the highlights of a Goodwood weekend. In addition to the Mercedes race car being auctioned off, Mercedes-Benz Classic will also be on hand alongside Mercedes-Benz UK at the 20th staging of the motorsport garden party. The Goodwood event, held July 11-14, will feature several exclusive models from the Mercedes’ motor-racing history, cars will include legendary pre- and post-war Silver Arrows as well as cars from the early days of motor racing. One particular highlight of the show, an original Benz “Prinz-Heinrich-Wagen” from 1910.

Benz “Prinz Heinrich car” from 1910. Image from the “Allgemeine Automobil-Zeitung” (AAZ) magazine, No. 23, 1910. This special touring car was driven by Carl Neumaier in the legendary long-distance race in June 1910. Equipped with four-valve technology, the 4-cylinder engine developed 59 kW (80 hp) from its 5.7-litre displacement.

(Benz “Prinz Heinrich car” from 1910. Image from the “Allgemeine Automobil-Zeitung” (AAZ) magazine, No. 23, 1910. This special touring car was driven by Carl Neumaier in the legendary long-distance race in June 1910. Equipped with four-valve technology, the 4-cylinder engine developed 59 kW (80 hp) from its 5.7-litre displacement.)

Juan Manuel Fangio piloted the Mercedes-Benz Silver Arrow Type W 196 R with chassis number 006/54 to victory at the German and Swiss Grands Prix in 1954. These triumphs were key moments on Fangio’s march towards his first Formula-1 World Championship title with Mercedes-Benz. The W 196 R also marked a triumphant post-war return to Grand Prix racing for Mercedes-Benz in the 1954 season.

in 1955 Fangio won the world championship again ahead of Stirling Moss, also on a 300 SLR

(In 1955 Fangio won the world championship again ahead of Stirling Moss, also on a 300 SLR)

During this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed, the British auction house Bonhams will be hosting an exclusive auction of this very W 196 R model with chassis number 006/54 on July 12, 2013. “This unique opportunity is sure to hold extraordinary appeal for all those with an interest in historical motorsport”, says Michael Bock, Head of Mercedes-Benz Classic, “as the vehicle was and remains the only original post-war Silver Arrows in private ownership.”

Ahead of the auction, the experts at Mercedes-Benz Classic have carried out extensive checks on the Silver Arrow, which was donated by the then Daimler-Benz AG to the National Motor Museum in Beaulieu (England) in 1973 and sold by the museum to a private collector in 1980. Based on these detailed checks and the full set of documentation compiled by Mercedes-Benz Classic, the brand historians have produced a detailed expert’s report confirming the vehicle’s originality and authenticity. “Our expert’s report means that there are no uncertainties whatsoever about this racing car,” says Michael Bock. “It fully and unequivocally confirms the history and originality of the vehicle.”

Hans Herrmann (W 196 R open-wheel version), Mercedes-Benz Classic, Goodwood Revival 2011

(Hans Herrmann (W 196 R open-wheel version), Mercedes-Benz Classic, Goodwood Revival 2011)

The fact that Mercedes-Benz Classic provides such a high level of expertise for collectors and fans of the brand’s historical cars adds to the value of Mercedes-Benz classic vehicles. “High-quality classics bearing the Mercedes star are among the most valuable classic cars of all”, says Michael Bock, “and the auction of this unique vehicle has the potential to achieve an extremely high price – perhaps even the highest price ever paid at auction for a car.”

Great moments at Goodwood with Mercedes-Benz Classic

Mercedes-Benz Classic is reliving the glittering racing successes of the second Silver Arrow era of 1954 and 1955 at the 2013 Goodwood Festival of Speed by staging demonstration drives with a W 196 R from its own collection. Only 10 of the total of 14 models originally built are still in existence: there are six W 196 R models in the Mercedes-Benz Classic collection, plus museum exhibits in Turin, Vienna and Indianapolis. Then there is the model with chassis number 006/54 being auctioned in Goodwood. To tie in with the W 196 R, Mercedes-Benz Classic is also exhibiting an authentic 2001 replica of the “Blue Wonder” racing-car transporter from 1955 and a 300 SLR Coupé originally built for gruelling long-distance races and rally events. Although this “Uhlenhaut-Coupé” never actually raced, it became famous as a test and touring car used by Mercedes-Benz designer Rudolf Uhlenhaut.

Mercedes-Benz formula racing car W 154, 1938

(Mercedes-Benz formula racing car W 154, 1938)

Also on show at the legendary festival in the English county of West Sussex is a pre-war Silver Arrow W 154. It was in a Silver Arrow of this type that Rudolf Caracciola won his third European Grand Prix Championship title for Mercedes-Benz in 1938. Heralding from a far more distant era of motor racing is the Benz “Prinz-Heinrich-Wagen” from 1910, which Mercedes-Benz Classic has faithfully restored to ensure maximum authenticity. Finally, a Benz Patent Motor Car is a reminder of the birth of the automobile in 1886.

The dark green “Prinz-Heinrich-Wagen” with white start number 38 is making its public driving debut at the festival following its careful restoration by the Mercedes-Benz Classic experts. Now over 100 years old, the vehicle is a fascinating witness of motor sport innovations from the early 1900s. At that time, the “Prinz-Heinrich” Tour, named after the brother of the German Emperor, was one of Europe’s most prominent races. The German Automobile Club, then known as the “Kaiserlicher Automobil-Club”, staged the race for the first time in 1908, with only four-seater production cars being allowed to participate. Between 1908 and 1910, Benz & Cie. built the “Prinz-Heinrich-Wagen” designed specifically for the race using a number of different engine configurations.

Benz “Prinz Heinrich car” from 1910. Faithfully restored by Mercedes-Benz Classic in accordance with the requirement for utmost authenticity and thereafter presented to the public again in 2013. This special touring car was driven by Carl Neumaier in the legendary long-distance race in June 1910. Equipped with four-valve technology, the 4-cylinder engine developed 59 kW (80 hp) from its 5.7-litre displacement.

(Benz “Prinz Heinrich car” from 1910. Faithfully restored by Mercedes-Benz Classic in accordance with the requirement for utmost authenticity and thereafter presented to the public again in 2013. This special touring car was driven by Carl Neumaier in the legendary long-distance race in June 1910. Equipped with four-valve technology, the 4-cylinder engine developed 59 kW (80 hp) from its 5.7-litre displacement.)

Ten all-new Benz special touring cars were built for the 1910 tour, which was staged between June 2 and 8 and covered a distance of 1945 kilometres from Berlin to Homburg via Braunschweig, Kassel, Nuremberg, Stuttgart, Strasbourg, and Metz. Four of them had 5.7-litre engines while the other six had engines with a displacement of 7.3 litres. All the touring cars were equipped with cardan shaft drive and had an aerodynamically optimised body with a characteristic pointed rear. Following extensive restoration of the Benz 80 hp special touring car from the Mercedes-Benz Classic collection by the in-house experts, this authentic and original “Prinz-Heinrich-Wagen” is now celebrating its public return to the race track at Goodwood. It is yet another high point in the life of a vehicle that many automobile historians consider to be the first true sports car.

The many Mercedes-Benz Classic vehicles lining up at the start for demonstration drives on the 1.86 kilometre Goodwood hill-climb course will be one of the highlights of the festival. In keeping with the long and illustrious tradition of Mercedes-Benz Classic, the brand’s racing cars will be piloted by renowned racing drivers on the Goodwood hill-climb course. These prominent brand ambassadors include motor-racing stars such as Lewis Hamilton, Hans Herrmann, Jochen Mass, Stirling Moss, Nico Rosberg, and Jackie Stewart.

Goodwood Festival of Speed 2011, Lewis Hamilton.

(Goodwood Festival of Speed 2011, Lewis Hamilton.)

20 years of the Goodwood Festival of Speed

The Goodwood Festival of Speed in southern England is celebrating a milestone anniversary in 2013: it is precisely 20 years since Charles Gordon-Lennox, Earl of March and Kinrara, first staged the festival in 1993. Now more than 150,000 visitors flock to the event every year to celebrate the culture of historical motorsport in all of its fascinating facets, including sophisticated super sports cars and Grand Prix models as well as rally vehicles and 3,000 hp (2,205 kW) dragsters. For all this variety, however, the organisers attach great importance to the fact that every vehicle appearing at the festival represents the technology, spirit and style of its respective era and ties in with the festival’s motto for the year.

The cornerstone for today’s Festival of Speed was laid by the grandfather of the keen motor-racing enthusiast and Goodwood host, who normally goes by the title of Lord March: the then Earl of March and 9th Duke of Richmond, Freddie March, was renowned in England as a car designer, engineer, and racing driver. He first staged a private hill-climb race in the park of Goodwood House in 1936. Some 50 years on, his grandson decided to revive this tradition.

Within the space of 20 years, the Goodwood Festival of Speed has become one of the undoubted highlights on the international calendar of automobile culture. Competition vehicles and sports cars from all eras take part in a symphony of motor sport and speed conducted over three days. The latest cars from Formula 1, motor racing’s class of kings, are also always represented here. Alongside the hill-climb race, there has also been a 2.5 kilometre rally course for vehicles of this type since 2007. To open the festival, there will be a presentation of current production cars in the “Moving Motor Show” on July 11, 2013 before the focus switches to sporty vehicles of all types and from all eras on July 12 to 14, 2013.

Coppa Acerbo near Pescara, August 14, 1938. The Mercedes-Benz W 154 racing cars driven by Manfred von Brauchitsch (start number 46), Hermann Lang (start number 40) and Rudolf Caracciola (start number 26), who was to win the race, took the lead immediately after the start.

(Coppa Acerbo near Pescara, August 14, 1938. The Mercedes-Benz W 154 racing cars driven by Manfred von Brauchitsch (start number 46), Hermann Lang (start number 40) and Rudolf Caracciola (start number 26), who was to win the race, took the lead immediately after the start.)

As well as being an exciting motor-racing event, the Festival of Speed is also an elegant promenade of automobile culture – from the pits, open to all visitors, to vehicle exhibits in the park grounds and new automotive works of art created every year by British sculptor Gerry Judah. There are also vehicle exhibits focussing on specific themes, including “Star Cars”. Further attractions include “Cartier’ Style Et Luxe'”, the “Cathedral Paddock”, the “Cricket Pitch Display”, the “Formula 1 Paddock”, and the “Michelin Supercar Paddock”. The gap between historic motor sport and state-of-the-art automotive technology is bridged among other things by the “FoS-TECH” pavilion featuring an exhibition of the latest innovations.

Mercedes-Benz Museum Collectors’ Fair

The Mercedes-Benz Collectors' Fair will be held November 27, 2010 from 9 am to 6 pm at the Mercedes-Benz Museum

Following the success of last year’s Collector’s Fair premiere, on Saturday, November 27, 2010 the Mercedes-Benz Museum will be holding its second collectors’ fair for models, brochures, literature, pins and accessories. From 9.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m. dealers, collectors and enthusiasts will have a chance to browse among over 100 tables.

A special pin will be available to mark the second Mercedes-Benz Collectors’ Fair. In addition, the Mercedes-Benz Museum is offering an exclusive 1:43-scale special edition model. Dealers can reserve a table, registration fee 25 euros, at http://www.mercedes-benz.com/sammlerboerse. Visitor admission to the collectors’ fair is free of charge.

The Mercedes-Benz Museum is open daily from Tuesday to Sunday from 9.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m. Current information for visitors is available from the Classic Customer Centre online at www.mercedes-benz-classic.com

The Mercedes-Benz Classic Center Overview

The Mercedes-Benz Classic Center in Fellbach near Stuttgart is the worldwide center for automotive Mercedes-Benz originality

The Mercedes-Benz Classic Center in Fellbach near Stuttgart is the worldwide center for automotive Mercedes-Benz originality. It was opened on 19 May 1993, and it makes an important contribution – together with the Mercedes-Benz Museum, the Archive & Collection and Club Management – to the historic brand communication of Mercedes-Benz. Its services include the servicing, repair and restoration of classic Mercedes-Benz vehicles, as well as the provision of appropriate genuine parts. In addition, it also sells or brokers sales of exclusive Mercedes-Benz classic vehicles.

The Mercedes-Benz Classic Center (MBCC) is both pioneer and market leader in the comprehensive, responsible and professional care of historic Mercedes-Benz vehicles worldwide. As part of the world’s oldest automotive plant, the MBCC acts as a guardian of the company’s tradition and as a service provider for all those interested in or owning historic Mercedes-Benz vehicles and their predecessor brands – as well, of course, as being a treasure trove of fascinating stories linked to the brand with the world-famous star.

It is not only the historic and more recent automobiles in the Mercedes-Benz Museum that receive the professional attentions of the MBCC. The unique technical and historic expertise of its employees is also available to all customers of the brand anywhere in the world who wish to maintain their Mercedes-Benz in its original condition.

“For our customers, such authentic care of their Mercedes-Benz classics represents a guarantee of value retention. For the Mercedes-Benz brand itself, the work of the MBCC is proof positive of quality, innovation and fascination”, says Michael Bock, Head of Face-to-Face Communication at Mercedes-Benz Cars and CEO of Mercedes-Benz Museum GmbH. “It is a policy which the company, as inventor of the automobile, is set to follow in the years ahead, since MBCC also guarantees authentic care of today’s vehicles once they have become a part of Mercedes-Benz history.”

Authenticity guaranteed

The classics one sees on the world’s highways provide the best evidence of the traditionally outstanding quality of Mercedes-Benz automobiles. They demonstrate the high level of production quality and the leading role of the Mercedes-Benz brand in automotive history. Accordingly it is of the utmost importance that MBCC ensures the same functionality for Mercedes classics of all eras as the company does for its new models.

Every Mercedes-Benz classic makes the values of the brand immediately tangible; each one of these cars stands for and demonstrates quality, innovation and fascination. With this aim in mind, the MBCC makes its own special contribution to “lifelong service”.

Mercedes-Benz sells not sheet steel, glass and rubber – but fascination. The service provided by the MBCC is part of the fascination which present and future
Mercedes-Benz classics represent for classic vehicle enthusiasts.

What all customers of the MBCC benefit from is the MBCC’s direct access to all the corporate resources it requires. In addition to having full access to the archive, the MBCC has the use of the research and development facilities, the prototype development experience of the plants and the latest technical methods for reproducing original components. Moreover, access to the specialist know-how of suppliers closely associated with the company goes even further to underline the fundamental originality to which the MBCC adheres. All these factors help to maintain the originality and historical and technical perfection of the classic vehicles. A Daimler, Benz, Mercedes or Mercedes-Benz remains an original even after its restoration by the MBCC.

Genuine parts for Mercedes-Benz classics

The MBCC is responsible for all replacement parts relating to Mercedes-Benz vehicles whose series production ceased at least 20 years ago. The range of genuine parts currently comprises around 40,000 item numbers for more than 20 different model series.

Parts which are no longer available can be reproduced in authentic quality and to Mercedes-Benz standards using firmly established processes. The main focus of these reproductions and new production runs is on components which are crucial for safety and operational reliability. Wherever possible, the original supplier is charged with production of a new batch, or alternatively over 150 newly certificated suppliers are available.

The Replacement Parts department of the MBCC is also a treasure trove when it comes to unearthing replacement parts lists, workshop manuals, operating instructions, technical tables or service booklets.

Repairs, servicing and restoration

The MBCC restores, repairs and services Daimler, Benz, Mercedes and Mercedes-Benz classics owned by customers, providing a precise technical report and cost estimate beforehand. This applies to every single vehicle produced under these brand names since 1886. The main focus is on the supercharged models of the pre-war era, the 600 and all the models in the 300 series, e.g. the 300 SL Gullwing. The Center’s workshop not only carries out full or partial restorations, but also individual repair and rebuilding assignments for engines, transmissions, axles, steering systems and other assemblies if these can no longer be supplied from the stocks of Mercedes-Benz replacement parts.

In overall terms, expert assessments – which are inspections to ascertain the authenticity of any vehicle built by the company since the invention of the autombile in 1886 and to provide a statement of condition and appropriate documentation – are compiled by the Archive & Collection or commissioned in advance by the customer. The technical aspect of this expert assessment, however, is the responsibility of the MBCC.

At national and international classic vehicle events the MBCC is at hand to give owners of Mercedes-Benz classics the benefit of its specialist advice and practical assistance. On these occasions specialists from the Workshop department carry out servicing and minor repairs on the spot, as the circumstances allow.

Purchase and sale of classic vehicles

The Mercedes-Benz Classic Center also deals in classic automobiles by Mercedes-Benz and its predecessor brands, and specializes in high-value vehicles such as convertibles, the models in the 300 series and pre-war cars like the supercharger models. Long years of experience with the company’s own models and their history as well as careful examinations ensure transparency with respect to current condition and possible follow-up costs. In its buying and selling of vehicles, MBCC is a guarantor of first-class advice and market-related pricing, as it is when brokering vehicles on behalf of customers. Both buyer and seller can rely on the experience and expertise of MBCC specialists.

The permanent exhibition on the premises of the Classic Center in Fellbach contains a number of exclusive classics from different eras and in their original condition – either repaired and/or restored – and can merely be admired or purchased. Before a classic vehicle is offered for sale in the MBCC showrooms, it is examined and checked down to the last detail by the workshop specialists.

Mercedes classics – Tradition with a future

In the eyes of the company a Mercedes qualifies as a classic when twenty years have passed since its production was discontinued. Since 1988, this e.g. has applied to the four- and six-cylinder Tailfin models in the W 110, W 111 and W 112 series, of which 973,000 units were produced in total. In 1993 these were followed by the

S-Class models of the W 108 and W 109 series, in which V8 engines were offered for the first time, and since 1996, likewise 20 years after production was discontinued, the classic lineup has included the practically indestructible Stroke Eight (/8) W 114/W 115 model series. Other recent classics include the generously chrome-embellished

S-Class models of the W 116 series produced from 1972 to 1980, in which the large 6.9-liter V8 celebrated its premiere along with the first diesel model in the S-Class, though the latter was only intended for the US market. They are joined by the W 100, the world-famous and highly desirable 600 state limousine, which was produced between 1963 and 1981.

Mercedes-Benz Classic partners

Owners of Mercedes-Benz classics do not necessarily need to travel to Fellbach with their vehicles. More than 500 Mercedes-Benz company-owned outlets and dealerships in Germany are able to provide information on the procurement of replacement parts and literature. The same applies to Classic partners in France, Belgium and Switzerland.

Twenty of these outlets in Germany are also able to offer an extended range of services. These possess the specialist personnel, working facilities and in-depth expertise and craftsmanship of a classic car workshop. They are able to provide knowledgeable answers to questions regarding technical aspects, care, repairs and authenticity in close consultation with the specialists in Fellbach. However, the first port of call for full or partial restoration work remains the MBCC.

Since February 2006, owners of Mercedes-Benz classics in the USA have also had a No. 1 Service address to call on: this was when the first Classic Center in the USA was opened in Irvine, California, in close collaboration with Mercedes-Benz USA. This means that in the USA too, “lifelong service” is assured for Mercedes-Benz classics.

Visitor address:

Mercedes-Benz Classic Center,

Stuttgarter Str. 90,

70736 Fellbach


Opening hours:

Monday to Friday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Guided tours: Mondays 2 p.m. – 3.30 p.m.

(Group tours are available by prior arrangement)


Postal address:

Daimler AG,

Mercedes-Benz Classic Center,

000/R051,

D-70546 Stuttgart


Contact:

Phone: +49 (0)711/17-8 40 40, fax: +49 (0) 711/17-8 345 6

E-mail: classic.center@daimler.com

Internet: www.mercedes-benz.com/classic-center