Suddenly thoughts go back to fifty years ago. I'm sitting in the backseat of the Mercedes-Benz of the Sturm family, the neighbors in Ens. Then, in the 1970s, the fascination with the star arose. As a car-crazy kid, I subconsciously felt what it meant that men were separated from boys in the car world. And I feel it again during a beautiful Sunday. Because I'm driving ahead Auto Motor Klassiek in a gem of a 250 Mercedes-Benz 1967 SE.
This Sunday is the next jewel in the crown of an extremely nice weekend, which started on Thursday evening in Wolvega and had a fascinating continuation. Life can be so beautiful, so beautiful. And that realization becomes even more solid when Menno, Jacqueline, Bart and I arrive at De Basis garage in Leeuwarden. And this place is the start of a phenomenally beautiful reporting afternoon. This is another one of those days.
The location was not chosen by chance. Menno and Jacqueline are the happy owners of an incredibly beautiful Mercedes-Benz 250 SE (Werksreihe 108), painted in Mittelrot and extensively polished. And at the De Basis garage in Leeuwarden, the Benz experienced a revival. A young lady of 21 was largely responsible for this. Marijke learned the tricks of the trade at a very early age, became fascinated by it and proves that the youth also have the absolute future in the land of classic cars. And garage owner Peter enthusiastically tells us about the ins and outs of the restoration world. There is chemistry at the table in every respect, six enthusiastic classic fans find each other. In such a way that Peter and Marijke from Garage De Basis decide to come along to the photo location.
And so photographer Spijker (Lynk & Co), the crew of Garage De Basis (Weltmeister-Käfer) and we (Menno, Jacqueline and the undersigned, in the Mercedes-Benz) drive quietly behind each other. I can steer with the Mercedes-Benz. “Because then you feel exactly what he is doing,” says Menno. And yes, these are the moments when the life of a classics editor is right on all sides. Very nice conversations arise on board. And in the meantime, you can enjoy the truly phenomenally beautiful Benz. The smell of the newly restored teak on the dashboard tickles the nostrils. The comfort is pleasant, this springs and dampens phenomenal. This springs and dampens classically well. I wallow in historical goodness, which can be served very confidently and freshly.
The steering is a bit indirect, and that suits this car perfectly. The car was built in Stuttgart according to the highest quality standards, which the Benz conveys organically to you. But never with the intention of turning it into a corner knight. That just didn't suit a luxury limousine of this stature. And that's how you drive the Benz 57 years later. You see a bend from a distance, and you slowly start turning. Then the Mercedes-Benz 250 SE is happy, and that is how the occupants feel. All speculations about the steering character can be discarded, this fits perfectly with this classic.
It doesn't change the fact that you can give this car a good, very good track record. Long run, and go. Because the M129 I engine develops its power and torque (max. 220 Nm at 4200 rpm) in a powerful and balanced way, the 250 SE accelerates in one effort, and that is accompanied by the discreet elegance of that typical Benz performance. -Catch sound. For me, that is the most beautiful sound a power source can produce. Distinguished, flawless and pure, pure nature. Once again it makes an impression, I feel goosebumps rising on my arms and I am moved. That's what unleashes the entire setting, the powerful acceleration and the character of this classic in me.
A beautiful weekend comes to an end. And this happens in the realization that as a 54-year-old you can still be a four-year-old boy. The boy who entered the wonderful world of Mercedes-Benz. In the backseat of the Sturm family's car. It touches me on all sides. Because I realize again how beautiful life can be. And happiness never becomes ordinary.
With many thanks to Menno Miedema, Jacqueline Bijmold, Peter Commijs, Marijke de Vos and Bart Spijker
Copyright images: Bart Spijker
I have been driving Mercedes for 48 years, including several cars with swing axles, and have never experienced the problems that my dear Westenberger has encountered. One of my hobby cars is still a Mercedes type 219 that has Pende axles and has already served 275.000 kilometers faithfully. I do have friends with an RO 80 who were allowed to replace their engine every 20.000 KM. Unfortunately, if the Wankel engine had been properly developed, this could have been prevented.
Special practical experience can happen
Regarding Mercedes from the years 1962 to 1968, my experiences are unfortunately different with commercial use as a Ditection vehicle at a large Bank in Frankfurt Dtl., my annual performance was approx. 90.000 km with the 4 brands Mercedes, BMW, Opel and NSU RO80, where the Mercedes showed the most defects, swaying during emergency stops due to rear swing axles, the shaft at the front fell on the highway bridge and the car was lifted up, as well as constant faults with ignition (BOSCH), the BMW was not able to handle full throttle, had to keep running after approximately 300 km cool down before continuing! For representative reasons, the Opel was only used for shopping, miraculously the NSU RO 80 was found to be the best for business use, because of the first 3 for NSU's house bank, not a single one broke down and this car behaved neutrally. emergency stops and swerves, etc.!
That's right, this type is one of the few black sheep within the Benz family.