Sunday, September 1, 2019. The day is gold-rimmed by Mercedes-Benz owners and enthusiasts. Klaas de Poel organizes the traditional Star Cars & Coffee in and around his buildings together with his people. Everyone is also welcome during the eleventh edition of the meeting point for and by Mercedes enthusiasts in Surhuisterveen. Those without Benz park separately, those with Benz will be on Klaas de Poel's yards and the adjacent grounds this year.
I have been coming for years, and also for this edition the details of the traditionally excellent meeting have been sharpened. The grass, intended for the majority of occasional Mercedes and their owners, has been mowed this year. Super short, no obstacle can become a symbol of chance. It is busy, and the weather gods have made the right choice.
“Next year there will be just one more plot”, Klaas laughs, who in the meantime also enthusiastically finds that the move to move the terrace is an improvement. “Good for the dynamics, the loop is even better than last year. By the way, have you seen that 300 d from 1960? That is how it looks at its best, black with a red interior, beautiful. ”The enthusiastic blood in Klaas, who nevertheless sells many truly unique Mercedes-Benz cars, flows at full speed and lets an almost childish enthusiasm prevail. With a Star born on the forehead it is calledI think it's wonderful. World vent.
A little further on is my favorite jewel on the historic Benz crown. A W113, Dutch supplied Pagoda, 1970, an 280 SL. With ski carriers on the roof, a unique and very rare accessory. In addition to my dream, I speak to another Pagoda owner. We are both surprised while we know what is in front of us. The Pagoda, so beautiful, that elegance and that powerful lines that come together beautifully in this sublime Turismo. Always appealing. Also applies to the 220b W110 from Jan de Haan, regular visitor to the Benzfeest. “Next week we are going on holiday to Sweden again. Also with a Mercedes, our B180. But first here, of course. I don't want to miss this ”, says the always sympathetic man who owns one of the most beautiful Heckflosses in the Netherlands.
Meanwhile, new visitors come with Mercedes-Benz copies of all sorts, from classic to new. Henk Mulder welcomes them and guides them with the necessary facts about the type in which the visitors come. Henk knows everything about every series, and Asmes Douwes is also an expert when it comes to older Benz material. Also always nice to catch up with Asmes. There is a continuous atmosphere of informal interaction and geniality, but meanwhile Klaas and his crew miss nothing and nobody. Everything runs smoothly, there is no discord. Here the cars from Mercedes-Benz and the kapsones-less world around it show again why there has been a deep-rooted Benz love in me for a lifetime.
Peter, Bianca, Mike and Dorien. They are there too. Started in a column from One, and all with a Mercedes-Benz. The E300 Turbodiesel Avantgarde (S210) is there, and Mike - who I have known for some time - arrives with a W123 240D. Original, 1983, sliding roof. Immediately in love, instantly. "What would it be like ..." For a moment, it just flashes through my mind. Damn. No, I don't want to lose my Lancia for a long time. Dorien did exchange her younger car for an older one. A 2011 Astra was, partly on the advice of Peter, exchanged for a beautiful S203 from 2007. Automatic, champagne color, 180 Kompressor, sliding / tilting roof, seat heating, top comfort. Dorien, she never wants another brand.
The closing time of 16.00 hours is approaching, space is created on the left and right in the close collection of Mercedes cars in Surhuisterveen. Owners do not have to be encouraged, no hassle, there is still enough time for a can of coke, a hamburger, a last cup of coffee, the purchase of a miniature model from Jagersma. I do that too, an 1 on 43 Racing car disappears in the bag. Three days later the set is complete, one 1 on 43 300 SLR is united with my trophy bought in Surhuisterveen. At the miniatures stand of Jagersma I still speak with the founders of the very young Mercedes W201 / C class club. They are commendably working on the classic future of the smaller Benz.
A final greeting, a final hand. Henk, Asmes and Klaas thank me for coming. We all laugh, everything went naturally. The organization was again up to in the dots, that leave no room for commas. At Klaas de Poel it is traditional stoneware on 1 September 2019 therefore even better. The smile on the way back from Surhuisterveen stays on my face for a long time. This is called the ultimate reminiscing. Nice world, that of Mercedes-Benz and the enthusiasts. Certainly with Klaas.
Klaas de Poel has an interesting company that is open every Saturday. Always nice to take a look at the showroom as a lover of classic Mercedes and youngtimers of the brand: The site can be found on www.klaasdepoel.com
Dear Erik,
Excellent display of this fun day!
Nice that you also mention our young club: the MB W201 / C-Class Club Netherlands. The large number of W201 present and later C-Class models was remarkable. Also very nice to see that these mainly came with younger owners. Our club was able to register a nice number of new members this Sunday, so a very successful day for us in all respects! It is becoming more fun in our club.
For more info see: http://www.mbccn.nl