A Gathering of Stars -Dash Plaque

[Atazman]

Can anyone provide information on this plaque on the glove box door of my 250 SL?  It was there when I bought the car, and I thought maybe this could be a route for finding previous owners.  Here's what the plaque says.........

Western Caravan XVIII

"A Gathering of Stars"
Ontario Motor Speedway
July 1978

Thanks much!!

[mdsalemi]

Don,

"Western Caravan" is a Mercedes-Benz Club of America National Event, similar to Starfest, Gemuetlekeit, Tri-O-Rama, etc.  As the name would indicate it is an event held in the western part of the USA.

I don't recall hearing about one in recent memory but what you clearly have is a "dash plaque" from a participant.

I'd suggest you contact one of the MBCA western directors who might be able to help you further.  Former National President Richard Simonds is one with a long memory and also a Pagoda owner so maybe he can help.  www.mbca.org

[paulr]

.....what I don't recall is seeing Pagoda owner Richard Simonds making posts here. Is he a member Michael ?

[mdsalemi]

quote:Originally posted by paulr

.....what I don't recall is seeing Pagoda owner Richard Simonds making posts here. Is he a member Michael ?

I do not believe that Richard Simonds is a member of this forum.

[paulr]

tch tch

[ja17]

Hello Don,

Michael is correct and I do recall "The Western Caravan" events. I never attended one, but I first joined the MBCA in 1972. They were the typical combination social, show and driving event type gatherings still held by the MBCA. I have all the old "Star Magazines" from back in those days. They covered all these events. If you like I can look it up for you and possibly see if your car had participated and if it won any trophies!

[Atazman]

Hi Michael and Joe.....

As you suggested, Michael, I have tried contacting Richard Simonds (via E-Mail) asking if he knows any details regarding the Western Caravan.  I have not heard back from him yet.

Joe.....I would like to take you up on your offer to do a little research for me.  Certainly in no hurry, but any information regarding my car would be welcomed.  I'm primarily interested in who owned the car ahead of me, but anything at all related to it would be nice.

Beyond the specifics mentioned along with my signature, the car is 180 Silver (exterior and hardtop) with red interior.  It has the sideways rear seat and Bundt alloy wheels. I have no idea when these wheels were installed.

OK, guys!  Good to hear from you!

[psmith]

Richard is a member of the forum, user name Richard Simonds.  I suspect he doesn't post much because he is very involved as the past national president of MBCA.

[ja17]

Hello Don,

I dusted off my thirty year old "The Star" magazines. The Nov./Dec. issue had an article with results on Western Caravan XVIII. It was a National MBCA event held at Ontario Motor Speedway. There were 265 members in attendance and 127 participants in driving events and concours. It is a three page article with photos but no photos of W113 cars unfortunately. Jim Wiens was the chairman of the event. I see that Tom Hanson was at this event and was driving a 450SEL which placed first in his class! If his memory is good you can pick his brain also.

The results of the concours and driving events is listed. I see three 250SLs in the results.  It looks like your W113 could have had a prestigeous past history. The Best of Show in the Concours was a 1967 250SL owned by Gary Jarvis. Gary also won the first place trophy for the W113 class in the autocross and a third place class trophy in the time trials on the big track.

Another 250SL was owned by Fred and Anita Lustig, whom I knew back then, Fred also had a beutiful red 300SL gull wing.  Anita won the first place trophy  for the time trials and a third in the autocross in the ladies SL class. Fred also drove this 250SL and earned a third place class trophy in the autocross.

A third 250SL was entered by D. Smalley who earned a second place class trophy in time trials.

I suspect Fred Lustig is still an active member if he is still with us.  If you can begin narrowing down these three choices I can do a bit more research to see if your car shows up in other events or possibly some photos. I can scan and email or copy and mail if you want any of this information for your W113 history.

Take care,

Joe

[Atazman]

Hi Joe....

Hey, I appreciate you digging through your magazines.  I'm keeping all the information you provided in your post, so please don't take the time to either scan or mail the article to me.

You provided some good information, and I will continue my search.  Keep me in mind if you think of another source of information for me.