European Delivery started when?

[LFrank]

Today's New York times states that Volvo started the European delivery for US soldiers in the 1950's; but Mercedes din't start that type of program until 1965? I'd been told that my car was delivered to original owner in Europe..... :?:

LFrank
Washington DC
65 230 sl - auto
DB334/Hellblau

[John A. Dean]

The original owner of my 1963 220 SE coupe ordered the car through a dealer in Washington State, in October, 1962 and took delivery in Germany in February, 1963.  I have all of the original documentation of the transaction.  I don't know how long the European delivery program was in place, but obviously it was active at that time.

1969 280SL, manual, MB TEX, green/cognac

[Klaus]

The starting date of 1965 for the European Delivery program is strictly linked to the fact that Mercedes-Benz of North America was incorporated in 1965.
Before that time, Mercedes-Benz vehicles were imported by importers and distributors, notably after WWII Max Hoffmann until 1957, then there was a relationship between Daimler-Benz and Curtiss Wright, then with Studebaker until 1964.
However, you could always arrange to pick-up your car at the factory, it only wasn't called European Delivery. The Mercedes-Benz Club America had its own annual Safari to the factory, where members picked up their cars (see The Star, Sept/Oct 2004, page 57). There are very nice and impressing photos also in the literature of probably up to 100 American customers simultaneously picking up their 300SLs at the factory in the fifties.

Klaus
1969 280 SL

[Richard Madison]

Not sure when the formal Euro Delivery program began but I picked up a 220SE Sedan from the factory in 1963 just before returning to the US from Army service.

Now that you've jogged my memory, here's the story:

The car was Tobacco Brown, the same color as my Pagoda.

GI's used American Express for banking. German nationals could not use an AMEXCO check so I paid for the car with a bag full of US cash. The dealer sat and counted US$4,000 in 20 dollar bills.

(Some car orders were written in dollars, some in Deutsche Marks. When the Mark was revalued upward in the early '60, cars with Mark contracts increased 20% in cost because of the new dollar exchange rate. Mine was a Dollar contract so there was no affect.)

Diplomats and US GI's were given deep discounts in those days. I paid $4,000 for the car which was selling for over $7,000 in the US.

I went to the Sindelfingen factory by bus and taxi. Receptionist made a call and soon a tall, elagant looking Customer Rep came out in a long white shop coat. He guided me on a tour of the factory which I have never forgotten.

Absolutely clean and neat, several long assembly lines with cars in various stages of build were moving slowly along (perhaps your W113 was in my view?) A car would arrive at one spot and on a ceiling track above was the engine for that car. The track became lower and carried the engine right into the engine compartment where it was installed in just a few minutes. I was amazed that the correct engine and car would arrive at the exact same moment.

A few minutes later, the seats were installed, battery, engine "juices" installed, etc.  Just minutes after the engine was dropped in, a technician jumped into the newly assembled car, started the engine and drove the car off the line. Wow!

Then my guide showed me through a swinging door into a small rotunda lit by a single ceiling flood light. Displayed in the light in all its glory was my 220 SE, a thrilling sight.

The only non-fun part was crawling along the Autobahn at 40 miles an hour for the Break-In period...but Mercedes had put a "Breaking In" sign in English and German in the rear window so the Porsches flying by would know why you were crawling along in the right lane.

Thanks for the memory.

Richard M

[Malc]

Interesting,
I am beginnng to think that this is how the "old girl" ended up in the US. Supposedly bought "new" in New York State, but with European headlights, instruments etc I wonder if she was taken by a GI back home and then sold on.
Malc

[peterm]

The new euro delivery experience doesn't sound much different than the one Richard experienced.  In mid august we went to Sindelfingen to pick up an s430 at the factory.  The delivery center is gorgeous with full theatre, restaurant(with excellent food, included in your delivery package), a store, a museum (there was a display of all sl's stangely without a pagoda) and huge delivery ampitheatre.  The process is seemless and Mercedes thinks of all details.  They even meet you at your taxi when you arrive and take your luggage and inform you it will be in your car upon delivery!!

We too had the tour where automation is minimal but articulation is maximal.  Cleanliness seems their trademark and they still match the chassis/drivetrain to frame as Richard described.  You finally are mated with your vehicle and given a complete rundown before you're set free to the German Roads.  

If anyone is thinking of a new MB and has 3-4 months lead time DO THIS the discount on most models pays for the trip itself.  We signed on for the Rallye package and you are coddled in 5 5-star hotels in a 500 mile itinerary.  BTW Break in isn't so strict anymore and I was up to 115 mph before I backed off!!

[TA250SL]

You might have seen this if you did a European delivery of your Pagoda!

Tom

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