I'm a member of the Dutch Mercedes Benz Veterans Club (MBVC = Classic cars, over 25 years old), which is an official MB affiliated club.
Both Cees Klumper and I have been involved in this organisation, and as a result know a little about Mercedes Benz policies on classic car clubs (although Cees knows a lot more).
Basically, MB favours to have a
single, real Mercedes Benz Classic Car Club per country. So not virtual, not one type, but all old cars. This gives the club mass, and presence. Only in Germany, with their large number of type clubs, do they accept more than one club.
In Holland, where there are a number of clubs, they decided to create a federation of clubs, to be recognised by MB. All clubs who are members of the federation pay a little overhead. As a result all its members get an official MB membership card and 6 times a year subscription to the Mercedes-Benz Classic magazine. That alone, believe me, is well worth the contribution that clubs pay to a federation and in turn Mercedes Benz.
The membership card offers a discount on entry to the MB museum... but I can't remember what else...
Peter
1970 280SL. Also known as 'admin@sl113.org' and organiser of the
Technical Manual.