A Monthly Column By Hal Tretbar - June
The Surprise of the Mercedes 300 SE
A good story should be told more than once. Most of this tale was first published in the Zuffenhausen News in October, 2015.
Recently, George W. Ridge Jr., 86, died following complicated cardiac surgery. He had led an interesting life as a newspaper journalist, practicing lawyer, and Professor of Journalism at the University of Arizona. But what he enjoyed most was writing travel stories.
In 1954, he was drafted into the Army. He spent seven years in Germany editing the Stars and Stripes military newspaper. He worked alongside an army sportswriter named Leo Levine. It was there that he bought the car that he treasured, a 1956 Silver Karmann Ghia Volkswagen. It is still in the family after 63 years.
I knew George well. He was a neighbor and close friend. We traveled as a team doing travel stories. He pounded out the text and I contributed the photography. We covered over 20 countries and published frequently in The Arizona Daily Star.
In December 1988, George, his wife Earlene, my wife Dorothy and I were planning to visit their daughter Carol and Army husband, Dave, stationed in Heidelberg, Germany. George happened to mention this to his old Army buddy, Leo Levine.
Levine had had a checkered career racing sports cars, writing about them, and then working for Mercedes Benz. He was the east coast Public Relations person for MB when he heard about our plans. Leo said, “If you can get to Stuttgart, let me see what I can do for you.”
The taxi driver in Stuttgart grumbled, “This is the Mercedes factory. You are going to the wrong door, it is not for tourists.” We went in, entered a small office and mentioned Leo Levine’s name.
“Achya,” said the official behind the desk. “You are here to pick up the 300 SE test car.” OK, we thought, sounds good to us. “And how long would you like to have it?” “Umm – how about two weeks?” “Sehr gute,” he said. “Here are the insurance papers. Come along and I will show you all of the details.”
Here was a grey 1998 (to 1991) 300 SE, 3 liter, 6 cylinder, luxury sedan with a top speed of 130 MPH. It was fitted with unusual 15 spoke chrome alloy wheels and Continental tires. The Mercedes was a jewel with a four speed automatic transmission. Of course, we had to ‘try it out’ on the Autobahn with our wives. Of course, it cruised in effortless silence as we passed most cars.
Then one day, after a few glasses of the finest Rhine wine, George and I conjured up the idea of driving over to the Hochenheimring race track only 59 kilometers from Heidelberg. The track hosts the German Grand Prix. So with a clink of our glasses, we said, “Let’s see if we can drive the track.”
The Hockenheimring was built in 1932 for motorcycle racing and then a test track for Mercedes and Auto Union. It was modified many times over the years for automobile racing. After famous Jim Clark was killed in April 1968 in a Formula 2 event, chicanes were added to the long straights. The first German Grand Prix was held there in 1970. Due to further safety concerns, the 4.2 mile long track was dramatically shortened and more tight corners were added for the 2002 Grand Prix.
George spoke enough German to get us past the gate to find the manager’s office. The track official suggested that we come back the next day when Mercedes would be doing tire testing.
The next day, the MB person in charge gave us a peculiar look when we inquired about driving the track. “I don’t know…,” he growled in English. “Let me see your car.” Then he smiled when he saw the 300 SE. “Oh yes, no problem. You have the test car. Come on in and I will drive a lap for you.”
So there we were with the Mercedes driver charging around the circuit shifting the automatic transmission through the tight turns like he was rowing a boat. “Don’t worry,” he said, “… it won’t effect the transmission at all.”
For the next hour or two, George and I took turns trying to keep the speed below 100 plus. Finally it was getting dark when we thanked the MB representative for allowing us to have our fun.
The rest of our trip went well as we headed south. Our base of operation was Hitler’s old grand hotel in Obersalzberg. It was rebuilt as The General Walker Hotel for military recreation. At Berchtesgaden we looked out from Hitler’s mountaintop retreat, The Eagles Nest. From there we could see into Austria where we skied.
The Mercedes 300 SE proved to be an outstanding vehicle. We enjoyed its quiet comfort and mentally thanked Leo Levine when we turned it to the factory.
