{"id":9970,"date":"2019-06-03T19:35:22","date_gmt":"2019-06-04T02:35:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pcasar.org\/?page_id=9970"},"modified":"2022-10-14T11:29:09","modified_gmt":"2022-10-14T18:29:09","slug":"9970-2","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.pcasar.org\/?page_id=9970","title":{"rendered":"June 2019 Speed Bump \u2013 Slow Down For Some Automotive Tales"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\"\"A Monthly Column By Hal Tretbar - June<\/b><\/p>\n

The Surprise of the Mercedes 300 SE<\/span><\/strong><\/h6>\n

A good story should be told more than once. Most of this tale was first published in the Zuffenhausen News <\/em>in October, 2015.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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1956 Karmann Ghia<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

In 1954, he was drafted into the Army. He spent seven years in Germany editing the Stars and Stripes\u00a0<\/em>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.<\/p>\n

I knew George well.\u00a0He was a neighbor and close friend.\u00a0We 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<\/em>.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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, \u201cIf you can get to Stuttgart, let me see what I can do for you.\u201d<\/p>\n

The taxi driver in Stuttgart grumbled, \u201cThis is\u00a0<\/em>the Mercedes factory. You are going to the wrong door, it is not for tourists.\u201d We went in, entered a small office and mentioned Leo Levine\u2019s name.<\/p>\n

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Signing the insurance papers<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Explaining the details of the 300 SE<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cAchya,\u201d said the official behind the desk. \u201cYou are here to pick up the 300 SE test car.\u201d OK, we thought, sounds good to us. \u201cAnd how long would you like to have it?\u201d \u201cUmm \u2013 how about two weeks?\u201d \u201cSehr gute,\u201d he said. \u201cHere are the insurance papers. Come along and I will show you all of the details.\u201d<\/p>\n

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 \u2018try it out\u2019 on the Autobahn with our wives. Of course, it cruised in effortless silence as we passed most cars.<\/p>\n

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, \u201cLet\u2019s see if we can drive the track.\u201d<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

George spoke enough German to get us past the gate to find the manager\u2019s office. The track official suggested that we come back the next day when Mercedes would be doing tire testing.<\/p>\n

The next day, the MB person in charge gave us a peculiar look when we inquired about driving the track. \u201cI don\u2019t know\u2026,\u201d he growled in English. \u201cLet me see your car.\u201d Then he smiled when he saw the 300 SE. \u201cOh yes, no problem. You have the test car. Come on in and I will drive a lap for you.\u201d<\/p>\n

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. \u201cDon\u2019t worry,\u201d he said, \u201c\u2026 it won\u2019t effect the transmission at all.\u201d<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

The rest of our trip went well as we headed south. Our base of operation was Hitler\u2019s old grand hotel in Obersalzberg. It was rebuilt as The General Walker Hotel for military recreation. At Berchtesgaden we looked out from Hitler\u2019s mountaintop retreat, The Eagles Nest. From there we could see into Austria where we skied.<\/p>\n

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.
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