MBMC: Newsletter No 12 - August 2021

The May 2019 issue of the Newsletter (No. 10/2019) was largely devoted to the 1934 “2000 Km Deutschlandfahrt”, an endurance rally, which introduced the Mercedes-Benz Type 150 ”Sportlimousine” to the public. Autocult released a 1:43 scale model of the Type 150 at that time.

Now, Autocult releases a 1:43 model of the other sensation of that race: the prototype of the Mercedes-Benz 500K “Autobahnkurier”, with the starting Number 10, the car which actually was the overall winner of the 1934 rally, with the works driver H.J Bernet at the wheel. Although both had the same general streamlined shape, this prototype was substantially different looking that the 500K “Autobahnkurier” which had been displayed at the 1934 Berlin International Autoshow.

The 500K raced in the same red colour, which we already saw on the 150 “Sportlimousine”, and which was the colour of all the other cars entered by the Daimler-Benz works not only in this 2000Km endurance race across Germany, but also in many other rallies right up to 1939.

This 1:43 Autocult-model in the original starting colour and number will be available at your neighborhood hobby- or model car store in a month time.

Please note: the pictures represent the pre-production model. The actual model you will get will still show some improvements.

Spark is in the process of developing the 1:43 model of the 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300SLR, (the one with the air-brake)  with the starting number one and Juan Manuel Fangio at the wheel. When this model will be released is at this point at least an open question. Once available, it will certainly be a great addition to your collection of 300SLRs or your collection of the Mercedes-Benz “silver arrows” of the 1950’s.

IXO is releasing soon the 1:43 scale model of the Mercedes-Benz LAK 2624 tipper from the late seventies. The model should been coming out already back in May. However, delivery is certainly delayed due to Covid-related bottlenecks. Nevertheless, the order number is: IXO trucks IXOTRUD002. A nice and affordable addition to the IXO truck series. Below is the picture of the pre-production prototype.

This August, Norev is to come out with a 2018 Mercedes-Benz G 500 version in metallic blue. The retail price of the 1:43 model is said to be 35 EUR  

Norev has also launched what could be described as a “recruitment -from-the-cradle” campaign: a 1:18 model of the legendary Fiat 500, for display in the baby’s room: one light green one for the baby-boys, one pink one for the baby-girls. At this stage it is impossible to tell if this is a one-shot deal, or the beginning of a wonderful relationship between Norev, parents and their babies…the scale model collectors of the future…at least that’s the hope!

At 59,50 Euro, that’s not a bad price, but wouldn’t you know it: although it is advertised as: “the first model of my collection” ( the original title “ma première voiture de collection”, literally translates to “my first oldtimer“, but from the baby's point of view, this is more likely to describe the dad (Had to find the right meaning here!), the description immediately warns: "This is not a toy"....OK, then go play, Dad!

 

              The Mercedes-Benz showroom on Park Avenue....

                                 just one more memory...    

 

Addendum to the article about the former Frank Lloyd Wright showroom - see also article on the 190SL and Max Hoffman in Newsletter 11/2021.

Due to an inquiry, received from a reader already in the evening of the publication of the Newsletter, about the fate of the showroom on Park Avenue in New York, following the move of Mercedes-Benz to its current New York showroom, I immediately decided to write this little addendum, although it has nothing to do with scale models.

Besides model cars I have always been interested in good, properly proportioned, pleasing, elegant architecture, whether Greek, Renaissance, Baroque, Classicism, or Bauhaus! So I too can't help but mourn the fate of the Mercedes showroom on Park Avenue.

Perhaps, dear reader, the fate of its interior also interests you somewhat.

The showroom was first remodeled  in 1982, and a mirrored star was added to the ceiling.

In 2002 the showroom was enlarged and completely renovated.

Then in 2008, Mercedes-Benz announced that US$ 30 million would be invested in a new company-owned flagship in Manhattan. The historic Frank Lloyd Right sales showroom on Park Avenue would remain unchanged in design and operation.

Four years later, in early 2012, the move to the Flagshiff office took place.

Here now is an excerpt from an article that appeared in the "New York Times” of January 21, 2013 :

To prevent demolition, a Chicago-based group whose goal is to prevent the destruction of Frank Lloyd Wright's work sought to have the New York exhibition space listed.

On March 22nd 2012, the New York Landmarks Preservation Commission called the building owner to inform him that landmark protection was under discussion. On March 28, the owner applied to the New York City Building Department for a demolition permit, which was readily granted. Demolition took place a few days later.

Donna Boland, a spokeswoman for Mercedes-Benz, said that when Mercedes moved out of the building, it was hoped that the showroom could be leased to another car company. "We were shocked at the news of the demolition," she said, "but we had no control over it, because we rented the space”

In place of the architecturally valuable showroom, a branch of TD-Ameritrade Investment Bank has installed its offices there.

   

 

                         Mercedes-Benz Manhattan , 770 11th Avenue, New York

 

 

(с)BERND D. LOOSEN