July 14thAlabama Section History
It is ironic that one of the last sections formed in the first fifty years of MBCA was the one based around the North American Mercedes-Benz factory near Birmingham, Alabama.
Announcement in the mid 1990’s that a company as prestigious as Mercedes-Benz would build its first factory outside Germany in Alabama was initially met with disbelief. People were also incredulous that Alabama would be the only site the new model would be built, so it would be exported back to German and other European markets.
In the 1990’s, SUV’s were all derived from trucks. They were simply cars extending all the way to the rear bumper. It was incomprehensible that Mercedes-Benz, renowned builder of high quality, technically advanced luxury automobiles, would put its name on a truck-like American phenomenon. Most Americans did not realize that Mercedes-Benz is also the world’s largest manufacturer of heavy-duty trucks.
As history will attest, Mercedes-Benz changed an industry and changed a state’s image.
In the tradition of advancing technology the M-Class was the first SUV to offer all independent suspension. Its four-wheel drive system was unique in providing excellent traction in slippery conditions that was much easier and more intuitive to use than other systems.
The M-class’ un-Mercedes pricing due to the lower production cost in Alabama made it exceed all sales projections.
Other luxury makes followed with their own SUV’s and another genre of vehicles was born.
Other automobile manufacturers also noted Mercedes-Benz economic success in Alabama. Honda established an even larger facility in the state to produce the highly successful mini van. This also attracted Toyota with V-8 engine production. Fiat produces aluminum casting for several engines, and Navistar produces the diesel engines used in Ford and International trucks.
Even Korean manufacturer, Hyundai, built a $1 billion factory to produce their best selling models.
During all of this Daimler-Benz acquired Chrysler Corporation and became Daimler-Chrysler, AG.
Mercedes-Benz truly changed a market segment and transformed Alabama’s image. Then they went on to double the production facility and number of employees while innovating a whole new class of vehicle: the R-Class Grand Sports Tourer.
With all this Mercedes-Benz activity, the fact that there was no local section of MBCA did not go unnoticed by Mercedes-Benz officials, dealers, and a few MBCA members.
Alabama Section founder and first President, Jim Roberts, a Birmingham Periodontist and four time National Champion SCCA and seven time Vintage Racing Champion had gained great respect for Mercedes-Benz cars, and started an unbroken chain of ownership that led to eight factory deliveries starting in 1969. He still retains the 78 116 body 280SE that he picked up in Sindelfingen in 1977 and drove all over then communist Eastern Europe.
His dad’s clattering diesels attracted the attention of the next-door neighbor, automotive engineer, Shelby Bowron, who then purchased an additional eight Mercedes-Benz automobiles. In 2003 his daughter, Dodie, married Jim and merged two Mercedes families.
Dodie serves as the first secretary of the Alabama Section.
After a couple of attempts to try to find MBCA, Charles Spiewak got Jim a membership application in 1998. It was obvious that there was an enormous interest in M-B products in Alabama. It seemed the M-Class were as common as Tahoes, but most MBCA events were based around Atlanta. In attending events there, there were rarely any Alabama residents in attendance.
The Peachtree events led to friendships and the occasional event in Alabama. Formation of a new section was encouraged by former Peachtree President and AMG enthusiast, Steve Chapman, as well as Vice-President and 2006 President, Gary Hagstrom. They put Jim in touch with Southeast Region Director, Len Sokoloff, who was initially skeptical due to only 110 MBCA members in the geographical area.
Len Sokoloff proposed calling at least some of the members to gauge interest. So he, Dodie, and Jim called a bit over half of the Alabama residing members and found virtually 100% support.
Meanwhile, John E. Walker, owner of Alabama’s largest Mercedes-Benz dealer, Crown Mercedes-Benz, called Jim to see how they could be involved. They took a large display area at a Grand-Am race at the Barber Motorsports Park.
A section for Mercedes-Benz vehicles was set up with a petition for formation of a new section. Only a few signatures were obtained, so they petition was mailed to the 108 MBCA members in Alabama. Seven signatures are required to form a new section. We received a total of forty-eight!
As the process proceeded, Len Sokoloff was a great mentor. Gary Hagstrom of Peachtree Section and Bill Vickery of Emerald Coast Section were both most encouraging.
At an initial organizational meeting at Crown Mercedes-Benz in August 05, Twenty-Six were welcomed with brunch where temporary officers were elected:
President: Jim Roberts
Vice President: Bill Lell
Secretary: Dodie Roberts
Treasurer: Johnny Walker
Membership: Joe Myers & Lynn Thomas
Historian: Sue Ann Myers
Alabama is blessed with all the different terrains in North America except desert, so roads are fun and are not clogged with traffic. We should have many nice drives and destinations to fill several years. Not the least of which is the Mercedes-Benz factory and visitor center in Vance. If you will be in the area for this, please let the Alabama Section know. You will have a home in Alabama.
In September 05 the temporary officers were made official.
In early October, the Alabama Section, MBCA attended the local Oktoberfest together.
After years of dreaming and months of planning Southeast Regional Director, Len Sokoloff presented the MBCA charter to Alabama Section President, Jim Roberts on 29 Oct 2005.
The setting was the showroom of Crown Mercedes-Benz in Birmingham. Owner John E. Walker who is also section Treasurer arranged to make a part of the showroom private. This was decorated with a Maybach 57 and a Mercedes-McLaren SLR. I doubt there has ever been a more opulent setting for a charter presentation!
Over twenty-five of the beginning 108 members including all of the officers were in attendance. They were addressed by two regional directors!
Southeast Region Director, Len Sokoloff encouraged participation and involvement. He also noted how pleased MBCA and the adjoining sections where to have a section based so close to the factory in Vance. He added that MBUSA was pleased and most excited.
Central Region Director, Ed Johnson, said the occasion reminded him of the formation of the Nashville Section in Oct 1978 where there were only twelve founding members. Nashville now has 200 with a similar metro area population.
We are most appreciative of the support and guidance we have received from Len Sokoloff, Emerald Coast, Peachtree and Nashville Sections from which we have received members.
After brunch at Crown the group proceeded the short distance together to the world class Barber Motorsports Museum. This huge facility with its striking architecture and Formula One level road course in a park like setting is known world wide for its 1000 + motorcycle collection.
Automobile enthusiasts are drawn to the world’s most definitive Lotus collection, starting with the late 40’s MK I and extending through all the earlier racecars and even through the very last Formula One- the Lotus 109. Mercedes F-1 fans noted Mika Häkinnen’s name on the 102.
Most of the Barber vehicles are drivable. In fact, fourteen of them will be featured on Alan DeCadenet’s “Victory by Design” which will be aired on Speed Channel this winter.
Automobile curator and restorer, Lee Clark, allowed section president, Jim Roberts, to serve as docent and take the Alabama section on a tour of the very early cars and restoration area that is normally closed to the public. This is just as spotless as the rest of the museum.
It was most interesting to see the development of international racing for more than fifty-five years and effectively from beginning to end for Lotus. The earliest cars had suspensions that were derived from solid axles and drum brakes. The line continues unbroken from tube frame chassis to partial monocoque to carbon fiber to even complete carbon fiber that we see today.
Quite an experience! We thank George Barber for his generosity to the people of Alabama and the world for making his collection and his track available for all to enjoy.
Three weeks later the Alabama Section did a fall tour of the three-covered bridges in Blount County as well as the magnificent 13th century Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament Monastery amid striking fall foliage. It was a top down day for the open cars. It reminded me of the German song “Auf ein Tag so wünderschön wie Huete” (On a Day as Wonderfully Beautiful as Today).
The tour wound up in the German settled town of Cullman, for an enjoyable meal together.