WhenIwasaskedtowriteanarticleabout Bob Cox, a longtime member whorecentlypassedaway, I immediately thoughtofourlasttimetogether.

Weattendedthe“SmithRoadRallye”thatwasheld inearlyJune. Mywife,Kathy,andIdecideditmightbefuntogotoarallye.Wehadbeenworkingreallyhardandwantedabreak.

TherearealotofnewmembersaddedtotheclubsinceKathyandIwerereallyactive,so we didn’t really know a lot of folks there.We were so happy to see Bob and CathyCoxshowup! Maybebecauseofour yearsofexperience(akindwayofsayingadvancedage), Bob and Cathy took first place and Kathy andItooksecondplace.Itwasafundrive,butthepartwereallyenjoyedwasthetimeintherestaurantaftertherallye.

Bob and I managed to sit together.Wehavedonethatalotthroughtheyears.IalwaysenjoyedvisitingwithBob.Wesharedaloveforelectronicgadgets—Iguessyoucouldcallusgeeksornerds.BobandIwouldshare“Mac”stories—basicallywecongratulatedourselvesonbeingwiseenoughtochooseApplecomputers.WewouldhaveagoodlaughattherestoftheworldwhowouldbattlewiththeirWindowsmachines.WewouldtalkaboutthelatestappforouriPhones.Wewould discuss the finer points of our latest video toys or cameras. He would always havesomethingnewtoshowandtellabout.

Bob also had a love for music. I would tell him about my last instrumentacquisitionandhewouldseemdulyimpressed.

IfsomeoneweretoaskmeaboutBobCox,Iwouldhavetosayhewassteadyas a rock. He and Cathy served on the M-B Club board while I was president. They weregood,faithfulmembers—rarelymissingameetingandalwayswillingtopitchin.Youcouldalwayscountonthem.

Of course Bob loved automobiles. I remember drooling over his mid-90’s silver SL that looked like it just came from the showroom. He told me that he wanted to sell it. If I could have figured out how to add a fourth garage to my home, I would have bought thatcarbeforethedaywasout.Itisabsolutelygorgeous!

NowBobisgone.Wehavewonderfulmemoriesofagood,faithfulfriend.I’llbet he and St. Peter are talking about the finer points of the new iPhone 6 right now. Farewelloldfriend!

October - November, 2014

www.kcmbca.org

In this issue:

Feature Articles

SpaßnachtDates5Oktoberfest 2014 7Ohio Leaf Tour Oct. 17-19 7Uplift Donation Sat. Nov. 1Calendar 14

Columns

Miscellaneous Rants, Raves and

RamblingsHelp Wanted 2“LIKE”usonfacebook2QRCodetoReceiveEmail3Save $500.00 5Officers and Board 5New Members 13How to Join MBCA 13NTB Tire Discount 14Tire Rack Rebate 14Advance Auto Rebate 14Loyalty Rewards Program 14Logo Shop 14Uplift 14

Coming Up October - January

PresidentsMessage2

Bob Cox 1ParadiseDinerforBreakfast3DD/AX Had It All 6Saturday Garage 6DD/AX Photos 8 - 9

Remembering Bob CoxbyEdBlasco

Cathy and Bob Cox at the after-the-Rallye dinner at Beethovens 9th Res-taurant, Paola, Ks. April, 2009.

First, a heartfelt THANKS to Mark Moody for his two consecutive terms as section President.WeallreallyappreciatehisserviceanddedicationtotheKansasCitySection.Mark continues in the officer ranks as Secretary and this is my first column as the new sectionPresident,soIwillgetrighttothepoint. Wehaveoneofthebestandmostactivesectionsinthecountry,andIhopetodoallthatIcantopromotetheclubandhelpitgrow.BUT...and this is a really BIG but,theclub officers cannot do it alone. Any car club needs members and participants, but it takes VOLUNTEERStosurviveandgrow.Planningeventstakesamodestinvestmentoftime.The section officers and the board members spend more hours than is commonly known settingthestageforalloftheeventsthroughouttheyearthatprovidethemembershipwiththingstodo,placestogo,andcompanytoenjoy. Do Ihave tosay it? All right:WENEEDYOU.Manyof thecurrentboardandofficer line-up continue to do double-duty, not counting the variety of committee slots that could be filled but are not – simply for lack of volunteers. In this first of many columns myrequestisasimplebutdemandingone:pleaseconsiderhelpingoutbyvolunteeringtohelp.Wedesperatelyneedanewnewslettereditor,aSpaßnachtchair,SundayDrive

planners,andseveralpeopletohelpwiththeWinterGalacomingupnextJanuary.ToparaphrasetheoldAmishsaying:Many hands make light work. Thanks for your time – I look forward to good things for the Kansas City Section going forward. :)Sincerely,

Page 2 kcmbca.org

Monthly, Third Monday6:30 PM

President’s MessagebyKevinArburn

KevinArburn,PresidentMercedes-Benz Club of America | Kansas City Section

Kevin Arburn, President

Help Wanted! Alright,allyouaspiringJournalists!

Here’s a great opportunity to deliver the latest in clubnewsandarticlesofsubstancesurroundingourfavoriteGermans, satisfying your need to “get the word out”, andhelpyourlocalMBCAsectionatthesametime.

MBCA|Kansas City is feverishly searching for itsnextnewslettereditor.Thepaysucks,but, thesatisfactionof working on the award winning der Benz!newsletter ispriceless. Your “labor of love” will be delivered to over 300 eagerreaderseveryothermonth.

Pleaseconsidergivingbacktotheclub,andservingasEditorof der Benz! Contactmark@kcmbca.orgformoreinformation.

“LIKE” Us On Our facebook Page

Have you checked out The facebook page for the KC Section? You can find it easily, by going to the Sections webpageatkcmbca.org Click “find us on facebook”. You’ll likeit.Thensayyoulikeit.

First-Sunday Drives to Resume March 1, 2015

Again this winter here will be no First-Sunday Drive inNovember,December,JanuaryandFebruary.Wewillresume with the first Sunday in March (March 1, 2015).

Page 3kcmbca.org

For all your detailing needs, visit

us at the Complete Garage. We have Griot’s full line of car care products. Save the shipping and

get it today.

For the best in

Car Care

Complete Garage

15209 W. 87th Street Lenexa, KS 66219

913-322-9175

www.Complete-Garage.com

Kansas City Section members;scan this QR code with yoursmartphone,andthensignuptoreceive email concerning newsand information about KCMBCAevents. You can also registerfor the email service by going tothe Kansas City Section websiteatwww.kcmbca.org. It’sagreatnewway foryou tokeepupwithwhat’s going on in your Mercedes-BenzClub.

New Breakfast Venue a Hit!ByBobSmith

handy for locals who want to get expert Garmin support in-person.Mr.JohnsontoldusthatthereisaGarminsystemfor the 2015 Mercedes-Benz CLS that is the first to navigate usingaknobandvoiceinsteadofatouchscreen.AlsoheremindedusthatanupdatedGPSmapdownloadisavailableforyourGarmin. This is a great place for our breakfast meetings.There is plenty of room in the restaurant for many moremembers to attend. Lets all go next month. We can fill it up.

TheSeptembermeetingwasheldattheParadiseDiner in Leawood for the first time. It was very well attended with more than 40 Benz enthusiasts attending. All were pleasedwith the foodandserviceat the restaurant. Theelection of officers and board was completed, with the election ofKevinArburnasPresidentreplacingoutgoingPresident,Mark Moody who completed two terms of dedicated andsuccessfulservicefortheKansasCitySection. The featured guest speaker was Ben Johnson ofGarmin.GarminsheadquartersisintheKCarea(Olathe),and theyhaveacustomerservicestoreright there. Very

kcmbca.orgPage 4

A MEMBER OF THE SOAVE AUTOMOTIVE GROUP9400 W 65th Street | Merriam, KS | 913.677.3300 | aristocratmotors.com

Handle with care

10% off service for MBCA members15% off service for MBCA members

SpaßnachtFindoutmore:

www.kcmbca.orgClickon“ClubInfo”

_________________

October 20, 6:30 PM

Houlihans625 NW Murray Rd.Lee’sSummit,Mo.

_________________

November 17, 6:30 PM

Panzon’s Mexican Restaurant

8710 Lackman Rd.Lenexa,Ks.

_________________

December 15, 6:30 PM

Lucky Brewgrille5401 Johnson Dr.

Mission,Ks._________________

January 19, 2015

Summit Grill & Bar4835 NE Lakewood Way

Lee’sSummit,Mo._________________

2014 MBCA Kansas City Section Officers and Board Members

Officers PhoneE-mailKevin Arburn, President (913) 648-7675 kevin@kcmbca.orgIan Harns , Vice President (816) 812-9495 ian@kcmbca.orgMark Moody, Past President (913) 685-8573 mark@kcmbca.orgMark Moody, Secretary (913) 685-8573 mark@kcmbca.orgIan Harns, Treasurer (816) 812-9495 ian@kcmbca.org

Board of DirectorsBob Del Popolo (913) 888-2617 bob.d@kcmbca.orgBob Poduch (913) 327-1632 bob.p@kcmbca.orgRich Carlson (913) 897-0260 rbmgr86@aol.comBob Smith (913) 268-8984 newsletter@kcmbca.orgJoyce Smith (913) 338-0766 Dudley Smith (913) 338-0766 Ian Harns (816) 812-9495 ian@kcmbca.orgJohn Ryan (913) 543-1252 grownup@kcmbca.org

Newsletter EditorOpen, Contact Bob Smith (913) 268-8984 newsletter@kcmbca.orgWebmeister-Administrator John Ryan (913) 268-1252 grownup@kcmbca.orgMembership Director Bob Del Popolo (913) 888-2617 membership@kcmbca.orgMidwest Regional DirectorJohnRyan (913) 543-1252 jlryan@kc.surewest.net

Page 5kcmbca.org

Page 6 kcmbca.org

The 2014 Defensive Driving and Autocross event tookplaceonSaturday,August2nd,abeautifulsunnyandwarm day. First there was a continental breakfast beforegoingtotheclassroomatMetropolitanCommunityCollege,BlueRiverCampusinIndependence,Mo.DudleySmithandNedSmithconductedaskillsclassondrivingtheautocrosstrack.FrankandMaryAliceCozzagaveaclassondefensivedrivingandaccidentavoidance.Afterclass,driverswenttothetrack. TheMCCcampusfeaturestrackfacilitiesperfectfortheevent.Thereisapavedroadcoursehavingmanyloopsand turns which can be configured by arranging cones, for the level of autocross difficulty desired. There is a skid pad flooded with a few inches of water for drivers to hone their

DD/AX Had It All for Driving EnthusiastsbyBobSmith

skillstoavoidand/ordriveoutofaskid.And,thereisalargeopenpavedareawhereconescanbeplacedforpracticingaccidentavoidancemaneuvers. TheCozza’s rodewithdriversandgave individualone-on-one instruction on accident avoidance techniques. Certified driving trainers from the Audi and BMW clubs rode withdriversontheskidmaneuvers.ThoseguysfromtheAudiandBMWclubswereindispensableworkingallthreeoftheeventsatthetrack. After the day at the track the next event was theAwardsBanquetatO’Neill’sBar&Grillwhereall enjoyeddinner and libations. Finally, on Sunday, at Ingredientsrestaurantwewrappedupafunweekendofaction.

Photos on Pages 8 and 9

On Saturday June 13thweconvenedatJohnRyan’shouseforanother“SaturdayGarage”gathering.ThistimeKevin Arburn’s 1987 560SL was on the menu and the plan was to do a routine oil & filter change and replace a suspect crankshaftpositionsensor. The event turned into an oil change only affairwhen a pesky 6mm allen bolt -- one of two holding down the bracket for the crank sensor -- refused to budge and the allen-head became stripped. There was no way to remove it withoutspecialtools,sothispartoftheprojectwasshelvedand we pressed on to change the oil and filter. However, in between failure and success we did manage a short road trip to Harbor Freight so scope out thetoolsanduseupsomeofJohnRyan’scoupons!Manythanks to the participants: Our host John Ryan, KevinArburn, Ian Harns, Rich Carlson and Mark Moody.

Saturday GaragebyKevinArburn

Kevin works on stuff under the hood, then after changing the oil he double checks the oil level by carefully examining the dip stick.

Kevin, Ian and Mark did all the work while John and Rich stood around and drank cof-fee and told jokes.

PhotosbyMarkMoody

Page 7kcmbca.org

 It’stimetoshineupthatGermanbeautyofyours

and head over to US Bank, Hawthorne Plaza, 119th & Roe, forourannual

Oktoberfest Concours d’Elegance.

Once again, we’ve invited other area German Car Clubsto showcase their cars along with us.

Please join us on Sunday, October 12th, 10am-2pm.

Judging begins at 11:00am.Lets show the public why we’re so proud of our automobiles.

For more info. contact:

rich@kcmbca.org or kevin@kcmbca.org

2014

Butler’s C & D Body Shop

5747 KesslerMerriam, Kansas 66203

Tel: (913) 262-9109Fax: (913 262-2828

Web:www.butlerbody.com

butlerbody.com

TM

Butler’s C & D Body Shop5747 Kessler • Merriam, KS 66203 • Tel: (913) 262-9109 • Fax: (913) 262-2828

Web: www.butlerbody,com

Ohio Western Reserve Sections Fall-Leaf Tour

October 17-19 2014 Looking for some of the most colorful fall-leaf scenery in the world? Plan to drive through rural Ohio and WestVirginiawiththeOhioWesternReserveSectionofMBCA. Contact Don and Carol Velcio at 440-886-1660 or emaildon.velcio@gmail.com

Bestofshowwillreceiveaanassortmentofautomotivecarcareproducts

complementsofCompleteGarage.

Thecarclubhavingthemost

vehiclesondisplaywillwinatravelingtrophy.

Page 8 kcmbca.org

Defensive Driving / AutocrossPhotosbyBobSmith

Page 9kcmbca.org

Defensive Driving / AutocrossPhotosbyBobSmith

Page 10 kcmbca.org

BoschAuthorizedService

Kansas City’s independent Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Porsche, Jaguar, Lexus,

Land Rover and Audi repair shop.

5400 Antioch Rd.Merriam, Kansas

66202

913-432-7800

Not just your average garage...

Refinishing Straightening

Remanufacturing

Eveland Bros. Collision Repair

• Vehicles restored to pre-accident condition•Expertcolormatching•Foreignanddomestic

Callforanappointment

7200 W. Frontage Road, Shawnee Mission, KS 66203 www.evelandbros.com

Certified Mercedes-Benz Collision Repair Center•Insuranceclaimsassistance•Environmentallysafe•Writtenlimitedlifetimewarranty

•Factorytrainedtechnicians• State of-the-art equipment•Rentalcarsavailable

913-262-6050

Page 11kcmbca.org

CoreFirst Bank & Trust was a major sponsor of the Mid-America Caravan in 2009

Page 12 kcmbca.org

Page 13kcmbca.org

We look forward to meeting you soon at one of our events.

Monthly,

Third Monday6:30 PM

JoinMercedes-Benz Club of America

KansasCitySection• Bi-monthly issues of our award-winning, full-color national magazine, TheStar, and bi-monthly issues of our award-winning sec-tionnewsletter,der Benz!

• Owner Loyalty Programwith a $500.00 Discount Certificate good on the pur-chase of certain M-B ve-hicles.

• 15% discount on parts, labor and accessories atAristocratMotorsandMer-cedes-Benz of Kansas City.

• National events with awidevarietyofdrivingandsocial events, technicalinformationandactivedis-cussionforums.

• Local events: Monthlybreakfast meetings andpub nights, tech sessions,dining events, historic anddrivingtours,autocrossanddriver education events,rallyes, track events, pic-nics, annual holiday party,charitable events, con-cours,andmore.Yourmembership includesan associate membershipfor another person in yourhousehold in the Mercedes-BenzClubofAmericaandthe Kansas City Section.Ownership of a Mercedes-Benz not a prerequisite. 1 year $49, 2 years $95, 3 years $139.

JOINNOW!Call

Bob Del Popolocell913-269-4498

emailbob.d@kcmbca.org

orgotowww.mbca.org

1-800-637-2360

Willkommen New Members !

Whatactivitieswouldyouliketo

dowithyourBenzfriends in 2014? Contactaboardmemberandlet

themknow.

Robert Beckett Chillicothe, Mo.PhilipBrubakerShawnee,Ks.KevinCaseyMission,Ks.LarryDobsonKansasCity,Mo.RobertGuezuragaBelton,Mo.BenjaminKnappSaintJoseph,Mo.

KentPellegrinoTopeka,Ks.David Reeder Springfield, Mo.Julia Stalder Springfield, Mo.Steven Unterman Mission Hills, Ks.AllenVonhallenbekTopeka,Ks.ConnieWaldropLenexa,Ks.

Page 14 kcmbca.org

Uplift Organization, Inc. accepts donations of goodsandfunds.SeetheUpliftwebsiteatwww.uplift.org foralistofneededitemsandhowtodonatethem.

2013-14 Loyalty Rewards Program (U.S.)

MBCA|KC Logo Shop OursectioncannowoffertheClubLogoandspecialeventsgraphics to be embroidered onto hundreds of differentitems ranging from T-Shirts to Polos, Jackets to Jerseys, andeverythinginbetween.Item(s)willbedeliveredtoyourmailbox or doorstep.And, every item purchased providesadditionalrevenuetothesection’streasurytohelpfundthegreateventswhereyou’llbewearingyournew“duds”.Head over to our website, www.kcmbca.org and click onLogoShop.

Mercedes-Benz, Members can take $500 off a NEW 2013 or 2014 Mercedes-Benz and combinethatdiscountwithasecondMBUSADealerincentive— including guest appreciation certificates, seasonal event discounts like Summer and Winter ClearancesalesandotherDealeroffers.Insomecases,youmayactually SAVE MORE THAN $500 when you combine discounts.

There is a link to TireRack on the Kansas CitySection’s website, www.kcmbca.org. Click thelink, which is the logo shown above, to enter theTireRackwebsitetobuytheirproducts.TheK.C.Sec-tionreceivesasmall rebatewhenyoupurchasetheirproductsthroughourwebsite.

Advance Auto Parts offers many online-only specials and rebates to our section with 8% of the sale being returned totheKCSection.Youcanhaveyourordershippedtoyourhome,orpickitupatyourneighborhoodAdvanceAutoPartsstore.JustclickontheAdvanceAutoPartsbanneradonourwebsite,www.kcmbca.org,andyouwillbetakentotheirwebsitestoshop.

NTB National Tire & Battery is offering a discount forKCMBCA members. Offer is only available at the 119th & Metcalf store. The new contact name at the 7333 West 119th St. 66213 store is Corey Ross - Manager 913.338.5030. Mention account number 9136608439 andyourclubmembershiptothesalesman/servicewrit-er.

NTB Offers Discount to KC-MBCA Members

Page 15kcmbca.org

15% off service for MBCA members

Breakfastisat9AMthefirstSaturdayof each month. Paradise Diner,

5501 W 135th St.Overland Park, Ks.

SmartPhoneUsers,clickthisQRCodeandourwebsitewillmagicallyappearonyourphone.

Forthelatestlistofevents,

visitourWebsiteat:www.kcmbca.org

What activities would you like to do with your Benz friends in 2014? Contactaboardmemberandletthemknow.

Upcoming Breakfast SpeakersSpeakersarebeinglinedupforupcomingbreakfastmeetings.Check kcmbca.orgforthelatestinformation.

January

DecemberDec. 6 Breakfast Meeting, 9:00 AM Paradise Diner, 5501 W 153th St. Overland Park, Ks. SimmonsAutoPaintlessDentRepair.Dec. 7 No First-Sunday Drive Dec. 13 Spaßnacht, 6:30 PM, Lucky Brewgrille, 5401 Johnson Dr. Mission, Ks.

Jan. 3 Breakfast Meeting, 9:00 AM Paradise Diner, 5501 W 135th St. Overland Park, Ks. LeatherAutoUpholsteryRepairServices.Jan. 4 No First-Sunday Drive.Jan. 19 Spaßnacht, 6:30 PM, Summit Gril & Bar, 4835 NE Lakewood Way, Lee’s Summit, Mo.

November

OctoberOct. 3-5 Heimatfest 2014, Birmingham, Al.Oct. 4 Breakfast Meeting, 9:00 AM Paradise Diner, 5501 W 135th St. Overland Park, Ks. RichCarlson,AllAbouttheOktoberfestConcoursD’Elegance.Oct. 5 First-Sunday Drive, 12:00 Noon, US Bank Parking Lot, 119th & Roe, Leawood. Ks.Oct. 12 Oktoberfest Concours D’Elegance, US Bank Parking Lot, 119th & Roe, Leawood, Ks. 10:00 - 2:00. Judging 11:00.Oct. 17-19 Ohio Leaf Tour See pg. 7Oct. 20 Spaßnacht, 6:30 PM, Houlihans, 625 NW Murray Rd. Lee’s Summit, Mo.

Nov. 1 Breakfast Meeting, 9:00 AM Paradise Diner, 5501 W 135th St. Overland Park, Ks. UpLiftdonationday.JimSchmidt,Speaker.Nov. 2 No First-Sunday Drive.Nov. 17 Spaßnacht, 6:30 PM, Panzon’s 8710 Lackman Rd. Lenexa, Ks.

FIRST-CLASS MAILU.S.POSTAGE

PAIDSHAWNEE MISSION, KS

PERMIT NO. 11318613 KesslerOverland Park, KS 66212