MBCA June Jamboree

The Mercedes Benz Club of America, established in 1956 and sanctioned by MBUSA, has a large following of 33,000 members. There are 90 local chapters throughout the United States and Canada with events occurring year round. We were fortunate to be able to attend this year's June Jamboree organized by the Northern New Jersey MBCA chapter. The landscape of this event was graciously provided by MBUSA at their headquarters in Montvale, New Jersey. The weather was beautiful and the cars were spectacular. June Jamboree is another event to mark on the GCF.com calendar for 2003. With only 2000 units imported to the US between 1986 and 1987, there were three 190E 2.3 16V's present, representing modern day Mercedes-Benz racing heritage. One 190E 16V even looked like it came straight off the racetrack. Long before the W201 platform, the undeniable sleek flowing lines of the 300SL Gullwing also represented motorsport excellence of a different era. Despite its age, the 300SL still transcends all model generations with sheer elegance and style, thus, making it a joy to view in the flesh. Only 1000 300SL's were imported to the US by 1957, therefore, making June Jamboree even more special with a few pristine examples present including Roadster versions. Many vehicles on display were from the W123, W124, and W126 series. Unbelievably, almost half the models were diesels! Mercedes-Benz has not sold a diesel passenger car in the US since the 1999 E300DT. Perhaps the enthusiasm for diesel models on display could entice Mercedes-Benz USA to start importing again. I think they might be surprised to find many eager buyers. Another favorite was a W116 450SE in fine condition, but surprisingly no 6.9 was at the show. Since Mercedes-Benz of America so graciously allowed the show to take place on their front lawn, they brought along some of the latest iron including the new SL500, G500 and the new CLK320. The new SL is simply gorgeous and takes the family of SLs to new heights with honor. The new CLK looks like a mini CL, which is good. All three of these new cars carry on the Mercedes-Benz heritage with style, craftsmanship, technology, and performance. These are the same qualities found in preceding models, which provide the foundation for such an event to exist. Perhaps 50 years from now the latest R230 SL platform will be held in the same reverence the 300SL Gullwing and Roadster maintain today.