Featured owner Pat Chaback with her husband and her 2016 SL 550.
Michael Minges
Before getting to this month’s profile, it’s come to my attention a fellow PebbleCreeker has a Mercedes Benz logistical problem. Peter Jones emailed me and said he’s planning to move back to Australia. He’s decided to not take his ’92 Mercedes 300 SE with him. I’m not doing a “want ad” or anything, but he would like some input as to how would be the best way to dispose of his car. I made a few suggestions like running it through the McCormick Auto Auction in Palm Springs at the end of the month. I’m sure he would greatly appreciate any assistance we can provide for him. His email address is [email protected].
Speaking of which, twice a year I go to Palm Springs for the McCormick Auto Auction. I don’t stay for the auction, but I always go the Friday before the auction and walk around the parking lot. I’m a published photographer and its great fun shooting pictures and “hob knobbing” with the owner/sellers. General Motors’ chief designer of the 1950s was a man named Harley Earl. I met the son of his right-hand man Donald Hoag. Skip and I strolled around the lot looking at cars. What a day that was. I must have heard, “My dad invented that” 50 times. Anyone remember Oldsmobile hiding the fuel cap behind the left taillight? His dad invented that!
OK, that said, I met a really nice couple that just had a house built for them. Hence, Pat Chaback is the featured owner this month. By the time you read this she will be newly and fully retired! WTG Pat! Her husband drives a BMW, which we all know stands for, “Bring My Wallet”. She liked the style of her Mercedes, the folding hardtop and the ride. She moved from a Lexus to a 2016 SL 550. Her car was a returned lease car. People that lease a car, especially one that’s in this price bracket, often do so as a tax write off. The cars are dealer maintained and the mileage is purposely held to a minimum. When considering a Mercedes, keep lease returns in mind.
They were fun to talk to and naturally, being new to the area, they were looking for nice restaurants. I did my best to ease the bad news to them firmly, but gently. This is Goodyear…there isn’t any. They suggested Wong’s for Chinese food, though.
I think we have enough meeting of the minds to finally get together. Anyone that’s interested, let’s have some restaurant suggestions and see if we can’t form a real club.