- As Mercedes Enthusiasts,
we can all learn a little something from Stu Hammel. In addition
to his role as president of the International M100 Group, he
also maintains an enviable stable of Mercedes flagships - classic
and modern. Each car in Stu's fleet provides a uniquely superb
driving experience, and each commands respect in its own right.
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- As I calculate it,
Stu's current active fleet consists of over 30,000cc's of Mercedes-Benz
glory. For a group of only 6 cars, that averages out to over
5,000 each. Of course, it isn't that simple. The balance is clearly
thrown-off when three of the cars are 6.3-litre M100's.
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- Acquiring the Taste
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- Things weren't always
as grand for Stu as they are today. In fact, for years he motored
around in a $95 1955 Chrysler Imperial - and that was well before
the merger, folks - whilst only able to dream of owning one of
those gorgeous Germans with the three-pointed star up front.
In Stu's case, the one that caught his eye was the 108-series:
"When I got to college and saw my first 108 body Mercedes,
I thought it was the most elegant car I had ever seen. I decided
then and there that one day I would own one."
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- It wasn't until about
nine years later, out of college and career path in order, that
Stu purchased his first Mercedes-Benz: a 1970 280SE. According
to Stu, his first Mercedes heightened his enthusiasm for the
marque. Unfortunately, living and working in urban Washington,
D.C. took its toll, and the car was completely stripped and left
for dead.
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- Aging Gracefully
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- Fast forward about
thirty years, and you have Stu, probably a little grander himself,
with a brilliant collection of obtainable Mercedes. "Sure,
I always liked the old 300SL Roadsters, but I have given up on
cars into which my body will not fit!" Me too, Stu. Instead
he has a Grand 600 SWB, two 300SEL 6.3s, a 140-series 600SEL,
a 420SEL, and a W123 240D manual. Until recently, there was also
a 107-bodied 500SL in the mix as well, but there just weren't
enough hours in the day to mind all of them.
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- Now let me tell you
about the man himself. You might picture a middle-aged Mercedes
collector as one of those guys - you know, the tea-and-crumpet,
gated community, Kennedy-wannabe crowd. No, Stu is just about
the most grounded car collector I have ever met - to the point
that he makes it all look so easy. His life doesn't look so different
from mine: a nice suburban middle-class life. So I need the secret
- he's got a few decades experience on me, and I want to know
how to pull this off!
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- "First,"
he allows, "I have to say that Twila, my wife of 27 years,
is very tolerant when it comes to my obvious character flaw.
I must admit, however, that I have been known to whimper and
cry about not having many other vices when revealing a potential
car purchase. I am quick to point out that I really don't spend
much money on anything other than cars (mostly because there
wouldn't be anything left to spend anyway). Tried and true."
I think there must be a certain charisma involved as well - because
I've tried that logic myself to no avail.
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- The Fleet
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- King Ludvig, Stu's
silver and black 1972 600SWB, is his favorite of the M100s. In
the better weather, he drives it to work at least once a week
- and it always generates interest. The black 600SEL - complete
with 4-place "executive" seating - is his favorite
of the moderns. He considers the 240D, however, with its 4-speed
manual and scant 260,000 miles, the most "rational - always
dependable and cheap!". In Stu's case, I think rationality
is probably overrated.
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- Running multiple M100
cars, there is bound to be at least one that is fully functional
at any given time. "Not that M100s are unreliable, but they
are still thirty or so years old and do have occasional lapses
in demeanor which can put them out of service temporarily."
More importantly, each M100 vehicle has a distinct personality
which makes the driving experience unique. "I have owned
nine 6.3s and each had uniquely different driving characteristics.
Likewise, the two 600s I have owned were also quite different."
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- Conversely, Stu doesn't
always have the opportunity to drive each of them as much as
they should be driven. "The worst enemy of an M100 car is
the garage." Their complex systems require frequent exercise.
"I try to drive each of the M100s one day a week, except
in bad weather." The lesson is quite simple: "the more
these cars are driven, the better they become."
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- Stu's most memorable
experience as an enthusiast and a collector was "sitting
as a passenger in my own 6.3 while the father of the 6.3 himself,
Erich Waxenberger, drove it. If there is such a thing as an M100
religious experience, that was it!"
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- What Next?
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- It's hard to imagine
the need to add anything to this fine collection, but as with
any addiction, Stu craves more. He covets the unique and desirable
from among Mercedes more esoteric cars. One of his current 6.3's
was recently imported from Germany, where Stu purchased it mostly
on the merits of its equipment, including velour seats, rear
head restraints (but not fronts!), under-dash mounted cassette,
and even special upholstered door pocket covers - all installed
at the factory. These types of rare, individualized options hold
a lot of appeal for today's classic M100 buyers.
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- Next up? "I'd
like to find a nice W116 6.9 with a power rear seat and a 600SWB
with a velour interior." Perhaps he'll get the chance at
the International M100 Group meeting this June in St. Louis,
Missouri. Stu is expecting quite a turnout for this year's event,
as one of the featured speakers is none other than Paul Bracq
- designer of the 600 and largely responsible for the face of
Mercedes in the 1960's. Sounds to me like another religious experience
waiting to happen. Maybe Stu will let me drive one of his down
there!
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- On the Web:
www.classicmercedes.net
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