[vlayton]

Greeting W123 fans!

Sorry I haven't been around much, spring is always a crazy busy time, this year is no exception. I even drove 900 miles to retrieve a special model of W123, a 1985 300TD (euro non-turbo) with a 5-speed manual. Already put about $600 in parts into it including a timing chain, tensioner, rails... There are currently over a dozen cars here, most of them getting serviced.

But I wanted to alert you all to the upcoming W123-exclusive rally we hold every year is coming up Sunday May 21st. 9 cars are registered to date. It's not exclusive to Club 123D members, but the event fee is subsidized for them.

Club 123D has over 75 W123's in it's registry to date and is open to the entire USA. We have nearly 50 current members coast to coast. A full-fledged auto club with over 200 service jobs performed in-house for members (about 20 of them over four- figures) in the last 40 months, not counting my cars. The membership is cheap, the services are extensive, especially for those in the area.

Club 123D is based in St. Louis Missouri.

Please check out the events section at www.club123d.org for information on our past and future w123-only events.

You can also e-mail me: [email protected]

Thanks and Cheers!

 

[gerkebi]

Vince, there's nothing I would like better than to join you this month, but duty calls. This darn full time job is getting in the way of my lifestyle! Have fun, and I'll see you in the fall!

 

[washerman]

i wish i could drive there. They have white castle there too. can not get the time off mabe next year

 

[vlayton]

Thanks for the positive comments, guys.

Bill, I was looking forward to having you, but I understand. You do know the fall rally is considerably more enduring and challenging? I know many folks who think the spring rally (the one we call light and easy) is too hardcore for their tastes. I think only a select few can appreciate the fall rally. If you're still game and are keen to participate in it, you'll certainly command much respect from me! You'll need a hotel two nights for sure. You might even be sick of driving when you get back home. Will the gravel portion be an issue for your beautiful virgin cars?

Washerman, a participant all the way from California would certainly be an honor. All those who come to my club's events give me pride, but it those who come from a considerable distance who demonstrate a real motivation to be part of them by doing so.

(I was hoping to claim Ohio this year, Bill!) Hey, I suppose I still might!



You California guys on this board who seem to gearing up a California W123 Club have definately put one of your future events on my to-do one day list!

 

[gerkebi]

Thanks Vince. Actually, I was referring to the car show in September. I've blocked that weekend off for sure. This month is too darn full!

 

[vlayton]

Thanks Vince. Actually, I was referring to the car show in September. I've blocked that weekend off for sure. This month is too darn full!

Ohhhh! I gotcha. Well that's cool too! You may win the distance award as it stands right now! It'll be great to have you. Any chance you'll bring the "4 month old"? or am I dreaming? I've never seen one with that few miles.

 

[gerkebi]

I actually had this crazy idea of trailering it to the event. It's really special, and I'd love to share it with like minded folks who would appreciate it. I feel more like a steward than an owner...

 

[vlayton]

Allright! W123's have officially hit "trailor queen" status!

That one deservedly so!


Anyways-

Due to an incredibly high number of schedule conflicts, this event was moved to Saturday, June 10 2006. Everyone slated for today is going to be able to make this date, and hopefully many of the others who had other commitments today will be able to make the new date. If this makes a difference to your abiltiy to make this event, please join us, it's like a second chance to make it!

The route and plans are worked out, but I have a bit more to do with preparing the final instruction booklets, which I will be able to make even better with the extra 3 weeks.

As always, the latest and detailed info is at the website if you are interested. It will be updated soon, like later today I hope...

Happy motoring!

 

[vlayton]

Hey folks!

Just peeking out of my hole today...

This event it still on for the tenth. The last few days immersed in the following project:

After no negligable effort, I'm very pleased to present to you 14 W123 video clips I just published today. They are almost all of the 2005 Club 123D Rally. Over 20 minutes of footage arranged in 14 parts ranging from 33 seconds to 4 1/2 minutes! It took significant new editing and web-engineering to provide these clips somewhat readily to you. All you need is the Quicktime plug-in, which everyone seems to have, but if not it can be downloaded for free quite easily.

SEE! Our first "Commercial"

SEE! A Sneak preview of the 2006 Rally Route!

SEE! Testamonials from actual 2005 Rally Participants!

Not to mention miles of scenic roads with W123s set to inspirational music!

You can see them all at www.club123d.org




Personally I can't express how estatic I am at this development, it took so much time, my wife literally had to drag me to the dinner table more than once. I worked til I conked on the couch and had the computers fired up before the coffee was ready. Day, night, and hour have no meaning. They have been up only 2 hours at this point. I hope you don't find them too corny or lame, I'm eager to hear some comments.

Thank you.