Volume 48 - Vol 4 | August 2026 | | |
View Through The Star
by Rusty Duncan, President
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As I write my final View Through the Star as President, I find myself reflecting on what has been an incredible seven years serving on the MBCA Peachtree Board. I've had the privilege of serving as Secretary, Vice President, and finally President. Looking back, I'm grateful for every opportunity to help our chapter grow and, more importantly, for the friendships that have come from serving.
During those years we've faced our share of challenges. None was greater than the COVID pandemic. Like every organization, we suddenly found ourselves wondering how we could continue bringing members together safely.
Fortunately, we realized that driving was the perfect socially distant activity. Instead of hiding in our homes, we explored the beautiful roads of North Georgia together. Our mountain drives really took off during that time, often ending at scenic overlooks where we would open the trunks of our Mercedes and enjoy picnic lunches together. Those drives became some of my favorite club memories. They reminded us that even during difficult times, friendship always finds a way. Read More
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Member Spotlight
Terry Newby
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by Marisa Hegyesi
Terry Newby
Terry is originally from Washington, D.C. He is fifty-eight and married to his beautiful, loving wife Ria. Terry has two sons in their twenties.
Terry’s first job was the United States Army (Logistics). Before he went to active duty, he was in the Army Reserves. His unit went to Kaiserslautern, Volgelweh, Ramstein, and Frankfurt on humanitarian missions. During active duty (19999-2005), Terry was stationed at Ft. Benning, Georgia.
While attending Colorado Technical University, he studied Business Administration and Logistics and Supply Chain Management.
Later, Terry received his Veterans Affairs Training Certification for Nursing. He presently works for the Department of Veterans Affairs in the emergency room.
In his spare time, he loves watching American football. Terry has been a Pittsburgh Steelers fan since the 1970’s. Of course, he also likes to “submerge” himself and Ria into the “automotive culture surrounding German cars.” Read More
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8/2 | STARS and Coffee | register | map
8/8 | Mountain Drive to Tellus Museum | register | map
8/18 | Tech Session - 722.6 Transmission | register | ZOOM
8/23 | GAS ATL Meetup Noon-3pm | map
9/6 | STARS and Coffee | register | map
9/17 | Concours Judging School | register | ZOOM
9/19 | Mountain Drive - Poker Run | watch for details
9/25 | High Tea at Ginger Room | register | map
9/26-27 | GT World Challenge | Buy Tickets | map
9/27 | GAS ATL Meetup Noon-3pm | map
| October, November, and December | | |
10/4 | Peachtree Concours | register | map
10/16 | Trunk Show at J. McLaughin | register | map
10/17 | MBCA Peachtree Board Meeting | Contact President
10/24 | Deutsche Car Show | register | map
10/25 | GAS ATL Meetup Noon-3pm | map
11/1 | STARS and Coffee | watch for details | map
11/28 | Holiday Lights Drive | watch for details | map
12/5 | Holiday Luncheon | watch for details | map
12/6 | STARS and Coffee | watch for details | map
| | by Gary Edwards, Technical Advisor | |
Cheap SLS Struts Too Good to be True?
I was quite surprised when I saw 140-chassis Self Leveling System (rear) struts for $225 for a pair on eBay. Since I have two 140 coupes with clunks from the rear suspension, I thought these were worth a try. They arrived quickly and I was pleasantly surprised that they included the upper mounting bushings as well. Installation was delayed, however, by the need to get the transmission out of limp mode (see a few of my other articles). This delay subsequently became important.
When I finally was able to do the installation, I noted a couple of differences between the original units and these cheap replacements. First, the alignment of the upper tube and the lower tube didn’t match their orientation as installed in the car. This would normally be simply resolved by rotating the lower tube portion to match what’s needed. However, as on the original item, there is a rubber bellows covering the area where the upper and lower portions meet. Unlike the original, however, the lower portion of the boot was secured with an Oetiker clamp (a crush clamp that cannot be loosened without cutting). I cut the clamp, rotated the strut to the correct orientation and used a hose clamp to replace it. This was minor.
| | | MOUNTAIN DRIVE TO TELLUS MUSEUM
Saturday, August 8, 2026 | | |
Marisa Hegyesi, Event Planner
Join us at 9:00 am at the Dunkin Donuts located at 651 Atlanta Highway, Cumming GA (just off of Highway 400) for coffee and donuts if desired. We will leave at 9:30 am to drive to the Museum.
Tellus Science Museum is a natural history and science museum near Cartersville, Georgia, with a facility of over 120,000 square feet. It is an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution. The museum holds the Bentley Planetarium and observatory. The largest displays consist of a large fossil exhibit and mineral gallery. The Museum opens at 10:00 am. Pay individually at the entrance.
Ticket Prices are:
- Members & Active Military: Free
- Adults: $20
- Children & Students: $16
- Seniors (65+): $18
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Bentley Planetarium tickets are $5 per show with a paid museum admission.
For those that would like to meet for lunch at 1:00 pm, please indicate when registering so that we may make a reservation at a local Cartersville restaurant.
Deadline for registration is August 6, 2026.
| | Virtual Tech Session
Mercedes 722.6 Transmission
Tuesday, August 18 | | Join us via Zoom at 7 pm Tuesday August 18th for a Tech Session on the Mercedes 722.6 Transmission by Peachtree Chapter Technical Advisor Gary Edwards.
The 722.6 5 speed automatic transmission was used in many Mercedes from the mid-1990s well into the 21st century. Though robust and reliable, these transmissions have some unique issues that can cause confusion and even prompt unwarranted replacement. Gary will cover limp mode, setting and checking fluid level, connector sleeve replacement, transmission control module inspection, cleaning and replacement and conductor plate replacement. The tech session is FREE, please register below. | | |
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Events for the Ladies of Mercedes!
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| | High Tea at Ginger Room
Alpharetta
Friday, Sept 25 11:00 am | |
Geri Whaley-Ewers Event Planner
Join the ladies for an elegant High Tea at The Ginger Room in Alpharetta, located in the historic Skelton-Teasley House. Enjoy a delightful afternoon of fine teas, finger sandwiches, scones, sweet treats, and wonderful conversation, all accompanied by a live performance from a talented cellist.
With attendance limited to just 10 guests, this intimate event is sure to fill quickly. Reserve your place today!
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Trunk Show at J. McLaughlin's
Avalon
Friday, Oct 16 11:00 am
| Geri Whaley-Ewers Event Planner
Join the ladies for a stylish afternoon at J. McLaughlin in Avalon. Browse the latest fall fashions, enjoy great company, and shop for a good cause.
J. McLaughlin will donate a portion of event sales to Second Chance Greyhounds, helping retired racing greyhounds find loving homes.
Fashion, friendship, and philanthropy—all in one delightful afternoon!
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GT WORLD CHALLENGE
September 26 - 27 B
Barber Motorsports Park, AL
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Experience an exciting weekend of world-class sports car racing at Barber Motorsports Park! Enjoy the GT World Challenge, featuring Sunday's thrilling 3-hour endurance race, plus exclusive paddock access and Mercedes-Benz display parking in the Fan Zone.
Thanks to connections with AMG race teams, attendees may enjoy special behind-the-scenes access, and Mercedes-Benz vehicles will be eligible for cash prizes in the featured car display.
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Concours d'Elegance
Bertha Benz - 140th Anniversary
RBM of Alpharetta
October 4, 2026
9:30 am - 1:30 pm | |
Sam Kamber, Concours Chair
Join us for the the Peachtree Concours d'Elegance as we celebrate the 140th anniversary of the Mercedes-Benz automobile and the 70th anniversary of the Mercedes-Benz Club of America.
Whether your Mercedes-Benz is concours-quality, a well-loved driver, a custom creation, or simply one you enjoy showing, there's a place for you! Classes include Concours, Street, Custom, and Show & Shine, along with Silver Star Preservation Certification for qualifying unrestored vehicles.
This year we are being hosted by Peachtree sponsor RBM of Alpharetta at their newly renovated facility!
The registration fee is $45 per vehicle, and the event is open exclusively to Mercedes-Benz automobiles. Spectators are welcome, and parking is free.
Registration deadline: September 27, 2026.
| MARK YOUR CALENDAR!
HOLIDAY LUNCHEON
December 5, 2026 | | |
Ernie Smallman, Event Planner
Join the Peachtree Chapter for our 2026 Holiday Luncheon at the award-winning Table & Main in historic Roswell. Known for its warm Southern hospitality and seasonal, locally sourced cuisine, this charming restaurant—housed in a beautifully restored 100-year-old home—offers the perfect setting to celebrate the season with fellow members and guests.
Guests will enjoy a plated lunch with entrée selections, salad, and dessert, along with a cash bar. Final menu details and registration information will be shared this fall.
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BBQ Rally
Saturday, July 11, 2026
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Ernie Smallman, Event Planner
Eight Mercedes with ten passengers trekked across north central Georgia savoring BBQ and fix ins starting with North Carolina tawny slaw at JDs BBQ in Acworth. The location was an historic 1925 former school building modified to a restaurant. Second stop was Williamson Brothers BBQ in Canton, GA where members had the option to consume a Jumbo (half pound or double meat of a regular BBQ sandwich).
After waddling back to our Mercedes, the caravan motored to Big Easy BBQ at Hickory Flat for their specialty Corn Maque Choix. Some of the more adventurous had slabs of ribs, alligator bites, and Jambalaya . The day was topped off by desert (ice cream wiht chocolate brownie or banana pudding) at Rally Pointe Grill in Woodstock. Most checked their tire pressure when departing to insure that the vehicle could support the extra weight that they gained.
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Kick it Like Colm Dillane: Mercedes-Benz and KidSuper Are Inspired by Automotive Heritage and Soccer Culture
| June 25, 2026 - Stuttgart/Miami |
- Seven nations with legendary soccer legacies are paired with both historic Mercedes-Benz vehicles and exclusive KidSuper fashion pieces, celebrating 140 years of automotive innovation through global soccer culture
- Spectacular fashion show and runway premiere in Miami on June 25, 2026 – a moment marking KidSuper's first main collection show outside Paris
- Limited-edition capsule collection available fall 2026, exploring the emotional and cultural dimensions of soccer through menswear tailoring, leisurewear and bespoke accessories
Mercedes-Benz is once again uniting with Colm Dillane – the U.S. fashion designer and multi-talented creative head behind KidSuper – to create a new cultural collaboration that weaves together 140 years of automotive excellence, global soccer heritage and bold fashion expression. As international soccer excitement reaches its peak, the partnership celebrates seven nations who proudly wear at least one or more stars on their jersey. Bespoke combinations of cars and fashion will celebrate their legacies during the KidSuper special runway show in Miami on June 25.
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MBCA RAFFLE
Just 2 More Weeks to Enter!
Raffle Ends 8/15/2026
| | Peachtree Chapter Officers | | | | |
