When Things Light up in the Night.
My name is Terry Kiwala and I am a Mercedes-Benz enthusiast. I drive my 1987 300SDL regularly – actually, a lot – to many varied club events, whether it be a concours, on the track, at a tech session … any event I can get to. Thus, I am honored to have been elected president of Mercedes-Benz Club of America. I am relatively new to the MBCA National Board after being elected director-at-large last year, but I’m not new to our club or events at the local, regional and national levels.
I joined the MBCA in January 1994 and purchased my 300SDL a few years later while in school. As a finance guy, I thought I was being practical because I knew I could get a million miles out of this car. As I write this column, the odometer is close to reading 343,000 miles. How did I achieve this milestone in mileage? There’s only one answer: the Mercedes-Benz Club of America. Because of the MBCA, I have developed a passion for all things Mercedes-Benz – the brand, its heritage and my fellow club members.
Case in point: A few weeks ago it happened – that dreaded feeling you get when a dashboard light illuminates on a weekend night while driving in the middle of nowhere. In my high-mileage 300SDL, that orange square light on the dash was the only thing I could see and stare at in the pitch-black ride home from a football game at my alma mater. My blood pressure rose steadily as I watched for signs for the next rest area.
That cold, dark night around 10:00, I contacted my mechanic and good friend, who sent me a few texts while I waited at a rest area: He eventually put my nerves at ease. I don’t know many people who can contact their mechanic at 10 p.m. on a Saturday and get a response. But I can. And how did this relationship start? There’s only one answer: the MBCA. I met Larry 15 years ago at a section tech session and he’s serviced my car since. I wouldn’t be driving the car if it weren’t for a fellow enthusiast understanding my desire to make this 300SDL last forever. Why Larry ever gave me his personal cell phone number – I suffer from OCD when it comes to my car – is beyond me. You’ll have to ask him about that.
This club is filled with members who share your interest in Mercedes vehicles – members who will help you in the middle of the night or at more reasonable hours on your various endeavors – be it detailing your car for a concours or driving your high-mileage car home from a football game.
My goal as your club president is simple: to get you, an MBCA member, involved so that you, too, can enjoy the benefits of being a part of this club. To get involved means your automotive experience will improve exponentially from the (substantial) thrill you get from simply driving a Mercedes-Benz. We happen to have the best enthusiasts in the world – and it starts with every member being involved.
A phenomenal team of National Board members and section leaders share my dedication in providing you with a fulfilling membership experience. For all those who participate in club events this year, I know you’ll have a fun, adventurous and rewarding experience. I look forward to meeting you, seeing your car, hearing about why you love it, and talking about our shared interest in Mercedes-Benz vehicles and the unique attributes MBCA membership offers.
My name is Terry Kiwala and I am a Mercedes-Benz enthusiast. I drive my 1987 300SDL regularly – actually, a lot – to many varied club events, whether it be a concours, on the track, at a tech session … any event I can get to. Thus, I am honored to have been elected president of Mercedes-Benz Club of America. I am relatively new to the MBCA National Board after being elected director-at-large last year, but I’m not new to our club or events at the local, regional and national levels.
I joined the MBCA in January 1994 and purchased my 300SDL a few years later while in school. As a finance guy, I thought I was being practical because I knew I could get a million miles out of this car. As I write this column, the odometer is close to reading 343,000 miles. How did I achieve this milestone in mileage? There’s only one answer: the Mercedes-Benz Club of America. Because of the MBCA, I have developed a passion for all things Mercedes-Benz – the brand, its heritage and my fellow club members.
Case in point: A few weeks ago it happened – that dreaded feeling you get when a dashboard light illuminates on a weekend night while driving in the middle of nowhere. In my high-mileage 300SDL, that orange square light on the dash was the only thing I could see and stare at in the pitch-black ride home from a football game at my alma mater. My blood pressure rose steadily as I watched for signs for the next rest area.
That cold, dark night around 10:00, I contacted my mechanic and good friend, who sent me a few texts while I waited at a rest area: He eventually put my nerves at ease. I don’t know many people who can contact their mechanic at 10 p.m. on a Saturday and get a response. But I can. And how did this relationship start? There’s only one answer: the MBCA. I met Larry 15 years ago at a section tech session and he’s serviced my car since. I wouldn’t be driving the car if it weren’t for a fellow enthusiast understanding my desire to make this 300SDL last forever. Why Larry ever gave me his personal cell phone number – I suffer from OCD when it comes to my car – is beyond me. You’ll have to ask him about that.
This club is filled with members who share your interest in Mercedes vehicles – members who will help you in the middle of the night or at more reasonable hours on your various endeavors – be it detailing your car for a concours or driving your high-mileage car home from a football game.
My goal as your club president is simple: to get you, an MBCA member, involved so that you, too, can enjoy the benefits of being a part of this club. To get involved means your automotive experience will improve exponentially from the (substantial) thrill you get from simply driving a Mercedes-Benz. We happen to have the best enthusiasts in the world – and it starts with every member being involved.
A phenomenal team of National Board members and section leaders share my dedication in providing you with a fulfilling membership experience. For all those who participate in club events this year, I know you’ll have a fun, adventurous and rewarding experience. I look forward to meeting you, seeing your car, hearing about why you love it, and talking about our shared interest in Mercedes-Benz vehicles and the unique attributes MBCA membership offers.
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