European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - December 1, 1988, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Thursday december 1 1988 the stars and stripes Page 13 car Corner Mercedes Benz so to debut at Geneva in March the new Mercedes Benz so will make its world debut March 9-19 at inc Geneva Auto Salon forming an other Milestone in Daimler Benz sports car history. Daimler Benz says the new 2 2 convertible so series includes the 300sl will inc 3-liter, 6-Cylinder engine and the 300su24 with 24 valves. For the time being the top of the Range Model Wilt be the 500 so with a new Mulli valves Cylinder Ngioc Daimler Benz says the Mulli valve engines introduce a new engine Era for Mercedes Benz cars not Only to develop High Power at High engine speeds but also to offer abundant accelerating Power throughout the engine Speed Range. The so convertible manufactured in Bremen West Germany on equip ment installed exclusively for this series will be available with either an electrically operated soft top or with a Coupe hard lop. The car will go on Sale in Germany Une. Prices arc to be  june. . Distinctive love Sinur shape is inc Mark of the new Mercedes Benz so  of purse of program popular Here s car conversion review. In August when the environmental Protection Agency granted its hard Shin Extension on vehicles five years old and older the ear conversion situation for americans overseas became a new Ball game. Today Well review it briefly and then look at the doll yourself car conversion program available through Usa eur s arts and crafts shops. Explaining its Extension at the time the Epa said for those particularly military personnel who could not return their vehicle to the . Prior to july 1, 1988 under the new Epa ruling this unforeseen circumstance created a unique hardship. Due to these Circum stances Epa has granted some Relief under the hardship exemption to account for these circumstances the Epa added to qualify for this exemption a vehicle must have been purchased by an individual prior to dec. 1, 1987and the vehicle must also he shipped to the . From a foreign port on or before dec 31,1990." there s More bul what it All amounts to is that cars five years old and older purchased before Dee. I 1987, still May be converted under he old rules to meet . Department of safety standards. Can less than five years old can also be converted bul they must meet both department of transportation safely and Epa engine emission standards. This is More expensive of course bul it can still amount to a Good Deal especially considering the current prices being charged in the Stales for Bow and Mer cedes cars the big two in inc conver Sion Market. All this leads loan interesting development in car conversion one that emerged earlier this year Wilh the do it yourself car Craft program. It is operated under Usa eur con tract and is available through the arts and crafts offices on military bases. The program features a  yours Clr classroom where military and Dod personnel perform their own work at Usa eur Auto shops under the guidance of car Craft  Dot approved parts How to do it manuals completion of the Dot paperwork and other conversion work aspects arc included in the program. Recently we discussed the car Taft program at length with Pictor docs president of the . Trade corp. Of it. . . Trade is responsible for the Usa eur con raced car conversion program launched in Germany late last Spring. Moss said that All of the Stu dents in the Pilot program have received Dot approval on their cars with most of the work performed by program participants. Regarding the current status docs says eight out of every 10 people who inquire about the car conversion pro Gram have indicated that they will be leaving Europe by next july. In that Case docs said they should sign up for tic do it yours Cir program now and not wait until the last minute. Jan uary and february dates arc still open but All indications Point to Busy workshop schedules after that docs also stressed the financial Side of conversion saying thai the total Cost of the do it yourself classroom pro Gram is $1,240 the Cost including a Dot pc  and thai the aver age total Dot Cost including shipping bonding insurance Etc., is about j2.600. If both Dot and Epa conver Sions Are necessary the average Cost including shipping is Aboul $5,800. A tremendous amount of confusion existed this year on the Epa s new rut Ings because the Agency announced a july i car conversion cutoff Date Long before it grunted the hardship Exten Sion. Because of this docs said thai Many ear owners stopped saving Money for conversion purposes and Many made the mistake of Selling their cars. Under the car Rafi. Do it yourself program car conversion costs can he financed stateside. Maes said but tin car itself must be free of Lien. Moes said that before the car owner can be accepted into inc car Fafri pro Gram his vehicle must pass the Dot pc inspection and if applicable an Epa engine emissions pc inspection As Well. " the eight Point Dot pc inspection determines in lie car can be completely and safely converted that the car is free of extensive rust that window Glass meets Dot standards Etc. The Epa pc inspection on cars less than five years old determines if the new american cars at cafes show the jeep wrangler Sahara plus Mare than 50 other 1989-Model us can will be displayed Friday through dec 10 at the Frankfurt pm parking lot. The cafes new car show is being staged in conjunction with the grand opening of the Frankfurt new car sales Center at the pm. Daily hours Are 10 ,-6 . Engine is eligible for conversion. Docs said. If the engine fails the test in Ger Many the owner can at least continue to use the car in Europe and eventually sell it upon leaving. By Law All Epa engine emissions conversion work must be done in the United Stales Maes says. If car is sent to the United Stales without an engine inspect Ion and it fails then it could do a costly affair. Full repair or a new engine would be necessary and barring that the car would be returned to Europe Ai the owner s expense or destroyed in inc converting of cars less than five years old Moes said we feel the Epa engine pc inspection is vital. And despite the fact that these cars must meet both Dot and Epa requirements one can still save Money if he owns or buys a Mercedes or Bow from Lei s say. 1985 and  regarding the car Craft do it your self conversion programs available through the arts and Craft shops Moes says he finds that most students regard the work As psychologically rewarding and that they Nave a sense of accomplishment when the car is properly finished and ready for shipment. A tentative schedule for classes Dur  february is As follows Frankfurt Jan 9-13 Jan. 23-27 feb 27-march3.--. 0 is san. Feb. 20-24.  feb. 6-10. Stuttgart. Jan 2-6. Berlin feb. 13-17, Nurnberg Jan. 10-feb, 3.-. V. Wurzburg Jan. 16-20, the classes Are limited to 10 vehicles each additional classes can be added 10 the schedule in any Usa eur Community where Iacre arc at least six pc Pic applying for the Dot classroom. All service members and Dod personnel May apply for car Craft Dot and Epa car conversion classroom instruction at their local arts and crafts office enrolment fees Are paid there also or by calling . Trade s euro. Pean service office in Offe Naii North of Heilbronn at 07136-4932 or writing . Trade talk cd is 7101 Offe Nau West Germany. Randy Barnet Auto columnist