European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - August 24, 1989, Darmstadt, Hesse Stories and photus by Steve Taylor Munich Bureau More than Mha Lii be automobile glittered in the summer Sun during the third King classic car rally in the m Obi . The , some inure Ihan 110 years old e Ami from seven i it indries. I entries ranged irom the relatively e to the unique., Csc h looking Fri so from the showroom floor. Thousands of Spe Turs we re there to admire1 the automobiles Whu h i presented hundreds of hours of work and investments of thousands of dollars. The gleaming classic s Rivale Al Llie Beauty of the German Alps that surround the re sort town. A 1935 study Baker commander cabrio Coupe Only two we re built was the rarest Model on hand. Owner Alfred vac Ano of Switzerland be Uncle the d the rally course in the Studebaker which boasts a big eight Cylinder r engine and a rumble seat. But rarest does t net a scarily mean most expensive Nejtek d i Tarry Connors the Only american among the1 contestants. Connors who works for the armed i orces re c Reatie in cent it in Garmisch drove one of the rally s two Messersi. Hill kk200s. The Mist expensive entry Connors said was a 1936 Daimler Ben ri40k that was valued Al about $700,000 before the rally began. Its 115-year-old owner the oldest contestant qualified for the Clay s hard Luck award when his e a struck a tree during the Competition. I be and his wife were hospitalised with injuries they sustained in the.1 crash. Detroit was Well represented a 1941 Cadillac convertible spelling Broad Vahi Sewalls and a 350 cubic in height Cylinder engine a big heavy 47 Chrysler Windsor a 2 Chevrolet a 1967 Mustang looking Euite Niode in amid the flared fenders and huge grills of the Olele r entries. Classic european makes of course1, Weie everywhere including a i porsche and a 195 1 merc e de s 190 is. Several Molo Cyc Les also be re on hand among them a 1920 Victoria or i with Sidecar. The rally was organi de by the Branch of the adar a German automobile club. 1 he club has 134 members said rally coordinator Ochan Thomas but Only three in the old timers Section actually own classic . Though it is an expensive and time consuming Hobby there is widespread interest in restoring antique cars said 1 gliomas who owns three. The Day s highlight was the rally itself. Winding through the Bat k reads and Pic villages of Southern Bavaria the c Ourse was a lest of the Drivers ability and the Sehit Les mechanical fitness. All along the rout people lined the streets Anel waved As the cars passed a band played traditional bavarian music Al Tine Stop and Drivers took a lunch h break in the town of is Hoefling which is celebrating its 1,250lh anniversary this year Al the awards banquet More than 30 trophies were Given out. There Vve re prizes for first second and third place in eat h of 10 classes and special awards in categories like eldest vehicle. Awards Are based on Points. Each participant starts with 10 Points and be Jinks are1 deducted based on accomplishments during the rally getting from Point a to Point b within the allotted time not straying from the course Etc the Overall Winner Walter Kneile driving a 1953 Horeb Regina motorcycle. He finished with 0.70 Points Ero was a perfect score. Similar events Are held throughout Europe each summer each with a slightly different flavor. A rally that spotlights Cadillac for instance will be held sept. 2 and 3 in Wilhe a shaven West Germany. A i of Pele listing 011 la sic e a events can be seen in the German Public Matiun a intr sold where most car Maga Ines Are uttered. Many adar chapters and tourist councils Alsey have sue h information. Sidecar on this 1929 Victoria or i enabled the Driver to take along a passenger Offart. Above a 47 Chrysler Windsor entered in the third King Ludwig event. At right Harry anti Eide Connors with Shtir Messe Schmill kr200. They re made to be driven i Larry Connors knows his c Lassie s not Milton but Mercedes and Messerschmit. And it s not just Book knowledge. Connors regularly gets his hands dirty As he works on his Messerschmidt kr200 or his ii Mercedes 170, trying to keep them running and looking like they did on the Day they came off the Assembly line. Connors an american who works for the armed i Ore is recreation centers in Garmisch West Germany drove his Eye catching Messerschmidt in the recent King Ludwig classic car rally in nearby where lie lives. I be sounds a bit like a Salesman when he talks about Bis Messerschmidt a great car a fun car and easy to Park he says although he admits that it s Little More than a Scooter with a cab on he drives it to Ami from work every Day. With one person in the cab he says the Messersi uni it c a hit 72 Tuph its two Cycle engine getting about to Miles per gallon. The Book says it should get up to 12o Miles per gallon but most people i know i an gel Only i m Miles per gallon or so. It depends on a inv in Dri a he says. I Hough it s a tiny vehicle i onnors says he and his wife i Leide have made shopping trips to the commissary in it. We got eight bags of groceries in once he boasts and that includes i let s Tell the truth Harry his wife in Learjet is. It was t re ally Connors who says he has been a classic car butt As Long As he can remember has owned several antique cars and to lorry Les. While Bis Messer Similt Jurat to a lot of attention he says it s his Mercedes that continually attracts would be buyers people Stop me at Street Corners to try to make deals he says and he one e was offered a late Model porsche in Trade. Connors says he s interested in Lassie s for the it not the potential prom. Part of the fun is getting film roles. I it and his classics have been in six movies including when eel tvs dare in which he appeared in a bit part As a German Soldier and the lbs miniseries Boot Xland Honor Vav hich used his Mercedes a Junurs does t understand Jbv some owners Uil i sic t ars Only take them out of the ravage once or Isicc a ear. That in Viva iffy re made to be driven . August 24, 1989 stripes Migu inv 11
