Show and Shine Day

As the sun came over the horizon, on Sunday 6th April 2008, it revealed a crisp, but sunny morning for the Show and Shine Day at the Canada Bay Club, Fivedock. It was just five words from the weather bureau that haunted the organisers, "some showers during the day". But the weather bureau had been wrong before. So, with the cars shined, it was off to the show.

To the amazement of many, those wishing to show their car(s) on the day, started to arrive at the club from 7.30am. The arrivals continued every few minutes, tapering off around 9:45am, which was a good thing in some ways, as we had almost filled the car park with 120 cars.

It was quite the carnival atmosphere, with Mercedes-Benz cars of seemingly every colour, type and model on display. Everywhere acquaintances were being rekindled and new ones established. There were MBCNSW members, including a life member, forum members, children with their mums and dads others with their nanna and pop.

Some show and shiners took advantage of the Canada Bay Club opening for business at 10.00am, and adjourned across the street to enjoy a cup of freshly brewed tea or coffee. Almost to the stroke of 11.00am the rain arrived, although light at first it steadily increased to a very heavy downpour. This introduced a new club event, as one scallywag on the club forum called it, "The convertible roof sprint". Some decided to sit the storm out in their cars, while others departed. Those remaining mostly adjourned to the club to join the others.

The relaxed friendly carnival atmosphere from the car park, had now transferred to the club. At 11.30am the rain departed as quickly as it had arrived, and people quickly returned to the car park. To the surprise of many, about twenty display cars had arrived during the rain and taken up their positions. One of the new arrivals was a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Ambulance. At our request the NSW Ambulance Service had provided an operational ambulance for display. The ambulance crew very kindly displayed the features of their ambulance for about 1 hour until it was required for operational purposes and departed swiftly.

At 1.00pm the event came to its scheduled conclusion. Some people and their cars departed, while about 60 people chose to leave their cars in place, and headed to Wings Chinese Restaurant, on the first floor of the club for lunch. Others enjoyed The Brasserie Family Restaurant, on the ground floor.

But what about the lucky gate prize? Well, it was won by Mercules, a rather menacing looking black 560 AMG. The prize was an encyclopedic, hard covered history of Mercedes-Benz. You can see Mercules in the first image on this page. He is the black 560 in the middle of the first graphic, with the engine cover up, and two men standing in front of him.

A new Australian record was set on the day, with 9 Mercedes-Benz 300 Adenauer's on display at the same show. The style, grace and poise of these 1950's limousines reminds us of an era gone by. A time when these magneficently engineered cars would graciously glide past, as icons of luxury and success.

The Mercedes-Benz Club of NSW would like to thank everybody who's contributions helped make the Show and Shine day such a fantastic success. We would especially like to thank the following companies and forums for their assistance.

• Morrisons Mercedes Benz - Chatswood. Click here
• Elders insurance. Click here
• Michel's World On Wheels 107.3FM. Click here
• Canda Bay Club. Click here
• Show Off Your Wheels. Click here
• Cars of Australia. Click here
• Top Klasse forum. Click here
• OzBenz forum. Click here

Did you know that 2 Smart Cars only require 1 parking space? It's true.

After lunch the organising committee held a debrief of the day and finally headed home at 5.30pm. And yes, we will be holding another Show and Shine Day later in the year.

A long day for some, a great day for all.