2011 Kansas City International Auto Show

The time has again come for the 2011 Kansas City International Auto Show, and Mercedes-Benz of Kansas City will have a bigger presence than ever. Featuring our full line of Mercedes-Benz, smart, Sprinter, and Airstream vehicles, our section will be more diverse than ever. We will be showcasing the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Supercar, the new 2011 Mercedes CLS, as well as the Airstream Recreational Vehicle, the only RV with the heart of a Mercedes-Benz. Additionally we will be live blogging, taking photos, and putting up video, all live from Bartle Hall. We will even be giving away two tickets to The Midland Theater in a first-ever Facebook photo contest. Check back here for constant updates, or follow us at www.facebook.com/MercedesBenzofKansasCity and www.twittter.com/MercedesKC . We hope you enjoy the show!

Auto Show Facebook Photo Contest

Example Contest Photo

For this year's 2011 Kansas City Auto Show, we know that our customers are all very happy in their Mercedes-Benz vehicles. As a challenge for our Facebook fan base, we will be giving two tickets away to whoever can post the most upset, sad, or defeated photo of themselves with a competitor's vehicle. Whoever posts the most depressing photo by Monday, March 7th at noon will get to pick between two tickets to Red State, a new thriller movie by Kevin Smith, or Disney's Imagination Movers Live. 18 and older will be eligible, and all photos must be posted to our Facebook wall at www.Facebook.com/MercedesBenzofKansasCity . Please note that this contest is all in good fun, and we do not encourage vandalism to other makes of vehicle. Good luck and happy (sad) photo hunting!

What it means to be "The Best"

Mercedes-Benz has a tag line that we have believed in for years: "The Best or Nothing." More than a single phrase, this represents a promise to every person that walks in the door. Representing a company that has been making the best automobiles in the world for 125 years, "The Best" is the hallmark to which we all subscribe.In sales, our staff constantly trains in both product knowledge and customer service, in a year-round attempt to ensure that when you set foot on our showroom, you're experience is nothing short of "The Best." Our service advisers and technicians go through equally comprehensive training to make sure that your Mercedes-Benz receives the same treatment you do. Rest assured that your experience at Mercedes-Benz of Kansas City will defy even the highest expectations. "The Best" isn't a goal, its a promise.

World of Wheels Day 2: Q&A with Ken Lee

Ken Lee and his 1969 Chevrolet Camaro Z28

When I sat down with Ken Lee, a charter member of the Kansas City Corvette Association, I expected the talk to be all about horsepower, performance numbers, and general Corvette FAQ’s. Interestingly enough, one of the first things he said to me was on the contrary. “Performance is irrelevant, you can talk about on the new (Corvettes) that they go 0-60 in 4.5 seconds, or they have 500 horsepower, but when you can meet with guys that share your passion for cars, and can go on a long weekend cruise, that’s what it’s all about.”  Ken is here at World of Wheels showing his 1969 Z28 Camaro. This car, all original is competing in the un-restored classics class. Rather than being brought back from the dead, his yellow vehicle has been meticulously maintained throughout its lifetime. Ken is also a member of the Antique Automobile Club of America (AACA). When I talked to Ken about what he thought would be classics 50 years from now, he replied “The new Camaro, and Corvette,” I thought he was perhaps showing a little bias, but he informed me further: “Those vehicles are getting the kids excited today about cars,” and “that’s why they will be classics.” Ken is a Kansas City, MO. resident, and served in Vietnam.

Interview with AACA Chapter President Bob Lowden

Bob Lowden in his 1936 Dodge Rumble Seat Coupe

I am sitting across from Robert (Bob) Lowden, President of the Kansas City Chapter of the Antique Automobile Club of America (AACA), a group that represents over 60,000 classic car owners across the country. Bob had been a member since 1966, when he was 29 years old. He is here at the World of Wheels competition showing his 1936 Dodge Rumble seat coupe, a pristine all-original beauty with only 58,000 original miles. As we sit at the AACA’s booth, we gaze around at all of the adjacent exhibitor displays. Some have all original vehicles, others have cars rebuilt from the ground up. At the other end of Bartle Hall the” Rat Rod” section has dozens of vehicles that started life as scrap metal and a dream. With all of these different types of car enthusiasts, I asked Bob what was the thing they all had in common. “Everybody has their own individual tastes,” he tells me, elaborating that even though their own style is different, they all share a love of cars. “People today buy cars to get them from point a to b, and don’t view them as an extension of their personality” assuring me that he was not referring to any of the 1300 plus car enthusiasts in this room. Bob’s passion for cars has extended through his twenty years in the Army, where he served two tours in Vietnam. After leaving the military in 1980, Bob has been a pastor for two churches, and eventually retired in 2004. Over the course of his car collecting, he has owned close to 25-30 classic cars. “When did the car bug bite you?” I asked. “The 50’s is when I really became interested,” he says, coinciding with the golden era of classics. We chat on about classics and certain makes and models for a while, and we land on the subject of what modern cars will be classics fifty years from now. “Probably that Cadillac convertible,” he says, referring to the XLR. “Also, that T-Bird that Ford made a few years back will also probably be one.” Its tough figuring out what will be collector items down the road, but one thing is sure: The amount of people, young and old, in this convention center is a reassuring image, guaranteeing that cars will continue to be extensions of individual personalities for years to come.   Bob currently resides in Blue Springs, MO. For more information on the AACA please visit www.aaca.org .

World of Wheels show @ Bartle Hall has begun!

The 51^st annual World of Wheels car show is underway here at Bartle Hall. With over 1300 enthusiast vehicles here, there is definitely something for everyone! We’ve so far seen untouched all original historic vehicles, customized newer vehicle, hot rods, and even a few of our own vehicles. In partnership with smart center merriam and smart center kansas city, there are 5 custom smart vehicles here from the MO-KAN smart club. We even had a chance to sit down with Bob Lowden, the President of the Antique Automobiles Club of America (AACA) Kansas City Chapter. Also, we spoke with Ken Lee, one of the founding members of the Kansas City Corvette Club. Look for those stories to be posted shortly!

Intense Vibration After Snow

As this winter continues to produce record amounts of snowfall, many drivers experience some intense vibrations as they drive down the road. Is this because of an alignment issue? Not necessarily. If you notice heavy vibrations at highway speed after there has been heavy snowfall, pull into a safe place and check the insides of your wheels. Often times snow and ice will become packed inside wheels, adding weight, and throwing them out of balance. Use a broomstick or other object to prod the snow out of the wheel. The vibrations should be gone, and you are free to be on your way. If vibrations persist, make sure to schedule an appointment for us to check for a more serious issue.