There is something truly rewarding about owning a classic car. Each classic car has a different story to tell. Recently, DaimlerChrysler together with the Mercedes-Benz Club of Thailand organized Asia’s first Mercedes-Benz Star Drive in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Members of the press and Mercedes-Benz club members from all over the world took a three-day pleasure drive along the picturesque and cool Northern Thailand terrain in classic as well as modern Mercedes-Benzes of all ages, shapes and sizes.
Chiang Mai is a city in Northern Thailand that has a rich and unique history that spans over 700 years with its distinctive Lanna architecture, geography and culture. Renowned for its temples, these magnificent pagodas complement the 1960’s W113 Mercedes-Benz SL roadsters that participated during the event. These particular SL models were commonly called “Pagoda Benzes” because of its unusual hardtop roof design.
The three-day drive gave its participants an opportunity to drive and experience the nostalgic feel of classic cars alongside modern Mercedes-Benzes. The cool and pollution-free atmosphere was also a perfect setting for an open-top drive and the author was treated to an afternoon drive in a rare and well-restored 1956 W198 300SL roadster. The 300SL ably negotiated the winding and mountainous roads while basking in the summer sun with the air-con running. It was surprising to note that its air-con is as powerful as its modern-day siblings.
The culminating event was held in Mandarin Oriental Dhara Dhevi. Dhara Dhevi is the Sanskrit name for “Star Goddess”, which was a befitting name of for the occasion. Among the stars (or rather tri-stars) in the gala dinner was a 300SL Gullwing plus a number of other finely restored classic convertibles and sedans.
The Mercedes-Benz Club of the Philippines was likewise represented by its President, Tippee Yaptinchay and its officers Junnie Crisostomo and Michael Genuino. Having seen the success of Star Drive in Chiang Mai, there were already talks about the possibility of conducting our very own Philippine Mercedes-Benz Star Drive in the near future.
Events like the Star Drive promote not only motoring interest but also regional tourism as well. The Chiang Mai Star Drive was heavily supported by the governor of Chiang Mai and the Tourism Authority of Thailand. Hundreds of Mercedes-Benz enthusiasts all over the region participated in this first-ever event of its kind in the region.
We Filipinos can really learn something from the Thais. This event shows that the Thais have learned to set aside political difficulties and strenuously move forward towards the common good. The recently concluded Bangkok Motor Show last March shows that despite its current difficulties, its tourism and automotive economy has remained resilient and buoyed by nationalistic Thais.
In a recent reunion of the tri-star marque, the Mercedes-Benz Club of the Philippines had a club display in the highly successful Manila International Auto Show last April 6 at the main driveway of World Trade Center. Officers and members of the club paraded their beloved Mercedes-Benzes as they enjoyed the various classic and new vehicle displays inside the main exhibition hall.
Judging from the finely restored classic cars on display during the show, the passion for motoring is very much alive in the Philippines. It is the very same passion that fuels every motoring enthusiast to “reach for the stars.”
By Alvin Uy | Photos by By Alvin Uy
Also Published in Mercedes Magazine
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