Mercedes-Benz USA hosted the first ever Mercedes-Benz Concours via video conferencing through Zoom on Friday, May 1st. Appropriately named the “Concours de Zoom,” this virtual event featured iconic Mercedes-Benz vehicles alongside their high profile owners during this time of social distancing. Each prominent participant showcased their prized Mercedes-Benz and shared a few things they love about their vehicle. At the end, a donation was made to the American Red Cross on behalf of the participants.
HOW TO RE-WATCH:
PARTICIPANTS: Notable participants included Jay Leno, Ludacris, Martha Stewart, Rickie Fowler, Madelaine Petsch, Bloomberg’s Hannah Elliott, Cole Walliser and more.
HIGHLIGHTS & QUOTES:
- Jay Leno gave viewers a tour of the impressive Mercedes-Benz section of his garage, showing off some of his favorite vehicles of all-time including his 1972 Mercedes-Benz 300 SEL 6.3 that he called a “factory hot rod” and his 1972 Mercedes-Benz 600. Leno referred to the 600 as the “ultimate luxury car” and noted that John Lennon, Elvis & Jack Nicholson also owned one in that era as it was “the car to have”. Leno also talked about being in high school and college working at a Mercedes-Benz dealership, admitting that it was a great feeling to own a car like the 6.3 now because when he was younger it seemed unattainable and it was a thrill for him to just be around the cars and drive them when delivering a new car to a customer.
- Ludacris brought the energy and starpower to the “Concours de Zoom” while he showed off his Mercedes-AMG GT C Coupe saying, “This car is my savior during times like this because it’s so therapeutic to get into something like it…I am the true, fast and furious….that’s why I am on this call and blessed to be a part of this family.” He also talked about giving back in his hometown saying, “Man, I have literally been trying to help as many people as I possibly can…we’re giving groceries to 50 different families in the Atlanta area.”
- Martha Stewart highlighted her 2019 Mercedes-Benz GLS 550 saying, “This Mercedes is such a safe, practical and comfortable way to drive. It’s so important to find comfort in your car; sometimes I’m in mine seven days a week!” Martha has a long commute to the office and relies on that time to be productive, catching up on calls and emails.
- Rickie Fowler was excited to show off his Mercedes-Benz S 63 and said, “It’s mine and my wife’s favorite to drive.” He shared he always feels safe in a Mercedes-Benz and loves the speed and performance. Rickie also spoke about some of his experiences from the Mercedes-Benz AMG Driving Academy. He shared, “For me to get behind the wheel and to be able to get that adrenaline pumping like I used to on a dirt bike….something I definitely needed. To be able to go into corners hard, get on the brakes, it’s been a great time. Whenever I get on the track, it’s a good way to let loose.”
- Madelaine Petsch boasted about the fact that her Mercedes-Benz A220 Sedan parallel parks for her at the touch of a button. “LA is very hard to navigate…this car parallel parks for me! The fact that I can press a button and my car will parallel park for me is still exciting a year into having this car.” Madelaine also commented on the red interior saying, “On Riverdale, I’m a character who wears a lot of red. I thought it would be fun to have a little hint of Cheryl in my car.”
- Hannah Elliot showed off her 1988 Mercedes-Benz 560 SL. Hannah said she loves her vintage car because of the personality and character. Hannah shared, “The thing that I really like about this car is the fact that it has so much style. You can arrive anywhere in the world…a fancy restaurant, a coffee shop, a hotel lounge, a club and you will always look cool pulling up in this car…it’s almost a 40 year old car, but it just has a real sense of style and class.”
- Mike Kunz from the Mercedes-Benz Classic Center highlighted his favorite car, the Mercedes- Benz 300 SL Gullwing, while sharing some of the unique features and interesting historical aspects of the vehicle. He shared, “This is a 1956 car. This car could go 160 miles an hour….This car is a 300 SL coupe, but it’s named for its doors…this stems back to the fact that this is a derivative of a race car…so it had a frame underneath that didn’t allow a conventional door…like many race cars, they often don’t have doors. You jump in the car, so they created a Gullwing type door.”
- Cole Walliser showed his 1991 two-door Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon and shared stories about his trip where he went off-roading on the rocks and cliffs in Moab, Utah. “Scariest, yet most exhilarating thing I’ve ever done,” said Walliser.
VEHICLES: Classic vehicles that were showcased included a 1908 chain-drive Mercedes with a Benz Aero engine (nicknamed Rabbit-the-First), a 1956 300 SL Gullwing, a 1972 Mercedes-Benz 300 SEL 6.3, 1972 Mercedes-Benz 600 Kompressor, a 1988 560 SL and a 1991 G 300 D. In addition, dynamic new models that were highlighted included the A 220, the GLS 550, the AMG S 63 Coupe, the AMG G 63 and the AMG GT C Coupe.
