News

CPR for a 6.9 - Kent Bergsma's Newest Rescue Attempt

I had decided a year ago that my days of restoring old cars were probably over. I don't seem to have the energy I once had and with all that is going on in the this business every day, I hardly have time to do oil changes on my numerous daily drivers. But no matter how hard I try, I just can't seem to rid myself of the desire to rescue another special Mercedes. And so it has happened again. Look what I trailered home on November 22. It is a 1978 450SEL 6.9 (European model) with classic Euro bumpers, headlights, and velour interior.

P-38 Fighter Pilot Encounter - A True American War Hero!

This weekend (July 30, 2011) I had the privilege of meeting a true American World War II hero. Our radio Control flying club had a model warbird fly-in on Saturday. We invited Joe Moser to attend the event and share his story and sign copies of his new book. Joe was a P-38 pilot who flew 44 combat missions over Europe in the period leading up to D-Day and the weeks immediately following the invasion of Europe. On August 13, 1944 his P-38 Lightning twin engine fighter was shot down by enemy gunfire over France.

In Remembrance of Les Bergsma

My father, Les Bergsma, passed away on July 24th at the age of 90. On Friday, September 3 the family gathered together to remember and celebrate his life. It was a very special day for us as we gathered at the old seaplane base location and had a Cessna floatplane fly overhead and drop roses on Lake Whatcom. He was a kind man with a gentle spirit who lived a life of integrity and faith. What I have done and what I am doing today is largely due to his influence. Many of you know that I have a background in aviation, but few know that my father was also a pilot.

New Mascot Arrives at Mercedessource

Meet our new company mascot! It is a very nice white 1966 Fintail 230 sedan. You can tell we are pretty excited around here about receiving this little sweetheart. There is a reason for this. It is not often a customer drops by to give us something. It is a new experience for us that a gentleman Mercedes enthusiast would drop by to tell us he wanted to give us his car! Thats right - give it to us... He has owned the car since 1970 and wanted it to find a home where it would be maintained and lovingly cared for. I have seen a lot of Finbacks over the years.

Where Have All the Years Gone - A 40 Year Road Trip

I was going through some of my old photos the other day and came across this one. It was taken 40 years ago this month. Wow, how have the years gone by so quickly! 1969 was the year I graduated from college and flight school. It was the year that man first walked on the Moon. It was the year that I missed getting drafted by a high drawing number in the draft lottery - And it was the year that I married Linda -my wife of 40 years. I am in the front of this picture leaning up against my 1966 Alfa Romeo GTV. My brother is in the background sitting on the fender of his 1957 Alfa Sprint Veloce.

Flying the Land that Time Forgot

From 1972 to 1980 Kent Bergsma had the unique opportunity to live and fly small aircraft in what many consider the most primitive place on Earth. During those years. Irian Jaya, Indonesia (eastern half of the Island of New Guinea now called Papua) was still considered "stone age." In fact, Kent was involved in making contact with some tribes who had never seen a white man nor made any contact with the outside world. How could this still be true in the late 20th century? Maybe that is why this mysterious and isolated land has often been referred to as the "land that time forgot."

Restoration and Major Repair Articles

We want to share with you some of restoration and repair work that has come out of our own shop. Our goal is that this information can both inspire and instruct you to tackle needed repairs on your own Mercedes. Nothing excites us more around Mercedessource than to have someone write to tell us that for the first time they have successfully worked on and repair their own car! Success breeds more confidence which in turn leads to more success. We want these articles to give you that same feeling of success.

New Partnership with Meyle - Replacement OE Parts

Meyle has stepped into the market with new and improved products that can solve many of the problems associated with premature failure of OE parts. Their design and development team researches weak areas of existing parts and improves them by adding reinforced structures. larger bearing surfaces, tougher material, stronger rubber, etc. We are very pleased with the quality and performance of their parts and are excited to be able to offer them to you at very affordable prices.

Kent Hard at Work

Kent Bergsma Hard at Work on New Series of Advanced DIY Manuals

Kent is hard at work on his new series of advanced D.I.Y. mechanic series of manuals. The challenge for him has been trying to make the advanced technical side of the information still understandable to the average home mechanic. For example, explaining how to use electrical testing meters to test the function and health of a diesel pre-glow system is not an easy task. Describing how to fine tune the vacuum adjustments on a diesel automatic transmisson is even more difficult.

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