February/March 2014 Member Car Spotlight Read About Daves Car

Tampa Bay Star
February/March 2014
Member Car Spotlight
Read About Daves Car
Page 9
Coming Events
February 22, 2014
DaVinci Exhibit & Dinner
Bradenton, FL
Holiday Brunch
See Pages 6-7
March 6-9, 2014
Amelia Island
Concour D’Elegance
Amelia Island, GA
March 29, 2014
Collier Museum & Tech Session
SE Regional Event
Naples, FL
April 13, 2014
Tampa Bay Downs Brunch
Tampa, FL
Walking Tour of
Safety Harbor
See Page 8
May 17, 2014
Tech Inspection & Lunch
Lokey MB dealership
Clearwater, FL
June 1, 2014
Giraffe Ranch Tour
Dade City, FL
Important Dates
Officers
President Dan Cabrera
813-480-3484
dcabrera2@tampabay.rr.com
Vice President Paul J. Cooper
727-726-6837
PaulJCooper@verizon.net
Secretary Lynn Hutchinson
727-726-6711
dhutch@verizon.net
Treasurer Pat Tornblom
727-856-5584
ptornblom@tampabay.rr.com
Past President
Dave Hutchinson
Newsletter Editor
Linda B. Cooper
727-726-6837
LindaBCooper@verizon.net
Chairpersons
Membership
Paul J. Cooper
727-726-6837
PaulJCooper@verizon.net
Activities Lynn Hutchinson
Photography
Dave Hutchinson
Historian Lynn Hutchinson
Technical Legal Advisor
Dick Wolverton
Webmaster
Dan Cabrera
dcabrera2@tampabay.rr.com
SE Regional Director
Scott Suits
727-460-5739
Suits@ij.net
About the Newsletter
The Tampa Bay Section, Mercedes-Benz
Club of America, Inc. publishes this
bi-monthly newsletter in even-numbered
months. Opinions expressed are those of
the authors. Express permission is hereby
granted to other Sections of the MercedesBenz Club of America to reprint articles
contained herein, without exception. Articles
of general interest are solicited for inclusion
in the newsletter, and should be mailed to
the Editor or e-mailed to LindaBCooper@
verizon.net. Copy deadline is the first day of
even numbered months.
2
NOTE: The
night for the monthly business meeting is the FIRST MONDAY
of each month (except for September and sometimes July & January when it
moves up 1 week) and is open to all members. We go to a nearby restaurant for
dinner after the meeting. Please join us and help us with your input.
Feb 22 Saturday 2:00PM
DaVinci Machine Exhibition
Bradenton Auditorium
Bradenton, FL
See details in LAST issue
Mar 3 Monday 6:30PM
Business Meeting & Dinner
Crown Eurocars
6001 34th Street North
St Petersburg, FL
Mar 29 Saturday 6:30PM
Collier Museum Tour & Dinner
Naples, FL
See details in THIS issue
Apr 7 Monday 6:30PM
Business Meeting & Dinner
Crown Eurocars
Apr 13 Sunday
Tampa Bay Downs Brunch
Tampa, FL
See details in THIS issue
An Overview of the Club
Established in 1956, MBCA has
more than 20,500 members in over
84 sections across the nation. These
local sections organize hundreds of
events each year, ranging from social
gatherings to specialized technical
sessions. We’re a not-for-profit organization.
Join the Club
Enroll as a member of MBCA for:
One Year $49
Two Years $95
Three Years $139
Call 800-637-2360
May 5 Monday 6:30PM
Business Meeting & Dinner
Crown Eurocars
May 17 Saturday 10:00 AM
Tech Inspection & Lunch
Clearwater, FL
See details in THIS issue
Jun 1 Sunday 2:00 PM
Giraffe Ranch Tour
Dade City, FL
See details in THIS issue
Jun 2 Monday 6:30PM
Business Meeting & Dinner
Crown Eurocars
6001 34th Street North
St Petersburg, FL
Jul 7
Monday 6:30PM
Business Meeting & Dinner
Crown Eurocars
Local Activities
Your dues include membership in the
section of your choice. Each section
publishes a newsletter with news
of its activities and its year-round
calendars of events, including rallies, defensive driving courses, car
shows, technical sessions, and dinner
meetings. Many sections host special
events. Any MBCA member may attend any section, regional, or national
event.
Mercedes-Benz
Roadside Assistance
Call 1-800-FOR-MERCEDES
24 hours a day.
February/March 2014
President’s Message
The Prez Says!
We ended 2013 with our annual Holiday Brunch.
Everyone enjoyed partaking in the delicious food at
Safety Harbor Spa’s brunch and participating in our gift
exchange/Chinese auction. I was extremely proud of the
support we got from the members who took part in our
first holiday toy drive. Members were encouraged to bring
unwrapped toys to be given to children having to spend
the holidays in the hospital. Jim and JoAnn Dean delivered the toys to Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus in Sebring
where they brought smiles and joy to the children.
We continue to have an array of events planned for
this year. In January we had 30-plus members take a
walking history tour of Safety Harbor. February takes us
to Bradenton where we will see a traveling exhibition of
inventions by Leonardo deVinci. Naples is our adventure
in March where we will join the other Southeast Region
Sections at the Collier Museum.
April will take us back to one of our favorite events:
Tampa Bay Downs. We start with their Sunday Brunch,
then we watch the Sport of Kings. I must admit that I
enjoy watching our members jumping and shouting in
support of their horses.
In May we will have a Tech Event at Lokey Motors
in Clearwater where our members can have their vehicles
checked by a qualified Mercedes mechanic. Following
is a lunch provided by the club. A real bargain at $25 per
car!!!
Have you ever fed a Giraffe? (That sounds like Dr.
Seuss!) You will have a chance to do so on June 1st. A
limit of 40 can attend the outing to Giraffe Ranch in Dade
City where we will experience this unusual opportunity.
We continue to have a large number of members in attendance at our events. You will know why once you join
us in the fun. See pages 4, 5, & 11 for event details.
Remember: we are asking everyone to recruit a new
member this year. You can never have too many friends.
Welcome
New Members!
Anthony Massaro • Sarasota, FL
Charles O’kelley • Tampa, FL
Douglas Swain • St Pete Beach, FL
Renewed Members
Louis Dughi • Palm Harbor, FL
Don Eckerson • Sun City Center, FL
Donald Franco • North Port, FL
Geoffrey Gibbs • Sarasota, FL
Werner Haasch • Palm Harbor, FL
Henny Hlas • Seminole, FL
C M Kilpatrick • Tampa, FL
John Lary • Naples, FL
Andrew Lockwood • Bradenton, FL
Beverly Lowell • Palm Harbor, FL
Kenneth Mamula • Lutz, FL
Barbara McCue • St Petersburg, FL
Patricia Roever • Tarpon Springs, FL
Elliott Ross • Tampa, FL
Joshua Shannon • Tampa, FL
George Smith • Saint Petersburg, FL
Ronald Somers • Clearwater, FL
Karen Stotsky-Mc Bride • Clearwater, FL
Tom Tuten • Bradenton, FL
Eleanor Vassel • Dunedin, FL
Robert Wortner • Palm Harbor, FL
Above are the new members from October 15 through
February 4, 2014 and renewed members for December
2013 and January 2014.We look forward to meeting
the new members and hope to keep seeing our renewed
members at many of our events. – Editor
Dan
Check out the club Facebook page or our Section web site
at MBCA.org for color photos of our events
The Tampa Bay Star
3
Tampa Bay Downs Thoroughbred Horse Racing & Brunch
Details:
Thoroughbred racing is back for the winter
season and we have April 13th scheduled for the Tampa Bay
Section – MBCA. We have reserved a group area in the Skye
Terrace Dining Room located on third floor of the clubhouse
overlooking the entire track. This area combines fine dining comfort with a panoramic view of all the racing action.
For this Sunday we will have a culinary buffet brunch with
breakfast and lunch items and a variety of specialty desserts
(Vegetarian choices are offered on the buffet). Mixed drinks
are available for purchase, and within the dining room are
special betting windows. Your $27.00 registration includes
the brunch & mimosa drink, a complimentary program, and
a relaxed atmosphere for an afternoon of racing action. You
make your own bets!
We will have our own TampaBay-MBCA sponsored
race and an opportunity to present the winners trophy. Four
(4) will be picked via a drawing for the Trophy presentation
in the Winner’s Circle (with photo!) and a surprise by the
board!!
Important Info
WHEN:
Sunday April 13, 2014
WHERE: Tampa Bay Downs
1125 Race Track Road • Tampa, Florida
813-855-4401
COST:$27/adult
CALL: Dave & Lynn Hutchinson • 727-726-6711
dhutch@verizon.net
TIME:
RESERVE BY:
10:30AM - 5:00PM (or so)
April 6th. (or first 40 people)
Limited to 40 registrations (2 per membership). Extra registrations per membership will be considered after the deadline if
all 40 places have not been reserved
Web:http://tampabaydowns.com/
We will be limited to the first 40 people to sign-up (2
persons per membership) and send in their payment. Any
increases from that number can only be taken on an availability basis. Our absolute deadline for cutoff is in-hand receipt of your check by April 6th. Price for the brunch and afternoon of action is
$27.00 per person. Preferred parking or valet parking at the Clubhouse is $2.00 per car, free parking is available across the road from
the Grandstand entrance.
Our group will meet at the Clubhouse entrance at 11:00AM (promptly, be parked by 10:45!), Brunch starts at 11:30AM, Racing
action is from 12:25-5:00PM (or so).
The dress code for the dining room is that NO shorts, jeans and skorts are allowed, and gentlemen are required to wear a
collared shirt… this dress code is strongly enforced.
Directions: From Clearwater/St. Petersburg: Take US 19 to SR580 (Tampa Road turns into Hillsborough Ave). Go
east on SR580 to Race Track Road. Make a left on Race Track Road, go through the first stop light, and proceed a short way to the
Complex on the right side. From Tampa: Go west on Hillsborough Ave. to Race Track Road. Make a right on Race Track Road, go
through the first stop light, and proceed a short way to the Complex on the right side.
Tampa Bay Downs Thoroughbred Horse Racing & Brunch
April 13, 2014
Name ____________________________________________________________
Phone _______________________ Email ____________________________________________________________
Address __________________________________________________________
4
1 or 2 @ $27/adult Cell Phone________________________
Make check payable to:
Tampa Bay Section MBCA
Mail by April 6, 2014 to:
Dave & Lynn Hutchinson
2104 Flamingo Place
Safety Harbor, FL 34695
_______________ Enclosed
February/March 2014
Tech Inspection & Lunch
Important Info
WHEN:
Saturday, May 17, 2014
WHERE: Lokey Mercedes Benz
19820 U.S. 19
Clearwater, FL 33764
COST: $25.00/car includes lunch
CALL: Scott Suits • 727-460-5739
suits@ij.net
TIME:
RESERVE BY:
First inspection will begin at 10 AM
May 10th
Details:
Join us for a day with fellow MB members and have
your car inspected by one of the capable service employees of Lokey
Mercedes Benz of Clearwater. They will do a 50+ point inspection on
your car and provide you with a report of their findings.
The club will provide lunch for as many as of you who would like
to attend. This is a great opportunity to ask that friend or neighbor
who you think might like to join the club. Invite them to get their car
inspected & meet the group. The dealership will provide the new cars
for much oohing & aaawing!!
Directions: Lokey Mercedes Benz is on US Highway 19 just
south of SR 60. There is much construction in the area so it’s best to stay
off of 19 until you get on SR 60, go south on 19 from 60. The dealership
is on the right about 1/2 mile south of SR 60. Pay close attention as the
entrance is just marked with a small sign because of the construction.
Tech Inspection & Lunch
Saturday, May 17, 2014
Name(s) __________________________________________________________
Phone _______________________ Email ____________________________________________________________
Address __________________________________________________________
________@ $ 25 /car for each you want inspected
Indicate the # of persons coming so we can have a count for the food – #_______
The Tampa Bay Star
Cell Phone________________________
___________ Enclosed
Make check payable to:
Tampa Bay Section MBCA
Mail by May 10, 2014 to:
Scott Suits
795 County Rd. #1
Southwind #205
Palm Harbor, FL 34683
5
Holiday Brunch
Safety Harbor, FL
December 8, 2013
By Lynn Hutchinson
O
n December 8th 60 members attended our annual Holiday Brunch at the Safety Harbor Spa.
The food is amazing, with such variety that
every palette was accommodated…. breakfast entrees,
an omelet station, a variety of hot luncheon dishes, and
dozens of salads. My favorites were the lobster bisque,
the raw oysters, shrimp, and the carved roast beef. Of
course, the never-ending mimosas were wonderful, and
for those with a sweet tooth, a huge table of sinful desserts.
Above: Edgar & Marcia Shulz, Trish & Ron Ursin, Greg &
Pat Watson and Len Berman
Below: Lynn Hutchinson, Kathy & Dick Browers, Jim &
JoAnn Dean, Pat Tornblom, Ben Berman, Mary London
and Heather & Steve Rush
We had our traditional gift exchange/
Chinese Auction where participation is
optional. (Remember for next year, if both
people in the couple want to participate,
each of you has to bring a gift – bring 1 gift
take home 1; bring 2, take home 2. Dave
and I both bring gifts as it is fun but if you
only want to bring one gift per couple that
is OK.). This year we also did something
new and it was so successful that we will be
doing it again. We each brought an unwrapped toy and Jim and JoAnn Dean took
them to the hospital near them, dressed as
Santas.
Another highlight of the Brunch was the presentation of the Member of the Year plaque. This year we
honored a couple, Michael and Lynn Gulick, as the
Member of the Year. Congratulations and many thanks
to Michael and Lynn.
Above: President Dan Cabrera presents Member of the
Year award to Lynn & Michael Gulick
Below: Bill & Mandy Iseman, Scott Suits, Nancy Lou Patton, Rodger & Adam Baker and Scott & Colleen Lowry
Above: Michael Cooper, Caroline Cerveny, Ed &
Carolyn Jarotz, Nancy & Jim Merada and Matthew
Van Jelgerhuis
6
February/March 2014
Left: Rosemarie Bannagott, Jimmie & Elaine Lee,
Krissy Bacon, Lou Dughi,
and Bobbie & Jerry Rendel
Right: Dave Hutchinson
Lower Right:
Ben Berman
Above: Ann & Bob Beltz, Phil
& Carolyn Rector, Roxie &
Robert Lewis and Trish & Cliff
Brinkley
Left: Dan Cabrera,
Connie & Gary
Dolin, Linda & Paul
Cooper, Michael
& Lynn Gulick and
Debbie Cabrera
Below: Bobbie
Rendel
Right:
Heather Rush
Below:
Rosemarie
Bannagott
Blanket! Blanket! who ended up
with the blanket !! Was it –
Upper Left: Marcia Schulz OR
Left: Jim Merada OR
Below: Connie Dolin OR
Right Below: Nancy Lou Patton
Cups & Cars & Bags!!
Above: I know Colleen
Lowry above didn’t
keep that Tervis cup in
that I’m using it now!!
Left: Dick Browers
Right: Adam Baker
The Tampa Bay Star
7
Historic Tour of Safety Harbor
Safety Harbor, FL
January 19, 2014
by Linda Cooper
M
arch 4, 1984 was the date that Paul
& I, along with our 2 children who at
that time were just beginning to drive,
moved into our house in Safety Harbor. We chose
our location because of Countryside High School
and Paul’s easy drive to the St. Petersburg/Clearwater airport. Safety Harbor Main Street at that
time was mostly deserted from Tampa Bay at the
Safety Harbor Spa to the Whistle Stop ice cream
parlor just past the railroad tracks. The address
for our home, the builder advised, would be
Clearwater (the post office at that time was very
tiny and lucky it could handle the mail for the
downtown area) but that we would be residents
of Safety Harbor. The population at that time
was around 7,000 and has grown over the last 30
years to over 17,000.
We previewed the walking tour with Dave
& Lynn Hutchinson (they have lived in Safety
Harbor since 1978) in November, then joined 33
members in a light drizzle on January 19th. Laura
Dent, owner and tour guide of Alice’s History
Mystery Tours gave us wonderful historical
tidbits about Safety Harbor. The Safety Harbor
Spa sits on top of a natural spring, is part of the
historical register, and was originally listed as a
sanatorium. Since the spring was purported to
have healing powers, the water was bottled and
sold under various names during its 100+ year’s
existence.
Safety Harbor (formerly known as Worth’s
Harbor) was first homesteaded by Count Odette
Philippe, a Frenchman who is credited with intro-
8
ducing the grapefruit
to Florida in 1823. The
name Safety Harbor
originated from the
early 18th century, when pirates were
a substantial influence in the area. Once ships
reached this area of the bay, all threats from
pirates were gone, and it was commonly referred
to as a “Safe Harbor.” A brief history of Safety
Harbor by Firschein, Warren & Laura Kepner
published in 2013 is a great book to check out
from the library or own. It has much more detail
on the city’s history.
Above: Guide Laura Dent
(center) with her assistants from Alices’s
History Mystery Tour
Below: Michael & Lynn
Gulick, Caroline Cerveny
& Michael Cooper
At the end of
our tour, we walked
back to the center of
town for dinner in
the garden room of
the Paradise Restaurant. We visited, had
a great meal, and
enjoyed the view of
the historical Safety
Harbor Gazebo.
How about a
historical tour of
your area? Contact
your local Chamber of
Commerce or library
to see what we can
learn about where you
live.
Below Left: Paul & Linda Cooper and Lynn
Hutchinson who planned this day.
Below: Michele & Neal Dion
All photos in this issue taken by Dave Hutchinson
February/March 2014
Right: Patty & Case Whittemore
Left: Geoffrey & Marcella Gibbs
Right bottom: Mary Ann with
Jimmie & Elaine Lee
Below: The group at Paradise
Member Car Spotlight
Safety Harbor, FL
by Dave Hutchinson
W
e have decided to feature an MBCATampa Bay Section member and his/
her car in every issue of our club’s
Tampa Bay Star newsletter going forward. I
decided, since I will do the photography and will
interview our members, that I would be the first
to feature my car.
Lynn and I have been members of the Tampa
Bay Section since 1984 (30 years!). In addition
to my SLK, we also own a 1999 D300 Turbodiesel Mercedes (our 3rd diesel MB). I was always
intrigued by the 1954 Ford Sunliner with its
retractable hardtop. When the SLK MB retractable hardtop was introduced 1996 I was one of
the first in line to order it. As a matter of fact, I
waited 16 months for the delivery of my 1998
MB SLK-230, brilliant silver with a salsa (red
and black) interior. My SLK 230 has just 17,500
miles on it. It is our 3rd car and it is driven
weekly.
If you would like me to feature you and
your Mercedes Benz in a future issue of our local
Star magazine, please contact me by e-mail at
dhutch@verizon.net and I will be happy to put
you on my list to set up a time to photograph you
and your Benz.
The Tampa Bay Star
9
For Sale
Any member wishing to place an ad in the newsletter for automobiles and/or related equipment for sale, may do so at
no charge by sending a typed or printed copy to the Editor
no later than the 10th of the odd number months.
FOR SALE – Bonnie & Dick Wolverton cars 2007 S-550,
49k miles, Options include parktronis backup camera,
Iridium silver; all services at Crown. $32,500. 2003 SLK32
AMG black, 46k miles, all service Crown, new tires, very
good condition. Great for driving events. $16,500. Call
Dick (H) 727-896-1995, (O) 727-823-1399 or dickwolv@
aol.com
FOR SALE – 1997 SL 600 Mercedes, white. Never been in
accident, have service records from dealer (car fax). Garage
keeped. Two tops, hard top panorama roof. Sports Package. New ceramic brakes. All new cylinders for top. Second
owner $14,000.00. Contact Bob Moore (MB Member) @
727-560-6798.
FOR SALE - Like new custom cover Silverguard Plus
Class 2; SLK class ‘98-’04 (W170 body style). Only used in
garage $150. Call Jim & JoAnn 863-386-0286 Sebring, FL
FOR SALE – 1984 500SL dark blue w/tan interiors, 2 tops,
160K miles, always garaged, 2 sets of wheels, $7,500. 727864-1622 (St. Petersburg, FL) call Bob Alexander for appt
FOR SALE – Chris Tornblom’s car – 1 left: 1984 SEC 500
- fully loaded - car runs great heated seats, new tires. Call Pat
727-856-5584 to see these beauties.
FOR SALE – 1982 380 SEC, silver (original)/navy leather
interior. 1985 300 TD station wagon; navy/palomino interior.
New tires, A/C & battery. Call Paul Cooper @ 727-726-6837
FOR SALE - Car cover Silverguard Class 2; SLK class ‘99’04 $100; 2 CD holders - each holds 6 CD’s for the trunk CD
holder, both $30; Silver MBCA front license plate, $10; &
white terry MB front seat cover for SLK, free. call Krissy @
727-548-0313
FOR SALE - 2005 SLK 350. SUPER clean -auto -7 spd-V6
268 HP -Black -Beige interior; Harman/Kardon sounds21,650 miles. $21K Call John @ 941-755-9154
YOUR ONE STOP
FOR ALL YOUR GERMAN CAR NEEDS
SERVICE & REPAIR OF:
• Free Estimates
• Factory Trained Technicians
• Family Owned & Operated Since 1994
• Specializing In Historic German Cars
• Call 547-0818 For An Appointment Today
GERMAN TECH, INC. • 10881 75th Street North • Largo, FL 33777
Business Hours: Mo-Fr 7:30 am - 5:30 pm • (727) 547-0818 • info@germantech.com
10 February/March 2014
Giraffe Ranch Vehicle Safari Tour
Important Info
WHEN:
Sunday, June 1, 2014
WHERE: Giraffe Ranch
38650 Mickler Rd Dade City, FL 33523
Phone 813-482-3400
http://girafferanch.com
Dinner after TBD
Details:
From Giraffe Ranch website: “Have you ever
fed a giraffe? Have you ever smelled their grassy breath?
These are memories that will last you a lifetime. At Giraffe
Ranch in Dade City, Florida you’ll experience first hand, the
lives of giraffe and other species from around the world living
under huge live oaks and open grasslands in a setting that is
right out of Africa.
Giraffe Ranch is a licensed working ranch that specializes
in exotic species as well as domestic cattle and horses. Learn
about exotic animals from an expert guide from the comfort
of specially designed 4-wheel drive vehicles. We’ll show you
our conservation efforts and how we are helping to preserve
species that are endangered or extinct in the wild. Visit us for
the ultimate eco-adventure.
COST:
$35.00/person for the Tour
CALL: Paul & Linda Cooper • 727-726-6837
pauljcooper@verizon.net
TIME:
RESERVE BY:
2:00 PM for the tour
4:30 PM gather for dinner
May 20th
There is a Limit of 40 for this Event
Giraffe Ranch is not a zoo or theme park. It is a hands-on real working game farm
and wildlife preserve where animals have room to roam.”
We will have a guided 4-WD tour that will be about and hour and a half. If you check
out their website you will see that Dan negotiated an awesome group rate that is half off
the published price. After our tour we will drive a short way - possibly into Dade City for
a meal. The restaurant details are still in the works. The gates are locked between tours so
there is no access to the property before 1:30 - don’t panic should you arrive early!
Directions: They are about 38 miles North of Tampa. Put the address in Google
maps, MapQuest or your GPS for specific directions from your location - the owers warned
that their address is not in some GPS databases. I found them on Google or there are directions on their website.
Safari Vehicle Tour at Giraffe Ranch
Sunday, June 1, 2014
Name(s) __________________________________________________________
Phone _______________________ Email ____________________________________________________________
Address __________________________________________________________
________@ $ 35 /person for tour
___________ Enclosed
I/we will be stay for dinner Yes
No
The Tampa Bay Star
Cell Phone________________________
Make check payable to:
Tampa Bay Section MBCA
Mail by May 25, 2014 to:
Paul & Linda Cooper
121 Woodland Court
Safety Harbor, FL 34695
11
If you are running late for an event, please feel free to use
any of the cell phone numbers below to let us know.
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Giraf fari
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June age 11
See P etails
For D
Name
Cell Phone Number
Linda & Paul Cooper
727-798-6800 or
727-644-6837
Pat Tornblom
727-808-1757
Lynn & Dave Hutchinson
727-420-0424
We’re Crown Eurocars. We’ve been selling and
servicing Mercedes-Benz for decades. We’re
passionate about what we do. It’s this kind of
dedication for German vehicles and
engineering that sets Crown Eurocars apart
from everyone else.
If you’re considering a new Mercedes-Benz or
a Certified Pre-Owned Mercedes-Benz, don’t
settle for anything less than Crown Eurocars.
800.330.2887
www.CrownEurocars.com
6001 34th Street North St. Petersburg, FL 33714
Crown Eurocars. The Better Way To Buy.