Every Mercedes-Benz imported to North America had on the lower right-hand corner of the windshield the sticker: “a DAIMLER-BENZ product,” with Gottlieb Daimler’s signature.
On a Benz, I consider this little detail to be the cherry on top of the sundae.
After the Daimler-Benz acquisition of the Chrysler Corporation in the late 1990s, the sticker changed to state “a MERCEDES-BENZ product.”
The time came for me to find another one of the original stickers. This, surprisingly, was a real chore.
My first call was to Mercedes-Benz of North America. Before I could go anywhere in the conversation they demanded to know the car’s VIN and the mileage.
I just want a sticker, lady.
I was transferred to some senior manager out in New Jersey who knew what I was talking about. However, he could only offer me the new sticker.
No thank you, said I.
I contacted the Washington, D.C. Chapter of the Mercedes-Benz Club of North America. The polite gentleman who headed the chapter suggested I contact the Mercedes-Benz Classic Center – the one based in California.
Of course! Why didn’t I think of that? And, for that matter, Mercedes-Benz of North America?
So, I telephoned the Golden State.
It took the Classic Center technician two minutes to figure out what I wanted and the part number for it, and oh, by the way, it’s available at your local Mercedes-Benz dealer for a suggested retail price of $3.50.
Thank you sir.
I summarize with three notes:
On a Benz, I consider this little detail to be the cherry on top of the sundae.
After the Daimler-Benz acquisition of the Chrysler Corporation in the late 1990s, the sticker changed to state “a MERCEDES-BENZ product.”
The time came for me to find another one of the original stickers. This, surprisingly, was a real chore.
My first call was to Mercedes-Benz of North America. Before I could go anywhere in the conversation they demanded to know the car’s VIN and the mileage.
I just want a sticker, lady.
I was transferred to some senior manager out in New Jersey who knew what I was talking about. However, he could only offer me the new sticker.
No thank you, said I.
I contacted the Washington, D.C. Chapter of the Mercedes-Benz Club of North America. The polite gentleman who headed the chapter suggested I contact the Mercedes-Benz Classic Center – the one based in California.
Of course! Why didn’t I think of that? And, for that matter, Mercedes-Benz of North America?
So, I telephoned the Golden State.
It took the Classic Center technician two minutes to figure out what I wanted and the part number for it, and oh, by the way, it’s available at your local Mercedes-Benz dealer for a suggested retail price of $3.50.
Thank you sir.
I summarize with three notes:
- That Mercedes-Benz of North America was kind enough to send me a new “a MERCEDES-BENZ product” decal gratis.
- I wrote a letter to Stuttgart complaining about the change of decals and the trials I had to go through to get something so simple.
- The newest windshield sticker has neither “a DAIMLER-BENZ product” or “a MERCEDES-BENZ product” but merely Herr Daimler’s signature.
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