Mercedes’ models 1 have been “ created -by a- number. of . custom body makers ‘over. Yatest. being the — tur-- ; ‘the © bocharged - five-cylinder ' -diesel.engine in the Mer- _cedes-Benz. 300. SD), are ” only. now. getting around ane a the” ‘Stuttgart are actually. i ng “Wagons: them- - a ‘Station wagon? _. Selves. ° ee The omission, seems to stem from the early in- volvement. by company patriarchs .Gottlieb Daimler and: Karl Benz in the two divergent sides = _ ot _ tran- How did it happen that the -men who: invented the car _ and: the truck ... and were. . ‘the ‘first ‘to offer super- chargers, diesel engines, fuel injection and a host of other cn 4 _ @BRAKES *ALIGNMENTS . °PAINTING oRV REPAIRS ©CAMPERS, ETC. *ARA APPROVED SHOP “ RENTAL CARS & TRUCKS AVAILABLE i ae | RITCHIE SERVICE CENTER . | 1525 WELCHST. "af MARINE * on WORTH VAN. “dele PEMBERTON | ert" Pt weicust or! ‘ 987-7101 “ 7 (> RIE a 1525 Welch St. Now Available 3 Door & 5 Doors { For Immediate Delivery 50 in Stock Front Wheel Drive, Rack & Pinion Steering, 1.7 Liter, 4 Speed, Front Disc Brackes, Electric Defrost, AM/FM Radio, W/W Tires. St. No. 9-5133. Protected by Chryslers 36 Month Anti-Corrosion Warranty from *5190. see the difference buy at... NORT IRIDGE PLYMOUTH CHRYSLER No Down payment 0.A.C. 1177 MARINE DRIVE, N. VAN. 980- 6511 engineering . innovations: ‘in .- -gportalioa, private passenger . . regular production‘cars (the | cars and commercial vehicles... Benz started building the “Velo” in quantity in 1894 (uaking it, the! world’s first ‘masssproduced .car) and came up with a bus in.1895. Daimler: introduced the truck in 1896, following five years ~of development. Today, the company’s business is divided equally ‘between cars and com- mercial vehicles. Though the station wagon became part of the North American auto scene in the forties and took hold in Europe a _ decade later, significant interest in having a Mer elles Benz wagon has’ only become evident in recent years. The response is the five-door 300 TD. The engine is the standard five-cylinder diesel, coupled to a four-speed automatic transmission. According to Canadian Transport economy rating! codes it delivers an average con- sumption of 9.4 litres per 100 km (30 m.p.g.) It is fitted with four-wheel power disc brakes and fully independent suspension. So much for the standard specifications; now for the innovations. At the rear, coil springs that are less firm than usual are combined with a hydropneumatic load- *BUYER PROTECTION PLAN!! Full wheel Covers *Qual Body Suipes ° st 290 Medallion INdshwetd Moldings °C? Bx 14 Tres *Custom Steering Wheel leveling i device. - eliminates the harsh ride This sometimes encountered ‘in lightly loaded station wagons and also automatically compensates’ for heavy loads, preventing . possible bottoming at the rear and inevitable headlight misalignment. , A variety of very long or _odd-shaped objects can be carried inside the Mercedes - wagon, . thanks to such ' features as the 1/3-2/3 split rear seat with removable cushions and the fully reclining front bucket seats. Roof rails provide ac- commodation for additional cargo atop the vehicle. The designers have also created a variety of en- closed, streamlined con: tainers intended specifically for rooftop mounting on the 300TD. Though at present in the prototype stage, they may soon find their way into production. The tailgate is a lift-up hatch, with pressurized gas cylinders to both ease its opening and hold it open. The cylinders are fully recessed ensuring unob- structed access to the cargo area. The standard equipment list is lengthy and includes *Front Oisk Grakes *Front Sway Bar *Rear Bumper Guaras *Bragnt Gril ® Narrow Rocker Moicings WAS $5044.00 3 YEAR LEASE automatic .. cruise: : ‘control, AM/FM stereo radio with - electric. antenna, - power steering, central locking, electric windows, halogen fog -lamps, - electrically heated rear window, ‘rear- " window. washer-wiper . and dual, inside-adjustable exterior mirrors. According to automotive historians the “modern station wagon evolved from the original shooting brake, FROM “ANY ANGLE...the new Mercedes-Benz 300TD station wagon presents pleasing lines in a compact wheelbase and body shape. (Ian Smith photo) 1 a large open _ vehicle.. traditionally used = for carrying members of hunting parties on grand estatés. Benz produced an eight- seater shooting brake in 1894 So perhaps the 300TD is not the company’s first station wagon after all! © DD operas Lifertyje If you are otherwise in good health, regulary vigorous physical activity for at least 30 minutes three times a_ week will help shape up an even healthier you in a mat- ter of months. 1979 SPIRIT * Quarter Window Motdings *Buckei Seats ©4202 Cotour Keyed Carpet *Ilnside Hood Retease ®*Key Warning Buzzer NOW ONLY $111.00 per monn FULL 12 MONTHS AMC WARRANTY 5 YEAR/S0,000 MILE WARRANTY AVAILABLE V BMOUNTVIEW OL 01196A_ B.C.'s Lar pest AMC/ Jeep Dealers MOTORS LTD. 1600 Marine Dr., North Vancouver, B.C. 980-3431 eBUYER PROTECTION PLANI!!