MBCA Desert Stars Section History
MBCA’s history in Arizona began in September 1962 with a meeting of Mercedes-Benz owners at Phoenix’s Arizona Manor Hotel. By December of that year the Desert Stars Section had been chartered by the MBCA National Organization in Chicago, and by the following April the Section Roster listed 29 members with six more applications in process. National dues were $15. The first Section President and newsletter Editor was Loy F. Peterson, whose 1965 220SE Coupe is still owned by a member of the Section.
The DesertStars flourished throughout the 1960s, 70s, 80s and 90s, benefiting from enthusiastic leadership and Arizona’s thriving economy. Member events have always been frequent and diverse, usually focused on dinners, imaginative rallyes and concours events. Perennial favorites were the Holiday Party, Chinese New Year and a Fashion Island-like display of cars at the Scottsdale Fashion Square center.
Since 1965, the Desert Stars’ premier annual event has been the fall classic Havasupai. This began as a sort of consolation event for members unable to take part in MBCA’s Stuttgart Safari, where as many as 150 eager MBCA members flew to Germany each September to take delivery of their choice of M-B’s new models. The Havasupai tradition continues as 2010 marked the 45th annual edition of this rallye weekend that still includes authentic Indian Kachina dolls as trophies for the overall winners.
Over the years, the Desert Stars’ have hosted their share of National events including:
- Western Caravan ’72 (which attracted a then-record 103 cars);
- StarFest ’92 (which brought 625 MBCA members to the Valley of the Sun);
- StarTech ’95 and;
- MBCA National Board Meetings in 1974, 1978, 1984, 1995 & 2006.
Desert Stars’ leadership has also been recognized throughout the years with several of our members being tapped to serve in Regional and National offices including two MBCA National Presidents:
- Edward Miller — Western Regional Vice President 1974
- Tracy Williams — Western Regional Vice President; Director-at-Large and National Secretary/Treasurer 1974-1976; and, National President 1976-1977
- Grant H. Elford — Western Regional Vice President 1978-1980; Director-at-Large and Executive Vice President 1980-1982; and National President 1982-1984. Grant also served 18 years as editor of The StarDust, which won the 1990 Golden Quill Award as MBCA’s best section newsletter.
- Margo Wittenberg — Director-at-Large and National Secretary 1992-1993
- Chuck Stanford, Jr. — Southwest Region Director 1996-2002
- Chuck Landenberger — Director-at-Large 2006 - Present
The Desert Stars honor a member each year at our annual Holiday Party as the Desert Stars’ Member of the Year. In addition to a plaque, the member receive custody of the Loy Peterson Traveling Trophy for the year. The following members have been so honored.This list is incomplete for the early years, if you have knowledge to complete the list, please contact a board member with that information.
- Don Blomquist — 1986
- Darlene Johnson — 1987
- Dick & Ann Taylor — 1988
- Dick & Ann Taylor — 1989
- Charles Balcer — 1990
- Dean Barto — 1991
- John Csupick — 1992
- Don Blomquist — 1993
- Myron Johnson — 1994
- John & Tammy Manalli — 1995
- Bill & Helen Kincheloe — 1996
- Dave & Barbara Hiles — 1997
- Dick & Mindy Sharp — 1998
- Hans Frandsen — 1999
- Rick Stacio — 2000
- Frank Horvath — 2001
- Sharon Levinson — 2002
- Mindy Sharp — 2003
- Elaine Petrick — 2004
- Rich Leamon — 2005
- John Hutchison — 2006
- Bob Yoder — 2007
- John Teichgraeber — 2008
- Louis Horwin — 2009
- Chuck Stanford, Jr. — 2010
The Desert Stars have had many extraordinary leaders throughout its history. The following members have lead us to today, one of the outstanding and successful sections in the MBCA.
- Marilyn A. Jones 1978 — 1980
- A.G. “Tony” Jeanette 1980 — 1981
- Hal Smyser 1981 — 1982
- Frank E. Dickey, Jr. 1982 — 1984
- Ken Lewis 1984 — 1986
- Mary F. Stansel 1986 — 1987
- Shelby Tate 1987 — 1988
- Dean Barto 1988 — 1991
- Darlene Nelson 1991 — 1993
- Chuck Stanford 1993 — 1997
- Don Blomquist 1997 — 1998
- Jacek Orlowski 1997 — 2000
- Elizabeth Holland 2000 — 2003
- Valerie Olmsted 2003 — 2004
- Rick Stacio 2004 — 2008
- Bud Cloninger 2008 —
Webmaster’s Note: These lists are incomplete for the earlier years, if you have knowledge to complete these lists, please contact the webmaster with that information. To contact the webmaster see the bottom of this page.