(top) Richard Simonds, past national president for the Mercedes-Benz Club of America give a welcoming speech to the members at the end of the  Historic Route 66 Tour celebrating the  50th Anniversary of  MBCA on Friday, September 29, 2006 at the Santa Monica Pier . There were over 100 classic Mercedes that completed the tour,  20% did not finish the tour due to mechanical or medical reasons.The tour took 2 weeks and one day to complete.