Tag Archives: CBS News

New Jersey Car Enthusiast Stumbles Upon Nazi-Owned Mercedes-Benz

A car collector in New Jersey might have stumbled upon a rare find, a Mercedes 320 Cabriolet D convertible that might have once belonged to Adolf Hitler.

Zenop Tuncer, the owner of Euro Tech Motors, made the discovery while trying to procure a Mercedes-Benz 540K for real estate developer Fred Daibes. He couldn’t get the car Daibes initially wanted, but he offered a 1942 Mercedes 320 Cabriolet D convertible instead which Tuncer found during his search. Tuncer suspected something was unusual when he contacted Mercedes-Benz to order additional parts for the car, and a company rep asked if there was an eagle with a swastika next to the serial number. As it turns out, Mercedes-Benz had built eight of these cars for the Nazis, and Daibes’ car could be one of them.

The authenticity of the car and the claim have not been fully investigated yet, but it is a fascinating story nonetheless. If the car is one of the ones that Mercedes-Benz built for the Nazis, it is a rare piece of history, and Tuncer and Daibes were lucky to stumble upon it. Daibes told CBS News, “It’s Hitler’s car, he’s a devil, but you know, he’s still part of history. From a financial point of view the car is worth more money than when I paid for it so that’s the only way I look at it.”

Readers, we want to hear from you! How would you feel about owning a car that might have belonged to Hitler? Would you preserve it for history, or would you feel uncomfortable with it? Leave a comment below, and tell us what you think!

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CBS News Picks 5 Best Cars Made in America

Yesterday, CBS News MoneyWatch named their 5 best American-built cars. With so many great American cars on the market today, we were curious as to what made the cut. The list is below along with our thoughts on each of their picks.

Cadillac CTS – Winner of Popular Mechanics’ Top 10 Car, Car and Driver’s 10Best, and Edmunds.com’s Best Retained Value Award, CBS couldn’t really make the list without the Cadillac CTS. The Cadillac CTS’s latest tagline is, “If you’re going to make a statement, don’t mumble,” and with its combination of power and luxury, a driver won’t be able to blend in driving the Cadillac CTS.

Buick LaCrosse – In the past, the Buick LaCrosse has had no trouble racking up stellar reviews and awards, and 2012 is no exception. Already, it has earned five-star safety ratings from the NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program as well as a Consumer Digest Best Buy. Kelley Blue Book reviewers also gave it a 4.5 out of 5 rating, making it popular with everyday drivers and car reviewers alike.

Ford Flex – The Ford Flex is probably the most underrated of the bunch here. It still isn’t a household name, but consumers and car reviewers who have driven it are hoping that changes soon. This cross-over is a seven-passenger family car with a completely different feel from the usual minivan or SUV.

Chrysler 300 – In 2012, the Chrysler 300 has already taken home some of the industry’s top awards. The 2012 Chrysler 300 was named one of Ward’s 10 Best Engines and Interiors as well as a Consumer Digest Best Buy. It was also ranked #1 in Kelley Blue Book’s 10 Most Comfortable Cars Under $30,000 and made Kelley Blue Book’s 10 Best Family Cars list. Like the Cadillac CTS, it would be difficult to make a list of the best American-made cars without including the Chrysler 300.

Ford Focus – Edmunds claims that the Ford Focus the first American-made compact car to really give Japanese automakers a run for their money, and though that initial success might have gone to their head, Ford has made some big changes to the Focus that have made it a must-see American-made model. Edmunds specifically cited the 2012 Focus as a “monumental improvement,” calling it a “well-rounded, well-built car that is easy to recommend.”

We want to know what you think of CBS News’ list! Did your favorite car make the cut? What do you think got snubbed? Leave a comment below and tell us what you think!

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With Car Costs, Don’t Forget Insurance!

When someone is a first-time car buyer, the whole car shopping experience can seem very exciting. Everything is shiny and new, and it is easy to get caught up in imaging the wind in your hair while forgetting costly details.

One of the details that people sometimes forget when car shopping is the cost of insurance. Certain types of cars will have higher insurance costs, specifically flashy sports cars, and teen drivers will automatically have significantly higher insurance rates. Smart car shoppers should be keeping insurance in mind as they browse. That way, they aren’t caught off-guard and unable to afford their car payments and insurance.

CBS News recently published some tips for getting a lower insurance rate. While some of their suggestions are not feasible for everyone, such as moving to another city with lower overall rates, there are a few useful suggestions for every driver. You can view the original article here, and we’ve included our favorite tips below.

  1. Safe Driving: Follow the rules of the road, and avoid tickets and accidents. Most insurance companies have discounts for drivers who don’t have tickets. Progressive Insurance also has a program where drivers can prove their stellar driving habits using a computer key which monitors the car’s speed.
  2. Driving the Right Car: Sports cars might seem sexy, but they will jack up the price for insurance. Choose a practical car that won’t break the budget on insurance.
  3. Know Your Discounts: There are lots of car insurance discounts available. Teachers, engineers, and doctors can often get special discounts, and students can get discounts for good grades.

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