WOLF REVIEW. 25th October 2024
The classic car industry is constantly in flux with trending cars appreciating, older ones waning in appeal and newbies coming onto the scene. Whether you are a dealer, collector or just an enthusiast, it’s good to understand this ebb and flow. This article focuses on the Mercedes brand but our insights may well be applied to other car brands.
Interesting and factual information may be provided, but our review aims to deliver insight from the perspective of a WOLF Architects mind and eyes.
More is not less……More is fun
Introduction
The benefits of owning a classic Mercedes are numerous and testimony to this are the vast numbers of classic three-pointed stars still cruising the streets. A whole thesis could be written about this phenomenon but this article instead seeks to explore some of the “Why’s & How’s” through a casual snapshot across ten Mercedes cars manufactured over a period of five decades with our focus on design from a WOLF perspective.
Process.
It was difficult to narrow the focus to only ten recognisable models since Mercedes made a lot of different cars over the last half century. For simplicity we’ve excluded any SUV’s, Estates, and baby Benzes. Likewise, any special editions or limited-edition models have not been considered. Some of the cars selected for this review are already well established as classics while others are in speculation. Power and technology will have influences but we haven’t gone into too much depth with that since for many, a classic car is about how it makes you feel. Each model in this review however is the top model and engine size of its class.
Additional information
Our review is conducted in chronological order from oldest to youngest determined by year of launch, and this has relevance since Mercedes cars tend to have relatively long production runs. The selected cars were chosen to showcase a range and are not necessarily based on market values or popularity. Any dollar values expressed are based on the time of this review through our own research.
Review
1. Mercedes W111 Cabriolet (1961-1971)
The W111 coupes and cabriolets were well established as classics within just decade of the last one rolling out of production. Considered as the last of the hand-built Mercedes these cars are very special with the convertibles always in high demand. These cars have continually appreciated over the last 30 years, are still modern to drive and seat up to five. While their production numbers are as limited as the 300SL Gullwing and Roadster cars, the 3.5 cabriolets are unlikely to achieve the same iconic status since their designs are significantly more understated. We expect them to continue appreciating but possibly at a slower rate. That won’t bother many owners since these convertibles are held on to for pleasure and not value because you can be “King of the Road” in a W111 convertible with top down.
Conclusion
The car showcased here is a right-hand drive 1971 3.5 Cabriolet, which is the most powerful, valuable and rare variant. This well-established classic is not easy to find and requires deep pockets to secure, especially in RHD. If you can own one, the experience is sensational as this car exudes class and style throughout, with smooth V8 power. Although understated and not ostentatious in design, you will look regal without feeling like you are showing off. Expect a lot of attention with this car together with offers to buy it off you. Being such a rare and valuable car, it does risk being more for show than for use.
2. Mercedes W113 Pagoda (1963-1971)
The W113 Pagoda SL Mercedes are still enjoying good appreciation today. In fact, these cars never experienced any depreciation since the R107 that replaced them was priced so high back in the day that a second hand Pagoda at original retail price was considered good value. The Pagoda achieved collectible status in the early 90s, just 20 years after the last one rolled off its production line. Since then they have steadily appreciated with values tripling over the last decade. It all makes sense as there is so much to love about this car, and owners do really love them. It is a high-quality convertible with heavenly looks that is easy to drive and simple to maintain. Considering the $1+ Million value gap between this SL and its 300SL roadster processor, the Pagoda presents good value with plenty of reason to continue appreciating. You might need to pay over Aust $300,000 for a well restored or preserved example but what else could you consider in that price range? Parts are becoming scarcer and restorations are expensive so while the Pagoda is still modern enough to drive regularly you are unlikely to use it as much as you might like to.
Conclusion
The car in this review is a 1968 280SL, which is the most powerful, and sought-after variant. This well-established and respectable classic still has potential for significant further appreciation. Expect heads to turn with admiration, as this car is timelessly cool. They don’t come cheap and if you are brave a Pagoda can be an amazing daily driver.
3. Mercedes W114 Coupes (1968-1976)
The W114 Mercs were once considered the quintessential Benz and birth of the E-class, but have always remained in the shadows of the S-class sedans and SL convertibles of the same era. The W114 Coupe has always been prettier and more valuable than their 4-door sedan counterparts, yet despite that has remained rather forgotten and undervalued. That seems rather unfortunate since these practical 5-seaters are robust and easy to maintain. The cars boxy form and flat slabbed sides appear comparatively plain and give the car a sense of invisible stealth. This means that the car can be either timeless or boring depending on perspective. Although its classic status is undeniable, it has yet to really shine and have its day. To us it presents as a very good investment opportunity for someone looking for a 60’s Mercedes that won’t break the bank. As a less precious classic it can be a daily driver that slowly looks better with each passing day. We believe it’s just a matter of time before it turns heads as fast as its SL and S-class brethren.
Conclusion
The car showcased here is a top of the line 1973 280CE coupe with the updated face-lift (which occurred in 1973). Though rather slowly, these coupes are still growing in beauty and should not be underestimated. Here is the perfect “right now” classic that can even accommodate a family with its five seats. Not the sportiest or most powerful, but certainly a car that will get the positive nod and thumbs up of appreciation from onlookers. They are simple, affordable and can be a lovely reliable daily driver that looks and feels retro.
4. Mercedes W116 (1971-1979)
The W116 was Mercedes flagship car and contributed well to the seventy’s vibe. It was big car in its day as a long wheel based 5-seater limousine. This was the car of choice for millionaires, diplomats and Godfathers. It has often been labelled as the first S-class but in our opinion the very first was the W108 cars that came before. Like the W114 it was boxy and straight but because it had more length and width, they somehow appear leaner and more elegant. Despite that, the W116 went through many years of looking awkward. This was firstly because it was the first to break away from curved forms and circular lights in favour of rectangular ones, which was radical in 1971. Secondly, it still had plenty of chrome trimmings that kept things feeling old but not quite classic. Despite being considered as the best sedan in its day, they have taken a long time to be recognised and have only started to properly appreciate recently. Today it doesn’t feel as big and all its chrome detailing actually help it to feel rather delicate compared to present day saloons.
Conclusion
The car showcased here is a 450SEL 6.9 and is the rarest and most sought-after variant, but is more complex to maintain with its air- suspension. t’s not quite a head turner, but it does feel retro and that makes it cool and fun to own. The W116 can be practical family classic that is still modern to drive and the V8 models are powerful. For a car that was once considered as the best on the planet, it remains surprisingly undervalued.
5. Mercedes R107 Roadster (1971-1989)
The R107’s 17-year production run was one of the longest in history, and for Mercedes was second only to the G-wagon. This is a rather interesting car for us because in our opinion the 107 looked dated from the day of release. With all its chrome trimmings, it’s feels like a squared-up Pagoda with a little more technology. However, unlike its more feminine W113 predecessor the R107 took twice as long to be as desirable. That was partly due to a very long production run, and partly due to the design’s rectangular forms and rather straight lines. These SL cars were built in relatively large numbers so it is possible to find good original ones if you want avoid the process of restoration. Although good ones don’t come cheap they are still appreciating well, and present good value as a practical daily classic. We are pleased to see the R107 finally enjoy its day in the spot light, but in our opinion it is one of the least attractive SL cars of the last century. It’s not as pretty as the W113, and lacks the sophistication of the R129. It is however a car that is synonymous with wealth and prestige in the 70’s and 80’s, so for many enthusiasts it will connect them to fond memories.
Conclusion
The car showcased here is a 1986 560SL and was the top of the line in its day. This is the SL to enjoy right now! Unless your R107 has already been restored, the R107 is a great car to use daily to your hearts content while knowing that with each day the car is appreciating and that if your car eventually gets tired it will be economically worthwhile to restore. Restoration on these cars is relatively straight forward as they are not too complex and most parts are still readily available. Unless you’re next to a Pagoda, a 107 with top down can be the star on the road, just as it was in many 80’s movies.
6. Mercedes C126 (1981-1990)
The C126 continued the tradition of big Mercedes coupes nearly two decades after the W111 coupes and cabriolets. Unlike the W111 cars the C126 had no convertible counterpart which made this Mercedes sport car a King in the day. The flagship model was the 560SEC and when new was worth as much as houses. Based on the S-class it was built to be the best, with luxuries and new technologies that have allowed it to still feel contemporary today. This is an elegant car with great design and engineering that is only just starting to be appreciated. The time to buy a good example is right now, because many people still see this as a big old car that is costly to maintain and fuel hungry. Those who don’t share this view might find that there are still good bargains out there. We envision this car coming into focus as a cool classic within the next ten years.
Conclusion
Mercedes had a way of creating luxury without the need to be flashy. The C126 SEC will get you around in comfort and style without feeling guilty. This is a car that discretely attained classic car status without announcement. Even today you could easily go shopping in an SEC without being recognised for owning a car that once cost the same as a house. It’s only upon closer inspection or with those in the know that their true values come to light. This is a car to own for what it is, and not to show off in. If you’re looking for a bargain classic with minimal shout but plenty of scope for appreciation, then the C126 is certainly one to consider.
7. Mercedes W124 (1984-1997)
The W124 is the model that made “E-Class” a well-known name. This car achieved so much for the Mercedes brand yet is seldom recognised for its successes. Most have ended up in scrap yards, but in recent years people have begun to remember how great this car was and still is. The W124 was never the coolest, or most advanced car when new, but it was a car that simply did its job to perfection. It was safe, reliable, practical and easy. Everything just worked as it should with Mercedes dependable quality at its best. The coupe, convertibles and even the wagons have started to appreciate but these sedans are still sleepers with good ones becoming increasingly rare. The W124 has a very disciplined shape with straight lines that freeze it firmly in the eighties. It is completely void of any frills or design features that suggest more than they need to be. This inoffensive presence allows you to travel with great anonymity. We believe them destined to classic stardom and now is the best time to find one. You will need to make sure it’s a good example since any restoration on these cars is presently not economically viable.
Conclusion
By todays standards this car is very compact but still very spacious internally and we really enjoy the simplicity with how all its forms follow function. Here is a reliable daily car that is on the cusp of looking very retro. For now, however the W124 sedan is a dependable bargain that will get you around as if you are invisible.
8. Mercedes R129 (1989-2002)
The R129 is a really interesting and special car to us for many reasons. After 18 years of the R107 the R129’s arrival was with great anticipation, and it delivered on every front. This was Mercedes in their finest hour as leaders in automotive design and engineering with every resource at their disposal. The R129 was described as an over engineered masterpiece and we agree. At the time of launch in 1989 it was very futuristic with its wedged front and well coordinated lines. Sleek plastic panels dominated the areas which were once adorned by chrome on older cars, and it was hard to imagine how this car might ever date. Yet here we are 35 years later trying to understand how its design has stood the test of time. Perhaps it was Mercedes themselves who dated the R129 with the introduction of the SLK in 1996 and its more fluid shapes and lines. Obviously, we would be naïve to think that those relatively straight lines of the R129 would continue into the 2000’s but certainly we might have accepted yet another update with facelift considering its R230 successor lacked strong design recognition and suffered from a poorer build quality. In our opinion the R129 will come to be recognised as being as timeless as the Pagoda. It was such a leap forward from the R107 that it could even surpass them in values. Good SL600 models can already fetch over Aust$100,000 with some of them still only 20+ years old.
Conclusion
We think that the R129 will awaken in a big way, and we can see this happening in around 5 years time (before the end of the decade). The time to secure a good one to make perfect is right now while parts are still relatively easy to source. They are impressively built with enough technology and smart design to still marvel and feel cool. For example, it was Mercedes first car to have an automated soft top and pop up roller bar. The SL showcased here is a 1998 SL600 and with its V12 engine was Mercedes flagship SL. It has past the point of looking old and finds itself in a new stage that is relatively unique. We wouldn’t call it classic or even retro but it clearly is not contemporary either. Perhaps it is in a class of it own that we could describe as having sophistication and intelligence. “Respect” is the word that comes to mind and perhaps that is good enough evidence for something that is timeless.
9. Mercedes R170 (1996-2004)
The SLK is another curious model that many have written off as destined for the scrapyard. It’s true that they were not built to Mercedes usual standards, but we forget that this car was always meant to be an affordable SL for younger customers. It was a brave and refreshing break from Mercedes boxy forms that dominated the 70s & 80s. As such this first generation SLK with Mercedes first ever folding metal roof has its place in history and today is at its lowest point ever. A well cared for low mileage car can be found with patience and would be a bargain that we think can only appreciate. The car showcased here is the SLK32 AMG and probably the safest bet with regards to long term collectible values.
Conclusion
The R170 is definitely in deep hibernation right now, but we see them re-emerging in around 10 to 15 years. The few that cruise the streets presently are rather scrappy so finding a good will be difficult but if you do and can hang in there, we think it will surprise people in years to come as a clever little sports car with star charm. The SLK32 AMG is our recommendation and even today they are fast and nice to drive.
10. Mercedes A207 (2008-2017)
Mercedes went through a period of producing cars that didn’t live up to their brand, and a lot of that had to do with the failed Daimler Chrysler merger (1998). Their reputation for quality and reliability had suffered and the new A207 released in 2008 was intended to get back to making “Nothing but the Best”. The A207 was a strong response and even marketed as a convertible that you could drive with top down in the snow. The design is edgy, aggressive and still contemporary today after 16 years. They still look smart, have held values, and are nice cars to drive. A well-cared for example shouldn’t take much to look like new. Not many Mercedes cars from the 2000’s will end up being classic & collectible but we predict the A207 to be one of the few, if not the only one.
Conclusion
The 2010 E500 Cabriolet showcased here was a top of the range model that came loaded with every option. With ancestral connections to the A124 (launched in 1993), and high quality build, the A207 has the right bones to be a collectible classic. It’s also one of the last cars to have a floor gear shifter before Mercedes moved everything to the column. With most cars now turning electric and displays becoming fully digital this A207 with its analogue speedometer will soon look old school cool. The E500 Cabriolet is a powerful and affordable car of quality with sharp respectable looks that you can enjoy right now. Most Mercs feel classic at around 30 years of age but the A207 may well surprise us.
Word of the WOLF
All tens car in this review are all unique in their own ways and it is our prediction that even the younger models presented here will eventually be considered collectible and classic. For many it’s a matter of finances and focusing on what is affordable. Naturally one could buy a Pagoda today and have an instant exciting classic, but the reality is that such cars end up being rather closeted. Fortunately, there are more affordable alternatives that can give a similar feeling without the preciousness of getting stone chips, and supermarket dints.
This review has illustrated a range of cars in different phases of their lives. Some are already iconic, while others are waiting their turn in the sunshine. From well-established classics to sleepers there is fascination at every level and this helps to explain some of why and how cars turn classic. Ultimately it comes down to how you feel. In April 2021 we wrote an article titled “Finding the right Cool Classic Mercedes”, as a guide to finding the right car. You can go there here: https://taraswolf.com/finding-the-right-cool-classic-mercedes/
What we discovered then was that one’s feeling is often from connection to one’s personal memories. A person who grew up seeing Pagodas on the road when they were new will surely feel differently to someone much younger. Someone born in the 90’s for example, might simply find the Pagoda too ancient to relate to. This review acknowledges this perspective but also appreciates how each stage of a car’s life can be enjoyed for what it is. Many enthusiasts will own multiple cars from different eras for this very reason. While it’s nice to drive established classics, it can be equally nice to preserve and care for future classics. There is something rather special about owning a car just before it turns into an appreciating classic.
Well cared for Mercedes cars at around 15-20 years of age might be at absolute bargain bottom prices but as you can see in this review some remain asleep for a very long time. Nevertheless, a sleeper can be smart investment. If you have the space to garage them, we highly recommend speculating for the joys of preservation and witnessing them awaken into a collectible classic. How rewarding is it to enjoy a practical daily car that appreciates in value and then transforms into a cool classic?
Disclaimer
The information in this review is intended for informational or educational purposes to provide readers an understanding of how something may be seen from a certain design perspective. In this case it is from the view point of WOLF DESIGNS. As design is subjective this review should only be considered as an independent opinion. Information further to being of an opinion is provided to the best of our knowledge based on our own research at the time of doing the review. We cannot be held responsible for any inaccuracies or inconsistencies and reserve the right to change or update any content as appropriate.
The final responsibility of the design resides with the original manufacturer.