Mercedes Driver - December 2018 PDF

1st FOR
MERCEDES
STAR POWER
MERCEDES-BENZ
EMBLEM HISTORY
W123 230E
SMALL-ENGINED
BEAUTIFUL BENZ
Mercedes
ISSUE 09 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2018 £4.99
25TIPS TO LOWER
INSURANCE
W202 AMG
BUYING GUIDE
EXCLUSIVE!
JAMES
HUNT’S
560 SEC
PLUS
MERCEDES
RACING POSTERS
FORMULA ONE STAR’S W124 E320

MONSTER V8 COUPE SPORTLINE
R107 500 SL
THE PERFECT
CONTINENT CRUISER
The Brabus storyx Clash of the titans
titansx
Origins of the world’s largest tuner 190E 2.3-16 vs PORSCHE 944S
Forty years of ballistic beasts from Bottrup Legends in head-to-head twin test
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PLEASE COME AND SEE US AT THE NEC CLASSIC MOTOR SHOW 2018
1980 MERCEDES 380 SL Finished in it’s original and 2004 MERCEDES-BENZ SL 55 AMG F1 Finished in Obsidian Black Metallic with AMG 2012 62 AUDI RS4 4.2 QUATTRO WITH SPORTS
immaculate Thistle green with unmarked green cloth embossed Black leather interior, including a rarely ordered Alcantara roof lining, this stunning PACK Finished in immaculate Daytona Grey with Black
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one owner 123 Mercedes in this condition. .............. and two sets of keys. Perfect summer car!.. £12,995 ......................................................................... £8995
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2002 MERCEDES CL500 Finished in light metallic 2001 MERCEDES 500 SEL Only 52,000 miles and 1991 MERCEDES 190E 1.8 AUTO Finished in
blue with grey hide, immaculate unmarked car mint condition, finished in silver with black hide. Smoke Silver with unmarked brown interior. Factory
very high spec 89,000 miles with Full Service Full spec car including dual climate control, sun sunroof, lovely unmolested example. Only 65,000
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FINANCE CAN BE ARRANGED ON ALL OF THE ABOVE

THE BIG PICTURE MERCEDES DRIVER
R107 500 SL
PAGE 70
November/December 2018 3
ISSUE 09
8
NOVEMBER/
DECEMBER
2018
Contents
FEATURES 42 REGULARS
8 HAPPY HUNTING GROUND 14 LIVEWIRE
His finances may have suffered a serious The Mercedes Driver newsfeed.
setback, but that didn’t stop James Hunt,
from enjoying this Blue-Black 1989 560 SEC. 20 MERCEDES MERCH!
New gear registering on our radar, including
22 BATTLE STATIONS a 1:10 190E 2.5-16 E2 Zakspeed DTM r/c kit.
Which is sportier? The 190E 2.3-16 or the
Porsche 944S? Let's find out! 36 TECH TALK
Twenty-five hints and tips designed to help
42 COMPETITION you lower your car insurance.
Win a Carly Connected Car Pro app and 76 TESTING TIMES
discover more about your Mercedes. We look at the raft of changes recently 52 FROM THE VAULT
introduced to the UK's MOT test. Brabus has been churning out monstrous
44 WHEN LESS IS MORE Mercs for more than forty years. Buckle up
Piers Richings is enjoying the poke of his 80 LONG-TERM LOVE for a ride through the tuner's greatest hits!
immaculate W123’s 2.3-litre lump after the Chris Lansbury coveted this W124 E320
many years he spent driving V8s. Sportline for years. Now it’s finally his, 62 SUBSCRIBE
he won’t be letting go! Get each and every issue of Mercedes Driver
50 STAR POWER delivered direct to your door.
TORQUE
Ever wondered about the history of the
Mercedes-Benz emblem decorating the 65 FIVE MINUTES WITH…
nose of your car? We take time out to chat with Gary
31 ANTONY KINGHAM Conway, managing director of independent
66 ART OF SPEED Are you wondering where to store your performance vehicle service and tuning
For more than fifty years, Mercedes racing cherished Mercedes now summer is specialist, GCAP Performance.
posters announced success at the circuit drawing to a close?
through bold adventures in graphic design. 86 BUYING GUIDE
33 JAMES FAIRWEATHER Bag yourself an appreciating classic in the
70 TRUE BLUE Discover the magic of SEMA Show. form of a W202 AMG.
Proving the R107’s qualities as the perfect
cabriolet for road trips, this 500 SL recently 35 CHRISTIAN NOVAK 94 UNDER THE HAMMER
ferried its owners around France. Racing in the comfort of your home. What’s hot (and what’s not) at auction.
80 35
86
4 November / December 2018
22
44 70
November / December 2018 5
Patrick Carroll proudly offers for sale
Mercedes-Benz SLS
September 2010
Only 518 miles
1 owner
Please enquire for more
information
Tel 07624 406060 or 01624 845200

Email. s.a.carroll@manx.net
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USA & Canada annual subscription price: £42 WELCOME TO THE Nov/Dec edition of about keeping mileage low. It's a theme I
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Mercedes Driver. I'm thrilled to have been intend to promote throughout Mercedes
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ww.bit.ly/subscribemd appointed as editor of the magazine, and Driver. Indeed, you'll find it reflected
Buy back issues at:
as you'll no doubt recognise by flicking in the many other attention-grabbing
www.bit.ly/issuesmd through the following pages, I've enjoyed features crammed into this issue. Be it
Already a subscriber? tracking down some of the very best the immaculate W123 230E used by Piers
Manage your subscription online at
shop.kelsey.co.uk/myaccount Mercedes metal to present for your Richings as his daily hack, the R107 500
CONTACT US enjoyment. Chief among the special cars SL charged with ferrying Olly Hackett
UK subscription and back issue orderline:
01959 543 747 I've recently spent time with is the last and Lucy Dawson around France, or the
Overseas subscription orderline:
0044 (0) 1959 543 747 new Benz owned by 1976 Formula One W124 E320 Sportline cherished by Chris
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1-888-777-0275
World Champion and British motorsport Lansbury, Mercedes cars are at their
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Mercedes Driver Customer Service Team
Kelsey Publishing Ltd, Cudham Tithe Barn, Berry's Hill, died. Pleasingly, interest in the machines time you enjoy in your Mercedes, you
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he drove on and off the racing circuit need adequate insurance. It's a necessary
DISTRIBUTION
Seymour Distribution Ltd, remains extraordinarily high. He was spend for any motorist, so you might as
2 East Poultry Avenue, London, EC1A 9PT
www.seymour.co.uk Tel: 020 7429 4000 a great lover of Mercedes, and it came well make sure you get your money's
PRINTING as no surprise to see his 1989 560 SEC worth. In this issue, we've included a list
William Gibbons & Sons Ltd
generate a huge amount of excitement of twenty-five top tips to help reduce
Kelsey Media 2018 © All rights reserved. Kelsey Media is a
trading name of Kelsey Publishing Ltd. Reproduction in whole
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the publishers. Note to contributors: articles submitted for
consideration by the editor must be the original work of the recommissioned Blue-Black beast was If you're new to the world of Mercedes,
author and not previously published. Where photographs
are included, which are not the property of the contributor,
permission to reproduce them must have been obtained from
sent to auction. Newspapers around the then our W202 AMG buying guide may
the owner of the copyright. The editor cannot guarantee a
personal response to all letters and emails received. The views globe reported on the car's emergence well be of assistance when it comes to
expressed in the magazine are not necessarily those of the
editor or the publisher. Kelsey Publishing Ltd accepts no liability
for products and services offered by third parties.
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afforded access to the V8-powered large I hope you enjoy reading my first issue in
Protection Officer at dpo@kelsey.co.uk.
barge. Yep, you guessed it! Setting pace charge of Mercedes Driver as much as I did
Mercedes Driver is available for licensing worldwide. For more
information, contact bruce@bruceawfordlicensing.com to rival anything Hunt achieved during pulling it together!
Part of the Classics World family his glittering F1 career, we filled our
www.classicsworld.co.uk
camera support vehicle with photography
KELSEYmedia equipment and set sail for where the SEC
was being stored following its rebirth.
The great thing about Hunt's former
Dan Furr Editor
Mercedes Driver is is entirely independent of Daimler AG. Contents may not be
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incorrectly, please contact us and we will do our best to address the error.
former keepers have been precious @DanFurr

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HAPPY
HUNTING
GROUND
His finances may have suffered a serious setback, but that didn’t stop
Formula One ace, James Hunt, from enjoying this 1989 560 SEC
WORDS Dan Furr PHOTOGRAPHY Dan Sherwood
JAMES HUNT’S 560 SEC MERCEDES DRIVER
W
Right Top and bottom halves
hen the 45-year-old a significant sum today, let alone three decades of the exterior are now colour-
James Hunt died on 15th ago! This serious dent in his finances saw him flirt matched, while each corner
rides on a staggered AMG rim
June 1993, the 1976 with the idea of mounting a racing comeback in
Formula One champion’s 1990 as a driver for the Williams Formula One Below Mushroom hide has
been cleaned and recoloured
personal fortune had team. Testing followed, but move wasn’t to be.
been hugely reduced Instead, the eccentric sportsman relied on a steady
as a consequence of stream of income from the BBC, for whom he’d
the Lloyd’s of London scandal of the late 1980s. acted as media commentator for Grand Prix racing
In essence, Hunt and many other then-wealthy since his shock retirement from the sport in 1979.
investors (including high-ranking politicians,
sports personalities and even members of the WEAPON OF CHOICE
British monarchy) pledged large amounts of cash When it comes to the cars Hunt drove, two
to the insurer, effectively acting as underwriters obvious images spring to mind. The first is of his
for future liabilities. The financial reward Lloyd’s Cosworth-tuned McLaren M23, the F1 machine
promised was high, but relationships turned sour he raced to victory in the face of stiff competition
when investors found themselves liable for a from the radiant red Ferrari 312 of Niki Lauda. The
colossal number of new claims relating to past pair’s on and off-track relationship has since been
incidents. Chiefly, complaints from applicants immortalised in the Ron Howard movie, Rush. After
concerned exposure to asbestos experienced the Lloyd’s scandal, however, the vehicle he was
in the workplace as far back as the 1940s. Not most commonly associated with was GDX 294E, a
only did American courts rule individuals could tired 1967 Austin A35 van. Hunt used the 848cc
claim, permission was granted for them to do load-lugger to carry his beloved budgerigars to
so regardless of whether they were suffering shows. The four-cylinder cargo carrier fetched
symptoms of illness. The floodgates opened. £13,000 at the Silverstone Classic auction in 2011
Many investors (known as Names) faced after being bought by the seller for £3,500 at the
financial ruin. Five hundred were bankrupted. Brooks Olympia sale in 1993, yet vintage vans and
Fifteen committed suicide. Even today, legal battles championship-winning race cars weren’t the only
continue between Lloyd’s and many of those who four-wheelers Hunt had a passion for…
gave the three-century-old institution the majority Parked on the driveway alongside the A35 at
of their amassed wealth. Hunt lost close to £200k, Hunt’s London home, NLT 935V was a familiar
Track record
James Hunt began his
racing career in touring
cars before progressing
to Formula Three,
where he succeeded in
attracting the attention
of Lord Hesketh, the
owner of Hesketh
Racing, an independent
motorsport team.
Hunt first competed
in Formula One for
his new employer in
1973. He won many
races for the Hesketh
concern, but overall
championship victory
evaded him until he
signed for McLaren in
1975. In his first full
year racing for the
team, Hunt won the
drivers' championship,
a hard-fought battle
which cemented his
place in history as one
of motorsport's greats.
His controversial
behaviour on the
track earned him
the nickname 'Hunt
the Shunt', while his
turbulent lifestyle made
him a regular feature of
the mainstream media.
10 November/December 2018
A 1989 560 SEC, THE BLUE-BLACK

TWO-DOOR WAS REGISTERED
TO HUNT FROM NEW
sight to visitors popping in to see the living legend

when he wasn’t in the commentary box rubbing
DRIVER
shoulders with Murray Walker. Taking the form of
a brown 450 SEL 6.9, the V8-powered four-door Q&A
featured the largest engine of any production
car outside of America when originally built.
Weighing in at two tonnes and measuring almost
eighteen feet in length, the large barge’s scale was
as impressive as its technical specification. There
was only one snag: the example Hunt owned was
perched on bricks and in need of full restoration.
He bought the mighty Merc when it was less
than a year old, but by the time he was driving
around in the A35, his fortunes had changed so
radically he wasn’t in a position to treat the land
yacht to the attention it was in desperate need FRASER
of. Thankfully, he had F93 UBJ for fast-road fun. PEMBERTON
A 1989 560 SEC, the Blue-Black two-door was First Mercedes
registered to Hunt from new, thought to be a gift W124 E320 convertible
from a generous benefactor. Favourite Mercedes
600 Grosser
STAYING ALIVE Best thing about this
Hunt kept the 5.5-litre coupe for two years before 560 SEC
it passed through the hands of several owners, It’s the epitome of
brilliant engineering for
garnering numerous plate changes along the the road
way. The car also found itself riding on a set of
Worst thing about this
staggered AMG deep-dish wheels and had covered 560 SEC
143k miles before coming into the possession of The fact I didn’t get
hold of the car before
Fraser Pemberton, a restorer of German sports previous owners started
cars based in Cheshire. “My team recommissioned cocking around with it
the low mileage 1977 450 SEL owned by Bee Gees Best thing about
frontman, Barry Gibb, for thirty-one years,” he Mercedes ownership
You’re driving a vehicle
tell us, referencing the white whale which sold for renowned for superior
£17,600 at the Classic Car & Restoration Show build quality
REPLACEMENT WHEEL
ARCHES SHOWED SIGNS OF A
POORLY EXECUTED RESPRAY
Mushroom leather, on the other hand, showed

clear signs of heavy use. The hide was creased,
cracked and exhibited signs of poorly executed
past repair work. We had no choice but to strip it
back before attempting to right its many wrongs.”
FORMULA WON
A new headlining was required, the sunroof didn’t
work and the seat belt butler motors were in
need of overhaul. It was a similar story outside
the car, where headlight wipers weren’t operating
as Mercedes intended. Additionally, replacement
rear wheel arches showed signs of a poorly
at Birmingham’s National Exhibition Centre in executed respray. A fresh coat of colour was
March. Since that time, his band of Mercedes-keen deemed necessary (“we added an extra ten percent
merry men have been working on a selection of black!”), which covers the whole of the body, while
other interesting Benz-badged beasts, not least of replacement exterior trim and a fresh windscreen
all Hunt’s SEC. were fitted in advance of the car’s star turn at the
“You have to keep an eye out for corrosion when Brightwells Leominster auction in September.
it comes to the W126 range,” continues Fraser. “I’d already lined up an exciting W108
“Front wings and the boot wells are usually the restoration project before finishing work on Hunt’s
first places to go. The Hunt car was no different.” SEC. The newer car had to go!” beams Fraser,
Fortunately, the previous owner supplied a new quietly happy at the cool coupe’s auction sale price
genuine offside front wing to replace the original of £14,000. A healthy service history coupled with
panel, which was suffering from corrosion at its paperwork proving the charismatic motorsport
base. In contrast, the exposed inner metalwork star’s ownership was undoubtedly one of the key
looked brand new when the old wing was removed. attractions for eager online and in-room bidders,
The discovery came as huge relief to Fraser and not to mention the fact it was revealed the car
allowed his team to concentrate on fixing faulty Top "It's what James would would be the lead feature in this issue of Mercedes
have wanted!"
electrics and restoring the car’s interior. “It was Driver. “It makes a nice addition to the history file,
apparent the car had been looked after, but I Above Copy of original V5 and further emphasises the serious provenance of
shows James Simon Wallis
wouldn’t say it had been cherished,” he reasons. Hunt as the first owner of this this particular 560 SEC,” muses Fraser, satisfied at
“The self-levelling suspension worked without superb C126 560 SEC being able to play a part in ensuring the long-term
error and the engine was in excellent working Facing page Interior has been survival of a magnificent Mercedes first owned by
order when I took delivery of the car. Its tidied due to cracks in leather one of Britain’s best-loved racing drivers.
NEWS MERCEDES DRIVER
NEWS &
EVENTS
THE MERCEDES DRIVER NEWSFEED
Livewire
Email md.ed@kelseymedia.co.uk Twitter @mercdrivermag
Facebook facebook.com/MercedesDriverMag Instagram @mercdrivermag
AMG GT 4MATIC+
pricing announced
V8 powerhouse of performance available in three
trim levels with a wealth of cost options
T
he new Mercedes-AMG GT All three versions come as standard with
4MATIC+ four-door coupé an AMG Speedshift MCT 9G transmission,
is now on sale, with prices which has a wet start-off clutch, kit which
starting at £121,350 for the reduces weight and optimises responses.
GT 63 4MATIC+. The GT 63 AMG Ride Control+ suspension is
S 4MATIC+ is available from standard on all versions of the car and
£135,550, while the GT 63 S features continuous adjustable damping
4MATIC+ Edition 1 starts at £148,950. which provides better handling and a
The GT 63 uses AMG’s hand-built four- sportier driving experience.
litre V8 ‘hot V’ biturbo petrol engine, which Standard equipment on the GT 63
generates 585hp and 800Nm torque. The includes twenty-inch AMG double-spoke
GT 63 S delivers a monstrous 639hp and light-alloy wheels, LED headlights, a
maximum torque of 900Nm. The GT 63 can 360° camera, a 12.3-inch widescreen
achieve 0 to 62 mph in 3.4 seconds, while infotainment touchscreen display, ambient
the GT 63 S completes the same sprint in a lighting with a choice of sixty-four colours
blisteringly quick 3.2 seconds. (yes, really!), heated front and rear seats,
The GT 63 delivers a combined fuel AMG Track Pace, wireless mobile device
consumption of 25.2mpg and emits charging, Keyless-Go Comfort (including
256g/km of CO2, while the GT 63 S delivers keyless start and hands-free functionality), car's boot lid, Burmester surround sound
25.0mpg and emits 257g/km of CO2. fully automatic opening and closing of the audio equipment and an AMG Performance
steering wheel trimmed in Nappa leather.
The GT 63 S adds the AMG Dynamic
Plus package, which includes electronic
rear-axle differential lock, ‘RACE’ drive
mode (including ‘Drift-Mode’), larger front
brake discs, yellow-painted AMG calipers
twenty-inch AMG muti-spoke alloy wheels,
and an AMG Performance steering wheel
upholstered in Dinamica microfibre.
The limited edition AMG GT 63 S Edition
1 comes as standard with Graphite Grey
magno paint, even larger wheels (cross-
spoke forged rims with black inserts),
an Aerodynamics package comprising a
fixed rear aerofoil in high-gloss black and
an optimised front apron with splitter,
Premium Plus package, AMG Carbon Matte
trim, AMG Nappa leather Magma grey
NEWS MERCEDES DRIVER
See you
there…
ULTIMATE STANCE
Hailed as the premium
indoor event for the
UK and Europe’s
stanced cars, Ultimate
Stance returns to the
Telford International
Centre on Sunday
Rockingham Motor Speedway to be

4th November. A
retro display, detailing
repurposed as car storage facility demonstrations, a
After months of speculation, it has been announced BMX freestyle show,
Rockingham Motor Speedway will cease to be a venue radio-controlled car
for racing activity following the sale of the site to an action, live music and
investment company keen to repurpose “Europe’s fastest a charity auction and
some of the cleanest
racing circuit” as a storage centre for fleet and auction
cars you’re like to
vehicles. The move comes after the British Touring Car see this year will be
Championship (Rockingham’s biggest draw) announced it gathered together for
was cancelling its visit to the Corby-based circuit for 2019. a day to remember.
The BTCC’s move follows the site’s massive grandstands Visit the website
being condemned on health and safety grounds following bit.ly/ultimatestance for
the discovery of subsidence. The 300-acre plot was once all the juicy details.
hailed as bringing a new dawn to British motorsport, but
NEC CLASSIC
lack of profits in the years following the opening of the MOTOR SHOW
circuit in 2001 mean massive debts have forced the sale. The Mercedes-Benz
We’re told all events scheduled until the end of the year will club will have a large
remain unaffected by the change. stand at this year’s
Lancaster Insurance
Classic Motor Show,
due to take place
9th-11th November at
the National Exhibition
Centre in Birmingham.
The club’s theme for
this year is ‘Built to
Last’. We can’t wait to
see what Benz-badged
delights are served up!
Visit bit.ly/mbclubnec
for ticket information.
seats with yellow contrast stitching, black
Dinamica headlining, Memory package, Air SIMPLY SMART
Balance and AMG Night package. Owners of Smart cars
Wait! There's more! The £3,600 are invited to drive
Premium Plus package – standard on and park within the
the GT 63 S Edition 1 – adds even more Hemmels acquired by Principle Global Beaulieu complex on
11th November for
specification (and wordplay!) thanks to Air Based in Cardiff and famous for remanufacturing classic
what's being billed
Balance, ENERGIZING Comfort, active Mercedes cars, Hemmels has a new majority stakeholder as a great day out for
multicontour seats with massage function, in the form of Richard Butterfield, chairman and founder of enthusiasts. The event
a heads-up display, soft door close and brand implementation agency, Principle Global. Hemmels is set to provide an
climatised front seats. (most famous for its Gullwing and Pagoda-based output) opportunity to admire
For £3,695, customers can opt for employs forty people responsible for dismantling and a wide range of these
the Rear Luxury Lounge package which restoring a matching number of vehicles each year. The often colourfully
wrapped vehicles,
includes individual rear seats, centre firm’s cars take approximately fifty weeks to complete.
from the ForTwo to the
console and touch-screen centre display Butterfield is known to be a classic Mercedes buff and has Roadster. Crossblades
with infotainment function access, plans to expand Hemmels beyond its current footprint are also expected to be
Thermotronic automatic climate control, to ensure production capability reaches double what it is a popular sight. Point
pre-installation for a tablet PC, wireless today with eighteen months. The company’s customers t'internet browser at
phone charging for rear passengers and include royalty and high profile racing drivers. We wish bit.ly/simplysmart
climatised cup holders. Take our money! everyone at Hemmels every success for the future!
CHARLES IRONSIDE
SPECIALISTS IN MERCEDES-BENZ CARS
Alton, Hampshire, UK (40 mins from J10 M25)
190E 1.8 litre Saloon, 1992J, one owner from new, 4-speed auto, 500 SE, 1991J, 4-speed auto, 67,000 miles, fmbsh, astral silver metallic, E55 AMG ( 210-series ), 2000X, 5-speed auto/tiptronic, 73,000 miles, fmbsh, brilliant silver metallic, dual tone leather black &
28,000 miles, fmbsh, signal red grey check cloth, sunroof, ABS, navy leather, aircon, cruise, electric sunroof, electric steering column, electric ivory leather, climate control, cruise, electric steering column, electric heated orthopaedic memory seats, Comand radio/single CD/
centre armrest, front electric windows, front seat nets. Absolutely heated memory seats, otg, headlamp wash/wipe, illuminated vanity mirrors, SatNav/CD Changer/hands free telephone, anti-dazzle rear view mirror, headlamp washers, 18”AMB 5 spoke single rim alloys,
in showroom condition !................................................... £9,950. Blaupunkt radio/cassette. One of the best examples for sale..............£14,950. AMG bodystyling, front & side airbags, front & rear parking sensors, birdseye wood veneer etc.A fabulous machine............£12,950.
300 SL, 1988E, 4-speed auto, 4 owners, 80,000 miles, fmbsh, 300 SL, 1989F, 4-speed auto, 61,000 miles, fmbsh, astral silver 300 SL, 1989G, 3 owners, 4-speed auto, 109,000 miles, fmbsh,
diamond blue metallic, navy cloth, dark blue soft top, hard top, metallic, mushroom leather, black soft top, factory fitted hard top, astral silver, navy sports check cloth, navy soft top, factory fitted
factory aircon, cruise, rear seats, driver’s airbag, wind deflector, rear seats, illuminated vanity mirrors, Becker Mexico radio/cassette. hard top, cruise, rear seats, Blaupunkt radio/cassette, headlamp
illuminated vanity mirrors. A stunning example. ................£34,950. Last owner 16 years. Beautiful colour combination. ............. £39,950. wash/wipe, illuminated vanity mirrors. A fine example. .....£29,950.
190E 1.8 litre LE, 1993K, 3 owners, 4 speed auto, 53,000 miles, SL 500, 2003/03, 2 owners, 5-speed auto/tiptronic, 29,000 miles, E320 Coupe, 1996N, 3 owners, 5-speed auto, 63,000 miles,
fmbsh, brilliant silver, black check cloth, electric sunroof, driver’s fmbsh, brilliant silver metallic, red leather, electric retractable roof, fmbsh, ruby red metallic, mushroom leather, factory air
airbag. Large history file with original LE certificate. ...........£7,950. climate, cruise, electric steering column, electric heated memory conditioning, cruise, electric sunroof, headlamp wash/wipe, otg,
seats with lumbar support both sides, ESP, Comand with single infrared locking. Beautiful original car. ..............................£13,950.
CD/radio/SatNav/mobile hands free and 10 CD changer, headlamp
washers, wind deflector, 18” AMG alloys...........................£14,950.
300 SL 24-valve, 1992J, 4-speed auto, 30,000 miles, fmbsh, 500 SEC, 1988E, 4-speed auto, 60,000 miles, fmbsh & just 300 SL, 1987E, 4-speed auto, 91,000 miles, fmbsh, smoke silver
smoke silver metallic, navy leather, electric navy soft top, factory serviced, smoke silver metallic, navy leather, factory climate metallic, mushroom leather, dark brown soft top, factory fitted
fitted hard top, cruise control, electric seats, twin airbags, rear control, cruise, electric seats with driver’s memory, electric hard top, rear seats. A lovely original example. Last lady owner 14
seats, wind deflector, infrared locking Blaupunkt radio/single CD. A sunroof, headlamp wash/wipe. Gorgeous original car........£17,950. years. ...............................................................................£29,950.
very low mileage SL in show condition..............................£14,950.
WANTED AND FOR SALE

124-series E-Class E220/320/36 Coupes, Cabriolets and Estates, 107-series 300/420/500 SLs, 126-series 420/500/560 SECs (Coupes)
Highest prices paid for excellent low mileage examples.
e: sales@charlesironside.co.uk w: www.charlesironside.co.uk t: +44 (0)1420 520635 m: +44 (0)7950 379560
PRODUCTS MERCEDES DRIVER
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TAMIYA 1:10 190E
2.5-16 E2 ZAKSPEED
DTM R/C KIT
The Tamiya Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.5-16 Evolution II ZakSpeed

Debis Racing TT-01E is a 1:10 scale radio-controlled car assembly
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RICHBROOK
DISCARNECT BATTERY IMMOBILISER
The Discarnect battery immobiliser from automotive
accessories giant, Richbrook, allows you to efficiently
disconnect your Benz’s battery with the minimum
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Price: £9.95
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DIRENZA W123
LOWERING SPRINGS
Performance parts manufacturer, Direnza, has released details of
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direnza.co.uk or call 0844 448 2002
MISHIMOTO LIQUID CHILL POWER MAXED AIR-CON REFRESH

Heat management specialist, Mishimoto, has released details It’s all very well keeping the outside of your motor looking fresh, but
of a coolant additive which drops directly into your car's what about that pongy cabin space?! Power Maxed has the answer
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RECOMMENDED READ WIPAC LED

OPTIMISING CAR HEADLIGHTS
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reviveturbocleaner.com or call 01225 70192
MTEC STAINLESS STEEL BRAKE HOSES

Braking component manufacturer, MTEC, has expanded its range of stainless hose kits
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BATTLE
STATIONS
Which is more sporty? The 190E 2.3-16 or the Porsche 944S?
We hopped across to Germany in order to find out…
WORDS Dan Furr PHOTOGRAPHY Reiner Ratzke
190E 2.3-16 vs 944S MERCEDES DRIVER
M
ulti-valve technology. A great beginning of the configuration’s sharp rise in
engineering advancement popularity, reduced manufacturing costs and
from which endless technical- unprecedented accessibility. Consequently, as the
sounding factory designations 1970s got underway, a variety of mass-produced
have been plastered across road cars making use of multiple valves per
trunk lids, yet in truth, when cylinder were released into the wild, but it wasn’t
everyman marques were until Mercedes revealed the W201 190E 2.3-16
shouting about their adoption of four valves and its Cosworth-designed sixteen-valve cylinder
per cylinder in the late 1980s, owners of luxury head at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 1983 that
German sports cars were rolling their eyes. multi-valve technology became mainstream.
After all, they were in charge of models from With an average speed of 155mph achieved
manufacturers which had adopted the format during a punishing endurance test, the sporty
many years beforehand. Benz delivered record-breaking performance
French firm, Peugeot, can lay claim to producing with a claimed 185bhp and 174lb/ft torque.
the first car powered by a four-cylinder twin-cam Power was produced by an engine featuring
packing sixteen valves. Built in 1912 and designed pressed alloy pistons, heavy duty rings, updated
by Swiss mechanical engineer, Ernest Henry camshaft profiles, altered inlet and exhaust ports,
(described as “the most brilliant engine designer Bosch K-Jetronic fuel injection and, of course,
ever”), the 7.6-litre Grand Prix racing masterpiece that all-important Cossie head. Elsewhere on
was labelled L76 and ably demonstrated the the new car, specification included a limited-slip
benefits of multi-valve technology by revving differential, four individual Recaro sports seats,
its way into the history books with a clutch of extra instrument gauges (oil temperature, battery
impressive speed records. It wasn’t until the close voltage and a stopwatch) and a profile-enhancing
of the first World War, however, that rival car body kit inherited from Deutsche Tourenwagen
makers began to experiment with the technology. Meisterschaft (DTM) touring car weaponry
Mercedes, for example, used a supercharged 5.6- demanding the introduction of the road car for
litre straight-eight with dual overhead camshafts homologation purposes.
and four valves per cylinder in its 1937 W125 race Seeing what was happening across town,
car. Producing close to 650bhp at 5,800rpm, the Porsche soon muscled in on Mercedes’ multi-valve
sensational speed machine topped out at 200mph. adventures. Stuttgart-crested race cars, including
The expensive cost of introducing multi- the legendary 845bhp 935/78 nicknamed ‘Moby
valve technology to engines meant it remained Dick’ (in recognition of its whale-like tail), had used
the preserve of works motorsport teams (the four valves per cylinder at the track for many years,
only exception being ‘money no object’ road but even the excellent 944 Turbo was still utilising
car manufacturers, such as Bentley) before the an eight-valve head on its water-cooled inline-
outbreak of World War II, but the game-changing four in 1986. Sensing an industry-wide move to
Cosworth DFV F1 engine of 1967 signalled the sixteen-valve heads for mass production cars, not
Henry's gain
Cosworth was founded
in London in 1958 as a
specialist in high-power
engines and electronics
for motorsport. As
employees of Lotus,
Cosworth co-founders,
Mike Costin and Keith
Duckworth, initially
worked exclusively
with the Norfolk-based
sports car and racing
concern, producing
competition winning
powerplants for Colin
Chapman's projects.
Later, a contract
with Ford saw the
development of the
DFV F1 engine and
the eventual purchase
of Cosworth by Ford
following the launch of
successful road, race
and rally cars in the
form of RS-badged
Sierras and Escorts.
DTM WEAPONRY DEMANDED

THE INTRODUCTION OF THE CAR
FOR HOMOLOGATION PURPOSES
Above You'd think the coupe

should be more fun than the to mention witnessing how quick the 2.3-16 was
saloon, but a side-by-side test in roadgoing trim, Porsche set about revising the
proves the Mercedes delivers
plenty more smiles to the mile 944 range, launching the sixteen-valve, naturally
aspirated 944S in 1987.
Facing page Dog-engagement
gearbox features reverse This was the first time dual overhead camshafts
where most people expect first and multi-valve technology had been used on
to be positioned
the 944. Free of forced induction, the model’s
high-powered 2.5-litre lump was now rated at
190bhp and featured a self-adjusting timing belt
tensioner. 16V Ventiller badges appeared on the
transaxle’s bodywork. The 2.3-16 now had serious
competition in the sports car sector.
PONY SHOW
The Porsche beats the Benz when it comes to
displacement and horsepower (by a measly
0.2-litres and 5bhp), but the 2.3-16 is a lighter car,
weighing in at approximately fifty kilograms less
than the 944S. In truth, most drivers wouldn’t
be able to tell the difference between an engine
output of 200bhp and 300bhp, but everyone can
feel the performance advantages of less weight;
the Mercedes feels much perkier when the pedal
hits the metal, throwing the driver into his or her
seat with the results of a satisfyingly linear power
band and the sound of old-fashioned intake grate.
Many will be surprised by how predictable
and agile the motorsport-derived 190E is. Thanks simple H-pattern, but in reality, many owners
to lowered, stiff suspension (comprising uprated complained about the fact they kept confusing first
dampers, thick anti-roll bars, hard bushes and a and reverse gear, even though the same gearbox
self-levelling rear end), it’s not a tough car to be in was widely celebrated when used in BMW’s mighty
charge of, but the Porsche feels more relaxed due E30 M3. Go figure!
to its extraordinary balance. The manufacturer’s The sixteen-valve engine powering the special
goal with the transaxle layout was to achieve as 190E marches briskly and effortlessly through
close to 50:50 weight distribution front to back the rev range. At 4,000rpm, it properly wakes
as possible. A water-cooled engine at the nose, a up, barking into life before speeding towards the
long bonnet, a short front overhang and a long roof redline. When faced with such blistering pace,
were matched to an overhang at the rear designed the 944S has no chance. At low speed, the coupe
to accommodate the transmission behind the axle, feels heavy, perhaps even cumbersome, although
thereby perfectly balancing weight. The result? it’s fair to say it does pack a punch when floored;
Advanced, sharp and super-responsive handling. the torquey, larger-displacement four-cylinder
It’s a more comfortable car than the 2.3-16 too, powerplant makes use of an intake made famous by
but you might expect these qualities from a less Porsche’s 944 Turbo Cup cars. It’s a system which
aggressive vehicle commanding a higher price tag; comes into its own when high speed is reached,
on the occasion of its introduction to main dealer but for truly impressive power from Porsche’s
showrooms, the 944S was offered at 58,950DM, transaxle range, a sixteen-valve 944 aided by a
whereas the 2.3-16 was pitched to punters at snail-shaped bhp booster should be experienced.
49,850DM. That’s a massive difference, and one
which provided Mercedes with the opportunity to MOVING FORWARD
deliver practicality and performance in a sporty An updated engine with 2.5-litres of displacement
four-door package at a price point acceptable to replaced the Merc’s 2.3-litre unit in 1988. The
the lower middle classes. older powerplant had suffered a significant drop
An optional four-speed automatic transmission in poke thanks to the forced introduction of a
was introduced to the Mercedes in 1986, but catalytic converter. Strengthened twin timing
this hardly seems the tool of choice for those chains were included on the newer engine in
who enjoy spirited driving (and surely that’s what order to counter complaints about the weakness
one buys a Cosworth-tweaked 190E for?!). Then of single chains on the earlier car’s beating heart,
again, how many first-time 2.3-16 drivers have while extra galloping ponies came along for the
accidentally thrown the five-speed manual gearbox ride, resulting in an overall power figure of 204bhp
into reverse, expecting to find first? The latter is stifled to 197bhp with a catalyst in place.
positioned bottom-left thanks to the introduction Cosworth continued to provide cylinder
of a Getrag five-speed with a dog-leg layout. In heads for the motorsport-bred, sixteen-valve
theory, this makes the remaining forward ratios 190E, but Mercedes tried its best to play down
easier and quicker to shift between thanks to a the involvement of the UK concern in the
Above The 944's evolution as

a purely Porsche development
of the narrow-bodied 924 (a
model with joint VW-Porsche
parentage) is clear to see
Left Oval-shaped dashboard

binnacle replaced the 'square
dash' of earlier 944s and still
feels surprisingly fresh today
PORSCHE'S GOAL WITH THE TRANSAXLE

LAYOUT WAS TO ACHIEVE AS CLOSE TO
50:50 WEIGHT DISTRIBUTION AS POSSIBLE
Big hitter
The 944 was the most
successful Porsche
product prior to the
launch of the Boxster.
The transaxle's
muscular body and
powerful drivetrain
was an evolution of
the 924 GTP, a Le
Mans machine which
debuted at Sarthe in
1981. Based on the
924 Carrera GT, the
new car introduced
a purely Porsche
2.5-litre engine and
finished seventh overall
before being unveiled
as the 944 road car in
1982. Newly designed
brakes and suspension,
interior upgrades and
a wider track heralded Left Torquey sixteen-valve
inline-four boasts 2.5-litres
the beginning of a of displacement and would
successful nine-year go on to become a three-litre
production run before unit for the 944 S2, crowning
the engine as being the largest
the arrival of the 968. four-cylinder production
powerplant of its time
THE BABY BENZ REPRESENTS

A SIGNIFICANT MILESTONE IN
PERFORMANCE SALOON HISTORY
development of the updated model. Nevertheless,

Coscast logos – indicating a part cast at Cosworth’s
foundry in Britain – can be seen in 2.3-16 and 2.5-
16 engine bays if you look hard enough.
Regardless of British contribution to the
realisation of an iconic German road racer, the
ballistic Baby Benz represents a significant
milestone in performance saloon car history. The
2.3-16 is fast, it’s fun and it oozes practicality. It’s
got loads of luggage space and a desirable technical
specification, even by today’s standards. Due to
the enthusiasm cars of this age have for attracting
tinworm, it’s a rare beast too. Even so, production
of the 2.3-16 exceeded the lower volume of the
944S by more than 2,000 units.
The transaxle is, of course, forever in the shadow
of its air-cooled sibling, both in terms of respect
and price. It seems only a Turbo badge is enough
to get the majority of old-school Porschephiles
salivating when it comes to appreciating the merits
of water-cooled wonders. That’s a shame, because
the high-quality design, durable technology,
excellent handling and agreeable fuel economy
of the 944S contribute to a car more practical
and more comfortable than a similarly-aged 911.
That’s not to say the front-engined Stuttgart-
badged belter is more fun that a 2.3-16, though!
Contrary to what you might think at first glance,
the character of the 944S is more in keeping with
its continent cruising cousin, the V8-powered 928
grand tourer, than it is that of a snappy sports
machine. It’s civilised, more mature. In contrast, the Above The 944's impact
Mercedes is an absolute riot of fast-road fun. Take bumpers are a familiar sight
in North America, where they
our advice and buy one before prices rise beyond were introduced to satisfy
reach. You won’t regret it! strict road safety legislation
www.john-haynes.com
Tel: 01903 500 000
MERCEDES 280SL/8 1968 MERCEDES 300SL 1989

Finished in 050 White with Black Leather 16,163 miles
Matching hardtop and Black soft top. Finished in Signal Red with Cream Leather.
This vehicle was fully restored by us to concours level Matching hardtop and Black soft top.
and now presents in immaculate and stunning condition. One of the last registered examples with very low mileage
A very sought after RHD, Automatic 280SL/8 Pagoda. and wonderful history.
Totally sorted through our workshop and in pristine condition.
£169,995 £69,995
MERCEDES CL55 AMG KOMPRESSOR 2003 MERCEDES SL500 2003

39,375 miles. Finished in Brilliant Silver with Black Leather. 15,079 miles. Finished in Obsidian Black with Beige Leather.
A very rare Kompressor model with extremely high Huge specification and costing over £77,000 when ordered
specification. new.
In truly remarkable condition and presents as virtually new. Low mileage and only one former keeper from new.
The finest of its kind available ready to enjoy as well as This example presents in ‘as new’ condition.
undoubtedly a great investment. Viewing is highly recommended.
£24,995 £21,995
MERCEDES 230E 1985 MERCEDES S500L 2006

22,859 miles. Finished in Diamond Blue Metallic with Blue 70,868 miles
Cloth Trim. A unique opportunity to acquire what is surely the Finished in Tanzanite Blue Metallic with Beige Nappa Leather
finest W123 for sale anywhere in the UK. and Burr Walnut Veneer.
Benefitting from expenditure through John Haynes Workshop Huge specification and in exceptionally good condition.
over recent years has ensured this vehicle is of the very highest Full service history and well sorted this pioneering S-CLASS
standard. Simply unrepeatable. represents the pinnacle of its era for luxury and comfort.
£19,995 £14,995
Specialists in the buying and selling of Classic and Youngtimer Mercedes-Benz vehicles
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COMMENT MERCEDES DRIVER
TORQUE Specialist
Antony Kingham
You might be wondering where to store your cherished Mercedes now summer is
drawing to a close. Ecurie 137 may well be the solution you’re looking for…
O

ne of the biggest problems
facing owners of classic or
cherished vehicles is knowing
where to store them. A home
garage isn’t always available,
and more often than not,
businesses offering space
specifically for the purposes of keeping your
pride and joy tucked up in the dry tend to provide
an impersonal service not at all in keeping with
the ideals of an enthusiast.
This was certainly what my brother, David, and
I experienced when we tried to secure storage for
our cars. The services being promoted by some of
the companies we were made aware of amounted
to tight, dusty and expensive warehousing with
an inability to access vehicles when required.
“By appointment only” was a common theme, a
condition we found to be wholly unacceptable.
After all, I might want to hit the road today while
the sun is shining, not in forty-eight hours when
it’s pouring with rain!
David and I have owned classics for more than
twenty-five years. We dote on our cars, and it
was frustrating to think we might be forced into
Above Get in touch with the
handing their care over to a business lacking our Owners of the vehicles we store – all makes Kinghams if you need to store
passion. Worse still, we didn’t want to be treated and models are welcome – are invited to call your Mercedes securely
like a nuisance simply for wanting to visit our us whenever they like. We pride ourselves on Twitter @ecurie137
prized possessions! We decided the solution providing quick access. Furthermore, unlike www.ecurie137.co.uk
to our problem was to occupy our own storage many of the people in charge of other car storage
facility near where we live on the Suffolk-Essex companies, we recognise owners may have
border. Doing so has enabled us to treat our bespoke requirements and priorities, which is
four-wheeled friends with the love and care we why we’ve devised a range of options to suit
know they need to look their best and to maintain every individual, be it a need for logistics and
excellent driving condition at all times. transport, maintenance programmes or special
The characterful premises we have keys to treatments over and above undercover storage.
is much larger than our collection of cars can Close monitoring, battery trickle charging, tyre
fill. This welcome space got us thinking about rolling and use of a soft cover is included with
extending the offer of personal, discreet and each of our secure storage packages. We keep
accessible storage to our fellow petrolheads. prices low (starting at £25 per week per vehicle
Our own experience proved there’s clearly a at the time of writing). Satisfyingly, Ecurie 137 has
need for this kind of service! Finding ourselves been a great way for David and I to meet fellow
in the position of being able to offer the room enthusiasts, and we’re thrilled to be able to help
and standard of care we expect for our own cars, those who find themselves in the same position
Ecurie 137 was born. we did. Don’t hesitate to get in touch!
Unlike many of the people in charge of other car storage companies,

we recognise owners may have bespoke requirements
Athena Race
Head Gaskets
ENGINE PARTS (UK) LTD

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sales@enginepartsuk.net www.enginepartsuk.net
TORQUE Enthusiast
James Fairweather
For more than fifty years, the annual SEMA Show has been the number one place
to be if you're interested in new tuning products and scene-stealing builds...
H

eld in the sprawling halls of
the Las Vegas Convention
Center, the annual Specialty
Equipment Market Association
(SEMA) Show is modifying
mecca for any Mercedes owner
keen to find out what tuning
trends are developing. It's also the place to find
the latest offerings from the world's leading
aftermarket parts manufacturers, as well as being
home to the grand unveiling of more completed
projects cars than anywhere else on Earth!
The first SEMA Show took place in 1967. It
attracted less than a hundred manufacturers and
welcomed 3,000 visitors. Just five cars were on
display, although one could argue the case for
quality over quantity thanks to the inclusion of a
then-new Ford GT40 and a Dodge Dart dragster.
By the time the show moved to Anaheim
Stadium in 1974, sophisticated displays and far-
reaching marketing techniques ruled the roost.
Manufacturers were queuing up to have a presence
at the show, which swelled to include 500 display
booths. Product innovation and excellence in the
automotive industry was the overriding theme,
and if you wanted your company to be associated
with these traits, a stand at the SEMA Show was
considered half the battle won. which might otherwise go unnoticed. Manufacturer Above SEMA Show offers
attendees the perfect
Recognising demand from within the industry it offerings aside, there are hundreds of sponsored opportunity to get up close and
represents, SEMA's ruling body made significant project cars exhibited at the show. Owners, tuners personal with restorers, parts
manufacturers, car designers,
efforts to expand the show rapidly. Today, it and bodyshop specialists work flat-out day and tuners and modifiers
occupies more than one million ft2 hosting in excess night to finish their cars in accordance with strict
of 11,000 booths. Attendance figures increase year deadlines, with project managers often planning Twitter @SEMASHOW
www.semashow.com
on year, with at least 150,000 visitors expected builds more than a year in advance of the big reveal.
when the show opens its doors each November. An It's not all flashy cars and new products, though.
amazing achievement for an event not open to the Educational seminars, networking opportunities
general public! and off-site live action demonstrations are all part
That's right. The SEMA Show is only open of what makes the annual SEMA Show a 'must
to industry representatives, be they media, attend' event on the calendar of many working in
manufacturers or buyers (more than 60,000 of the automotive industry.
those chaps and chapettes turn up!), a reflection 2018's bash starts on 30th October and ends on
of the show's status as the place to do business if 2nd November. From hot rods and off-roaders to
you've got a new automotive product to promote. mobile electronics and collision repair, whatever
It's also the forum many major car makers now use your automotive interest, SEMA has you covered.
to showcase unusual designs, where commissioned Now all you need to do is fly to Las Vegas and blag
builds can be used to draw attention to models a ticket to the show. See you there!
Attendance figures increase year on year, with at least 150,000 visitors

expected when the show opens its doors each November
r ive rs ha v e
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TORQUE Driver
Christian Novak
If you think attacking the asphalt of the world's best-loved circuits requires serious
spend, then consider the low cost of an advanced online racing simulation portal...
E
very racing fan dreams of getting
behind the wheel of a formidable
motorsport machine, braking hard at
the apex whilst overcoming head-to-
head challenges, the likes of which
are usually reserved for professional
racers. The reality of the situation
is that in the real world, the ability to be able to
do so requires vast sums of cash, time and mind-
boggling logistics solutions.
Advances in technology have encouraged the
widespread adoption of digital racing simulators
in the field of professional driving. Away from the
test sites of the world's biggest motorsport teams,
the same huge leaps in software development can
be witnessed in the gaming environment, so much
so that some of the globe's most successful drivers
champion the accuracy of track and car depictions
presented in popular driving simulators.
iRacing is arguably the best online racing portal
Above Officially-sanctioned cars
out there. The platform's software authors spend Whether you want to experience NASCAR, and tracks have been authored
huge sums of money laser-scanning the world's World of Outlaws sprinting, open-wheeled in cooperation with real-world
race teams, enabling accurate
racing circuits to ensure every bump, dip and IndyCar, an Australian V8 Supercar, an IMSA mechanical and dynamic models
kerb is faithfully represented. In fact, such is the Prototype, a GT racer or a classic touring car,
Join Team GB Sim Racing
level of detail poured into iRacing's virtual tracks, iRacing is widely regarded as being as close to on Facebook
teams in some of the biggest motorsport series the real thing as it's possible to get. All you need www.bit.ly/teamgbsimracing
(namely F1, BTCC and WEC) are keen for their star is a computer equipped with a couple of USB iRacing
drivers to use the software as a way of familiarising ports, a digital steering wheel and pedal box www.iracing.com
themselves with circuit layout before competing on (these can be bought at low cost) and an internet
the physical version of the same asphalt! connection. iRacing does the hard work for you by
This is great news for those of us who spend time managing more than forty different official series.
taking part in what is an inexpensive and highly- Alternatively, you can choose to race in more than
competitive way of racing; it's not unusual to find four-hundred private leagues or launch your own!
yourself battling for position with famous drivers, As attractive as iRacing is on a brightly-lit
such as Reubens Barichello and Fernando Alonso! screen, the use of a virtual reality headset takes
The premise of iRacing is simple: you enter and the platform from advanced gaming to a totally
complete in races just like you would in a regular immersive and realistic competitive driving
championship. Different tracks, officially licenced proposition. Having a full 360° view in the cockpit
cars and special events feature just as they would of whichever virtual racing car you happen to be
in the real world. For example, my team (find us piloting immeasurably enhances the affair.
on Facebook by searching for Team GB Sim Racing) iRacing is a serious business, which is why
participates in endurance competitions at digital McLaren and Mazda are rewarding the winning
recreations of Daytona, Silverstone and Spa. Each ways of competitors with invitations to compete
race lasts between three and six hours, with special for them in the real world. Take note, Mercedes.
twenty-four hour rounds held at a virtual Le Mans. I'm ready and waiting for your call!
The use of a virtual reality headset takes iRacing from advanced gaming
to a totally immersive and realistic competitive driving proposition
TECH TALK MERCEDES DRIVER
25
0333 043 3911
www.rhspecialistinsurance.co.uk
WAYS TO
LOWER
YOUR CAR
INSURANCE
We spoke to Emma Airey at RH Specialist
vehicle insurance to get the inside scoop
on how you can save a packet on
your premiums...
E
veryone wants to know how consideration. This helpful information government’s Pass Plus (gov.uk/pass-plus)
they can save money on should provide food for thought when practical training programme, enabling
their car insurance. When it comes to stopping premiums from drivers to improve their skills and
all is said and done, it’s an destroying your bank balance. Some knowledge of road safety in a matter of
expense petrolheads are of the suggestions listed are easy to hours. The course attracts a fee, although
powerless to avoid. Most of achieve, others are trickier. Some require some local councils offer discounts. It’s
us wince when it comes to investment, some don’t, but rest assured worth bearing in mind not all insurers
renewal time, but this is especially true for each will have a positive effect on the cost offer reduced costs against Pass Plus,
younger drivers and those of us in charge of insuring your car. so be sure to find out when shopping
of heavily modified motors. around for quotes.
JOIN THE CLUB!
1
We wouldn’t necessarily advocate
NO CLAIMS BONUS
3
opting for the cheapest insurance Membership of an owners
available; low price policies often deliver club is a great way of showing This one requires patience, but
a poor level of cover that doesn’t reflect an insurer you’re proud of there’s no better way to lower
the real-world value of your vehicle. The your car. Firms providing cover recognise your insurance costs than to
last thing you want is for that wince to registered club members are likely to take build up a healthy No Claims Bonus (NCB)
turn into regret in the unlikely event that great care of their four-wheeled friends, on your private car or future classic policy.
you’ll need to make a claim. At the end of doing all they can to avoid loss or damage. Obviously, this means driving carefully
the day, you’ve got to pay for insurance, so Make sure you have a verifiable club and not making a claim! Consider the
you might as well get your money’s worth. membership number to quote when it benefits of protecting your NCB. The
To find out more about how insurance comes to renewing your policy. Pleasingly, service may attract a small fee, but you
premiums are calculated, we spoke RH will give you thirty days to provide the might end up paying out a lot more in the
to Emma Airey, head of RH Specialist information (if required), enabling you to long run if you lose the discount you’ve
vehicle insurance, who revealed how join a club after taking out your policy. spent years accumulating.
you can put yourself in the frame for the
DRIVING EXPERIENCED
2 4
best performance, classic and modified
car cover deals. Her fifteen years in the QUALIFICATIONS DRIVERS
industry means she's well placed to advise An additional driving Adding experienced drivers
on what does and doesn’t affect the cost qualification can be a great to your private car policy may
of insurance for a cherished Mercedes! way to reduce your premiums, especially lower the price you pay when it comes
We’ve compiled her feedback into a if you’re young. The most common and to renewal. Of course, many insurers
list of twenty-five different points for widely acknowledged course is the UK calculate cost based on the highest
EMMA AIREY
OCCUPATION
Head of RH Specialist
vehicle insurance
LENGTH OF TIME IN
INSURANCE INDUSTRY
Fifteen years
CAR HISTORY
I've owned a TVR, an
Alfa, a Rolls-Royce,
a BMW E46 M3 and
everything in between.
I'm pretty sure I was
weaned on two-stroke!
FAVOURITE MERCEDES
SLK55 AMG
BEST THING ABOUT

MERCEDES CARS?
Their reliability and
quality of construction
risk driver listed, but some do take the Above RH can cater for your
standard, comprehensive,
experience of additional named drivers vintage classic, future
into account, helping to reduce the overall classic, modified, laid-up, and
motorsport policy requirements
price of cover. If you’re relatively new to
the road, then you may wish to include
a parent or older sibling on your policy,
whereas older owners of classic Mercedes
cars could do a lot worse than adding
their spouse. Proving to an insurer that
you take this stuff seriously is vital, and a
named driver may well save you cash.
CLEAN LICENCE
5 The best advice here is the
simplest: don’t speed! If you
are unable to resist exercising
your lead foot on the public highway,
then be prepared to pay a penalty, not
only through fines handed down by law
enforcement agencies, but also in the
form of a heightened insurance premium
when it comes to renewal. After all, every
driving licence endorsement you attract
sees you a step closer to being classed as
‘high risk’ as far as insurers are concerned.
Driving licence endorsements can have
a dramatic effect on the cost of insurance,
so be sure to accept the option of a Speed
Awareness course in place of points if the
offer is made available to you.
If may seem obvious, but avoid using
your phone on the move, and don’t
get behind the wheel after a night on the

sauce. Not only are these actions illegal,
but a conviction for dangerous driving will
land you a hefty insurance premium come
renewal time.
SPEAK TO THE
6
0333 043 3911
RIGHT PEOPLE www.rhspecialistinsurance.co.uk
If your car is modified, then
few mainstream insurers will
offer you cover. Those that do may limit
you to a specific number of alterations
due to restrictions regarding the number
of changes an underwriter’s rulebook
considers acceptable.
If you are in charge of a tuned
Mercedes, you’re better off speaking to
a specialist insurer. Not only will they
understand what coilovers and remaps
are, but they’ll be able to offer you the
correct level of cover for your car. They
may even be able to provide track day
cover if you tell them when and where it is
you intend to attack the asphalt.
LIMIT MILEAGE
7 It makes sense when you think
about it, but the less time you
spend on the road, the less
likely you are to have an accident. Think
seriously about how many miles you’ll
cover during the year after renewal. If
you only use your car for occasional trips
out on sunny days and for attending
events during show season, then consider
SINGLE PAYMENT
8
limiting your insurance to a low number ‘unloved’ motor more likely to be in harm’s
of miles. For example, telling your insurer It may seem like an eye- way. While we’re on the subject of value,
that you’ll cover no more than 5,000 miles watering wedge to pay in one it’s worth looking into the possibility of
per year may drastically reduce the cost go, but if you can afford to pay agreed valuation. Generally speaking, this
of cover, but don’t lie about it – in the for your insurance in a single payment, will increase the cost of insurance (the
event of a claim, the insurer may check then it'll work out cheaper than spreading good news is an agreed value policy with
the mileage registered on your car’s MOT the cost over the life of the policy. Paying RH doesn’t cost any more than market
test certificate if one is required. monthly provides you with a loan from value, assuming there’s no increase in
the broker, encouraging interest on the the vehicle’s value), but both you and the
amount you borrow. That said, paying insurer will know exactly what needs to
monthly is a great way to spread the cost be paid out in the event of a claim for total
Insurer Talk of insurance. After all, not everybody is loss. Take photos of your car in order to
in a position to pay their insurer a lump keep a record of its overall condition and
It’s vital to provide the sum. Wanting to assist drivers wherever stay informed of market trends which
correct information when
possible, RH offers one of the most might encourage a rise or drop in value.
approaching an insurer, even if you’re using a
competitive APR rates on the market.
INSURE AS A CLASSIC
price comparison website. “Today’s insurers
10
are data enriched, which means we rely on
VALUE
9
the same kind of information as banks when Older cars are less likely to be
it comes to evaluating the risk involved in It stands to reason a Mercedes involved in a claim than their
providing an individual with cover,” says Emma. worth £100k is going to cost newer counterparts. Insurers
“For example, if you enter random name and more to insure than one that have their own ideas about what qualifies
address data into a price comparison website,
is valued at £4k. This is primarily due as a classic, so shop around. Companies
the details you’ve provided won’t tally up with
what’s on the electoral register, which means
to the fact that payout in the event of a specialising in classic car insurance should
the insurer will be unable to identify you. This claim will be much higher on an expensive be your first port of call, but be mindful
may result in an unfavourable quote.” The car, but don’t think that means a cheap of the fact many won’t insure a modified
best policy (geddit?!) is to provide the correct motor is the answer to your problems. vehicle as a classic. Furthermore, most
details when you're looking for cover. RH is An insurer will almost certainly assume a insurers will want to hear you’re in
a 41-year-old brand serving a shade under £500 banger isn’t going to be treated with possession of a second car that performs
40k clients with an average premium of below the same respect as a supercar, meaning as your daily runaround. Thankfully, RH
£200, so there's no need to hide behind
the cost of insuring the former may be will insure modified vehicles as classics as
incorrect information.
increased to counter the extra risk of an long as they're more than a decade old.
MULTI-CAR POLICIES
12 If you own more than one car,
listing them on a single policy
Insurer Talk
“I’d recommend you call for
may significantly reduce the
a preliminary quote before
cost of cover when compared to insuring
buying your next Mercedes,” says Emma. “I’ve
each vehicle individually. You should be lost count of the number of drivers who buy
able to use your NCB across all cars on a a car before finding out how much it will cost
single policy. Mainstream and specialist to insure. This can be disastrous, especially if a
insurers alike offer multi-car cover, vehicle history check hasn’t been carried out.
so there are plenty of options at your It costs just a few quid to check the particulars
disposal. You're not restricted to cars, of a car using any one of a number of online
though. Providing you have a specialist services, and the DVLA’s vehicle enquiry
website will give you stacks of information,
vehicle insured with RH, they will allow
including fails, passes and advisories registered
you to add an unlimited number and wide at any point in the car's recorded MOT history.
range of specialist and everyday vehicles, Best of all, the service is free of charge!”
including motorcycles, cars, trikes, vintage
tractors, motorhomes, horse boxes,
DON’T BE AFRAID
15
trailers and even vans (provided they’re
social, domestic and pleasure use only). TO HAGGLE
The insurance market is very
EXCESS
13
competitive, so don’t accept
Adding voluntary excess (the the automatically generated price of
amount of a claim you pay renewal when it lands in your inbox. As
before the insurer’s coffers frustrating as it might seem, spend time
kick in) can significantly reduce the cost of shopping around to see what different
your policy. Don’t go mad and end up with companies can do for you. It’s a tedious
an excess you’ll never be able to afford, task, but an afternoon of boredom may
but act sensibly and you’ll make a big save you a whole heap of cash!
difference to the health of your wallet. RH
INSURE PROPERLY
16
has a compulsory excess only for classics.
All modifications should be
BE SENSIBLE
14
declared. Failure to do so may
WITH YOUR void your insurance, resulting
MODIFICATIONS in your car being impounded and the
SECOND CAR
11
Personalising your pride and addition of regrettable endorsements on
This isn’t exactly a cheap way joy is a pursuit only you can be in charge your driving licence. Also, nobody wants
to reduce insurance costs, but of, but keep in mind that engine swaps, to be the guy involved in an accident
many in charge of a classic transmission transplants and forced ending in the fatality of a third party, but
Mercedes will have a daily driver to induction conversions could attract more even less desirable is being the same guy
smoke around in. Insuring your modified increases in the cost of insurance than with an invalid insurance policy. You have
or classic car as a second vehicle (e.g. not suspension upgrades, wheel swaps or the a responsibility to other road users when
your main car) can reduce your premium addition of big brake kits, all of which may you’re out and about in your car, so insure
significantly. It's worth noting most classic improve the safety of your Mercedes. If in correctly. Tell the insurer about all penalty
car policies don't accrue NCB discounts, doubt, speak to your insurer and ask what points you’ve accrued, declare the engine
leaving them active for your daily hack. the impact of various upgrades might be. swap you’ve just carried out. If you come
unstuck, you’ll only have yourself to blame
when you find it difficult to get insured.
You have been warned!
DASH CAM
17 Over the course of the
past few years, dash cams
have become massively
popular with owners of cars spanning
all makes and models due to the
technology proving itself to be a great
way to identify who is at fault when
it comes to a claim. While RH doesn't
currently offer a discount for dash cam
installation, some insures may reward
you with a lower premium. Don’t drive
like an idiot, though. In the event of a
claim arising as a consequence of an
accident that’s your fault, the insurer
will want to see your dash cam footage.
Insurer Talk
“One of the major concerns for
drivers taking out cover is the
unwelcome added costs commonly associated
with new insurance policies,” reasons Emma.
“One of RH's biggest plus points is the
company's lack of fee for administration tasks.
This attractive policy feature means no fee
for mid-term alterations, no extra spend for
preparing renewals and no additional cost
options, other than competitively priced
legal cover.” This will come as huge relief to
Mercedes drivers used to seeing their policy
prices boosted with unwanted add-ons. Give
Emma's friendly team a call for a quote on
0333 043 3911 or visit the company's website
at www.rhspecialistinsurance.co.uk
LENGTH OF BLACK BOXES

18 23
the sticks. Less cars and less busy roads
TIME OWNED means less chance of an accident. Some Ideal for many young drivers
If you’ve owned the same insurers may refuse cover for cars kept to prove they’re safe and
Mercedes for a considerable out on the road regardless of postcode, so reliable behind the wheel,
length of time, it shows the insurer you even if you're in a low-risk area, try to make a ‘black box’ (also known as telematics
take care of your car and that you have a use of an available driveway or garage. insurance) records various pieces of
clear attachment to it. It’s assumed you’re information about your driving style and
JOB CHOICE
20
less likely to be involved in events leading habits, including speed, distance, time
to a claim, and the reduced level of risk We’re not saying you should of day, braking, cornering and so on.
may result in a lower premium. Also, when change your job in order to Insurers which encourage black boxes
it comes to performance vehicles, the achieve a lower insurance will request the information held by the
longer you've owned your car, the more premium, but think carefully about your unit in the event of a claim, which is great
experience you're likely to have behind occupation and how best it fits with the if you’ve been driving sensibly, but bad
the wheel, encouraging some insurers to available options when completing online news if you’ve been trying to show off
confidently lower the cost of cover. RH insurance application forms. You don't your drifting skills on the public highway.
will do this in addition to considering your want to pay a higher price simply through
SECURITY
24
experience driving the same or similar regrettable user error!
cars in the past. Top job! It’s an obvious one, but the
CHOOSE YOUR
21
more security on your car, the
POSTCODE CAR CAREFULLY
19
less likely it is to be stolen.
There’s not much you can do If you’re seventeen years old Back in the day, this meant adding a noisy
about this one, but where and fancy driving an SL55 alarm, but with today’s sophisticated
you live has a huge effect AMG F1 as your daily, then perhaps you gadgets and key-cloning devices doing the
on the price you pay for insurance. For need to think again! The truth of the rounds, extra security – such as trackers
example, if you live in a bustling city, matter is that when it comes to affordable and immobilisers – are a worthwhile
you’ll pay more than if you were out in insurance, younger drivers are better off addition. Highly visible physical security,
in charge of lower-powered, lower value including steering wheel locks and
cars while they build up NCB. That’s gearshift-to-handbrake locks, is also a
not to say young drivers have to dismiss great way to deter opportunist thieves,
Insurer Talk the idea of buying a quick Mercedes
altogether. Consider the purchase of a
and may result in a cheaper insurance
policy when it comes to renewal time.
“With regard to limited first-gen SLK. They’re cheap to run, cheap
STORAGE
25
mileage policies, RH differs to maintain and won't break the bank.
from the competition in many If you have access to a garage,
ADD-ONS
22
ways, not least of all the removal of a cap on then make use of it. Storing
mileage for cars forty years of age or over,” Insurers are no longer your car behind a locked door
reveals Emma. “Owners of younger cars can
allowed to ‘hide’ extras such could reduce the cost of your insurance
choose between values of 1,500, 3,000 or
5,000 miles, although you will need to make
as breakdown cover within policy. Safe storage will also offer
sure you have an everyday car in addition the price of the insurance they offer, but welcome security benefits. Even keeping
to your insured cherished vehicle.” It's not they may still try to convince you to add your car on a driveway overnight will
just the age of your Mercedes Emma's team them to your policy. Have a think about reduce the amount of money asked of you
takes into consideration. “Unlike some of our what you need and what you can get for by an insurer, more so if the driveway is
competitors, we will insure a driver of any age, a lower price elsewhere. RH prides itself protected by secured gates. Remove the
providing the driver applying for cover is fit on only having one cost option (legal car from the public highway when
and well enough to drive in accordance with
cover priced at £10.50 regardless of how it’s not in use and watch those policy
the DVLA's requirements,” she smiles.
many cars you have covered). premiums drop. Hooray!
Specialist vehicle
insurance from
people who share
your passion.
rhspecialistinsurance.co.uk
0333 043 3911
From iconic models to future classics –
we’ve been providing specialist vehicle
insurance for over 40 years.
18539 01/18
COMPETITION MERCEDES DRIVER
WIN!
CARLY CONNECTED CAR

PRO VERSION APP
AND ADAPTOR
Bag yourself the diagnostic kit recommended by experts
C
arly Connected Car’s ‘mileage correction’ firms offering to reset from 2004 onwards (see the full list of
smartphone app can or ‘backdial’ odometers. applications by pointing your browser at
tap into your Mercedes’ “Unscrupulous members of the motor bit.ly/carlymercedes).
multiple ECUs to check trade with access to the right equipment We’ve got three hardware adaptors
for correlation with the can easily adjust mileage clocks,” says and Pro apps (choose between iOS or
visible speedometer and Avid Avini, one of Carly’s founders. Android) with a lifetime of continuous
identify whether data has “Our app goes beyond the visual and software updates and first-class customer
been manipulated. This is especially useful paperwork check most buyers rely on. support to give away to lucky readers as
when inspecting a car prior to purchase, The software interrogates up to fifty competition prizes. To be in with a chance
or if trying to get a better understanding control units in the car, comparing data of winning, all you need to do is answer
of the history of an already-bought vehicle with what’s visible on the dashboard.” the following simple question:
with previous owners. After all, mileage As well as mileage checks, the app can
fraud is more prevalent than previously indicate how a car has been driven by its Which racing driver owned the 560 SEC
thought, risking driver safety and costing previous owners. It also lists logged fault featured on the cover of this issue of
motorists millions each year. codes, highlighting potential problems Mercedes Driver?
Carly is the world market leader in with the engine, brakes, infotainment,
mobile car electronics. The company’s climate control and steering systems, a) James Hunt
exhaustive research (a study of more sometimes before they’ve made b) Rebecca Jackson
than 150,000 vehicles forming part themselves known. The app can be used c) Callum Ilott
of a larger survey of one million cars) to clear codes or error messages which
identified eighteen percent of vehicles would typically cost a princely sum at Head over to mediajustice.co.uk/md and
displaying incorrect mileage! One of the your local main dealer, plus it’s possible register your answer. It really is that easy!
reasons mileage fraud is on the rise is to use Carly’s app to display live engine Good luck!
the increasingly popularity of affordable operating data.
car finance plans. Personal Contract As you can see, whether you’re on the
Purchases and Personal Contract Hire lookout for a new Mercedes, or if you CONTACT
deals often come with strict limits on want to add easy-to-operate diagnostic For a full list of the Mercedes cars
mileage, where distance over and above equipment to your existing toolkit, Carly’s covered and the supported features
what’s agreed attracts a fee. This can be app is a hugely valuable tool for owners of of the Carly Connected Car app,
charged as much as 30p per mile, leading cars equipped with an OBDII diagnostic visit www.mycarly.com
some owners to employ the services of port. This includes most Mercedes cars
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WORTH
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WHEN LESS
IS MORE
Piers Richings is enjoying the poke of his immaculate W123’s
2.3-litre lump after the many years he spent driving V8s
W123 230E MERCEDES DRIVER
Right Richings Greetham

automotive lifestyle
accessories are the perfect
match for this beautiful W123
W
idely regarded as the beneath the long bonnets of retro rides can be
last of the truly over- traced back to his experiences riding around in
DRIVER
engineered Mercedes the 300 SEL 6.3 his father owned four decades
cars, the W123 was ago. Originally a private project by Mercedes Q&A
produced in huge engineer, Erich Waxenberger, the model came
numbers during a about following an idea to lift the powerful M100
production cycle lasting engine from the super-luxury 600 and stuff it into
nine years before the introduction of the W124 the front of an S-Class. The biggest engine visitors
in the mid-1980s. The boys at Benz managed to to Mercedes showrooms could order with their
shift almost three million W123s during this time, W109s at the time was an inline-six, but amazed at
making it the most successful product offered by Waxenberger’s achievement at turning the S-Class
the company. Perhaps unsurprisingly, when Piers into a sports car beater, factory bosses put the
Richings, founder of automotive accessories giant, Frankenstein-spec four-wheeler into production,
Richbrook (richbrook.co.uk), started to explore the revealing it at the 1968 Geneva Motor Show.
Mercedes back catalogue a decade ago, he was The resulting 300 SEL 6.3 may have weighed
curious to find out why the W123 is still regarded almost two tonnes, but the fuel injected four-door PIERS RICHINGS
as a jewel in the manufacturer’s crown. Not that travelled at high speed with superior levels of
First Mercedes
he immediately jumped behind the wheel of the comfort, despatching a rapid sprint to 62mph from 1990 W126 500 SE
W114’s successor… rest in under 6.5 seconds. The car maxed out at
Favourite Mercedes
“I bought a W126 500 SE instead,” he tells us. close to 137mph. 300 SEL 6.3
“I loved the car’s battleship grey paintwork and
matching hide, but I couldn’t resist the lure of the FAMILY AFFAIR Best thing about your
W123 230E
sportier SEC body shape. Before long, I’d parted “Trips out in my dad’s Mercedes were a big thrill I love the ‘clunk’ sound
with the SE in favour of a coupe powered by the for the fifteen-year-old me!” beams Piers. “At the of its doors closing!
same engine.” He quickly discovered all that glitters time of its release, the 300 SEL 6.3 was the world’s Worst thing about your
is not necessarily gold. “I don’t mind admitting I fastest four-door car. It’s an impressive machine W123 230E
Squeaky seats
bought a bad example,” he groans. “I loved the way with an amazing engine, one which left a lasting
the car looked, but it came complete with a high impression on my young mind.” Strange, then, he Best thing about
Mercedes ownership
number of mechanical issues preventing me from should choose to buy a W123 powered by one of You have faith in the
getting on with the business of enjoyable driving. the range’s smaller powerplants. reliability of these cars
due to the quality of
As much as I love the SEC, this one had to go.” “I enjoyed the wonderful waft delivered by the engineering poured into
His fondness for the V8 powerplants stuffed five-litre V8s in my W126s, but I liked the idea them at the factory
THE MORE YOU LOOK, THE

MORE YOU'RE AMAZED AT THE
PRESERVATION OF ORIGINALITY
of trying a Mercedes with a more compact engine,”

continues the resident of North Norfolk. He struck
lucky when he spotted the 1983 Labrador Blau
230E seen here advertised for sale three years
ago. In a standard state of tune, boasting original
paintwork, immaculate cabin furniture, little more
than 70k miles registered on its odometer and still
wearing its original dealer-issue registration plates,
the modern classic was everything he wished for.
Well, other than a staggeringly tall ride height.
“The car was riding on heavy duty dampers more
in keeping with what you’d fit to a motor you’re
about to put to work as a towing vehicle! My first
job was to fit a set of standard shocks and springs.”
W123 service and repair specialist, Mark Cosovich
(w123world.com), was only too happy to take
delivery of the offending parts thereafter.
EARLY DETAILS
The more you look around the car, the more you’re
amazed at the preservation of its originality. We
spot a Pioneer cassette-radio that’s managed to Left We have more than a feeling
this kind of detail on a W123 is
avoid being replaced with a newer head unit. The considered highly desirable
number-etched factory glass remains present and
Facing page Richbrook
correct. Bargate Motors (now Mercedes-Benz of magnetic tyre valve caps were a
Boston) main dealer window graphics stay stuck 'must have' accessory!
in the same place they were positioned thirty-five where I travel, and the automatic transmission
Rich pickings years ago. Then there’s the ‘Clunk-Click’ sticker makes for effortless time in the driving seat.”
In addition to his role adhered to the dash. Free of any wear, tear or The engine is in perfect working order and
as Richbrook's chief, mucky paw prints, the striking infographic marked benefits from easy breathing thanks to a free-
Piers is also founder of
the beginning of UK legislation forcing compulsory flowing stainless steel exhaust system. Toyo
Richings Greetham, a
company specialising
seatbelt use in the front of a vehicle from 31st 350 177/80 tyres wrapped around the factory
in the design and January 1983 onwards, a move designed to cut fourteens provide a low-noise, high-comfort ride,
production of high carnage on British roads. while Richbrook magnetic tyre valve caps hint at
quality leather wallets “The body has never been welded,” confirms who owns this beautiful Benz.
and travel accessories Piers. “To keep it that way, I’ve ensured the chassis “I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the last three years
aimed at owners of has been treated to a healthy dose of Waxoyl,” he I’ve spent with the car, but I’m now on the lookout
classic cars. Focusing adds. That’s just as well, because this super saloon for its replacement,” announces Piers when we
on elegant design,
is put to work as his commuter. “It’s true! I use the ask what’s next for his terrific 230E. “I’m on the
function and longevity,
the company has car to take me to Richbrook’s offices in Fakenham hunt for another V8!” he roars, before revealing
gone from strength and home again most days. I’ve got other cars, but his plan to track down and purchase a pristine
to strength thanks to I love driving my W123. I’ll use it for B-road blasts example of a W124 400E.
the popularity of its into nearby Holt, or to ferry me to shows.” How The W123 230E might not be the most exciting
travel pouches, iPhone does having half the number of cylinders to play Mercedes saloon ever built, but if you’re looking
cases, passport holders, with shape-up when compared to the experience for an utterly dependable, brilliantly comfortable
headphone cable tidies,
of driving the monster Mercs he’s owned in the four-door offering decent fuel economy, bags of
laptop sleeves, glasses
cases, zip wallets, card past? He pauses for a moment before replying. “I’ll character and mechanicals recognised for being
holders and key rings, be honest,” he whispers. “I miss the torque of a V8. easy to work on, then you can’t go far wrong.
each available in a The four-pot engine is great, though. Fuel injection “I’m in no rush to sell,” smiles Piers. “I count
variety of colours. Visit is a welcome feature, and the car isn’t sluggish myself lucky to have found a 230E in such good
richingsgreetham.co.uk by any stretch of the imagination. The power and condition. I certainly don’t mind hanging on
speed produced by the 230E is ample for how and to it for a while longer!”
STAR POWER MERCEDES DRIVER
STAR
POWER
Ever wondered about the history of the Mercedes-Benz emblem
decorating the nose of your car? Wonder no more…
O
n 6th August 1909, Benz & Cie created a car powered by a fast-running internal
submitted an application for combustion engine. The two geniuses had no
a new registered trademark. knowledge of each other.
Featuring the company name The three-pointed star was the idea of
surrounded by a wreath, Gottlieb’s sons, Paul and Adolf. Their father had
the design was entered on used a similar symbol to mark the family’s house
the Register of Trademarks on a postcard depicting the town of Deutz some
by Germany’s Imperial Patent Office on 10th years earlier. The striking design used on cars is
October 1910. Damiler-Motoren-Gesellschaft intended to symbolise the use of DMG engines on
(DMG) had already applied for legal protection land, at sea and in the air. The boys also registered
of the Mercedes star on 24th June 1909 before it a four-pointed star logo, which became the
too was added to the register, albeit a year later emblem of Deutsche Aerospace AG (DASA) in
than Benz’s efforts. the 1980s and is currently the corporate identity
Looking back, the fact both car makers of the European Aeronautic Defence and Space
registered their trademarks in the summer of Company (EADS).
1909 seems to mirror the events of 1886, when
Gottlieb Daimler and Carl Benz independently STRONG START
In its formative years, the Mercedes star was
used without a surrounding ring. Primarily, it
THEIR FATHER HAD USED A adorned radiators, but it was also occasionally
seen on bonnets accompanied by the firm’s name
SIMILAR SYMBOL TO MARK THE in the form of block lettering. In rare instances,
two Mercedes stars were used! Placed opposite
FAMILY'S HOME ON A POSTCARD one another, they featured on V-shaped radiators.
DEPICTING THE TOWN OF DEUTZ

The logo gained its outer circle and block
lettering in 1916, pre-empting elements of the
STAR POWER MERCEDES DRIVER
joint Mercedes-Benz emblem to follow. Four

small stars in a dark round strip picked up the
theme of the central symbol and hinted at the
lesser-known four-star design the Daimler
brothers developed previously. In 1921, DMG
registered a vivid star rising in a ring as an
emblem expressly for use as a three-dimensional
decoration atop a radiator. The corresponding
trademark was registered 2nd August 1923.
In its difficult-to-miss position on top of the company’s lettering moved from the lower edge
radiator cap, the upright, standalone star was of the outer ring to the top, enabling the Benz
far more prominent and easier to recognise name to appear in its place. The laurel branches
than when attached as a badge to bodywork, from the Mannheim brand’s trademark replaced
especially when a car was travelling past the four outer Mercedes stars. Look closely, and
awestruck onlookers at speed. you’ll see the branches have their roots right next
In 1925, the star and laurel wreath were to the letters B and Z, while the tips stretch out to
combined to create the signet for the new the first and last letters of the Mercedes name.
Mercedes-Benz brand. The application to register This 1926 design gave rise to a complex
the logo and its wording as trademarks came trademark which reflected claims made by each
in advance of the official merging of the two company about its products whilst alluding to
manufacturers (listed as Daimler-Benz) in 1926. their rich histories. Later, in 1933, Mercedes-Benz
registered a streamlined form of the emblem
ROUND OF APPLAUSE Above and facing page comprising a slim, black circle in which the black
The outline of the new symbol picked up on the The evolution of the iconic silhouette of the Mercedes star was present. It is
Mercedes-Benz emblem is
circular form of the two previous trademarks, clear to see from this illustrated from this design the Mercedes-Benz trademark
with the Mercedes star remaining prominent. The trip back through its history used today was developed.
BRABUS HISTORY MERCEDES DRIVER
FROM THE
VAULTS
1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966
THE BEASTS
FROM BOTTRUP
Brabus has been churning out monstrous Mercs for more than four
decades. Buckle up for a ride through the tuner’s greatest hits!
WORDS Richard Gooding PHOTOGRAPHY Various
6 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977
I
n the same way RUF has become recognised
as the first name in classic Porsche tuning,
Brabus is a name synonymous with modified
Mercs. The guys and girls in Bottrop have spent
the past forty years created mean machines
combining brawn and luxury, be they Smart,
Maybach or Benz-badged beasts.
The Brabus story began in 1977. Petrolhead,
Bodo Buschmann, wanted to extract trapped
ponies from the cars in his father’s Mercedes
dealership, but he quickly discovered each of
the tuners he approached was unable to satisfy
his demands. He bought a Porsche to play with
instead, but disapproval from Buschmann Snr (it
simply wasn’t acceptable for the son of a Mercedes
merchant to be driving a model produced by a rival
manufacturer!) soon saw the air-cooled car make
way for a W116. Neither as athletic or as stirring
as his Zuffenhausen sports coupe, Bodo set about
modifying the S-Class to match the pace of his
Porsche. Visitors to his father’s dealership took
notice of what the youngster was working on and
enquired about the possibility of similar upgrades
for their own Mercs. The seeds were sown.
German law dictated Bodo needed a business
partner if he wanted to turn his increasingly
popular activities into a company. His university
chum, Klaus Brackmann, agreed to get involved.
Before long, Brabus was established. In truth, Klaus
had little interest in automotive tuning and sold his
share of the business to Bodo for the equivalent
Left and below Brabus is of €100 a short while after the legal paperwork
a name derived from the was done and dusted. His contribution to ensuring
first three letters of its
founding partners' surnames: Bodo’s vision was to be become a reality,
Brackmann and Buschmann however, shouldn’t be overlooked.
FROM THE
VAULTS
1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966
The W126 S-Class became the Brabus brot the Brabus 190E V8 packed a 276bhp punch with
and butter, yet owners found themselves wanting 317lb/ft torque from its S-Class sourced eight-
similar treatment for their other Mercs too. This pot engine. The power figures produced by the
diversification suited Bodo’s plans perfectly, massively modified Merc eclipsed those of the
affording him an ever-broadening base of models Cosworth-tuned 2.3-16 (seen on page twenty-two
to play with. It wasn’t long before Benz buffs all of this issue of Mercedes Driver) by a significant
over Germany heard about the work Brabus was margin. This was significant for a number of
producing. In fact, the firm’s reputation spread reasons, not least of all the fact Mercedes factory
worldwide, leading to the arrival of customers from bosses were promoting the 2.3-16 as being the
the United Arab Emirates as the 1980s drew near. fastest manufacturer-built W201 of the day.
Brabus became a hit in the Middle East thereafter,
an unexpected trend which would go on to GOING TO EXTREMES
necessitate the expansion of Bodo’s Kirchhellener What were the 1980s if not a decade of excess?!
Straße premises to some 112,000m2. Exuberance and extravagance have long
The first Brabus multimedia system found been Brabus hallmarks. Early, extreme and
its way into a Mercedes in 1982, signalling the experimentation are other words beginning with
company’s evolution into a concern capable the letter ‘e’ which can be attributed to the efforts
of more than tweaking engines and chassis of the boys from Bottrup. As if to prove the point,
equipment. Within two years, a new research and the C43 AMG of 1997 may have been the first
development department was opened to help official big-power mid-sized Mercedes, but the
create more varied and more extreme tuning Brabus 190E V8 beat it to market by a massive
programmes. Bodo moved the company away thirteen years! For those who found Bodo’s wild
from S-Class fettling, instead directing his team W201 a tad excessive, the lightweight 3.6S with
to concentrate their efforts on playing with the its twelve-valve, 268bhp version of the M103
then-new W201 platform. Consequently, in 1984, straight-six from the W124 line-up arrived
6 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977
Facing page Humble origins

led to rapid expansion
Above In addition to
customising new Mercedes
cars, Brabus can tweak and
tune older models
FROM THE
VAULTS
1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966
Old, but gold

In addition to its line of
infotainment systems
and bespoke interior
solutions for brand
new production cars,
Brabus seized upon
the 'retro trend' by
addng classic Mercedes
models to the list of
cars the company
caters for. Brabus
Classic renovates
vintage Mercs from
the ground-up. Recent
projects have included
Gullwings, Pagodas,
W186 300s and
W111s, each emerging
from the Brabus
Classic workshop
with a certificate of
authenticity and a
manufacturer-style
three-year warranty.
6 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977
in 1988. Thanks to a rear seat delete, a lack of W124 500E into a monster. Even so, Bodo wasn’t
air-conditioning and the removal of heavy sound- done yet. Engine size rose to 7.3-litres in 1996,
deadening material, the new car managed the enabling the 574bhp W210-based E V12 7.3S to
0-60mph dash in 6.3 seconds when fitted with the hit 205mph. And that was with a speed limiter in
optional ‘short sprint’ rear differential. A recorded place! Needless to say, the car was rated as the
top speed of 177mph set the standard, but if the world’s fastest saloon, leading to the engine being
3.6S still wasn’t quick enough for you, the 282bhp, used in the load-lugging T V12 estate and the mud-
24-valve, 3.6-24 released a year later knocked a full plugging ML-based M V12, crowning each vehicle
half-second of the 3.6S’s sprint time. Crikey! the quickest in their class.
If the V12 wouldn’t fit, Brabus shoehorned its
HIRED GUN 6.5-litre V8 into engine bays instead. Bodo didn’t
In a ludicrous-yet-effective marketing have it all his own way, though. Until AMG was
masterstroke, rental company, Sixt, ordered swallowed up by Daimler in 1999, the Affalterbach
two-hundred Brabus-tuned 190Es in a deal which tuning house was his biggest competition on the
spawned more loyal customers to Bodo’s ever- Mercedes tuning scene. He recognised AMG’s
enlarging empire. Success enabled him to continue assimilation as the perfect excuse for Brabus
experimenting, as proved by the Brabus-optimised Above Today, Brabus is a create even more extreme vehicles and expanded
W124 and its record-breaking drag-coefficient massive business spanning the company’s workshops accordingly, earning it
many different workshops and
of just 0.26 Cd. It was, however, the release of showrooms at its Bottrup base the accolade of being the world’s largest vehicle
Brabus-enhanced V12 engines in 1992 which tuning outfit by a significant margin.
Facing page Bodo's intention
catapulted Bodo’s company into the big league. was to add "power and An official joint venture with Daimler-owned
Boasting 6.9-litres of displacement and an output refinement" to Mercedes Smart resulted in the creation of Smart-Brabus
products, be they fast-road
of 501bhp with 517lb/ft of tarmac-twisting torque, racer, comfortable cruiser or GmbH in 2002. The 214bhp V6-powered BiTurbo
the ground-breaking powerplants turned the hardcore utility vehicle Roadster Coupe was a highlight of the venture,
FROM THE
VAULTS
1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966
6 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977
Left Joint venture with Smart
resulted in the creation of
Smart-Brabus GmbH and the
214bhp V6 Biturbo Roadster
Right If four wheels isn't

enough for you, perhaps you
should think about buying the
insane 704bhp Brabus G700?!
while in 2005, Brabus engineers added to their

Variety pack Guinness World Record trophy tally when the E
It's not just Mercs and V12 shot into the saloon top speed record books by
Maybachs enjoying recording 217mph at Nardo. Even this achievement
the Brabus treatment.
was overshadowed by what is arguably Brabus’
Diversification is the
name of the game, a
most famous creation: the CLS-based Rocket of
theme expemplified by 2006. Returning to the Italian high-speed test
the B-badged Teslas track, Bodo watched the 6.2-litre, 724bhp, twin-
rolling out of Bottrop! turbocharged M275 V12 four-door fastback
Both the Model S and achieve an intergalactic 227mph. Loaded with
Roadster can be given 973lb/ft torque, the car became a beacon for
a Brabus makeover. In a
Brabus tuning the world over.
surprising move, Bodo's
THE WILD BUNCH

company was appointed
official tuning partner
of Bugatti in 1994. Two Coveted ‘B’ badges have since been found on
EB110 SSs were built, equally as formidable freaks, such as the 907lb/ft
but much like Brabus Unimog U500 Black Edition, the 660bhp Brabus-
Teslas, development Mercedes-McLaren SLR, the 720bhp AMG-
work was mainly badged C63-based BiTurbo V12 Bullit, the SLS
focused on cosmetic
700 BiTurbo and, perhaps the ultimate Bottrop
upgrades. In 1999, the
Startech subsidiary behemoth, the G63-based G700 6x6. A brutish
was created, serviing 704bhp six-wheeler weighing in at 3.8-tonnes, the
owners of Bentleys. monster Merc can reach 60mph in just 4.4 seconds.
Beautifully and bonkersly Brabus!
FROM THE
VAULTS
1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977
Above No matter your taste,

Bodo’s early creations focused on combining Brabus can deliver any style,
affluence and dynamism, qualities the company any way you want it
still holds dear. Sadly, he passed away in April this Left Bodo is credited with
year at just sixty-two years of age. Undoubtedly, creating some of the world's
most outrageously powerful
his legacy lives on; the monstrously delicious fusion Mercedes-Benz vehicles
of pace, opulence and class put Brabus creations
in a league of their own. The company’s workforce
comprises more than 450 employees spread across
five sites producing hand-built cars (each supplied
with a three-year warranty). There are Brabus
dealerships in over a hundred countries, and it’s not
just executive saloons and low-slung sports cars
which get the Brabus treatment. Got an A-Class or
Vaneo? No problem. Brabus can cater for you too!
WORDS TO LIVE BY
Bodo’s motto of “never work for money, work for always made dream machines for individuals who
passion” is underscored by the determination of his crave high quality cars with blistering performance
son, Constantin, who now finds himself at the helm and lashings of luxury, and just like the past four
of Brabus, a company recognised by the German decades it has spent under Bodo’s control, the firm
Federal Motor Transport Authority as being a shows no signs of slowing down. Here’s to the next
vehicle manufacturer in its own right. Brabus has forty years of Brabus brilliance!
epping motor company
Friendly family business established nearly 50 years
website: www.eppingmotorcompany.co.uk
If you wish to see extensive, more detailed photographs of our cars please go to our website, and underneath the
description of each car click the direct link to our photobucket albums.
1934 Austin 7 Special. Green/Black, Alloy 1955 Cadillac Coupe de Ville. White, 2003 Mercedes SL500. Jasper Blue, 1 lady 2000 Mercedes SLK320. Brilliant Silver, Black 1994 Mercedes 300SL R129. Signal Red,
body, superb condition. ...................... £13,995 Turquoise hide, show condition ........... £32,995 owner, 62000 miles, FSH ...................... £8,995 hide, 63000 miles, FSH......................... £5,795 Cream leather, 62000 miles, FSH .......... £8,795
1999 Mercedes E55 AMG. Brilliant Silver, 1962 Jaguar Mk2 3.8. Red, Beige hide, PAS, 2001 Mercedes SLK320. Designo Metallic 2006 Audi A4 1.8T S-line Conv. 6-speed. 2004 BMW E46 318Ci SE Convertible. Auto,
every extra, 65000 miles, FSH............... £8,995 Auto, CWW. Good car .......................... £21,995 Purple. 20000 miles, FSH...................... £9,795 Avus Silver, 50000 miles, FSH............... £6,795 Silver Grey, 51500 miles ....................... £5,995
2000(W) Mercedes E240 Elegance. Brilliant 2001(X) BMW Z3 2.2i Roadster. Titan Silver, 2000 Audi A6 4.2 V8 Quattro Sport Tip 1997(P) BMW E36 328i Convertible Auto. 1968 Triumph TR4A IRS. LHD. Dark Green,
Silver, 41000 miles, like new................. £3,295 Black hide, 61000 miles, FSH................ £5,295 Saloon. Silver, 55000 miles, FSH. ........ £ 5,795 Samoa Blue, 62000 miles, FSH ............. £4,995 wire wheels, very nice. ....................... £26,795
1972 MGB Roadster. Blaze with Navy trim. 1999 Mazda MX5 Mk2 1.6i. Racing Bronze, 1 2004 Jaguar XK8 4.2 Coupe. Metallic Black, Cherished Registration number 3100 K. On 2001 Mercedes CLK320 Cabriolet. Brilliant
Chrome wires, 55,000 miles. ................ £7,995 owner, 27000 miles, FSH ...................... £3,995 Cashmere hide, FSH ............................. £6,795 retention certificate............................... £6,795 Silver, 76000 miles, FSH. ...................... £3,995
Up to date stock situation on our website: www.eppingmotorcompany.com

We are always keen to purchase or take in part exchange Modern and Classic Cars in Right or Left Hand Drive
TEL: 01277 365415 FAX: 01277 365436 e-mail: sales@eppingmotorcompany.com
T & D HEANEY
Motor Company
Having built countless show winning W113 SL’s over the last decade (including Mercedes Benz National Day winners)
Heaney Motor Company are firmly established as the leading W113 SL restorer in the UK.
A Family-Run Company Specialising in the Restoration of Classic Mercedes-Benz Vehicles.
WE DO TOP-QUALITY WORK AT NORTHERN IRELAND LABOUR RATES
All cars collected and delivered anywhere in Ireland & Mainland U.K.
WE OFFER
■ Computer Engine Tuning ■ Engine Rebuilds ETC ■ Low-Bake Oven Facility ■ Trim Department
References from Mainland Customers as to Quality of work available on request.
T & D HEANEY MOTOR COMPANY

Swatragh, Maghera, Co Derry, Northern Ireland. Tel: 02879 401 660 (Day) Mobile: 07720 899672
e-mail: info@mercedesrestoration.com internet: www.mercedesrestoration.com
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TIME FOR A CATCH-UP MERCEDES DRIVER
FIVE MINUTES WITH…
Gary Conway How has GCAP changed over the years?

The biggest difference has been the amount of
research and development the business is now
concerned with. When I started the company, requests
from customers focused on regular servicing and
the supply and installation of bolt-on performance
enhancing parts, but as time has progressed, owners
of luxury sports cars have expressed their desire for
more bespoke tuning. As a case in point, Mercedes
embracing turbocharging technology in its range of
performance vehicles has resulted in a high number
of requests from GCAP customers in charge of A45
AMGs wanting custom maps to go with free-flowing
intake and exhaust pipework, as well as hybrid
turbochargers from trusted German forced induction
specialist, LOBA Motorsport. GCAP is LOBA’s
exclusive UK distributor.
Does your base in London's fashionable

Notting Hill entice celebrity clientele?
We see a lot of well-known faces in and out of our
workshop. We look after cars for Formula One drivers,
actors, comedians and television presenters, including
Jonathan Ross. We even look after the AMG-fettled
machines of well-known motoring journalists. That
said, GCAP can provide a full mechanical overhaul of
any Mercedes for any customer, regardless of whether
Who are you and what do you do? they happen to be famous!
I’m Gary Conway, managing director at
performance vehicle maintenance, modification What’s your favourite Mercedes?
and service specialist, GCAP Performance. The Chelsea boy in me loves the new G-Wagen, but
I’m also a fan of the AMG GT. Two very different
When was GCAP established? Mercs, but both equally awesome!
I founded the company in 2012. Prior to that time,
I’d forged a reputation for tuning a high number of Can we follow your adventures online?
desirable sports cars. These projects led to demand Mercedes Driver readers are invited to visit the
for my services. Subsequently, I established GCAP. GCAP Facebook page and our website, which can
The business has gone from strength to strength, be found at gcapperformance.co.uk
serving many owners of Mercedes-Benz cars,
including AMGs of all ages. Thanks for your time, Gary. It’s appreciated!
Where is the company based?

Notting Hill, which is within kicking distance of the
A40 in West London. The workshop is easy to get
to from any direction, and GCAP customers like the
fact they can go sightseeing or shopping while their
car is being worked on!
How many people work with you at GCAP?

We’re a team of five, including myself, two Right GCAP offers servicing and
tuning packages for AMG-badged
mechanics, an automotive electronics specialist A45, C63, E63, G63, SLS and GT
and an expert engine builder. models from its Notting Hill base
RACING POSTERS MERCEDES DRIVER
ART OF
SPEED
For more than fifty years, Mercedes racing posters announced success
at the circuit through bold adventures in graphic design
I
f artists, Hans Liska and Walter Gotschke, immortalised when the pair translated success at
had been in Shanghai on 15th April 2012, the circuit to high-quality illustrations presented as
it’s almost certain they would have picked racing posters for marketing purposes.
up their pencils to chronicle Nico Rosberg’s In the early days of racing posters, drawings
triumph at the Chinese Grand Prix. Being were the standard format due to the fact the
the first victory for a factory Silver Arrow artwork had to be published the same day as the
Above and facing page since 1955, the occasion served as a major race. Ordinarily, the majority of the graphics used
Detailed illustrations were
readied in advance of race day, milestone in a return to Mercedes dominance would be created prior to the race being depicted,
allowing for quick insertion of at the track. Of course, in Liska and Gotschke’s allowing the winner’s name to be quickly inserted
text and fast-paced turnaround
for print as soon as the winning day, victory for the works team was a common as soon as results were announced. Interestingly, a
driver crossed the finish line occurrence. Moreover, almost every win was second-place finish was applauded in print by
aesthetically less engaging period for Mercedes’

track-inspired marketing materials. A much-
needed change didn’t occur until 1934, when
Mercedes re-entered Formula racing. A legend
was born; from the start, the new Silver Arrows
raced to victory. Unexpectedly, the impressive
motorsport machines were nowhere to be seen
on the subsequently generated posters. Instead,
driver portraits and generic racing scenes were
depicted. The artwork had an increasing graphic
design quality about it, and from 1938 onwards,
the designers of the work were beginning to make
themselves known. Gotschke, for instance, was
suddenly being hailed as “the Picasso of the track”
and would go on to become one of the world’s most
famous automotive illustrators.
His drawings followed a consistent pattern of
hushed tones enabled through a limited use of
colour. He’d forged a uniform layout for typography
and graphic elements that was to be seen on most
of his work for Mercedes, but just like Rudaux
had experienced two decades beforehand, great
change was coming to Germany, and with it, a
the company on only one occasion: the comeback

of superstar driver, Karl Kling.
Although Mercedes had been a runaway
success in motorsport since the first high-speed
races at the end of the nineteenth century – the
works teams had gained enormous publicity as
a consequence of unrivalled high-octane action
– it wasn’t until 1914 the first racing poster told
of these wins. Drawn by artist, Henri Rudaux, a
Frenchman who had already produced work for
Daimler, the work was inspired by the layouts of
his fellow countryman and printmaker, Henri de
Toulouse-Lautrec. The resulting graphic design
concept was exactly what bosses at Mercedes
were looking for, so much so the layouts for all of
the company’s racing posters remained largely
unchanged for many years!
BEYOND WORDS Above right The 1908 French

Grand Prix was promoted by
From Rudaux’s pre-WW1 work through to Mercedes with a hand-drawn
the mid-1930s, purely typographic posters illustration, whereas the
manufacturer's racing posters
(“from one victory to the next!” boasted one during the 1920s were usually
of them in 1924) became the norm, marking an simpler, text-only designs
shake-up of key personnel and manufacturing

activities at Mercedes.
Liska was a newspaper illustrator by trade, but
after WW2 ended, he became an in-house graphic
designer for Mercedes. Pamphlets and handbooks
were his calling card, but when the works team
re-entered Formula racing, there was once again
many triumphs to be documented. Additionally,
the 300 SL’s performance at Le Mans, endurance
victories at Nürburgring and a win at the Carrera
Panamericana needed to be announced. Needless
to say, Liska was kept very busy!
FIT THE BILL

He was frustrated at being bound to restrictive
corporate guidelines, yet he still managed to
convey depth and emotion to his poster artwork.
The days of being stuck to a formulaic approach
to design, however, were coming to an end at
Mercedes. In 1955, the manufacturer ventured
a bold step towards modernity, engaging
independent graphic designer, Anton Stankowski
(“the father of concrete art”), as freelance art
director. It was a move hotly debated within
the organisation, and not one which went down
well with all members of the board. Even so,
Stankowski’s ground-breaking work for many of
the world’s major brands resulted in him being
given free rein to create all posters for Mercedes The work of the artists mentioned in this article
continued racing efforts. contributes to a fascinating visual journey through
Breaking from tradition, his works were based Mercedes' racing success. The enduring popularity
on a single design, one which he said were “more of the posters, not to mention the positive impact
radical and more abstract” than what Mercedes they had in assisting dealerships shift stock, has
had been promoting up until that point in time. helped to establish some of the biggest names in
The result was a selection of posters based on a the field of automotive graphic design. Best of all,
‘master’ layout, reflecting the move for advertising enthusiasm for this exciting and innovative period
art to move towards what we now regard as in the history of Mercedes brand development
corporate identity. Bold works were produced, remains as strong today as it ever was.
but Stankowski’s tenure generating posters for
Mercedes was short-lived; there was no longer
a requirement for racing posters following the
final victory of a Silver Arrow on 11th September
Above As this late 1960s
1955, a triumph at Monza marking the yet another effort promoting the 24hrs of
withdrawal by our favourite car maker from Spa demonstrates, Mercedes
sporadically produced racing
Formula racing until F1 supremo, Ross Brawn, posters after the Stankowski
introduced Rosberg and seven-time championship era drew to a close
winner, Michael Schumacher, aboard their new Far right In keeping with
Silver Arrows MGP W01s in 2010. his 'one template for all'
strategy, Stankwoski's 1955
Today, Mercedes racing posters created during International ADAC Eiffel
the first half of the last century are highly sought Race poster art (featuring the
300 SLR) was repurposed for
after by collectors, with original works passing the same year's Irish Tourist
between enthusiasts for vast sums of money. Trophy results advertisement
TRUE BLUE
Proving the R107’s qualities as the perfect cabriolet for road trips,
this 1987 500 SL recently ferried its owners around France
R107 500 SL MERCEDES DRIVER
D
espite the colourful variety of hot Four owners prior to Olly have taken exceptionally Bottom left Leather has been
sat in for more than 170k
hatches and sporty saloons car good care of the eight-cylinder stunner. His name miles, but remains in fantastic
manufacturers have laid before appeared on the car’s logbook in early 2017. “I had a condition thanks to hide balm
us over the years, one body style few niggles to contend with, including a sticky boot
exudes glamour like no other: release mechanism, but the car sailed through its
the cabriolet. It’s a simple idea MOT, affording me the opportunity to hit the road
which has remained popular safe in the knowledge I’d bought a good ‘un!” With
throughout automotive history, and it doesn’t 170k miles covered, it’s clear to see he isn’t the only
take much to bring to mind images of the rich and petrolhead to have enjoyed plenty of seat time in
famous cruising in exotic drop-tops while the vast the ’87-plater. Indeed, Olly tells us one of the car’s
majority of us pootle around in comparatively drab previous custodians racked up a high number of miles
machinery. Meh! using the car as a daily driver for more than five years,
It’s safe to assume a classic Mercedes is what many yet the bulletproof nature of the five-litre lump up
will visualise when asked to picture a roofless sports front, not to mention meticulously observed service
car. Moreover, if you’re after a comfortable continent and maintenance intervals, means this fantastic 500
cruiser promising high-speed thrills and reliability, SL performs just as well today as it ever did.
an R107 is likely to be your weapon of choice. And if Driving al fresco on sunny days is one thing, but
you’re ‘in for a pound’, then you might as well jump most owners of open-topped sports cars dream of
behind the wheel of the V8-powered 500 SL. enjoying long road trips in their chariot of choice. In
“To be honest, I was more concerned with overall truth, few ever get around to setting sail for foreign
mechanical and cosmetic condition than choice of lands. Enter Olly’s significant other, Lucy Dawson.
engine,” recalls Olly Hackett, the proud owner of “We were discussing where to go for our next
the R107 pictured on these pages. “I would have holiday when I suggested a road trip in the Merc,”
accepted a 280 SL if I’d come across a mint example says the Suffolk-based artist and textile designer
before seeing the car I ended up with.” (bellaart.co.uk). This was music to Olly’s ears, and it
The blue belter he’s in possession of was the wasn’t long before the pair were planning a route
fourth and final of its kind to be subjected to his which would enable them to zig-zag their way
beady eye. “At one point, I entertained the idea through the vineyards of southern France.
of buying a Triumph TR6, but the 500 SL I bought After travelling by ferry from Portsmouth to
combines serious firepower and classic looks Santander on the north coast of Spain, the intrepid
with modern levels of reliability and comfort. adventurers made their way through the Pyrenees
Fuel injection and bags of luggage space, plus the towards Lourdes. “I was really looking forward to
availability of rear seats, meant the car ticked what we hoped would be an early highlight of the
every box when I sat down to draw up a list of my trip,” smiles Olly. “We were both excited by the
requirements from a sports car.” promise of dramatic scenery and tight, twisty roads
carving their way through the mountains.” The

Art attack reality of the drive turned out to be quite different.
Bella Art (bellaart.co.uk) “Thick fog meant we couldn’t see any further than
was founded by Lucy at a metre or two in front of the car!” laughs Lucy. “It
her Suffolk studio eight wasn’t quite the spectacle we were hoping for!”
years ago. Specialising
in the creation of luxury
home accessories
GOING THE DISTANCE
featuring designs On they journeyed through wine country, the 500
taken from her original SL effortlessly munching miles as its occupants
watercolours, her work enjoyed the delights of roof-down motoring in a
is heavily influenced by Mercedes. “The car didn’t miss a beat,” remembers
the woodland animals Olly. “It was great to be able to put its five-litre
and other wildlife
powerplant to the test, and I was really impressed
spotted in and around
the village she lives
by how easy we were able to take sharp corners at
in. Proud hares, wild speed. Best of all, we only had to pull the roof up
horses, beautiful bees for two days of the entire three-week trip.”
and birds decorate her The R107’s reputation for safe, reliable motoring
high-quality cushions, through quality engineering was clearly proving itself
kitchenware, fabrics, as the car continued in the direction of Normandy.
lampshades, make-up Just as Olly and Lucy were preparing for the final
and wash bags, prints
leg of the journey in France before boarding a
and greetings cards,
all proudly made in the homebound ferry, however, disaster struck. “We
UK. Bella Art's product had less than fifty miles of the trip remaining when
Above Metallic blue paintwork
range is constantly the car started to lose power uphill,” sighs Olly. “Half takes years off the R107
expanding, with Lucy's a mile later, it conked out completely.” A roadside
latest designs set to Left There's every chance Olly
investigation revealed a dead battery and a suspected and Lucy misheard what was
adorn a new line of failed alternator. Drat! being said to them when they
quality chinaware. were told what they'd need to
Being stranded in a foreign country with carry onboard in order to drive
a broken-down vehicle can be the stuff of legally in mainland Europe!
DRIVER
Q&A
OLLY HACKETT
First Mercedes
This one!
Favourite Mercedes
Pagoda
Best thing about your

500 SL
It’s reliable, quick and
super-comfortable
Worst thing about your

500 SL
It broke down in France!
Best thing about

Mercedes ownership
nightmares. More than a few motorists are likely down in a local café while they waited for their These are cool cars to
be in charge of
to have viewed the incident as enough to have Merc to be mended!
ruined their holiday, but as is always the case “The car performed brilliantly either side of --
when it comes to road trips, advance planning pays the alternator complaint, and the hassle-free LUCY DAWSON
dividends. This was certainly true when it came to repair work just goes to show how easy it is to
resurrecting the SL. “Before leaving the UK, we’d work on these cars without attracting significant First Mercedes
109 CDi van
taken out European breakdown cover with the cost,” muses Olly. In many respects, he views the
RAC,” confirms Lucy. “The company arranged for experience as a positive, highlighting how valuable Favourite Mercedes
300 SL Gullwing
us to be collected by a local mechanic and his low- breakdown cover can be when travelling abroad.
loader. We were promptly driven to a workshop “We’d have no hesitation in using the car for another Best thing about your
500 SL
in a typically rustic rural French village where the road trip,” he reveals. “It’s just so much fun!” It’s lovely to drive when
spanner man in question set about repairing the the sun is out
car’s failed alternator.” SPOILER ALERT Worst thing about your
Labour costs were covered by the RAC. Since returning home, the beautiful blue Benz 500 SL
Retracting the roof can
Thankfully, due to the lack of new parts required, has been taken out whenever there’s been warm be a pain
there was no charge to be met by the delayed weather or when Lucy has been exhibiting her
Best thing about
holidaymakers. Well, unless you count the cost of wares at summer craft markets in and around Mercedes ownership
the impromptu coffees and croissants they gobbled North Norfolk. Olly has continued to treat the car Feeling fly!
Left Punchy five-litre V8

in the manner to which it has become accustomed cruises without complaint,
by observing servicing schedules the second they producing close to 240bhp and
296lb/ft torque in stock trim
demand attention, although he’s now focused on
treating the devastatingly good-looking drop-top to
cosmetic work. “I’m probably going to upset some
of your readers in saying this,” he says tentatively,
“but I’m not a fan of the car’s rear spoiler. I prefer
the simpler line of a bare boot lid, which is why
I’m planning to remove the spoiler and have the
panel painted when the bonnet gets a stone-chip-
remedying coat of colour in the coming weeks.”
Since its launch in 1971, the R107’s timeless
beauty and range of bombproof six and eight-
cylinder engines has made the model a popular
choice with those looking to enjoy modern levels
of refinement and reliability wrapped in a classic
open-topped styling package. In fact, such was the
universal appreciation for the R107 during its near
two-decade production run, it was the only cabriolet
offered by Mercedes! Today, enthusiasm for this
modern classic is on the rise, with tidy examples
– like the 500 SL presented here – commanding
strong money in the showrooms of specialist dealers
and on the floor of auction rooms. Our advice is for
you to grab an R107 while prices remain reasonable.
As Olly and Lucy can attest, for summer fun and
sheer class, there are few drop-tops which can offer
the same high number of smiles to the mile!
THERE ARE FEW DROP

TOPS WHICH CAN OFFER
THE SAME NUMBER OF
SMILES TO THE MILE
MOT TEST RULES MERCEDES DRIVER
R
ecent months have marked the
biggest overhaul in the MOT test’s
history, with massive changes and
exemptions aimed squarely at owners
of classic cars. The most significant of
these updates is the announcement
vehicles more than forty years old
(pre-1978) will no longer need an MOT test. It’s
a rolling rule, meaning if your Mercedes was first
registered at the start of September 1979, it won’t
need an MOT past September 2019.
There are, of course, exceptions to these
conditions. For example, exemption doesn’t apply
if you’ve “substantially changed” your Mercedes.
“What does substantially changed mean?” we
hear you cry. Good question! The government’s
published documentation regarding this is mind-
numbingly long, but in short, if you’ve radically
altered any of your car’s main components (chassis,
monocoque, subframes, engine, transmission, axles
etc.), then you’re going to need to get the car tested
each year. Swapping your four-wheeled friend’s
engine with a unit of the same basic design (e.g.
replacing an M117 with another M117 boasting
bigger displacement) is deemed acceptable, as is
upgrading and improving suspension and braking
systems. It’s only if you change the type or method
of each part’s operation (e.g. changing from a
steering box to a rack and pinion system) you’ll be
required to return to your friendly local testing
station every twelve months.
Changes you make to improve safety, efficiency
or environmental performance – such as swapping
drum brakes to disc brakes or adding adjustable
dampers – and alterations made to “preserve
the vehicle” (fitting non-standard parts because
OEM items are no longer available) are also
acceptable. Kit cars and those on a Q-plate are
already considered “substantially changed”, so
they’ll continue to be subjected to scrutiny, as will
commercial vehicles. The exceptions are those
which haven’t been altered for at least thirty years
and are already taxed under the Vehicle of Historic
Interest (VHI) license.
TESTING
TIMES
A raft of changes to the MOT test has introduced exemptions for
forty-year-old cars, as well as stricter rules for newer vehicles.
Here's what you need to know…
It’s worth noting vehicles first registered before maintenance your car is subjected car to. It’s with
the MOT test was introduced back in 1960 were this in mind many owners of older cars fail to see
previously exempt from MOT legislation, but the the attraction of MOT exemption. The test is an
“substantially changed” rules will now mean heavily inexpensive way of ensuring you haven’t missed
modified cars from this era may now need to be a vital safety check (not all owners crawl around
subjected to an MOT test. For example, if you own under their cars checking the condition of brake
a 1958 Ponton and previously equipped it with lines and chassis legs!). The government claims the
a V8, the car is now going to need a valid MOT vast majority of owners in possession of vehicles
certificate to be driven on the public highway, even more than four decades old are enthusiasts who
if you didn’t need put the car through a test before Above Is the government right like nothing more than keeping their retro ride in
to assume the majority of cars
the new legislation came into effect. older than forty years are in tip-top condition, but the counter-argument is that
the hands of enthusiasts who removing the need to test each vehicle opens the
OPPOSING VIEWS wouldn't dream of letting their
classics fall into disrepair? door to unscrupulous folk who won’t think twice
While many classic cars are now exempt from about driving a rot box, causing accidents and
the MOT, voluntary testing is offered. The rules endangering life. Furthermore, non-enthusiasts
clearly state you’re required to keep the vehicle may begin to consider all older cars to be
in a roadworthy condition, so don’t think you can dangerous, which simply isn’t the case.
buy a barn find which hasn’t moved for forty years, Another consideration is the well-meaning chaps
turn the key and expect to drive it home legally. and chapettes who have every intention to fix
You need to think carefully about the standard of whatever fault they’ve identified on their car,
but time prevents them from doing so. “I’ll get Above While headlines are A Dangerous or Major defect will result in an
being grabbed by news of
around to doing it later,” is a familiar quote to older cars no longer requiring automatic fail, meaning the car cannot be driven
many. The MOT test ensures these complaints are an MOT test, there are big until the fault is repaired.
changes owners of newer
addressed in accordance with a strict schedule, Mercedes cars need to take A Minor defect is a bit like what we’ve come to
preventing vehicle failure and, in some cases, into careful consideration know as an advisory, insofar as it’s a fault which
accidents. Regardless of the new rules, we’d advise needs to be repaired, yet it’s not serious enough
you get your car tested – or at least checked over for the car to be removed from the road, and,
– by a professional technician unless you’re already therefore, won’t generate an automatic MOT test
in the trade. fail. Advisories are still relevant, however, because
When the time comes for you and your classic the tester can choose to list them if he or she feels
Mercedes to kiss goodbye to MOT tests, you’ll be there’s an issue worth flagging.
required to declare your car exempt and to confirm The rush to force diesels off the road shows no
it hasn’t been “substantially changed”. You’ll also be sign of abating, with an immediate fail if the car
required to register the car under VHI rules, which in question produces smoke of any kind from the
you can do by filling in a form online or at your exhaust. Emissions levels will also be under closer
local Post Office. If you don’t do this, you’ll need scrutiny than ever before. Not good news for
to continue obtaining a valid MOT certificate each Volkswagen owners!
year. Simples! If you’re unsure about any of the changes we’ve
outlined here, or are unsure how you and your car
SAFETY IN NUMBERS will be affected by them, we’d recommend you
The Department for Transport consulted with visit bit.ly/motrules and read the government’s
more than 2,100 public and private trade bodies, published overview of how the new testing rules
owners clubs and classic car businesses before work. Additionally, we’d love to know what your
it published its decision to implement the new thoughts are about the shakeup. Good? Bad? Drop
rules. Tellingly, 1,130 of the organisations polled us a line by emailng dan.furr@kelseymedia.co.uk. We
opposed the decision, with just under 900 in look forward to hearing from you.
favour. Unsurprisingly, the primary objections
concern safety. Naturally, the government cited the
availability of voluntary MOT testing, but the facts
speak for themselves: of all the pre-1960 vehicles
already exempt from the MOT test prior to the new
rules coming into force, only six percent of owners
subjected their cars to a voluntary test. Yes, you
read that correctly. Six percent.
While we’re mostly concerned with changes
affecting Mercedes cars more than forty years old,
there’s a wider raft of MOT changes now in force
which affect newer cars on UK roads; vehicles
required to have an MOT by law (e.g. Mercedes
cars registered post-1978) will be subjected to
a more rigorous test characterised by a new
category structure: Dangerous, Major or Minor.
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LONG-TERM
LOVE
Chris Lansbury coveted this W124 E320 Sportline
for years. Now it’s finally his, he won’t be letting go!
WORDS Emma Woodcock PHOTOGRAPHY Dan Sherwood
W124 E320 SPORTLINE MERCEDES DRIVER
T
wo long decades ago, a young
Chris Lansbury took time out to
view a beautiful Mercedes. Sharp,
straight-lined and imperious from
its stacked headlight to its slotted
disc wheels, the W111 280SE
comported itself beautifully in
white paint and red leather. Chris was tempted, but
not quite tempted enough. “I felt I was too young to
own a car like that,” he sighs. “With the way prices
have been going of late, it’s a decision I regret!”
His love of German marques started early. In
time, it translated into his own driving history.
“Growing up, I was lucky to have a father who
always owned the latest Porsche 911 and a
mother who drove a Mercedes 190E. Exposure
to these cars left a lasting impression, leading to
my own roster of Benz-badged beasts!” He counts
a G-Wagen, a couple of R107 SLs and a pair of
Cosworth-fettled W201 190Es among his former
steeds. Various W124s have also found themselves
parked on his driveway.
Four years after his encounter with the W111,
his head was again turned by a four-seater
convertible. This time, it was a W124 drop-top
demanding his attention. The car in his sights was
a 1993 E320 wearing the taller headlights and
integrated radiator grille introduced to the W124
range earlier that year. Dressed in silver over grey
coupled with a blue hood and matching leather, the
cool car quickly cast its spell.
“I happened to be friends with owner,” explains
Chris. “I’d always admired his ride, which was
just four years old when his wife chose it as her
cherished chariot. It was meticulously maintained
throughout the couple’s ownership. They
used it extensively, covering plenty of ground
and embarking on regular road trips to the Above Lashings of luxurious

blue leather fill this superb
Mediterranean.” Sadly, his friend’s wife passed Sportline's cockpit
away. The silver stunner remained motionless
Left Inline-six delivers plenty of
thereafter. “He couldn’t bring himself to use it,” poke when Chris needs it
confirms Chris. “There was so much sentiment
attached to the car. It wasn’t benefitting from
sitting still, though, which is why he was eventually
open to the idea of selling.”
RAISE THE ROOF

The pair of petrolheads reached a deal before Chris
set about a light recommissioning of the W124
he’d loved for so long. The first order of business
was a fresh mohair soft-top due to the original
roof showing its age. “I sourced it from the same
producer who made the roofs for Mercedes in
period,” smiles Chris. He winces when we suggest it
must have set him back a couple of quid. “It’s true!”
he laughs, “but if you want to do a job properly, big
spend is often required.”
A full service followed. Anti-roll bar bushes,
tyres, brake discs and pads were renewed at the
same time. To bring the car back to its best, Chris
also resolved the car’s interior niggles, including
a swap of the digital temperature gauge, the task
of fixing a troublesome seatbelt butler and the
reinstatement of the original Blaupunkt head unit.
“I’d owned a couple of W124 coupes in the past, a smaller thick-rimmed steering wheel, electric
but I’d always wanted a convertible,” he continues. Good sport heated front seats, individual rear seats with a
“When this particular car was presented to me The W124 cabriolet burled wood divider and a Sportline-branded gear
as available for purchase, I knew I had to have it.” didn't arrive until the knob. “They’re subtle updates,” Chris comments.
The choice might seem unusual given his role as 1991 Frankfurt Motor “Unless you know what you’re looking at, you
manging director of PIE Performance, one of the Show, seven years after probably won’t spot them. That said, it’s worth
the saloon first hit the
UK’s leading independent Porsche specialists, but noting the overall Sportline package doesn’t make
streets. Starting with
the E320 soon found its place among his fleet. the coupe's body shell,
a W124 handle as well as a Porsche, but you can
“I can get my young family in and out of the car. Stuttgart engineers certainly tell the difference between my Mercedes
That’s a big attraction. Porsche simply doesn’t offer added thicker steel in a and a non-Sportline version of the same model.”
open-top driving in a four-seater which can supply number of areas before Trusting in the inherent ability of a well-
useable space at the rear,” he reasons. adding a pair of diagonal maintained W124, Chris promoted his E320 to
In a world where imitations are common, braces along the new the role of long-distance loafer in 2017. Over
model's underside. For
he’s proud of his W124’s status as a genuine 15,000 miles of use, touching every corner of the
top-down safety, the
factory-built Sportline. The tantalisingly named A-pillars received extra
United Kingdom and braving the worst of British
specification was introduced the W124 range in welded inboard panels, weather, the mega Mercedes failed to falter. “It’s a
1989, offering keener handling through a selection while a rear roll bar fantastic machine and just so practical,” beams its
of suspension alterations. Firmer, shorter springs was designed to deploy enthusiastic owner. “I can hop into the driving seat
dropped the ride height by 20mm, hunkering the automatically within 0.3 at any time and I know the car will always start. I
car over wider-than-standard fifteen-inch alloys seconds of reigstering really can’t fault it!”
wrapped in 205/60/15 rubber. A revised steering an accident. A fabric top
box with a faster ratio and three turns between
and an electrohydraulic
lowering mechanism
HIGHWAY STAR
locks further encouraged keen driving, whilst with sixty-one moving 2018 has been less demanding on his excellent
thicker anti-roll bars, firmer struts and a collection parts was also added. E-Class, but that’s not to say the car hasn’t been
of uprated bushes reinforced sporting spirit. The result? In instant used to eat many motorway miles during the past
Mercedes also saw fit to give in the Sportline’s modern classic! few months. Despite this silver sensation’s many
interior a luxurious reinvention. Changes included merits, however, Chris briefly flirted with the
DRIVER
Q&A
CHRIS LANSBURY
First Mercedes
A W123 coupe
Favourite Mercedes
I'd love a 1967 280 or
300SE drop-top
Best thing about your

W124 Sportline
It’s one of the last hand
assembled, four-seater
Mercs
Worst thing about your

W124 Sportline
I hate those bloody
stupid headlight wipers!
Best thing about

Mercedes ownership
Everyone I meet wants
to stop and chat about
the car when they see it
idea of parting with his treasured four-wheeler. “I Once the work is complete, this wonderful W124
wheeled it out of my garage and started to carry will settle into a new role, ferrying the Lansbury
out a thorough clean when I realised my daughter, clan to and from their new holiday home in Spain.
Violet, had never travelled in the car with its roof A recent late night encounter with Chris’s beloved
retracted. We dropped the soft-top, jumped inside Benz has further galvanised his intention to keep
and went for a drive. She was grinning from ear the car for the long term. “I returned home one
to ear! When my wife asked what our little girl evening after a day spent at Brands Hatch,” he
Above Sun out, roof down and
thought of the car, I answered by saying it was no recalls. “As I pulled into my driveway, I saw the al fresco driving on tap!
longer for sale!” Sportline sitting elegantly in front of my house. It
Below With so many imitators
With the Sportline’s future secure, his next aim is was a perfect picture, and I knew straightaway I around, identifying a genuine
to strip back bodywork and treat it to a full respray. was looking at a car I want to keep forever.” W124 Sportline can be difficult
THE NEW HOME
of classic cars!
Classics World is our brand new website where you’ll find the latest
classic car news, guides, reviews, drives, events and everything you need
to know about maintaining, driving and enjoying your classic car.
Visit classicsworld.co.uk
andd start exp
ploring
g!
BUYING MERCEDES DRIVER
BUYING Your next Mercedes
Buying W202 AMG

Fancy naturally aspirated Mercedes grunt at a price which won’t break the bank?
A C36 or C43 AMG can be yours for less than you might think…
WORDS Dan Furr PHOTOGRAPHY John Colley
D

ue to their motorsport sports car sector occupied by the BMW C280 dismantled and rebuilt in AMG
origins and E36 M3, the C36 AMG landed with a trim, the C43 was purpose-built on the
exaggerated features naturally aspirated inline-six producing Mercedes production line. It was also
(both in terms of power nigh-on 280bhp. The car looked great, the first C-Class to be loaded with a V8
and style), Cosworth- performed brilliantly and shifted plenty powerplant. An estate was offered to
tweaked 190Es of units, but this is an AMG we’re talking broaden the model’s appeal.
remain regarded as about – displacement and cylinder count Whether you’re after a C36 or C43
some of the most desirable Mercedes wasn’t going to stay static for long! AMG, you’d better act fast; prices are
sport saloons ever produced. It stands The C43 AMG was launched for the on the rise for what are proving to be
to reason the 190E’s successor had a 1998 model year. Packing a 4.3-litre V8 appreciating modern classics. It’s true
lot to live up when competing for the and well over 300bhp, the car didn’t to say the contemporary M3 still hogs
affections of those whose blood has its look wildly different from the earlier the limelight, but if you’re after a good
own octane rating. C36, but the new arrival represented return of bang for buck, then the W202
The C-Class arrived in May 1993, but a major step forward in the way AMGs might be exactly what you’re
it would be another two years before we AMGs were assembled following the looking for. Here’s what you need to
saw the first W202 AMG. With its sights company’s assimilation into Daimler- be aware of before inspecting your
set squarely on eating into a chunk of the Benz. In short, whereas the C36 was a prospective purchase.
BRAKES
Mercedes raided the brilliant
E55 AMG parts bin when it
came to giving the W202 AMGs
powerful stopping abilities. It
used to be the case discs and pads
were horrendously expensive,
but a number of aftermarket
manufacturers have satisfied
owners with reasonably priced,
high-quality parts. EBC Brakes, for
example, offers OEM-spec rear
discs with a set of brake pads in its
fast-road Yellowstuff compound for
a shade over £200 including VAT.
Visit bit.ly/ebcbrakes
Factory rubber brake hoses
deteriorate with age, resulting in a
‘spongy’ pedal feel. Braided hoses
from Goodridge (bit.ly/goodridgeuk)
will restore braking efficiency
by refusing to flex under load.
Pleasingly, thanks to a wide choice
of finishes, Goodridge braided
brake hoses can be colour-coded
to match the look of the AMG
you’re interested in buying (which
is almost certainly silver!).
HISTORY
Mercedes methods of production pop along to mycarcheck.com and
have always been well respected, invest a couple of quid in an online
but with the earliest W202 AMGs vehicle history check. You’ll get instant
now gettling close to a quarter- confirmation of any outstanding
century old, it’s vital you check to finance, accident history, changes
make sure the car you’re looking at of registration and the number of
has been properly maintained. Ask previous keepers. You’ll also be able
to see all documentation supporting to tell if the AMG you’re looking at has
claims of servicing, repair work and ever been stolen or if the car has ever
replacement parts. Ensure all fluids had a change of colour.
and filters have been changed in Consider the benefits of investing in
accordance with the manufacturer’s Carly’s Connected Car app, available
wishes. Ask what grade and content for a wide range of Mercedes vehicles
of oil has been used. and able to tap into the car’s multiple
Be wary of unexplained periods ECUs to check for correlation with
of the car being off the road. If in the visible speedometer. The low-cost
doubt, have a full inspection carried kit can detect whether data has been
out by a marque specialist. Enter manipulated. Visit shop.mycarly.com for
the W202 in question’s details into more information.
the DVLA’s online vehicle enquiry Ideally, the W202 you’re looking at
service. It’s free to use and will will have been maintained by reputable
result in an MOT history (including independent Mercedes specialists or
all passes, fails and advisories) as a main dealer. If services have been
far back as electronic records are skipped or non-specialist garages
stored. It’ll also provide proof of have been tasked with jobs, this may
mileage at the point of each test. be a sign the car hasn’t been correctly
While your web browser is open, looked after during its lifetime.
Gearbox ECU software

was updated to provide
smoother shifting
TRANSMISSION
Whereas the C36 engine is
considered more problematic than
that of the C43, roles are reversed
when it comes to gearboxes. Early
six-shooters were fitted with a
four-speed automatic renowned for
its durability, while late examples
of the same car saw cog count
increase in the form of a five-speed
automatic which was modified after
being lifted from the R129 500 SL.
It’s a ‘box which was carried over
to the C43 and is considered less
reliable than the earlier unit.
Transmission upgrades were WHEELS & TYRES
applied to the last-of-line C43s Kerbed wheels and worn tyres are a concern when it comes to any car of the W202’s age.
in advance of the model being Fortunately, help is at hand from professional wheel restoration companies, including Wheel
discontinued in 2000. Tiptronic Genie (wheelgenie.co.uk). As for the black circles, a wide range of tyres to suit all budgets
shifting was provided, and gearbox and driving environments are available from Nankang, Falken, Yokohama and Toyo, but we
ECU software was updated to stress this isn’t an area where you should be stingy. Tyres are the only part of your car in
provide smoother shifting and contact with the road. Don’t take risks by fitting poor quality rubber. Profiles for standard
better overall performance W202 AMG monoblocks are 225/45/17 at the front and 245/40/17 at the rear.
encouraging a longer service life. If the tyres on what you hope will be your new car are past their best, look to see if there’s
The differentials fitted to W202 uneven wear on the inside edges. It might be difficult to spot, but this condition could be a
AMGs are known to be bombproof, sign of badly affected alignment. Fresh alignment and laser geometry is the recommended
with no major concerns to worry fix, and something we’d recommend after suspension upgrades. Consider the cost on top of
about in this area. new tyres before parting with your hard-earned dosh.
ENGINE significant step up from the C36’s

As its designation suggests, the power output, and as is the case
C36 is powered by a 3.6-litre with the smaller-engined W202
engine. It’s a naturally aspirated AMG, a lack of forced induction
six-cylinder lump producing almost means galloping ponies launch
280bhp and 284lb/ft torque, but from a canter in a satisfyingly linear
because C36 engines were hand- manner. Giddy-up!
assembled, there’s a degree of An electronic speed limiter was
variation between cars, with some introduced to the C43, meaning
registering closer to 290bhp when pace is capped at the industry
tested! Top speed is 169mph. standard of 155mph. Providing
Check the condition of oil and maintenance is carried out in
coolant to ensure there hasn’t accordance with manufacturer
been contamination of one into the instruction, and if recommended
other. Many W202 AMG engines servicing intervals are observed,
have been thrashed hard, with the car’s V8 should provide
some early examples suffering hassle-free motoring. It’s an engine
regrettable head gasket failure. with twin-plug ignition, so factor
The C43 is equipped with a that into servicing costs.
4.3-litre V8. It’s a modified version Wiring harnesses include
of the M113 found in the W210 materials prone to deterioration.
E430 and is capable of taking much Often, a completely new loom
in the way of punishment, a trait put is the only solution. This can be
to the test by lead-footed owners an expensive job, so check the
keen to explore the performance condition of the snakes sending
potential of their new AMGs. information to the electronic
306bhp and 302lb/ft torque was a brain of the car you’re looking at.
SUSPENSION
Race-tuned suspension and a lowered ride
height help the W202 AMGs to produce a
purposeful stance whilst improving handling
and reducing body roll. These aren’t new
cars, though, so bear in mind original
shocks are unlikely to be in place. Your car
will only perform as well as the quality of
componentry fitted to it, so don’t skimp
when it comes to chassis kit. Thankfully, a
wide range of parts are available for you to
choose from, be it standard specification or
uprated, the latter from companies including
Bilstein, GAZ Shocks, KW and Eibach.
Rubber bushes fail with age. Those of you
looking for a true ‘fit and forget’ solution
should consider polyurethane bushes
from Powerflex. Available in road or race
compounds, they’ll eliminate flex whilst
sharpening the ability of your W202 to turn
tightly into corners at speed.
The kind of wear and tear associated
with any older vehicle should be considered
when evaluating the condition of the car’s
supporting suspension equipment. Ball
joints, wishbone bushes and drop links can
all fail over time. Replacement parts aren’t
expensive. The same is true of the steering
damper, which may be past its best, but can
be replaced cheaply and will transform the
feel of the car for the better.
BODY
Metalwork is probably going to
be your primary concern when
inspecting any W202. These
cars were built at time when the
accountants at Mercedes were
paying close attention to the
company’s coffers. As such, materials
used weren’t as well respected
as they once were, a condition
evidenced by the rusty wing bottoms
commonly associated with Mercedes
cars of this age. Fortunately, panels
easily replaced and are readily
available at low cost.
Check panel gaps and variations
in colour. There may be a perfectly
plausible explanation for differences
spotted, but consider the possibility
the AMG you’re looking at has
suffered accident damage. It pays to
be prudent, so don’t be afraid to ask
questions. You might save yourself a
whole heap of cash in the long run.
Examine carpets, door cards,

At first glance, there’s little to tell
the C36 and C43 apart from one
side panels and front foot wells

another, but the latter was offered
as a tourer. In fact, by the end of C43
AMG production, the estate was so
popular it accounted for more than
twenty percent of all C43 AMGs built!
Check window seals and headlight
for signs of water ingress
rubbers for signs of moisture ingress.
Delaminated windscreens are known
to be a problem for cars of this age,
a complaint producing a milky stain.
The only fix is new glass.
INTERIOR
W202 AMGs are a comfortable place difficult questions or making requests to PRICE
to be thanks to hard-wearing leather help you better understand what you’re Unlike the BMW M3 they were designed
upholstery and well-considered looking at. Oh, and make sure you press to challenge, prices for used W202 AMGs
switchgear design. The design buttons. It’s the best way to make sure all dropped massively on the used car market
approved for the faux-carbon dash, electrically-controlled gadgetry works as and stayed low, partly due to owner
centre console, gearstick surround Mercedes intended! experiences varying so wildly regarding
and door pillar trim is laughable, but Leather repair work has come on leaps the condition of bodywork and mechanical
that’s the only negative to report. and bounds in recent years, meaning reliability. Additionally, horror stories of
Examine carpets, door cards, side nicks and tears previously requiring a unrepairable gearboxes and rotting panels
panels, the centre console and front retrim can now be restored to a high encouraged many would-be buyers to give
foot wells for signs of water ingress. standard without attracting massive cost. the C36 and W46 a wide berth. Those
There should be nothing to worry Speak to the guys at Cambridgeshire- that did take the plunge were sometimes
about, but it’s better to be safe than based automotive upholstery specialist, owners who ran their cars ragged, failing
sorry. Moisture in the passenger’s Awesome (awesome.eu.com) for help to take proper car of their future classic.
front foot well might not be anything with all your interior repair, retrim or The good news is there are many excellent
more than a blocked scuttle drain restoration requirements. examples of W202 AMGs which have
overflowing. If in doubt, have a poke. Late C43 AMGs were treated to survived to the present day, and with a
The seller should have nothing power-tilting steering wheels. Check to resurgence of interest in both models, now
to hide, so don’t be afraid of asking make sure this functionality works. would be a good time to buy before prices
rise any further. Here’s a selection of what
we found advertised online:
1998 C43 AMG

Silver paintwork, 150k miles, black
leather in excellent condition, long MOT,
all handbooks and service book present,
bodywork in great shape, rear spoiler,
wheels painted black
£5,750
1999 C43 AMG

Silver paintwork, 50k miles, left-hand
drive, full main dealer service history,
updated gearbox software, reverse
camera, new tyres, refurbished wheels
£11,995
2000 C43 AMG

Green paintwork, 99k miles, immaculate
throughout, full MOT and service history,
cherished car in an unusual colour
£14,990
AUCTION WATCH MERCEDES DRIVER
UNDER THE HAMMER
HAMMER TIME!
From bargains to budget busters, here’s a snapshot of what’s been happening
at auction since the last issue of Mercedes Driver…
WORDS Dan Furr PHOTOGRAPHY He looks a lot like the milkman
BIG
SPENDER
SOLD FOR
£74,667
1971 W111 280 SE 3.5 COUPE

This UK-supplied 3.5-litre V8 is so businessman domiciled in London grabbed
completely stunning in every way, it makes the car’s keys. John Lewis of the King’s
us wanna shout! Of course, this might be Road in Chelsea was charged with selling
because the first registered keeper was the red road riot in 1981. Subsequently, an
none other than British pop star, Lulu. advertisement was placed in The Sunday
Just two respected marque specialists Times. The car’s most recent owner (a
have cared for the car since the Scottish collector of classic Mercs living in the
songstress took delivery of her mega Merc, West End) spotted the ad, and the rest,
with the current (third) owner having kept as they say, is history. Complete with its
hold of it for more than thirty-eight years. correct Becker Mexico cassette player (no
The paintwork was refreshed in 2017, word on whether it was loaded with the
while a new fuel tank and period-correct Saturday Night Fever soundtrack), original
Michelins were added a short while later. sunroof, complete toolkit and Behr
Lulu – then wife of Bee Gees star, Maurice air-conditioning, it’s no wonder the car
Gibb – had this most prestigious of W111s created a Boom Bang-a-Bang when offered
delivered to her Highgate home, where by Silverstone Auctions a few weeks ago.
she kept it for three years until an Arabian Yes, I know. Less of a wit, more of a half-wit...
1985 W123 230 CE SOLD FOR

£3,498
This four-owner car was acquired by the seller in 2010.
During his ownership, the C-plater was treated to a
selection of minor bodywork repairs, although the
less than desirable condition of the rear wheel arches
suggests further remedial work will be required in
the not too distant future. MOT history from 2006
onwards, supporting paperwork for all servicing and
mechanical work carried out since then, plus original
Mercedes sales literature, combine with the seller’s
purchase receipt to build a partial history file. With
distance covered topping 185k miles and those poorly
arches, though, most would-be bidders stayed silent
when the car was offered at Anglia Car Auctions.
1965 300 SE COUPE

UNSOLD!
How many of you have started

automotive projects, only for
life to get in the way? Perhaps
your dream of restoring a
classic is yet to be realised?
This seems to be the case for
the owner of this mid-Sixties
300 SE coupe. Retired from
the road in 1981, the car even
wears the period-tastic Wolfrace
rims so commonly associated
with the hot rods of the 1970s!
Described as “substantially
complete” by H&H Classics,
the red resto-in-waiting was
offered with its original steelies
1996 R129 SL500

and a lower estimate of just £4k.
Expectations were exceeded
when the car sold for more than
Originally supplied by Monarch Birmingham and three times that amount. Were
boasting only 55k miles from new, this superbly you the buyer? Get in touch. We’d
presented Aqua Blue R129 features a spotless love to know what the future
Mushroom interior with Burr Walnut trim. holds for this rare right-hooker!
When ordered new, the car was optioned with
eighteen-inch AMG rims and has been enjoyed by
three former keepers. A substantial history file
demonstrates main dealer servicing and includes
factory handbooks. Preserved original registration
plates and an expensive, factory-supplied panoramic
hard-top were also offered with this eight-cylinder
SL, but not even these rare parts could tempt SOLD FOR
bidders to pass the lower estimate of £21k. Pity. £13,613
UNDER THE HAMMER
2003 W463 G270 CDI SOLD FOR

We love the G-Wagen, which is why we were excited £16,988
to see this 2.7-litre, six-cylinder diesel make an
appearance at the H&H Pavilion Gardens auction a
few weeks back. Left-hand drive, but registered for
UK roads in 2013, the ‘box on wheels’ appears to have
led a fairly easy life, a claim backed up by a service
history highlighting low miles and a recent gearbox
service. Supplied with sumptuous leather, gloss black
paintwork and an MOT lasting until March 2019, the
luxury SUV generated enough enthusiasm from those
in attendance to break past its previously published
upper estimate of fourteen large ones.
1992 R129 600 SL
SOLD FOR
£40,500
SOLD FOR
£22,550
This early 600 SL was supplied new in December
1992 through Mercedes-Benz Colindale to “a
member of the royal household”, the very same
person who offered the car for sale through
Silverstone Auctions September sale. The 389bhp
V12 pocket rocket has covered no more than
6,831 miles since it rolled off the production
line, although in this case, low miles come at the
expense of poorly observed service intervals, with
only two stamps recorded in the car’s paperwork
regardless of time passed between fluid and filter
changes. Reassuringly, the car was offered with a
main dealer service to be undertaken prior to sale,
and with royal provenance, the low-mile minter
met expectations by fetching more than £40k.
1988 R107 300 SL

This superb 300 SL has covered just with its colour-coded hard-top and
over 75k miles from new and glistens refreshed canvas roof, the four-owner
in flawless white paintwork paired Benz features recently refurbished
with brilliantly presented half-leather wheels and a spotless chassis. A ten-
upholstery. An original Blaupunkt head year stay in the sunny climes of Florida
unit, a bulging history file and a fresh have no doubt contributed to the
MOT formed part of the attraction preservation of the car’s bodywork,
when the gavel fell at the Classic Car which wowed bidders to the tune of
Auctions September sale. Complete more than twenty-two grand.
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Mercedes DRIVER
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CLASSIFIEDS
190 SL 230
190 DIESEL 250 SL
1968, £139,500. Finished in the breath taking 1999, 130,000 miles, £875. Manual, MoT till end of
colour scheme of light silver blue with darker blue May and full service history. Please call 01179
hard and soft tops, with light beige hide interior and 567144, (T).
carpets, with overmats. Automatic, power steering,
2851
CD stereo system,full tool kit, lots of old mot,s and
history invoices, handbook, looks very similar to
new. Drives Superb, Garaged, This car is just CARS WANTED
remarkable. Please call 01322 669081 (T).
1992, 96,200 miles, £1,100. Saloon, black with 5368 MERCEDES-BENZ
grey cloth interior. MoT to April 2019. Last owner Wanted. 190 SL’s, 230 SL’s, 250 SL’s, 280 SL’s. In
since 2001. 5 speed manual with electric factory
320 any condition. Please call Steve on 07846 639603.
sunroof and electric windows x 4. All round good (T)
2825
condition. Please call 01516 390149, Cheshire.
3877
MERCEDES-BENZ WANTED
190 LE URGENTLY ESPECIALLY
1995, 59,000 miles, £11,450. Azure blue, beige
MERCEDES SPORTS
leather, partwood steering wheel. Climate control, WANTED. Any Mercedes-Benz wanted urgently.
electric seats, 4 new tyres, new battery fsh, 11 Any year, any condition whatsoever, we pay more
dealer stamps, 2 keys and 12 months MoT. Please than anyone, distance no object. Swanley, Kent.
call 07902 032101, Nottinghamshire. Please call 01322 669081 or 07836 250222,
2895
Swanley, Kent.
SL SERIES 1072
PARTS FOR SALE

PAGODA 113SL
1993, 69,000 miles, POA. Rosso metallic. Rare POA. Hard top mouldings, wing & door mouldings,
suspension, automatic, new battery. Massive sill mouldings (inner & outer), rear panel mouldings,
history file. Please call 07932 174680. 2004, 70,000 miles, £8,999. Approximately, “B” pillar chrome caps, door swan neck mouldings,
2002 Black, stunning car with full service history, leather calliper repair kits, outer door handles. Please call
interior, keyless entry and start and lots of extras. 01773 835462, Derbyshire.
C-CLASS Please call 07545 703474 (T). 1095
5445
C CLASS PAGODA SPARES
SLK POA. Air Louvre chrome grille surround, indicator
SLK switches (new), headlamps & cover, rear lamps,
lenses, surrounds, rev counter, fuel gauge (used).
Please call 01773 835462, Derbyshire.
1094
MERCEDES SL TROLLEY
£100-£150. For storage or hardtop, mine was 1997.
Also Suzuki wagon R engine with drive shafts.
Please call 07544 244739.
1152
2001, 69,000 miles, £3,899. Convertible, electric VARIOUS PARTS

hardtop, 6 speed supercharge, manual, power POA. Hard top mouldings, wing & door mouldings,
steering, electric windows, electric seats, full black
2011, 39,000 miles, £9,999. Automatic, estate car, sill mouldings (inner & outer), rear panel mouldings
leather seats, cruise control, 18" AMG alloys, multi
diesel, one owner, heated seats, full black leather airbags, remote central locking, handbooks and “B” pillar chrome caps, outer door handles, front &
seats and cruise control. Please call 07545 703474 manual. Please call 02380 766870. (T) rear bumpers (used & new). Please call 01773
(T). 1555 835462, Derbyshire.
5348 5610
Mercedes DRIVER 97
SUBSCRIBE TO
MERCEDES
DRIVER NEXT ISSUE
SEE PAGE 62
FOR DETAILS
On sale Friday 21st December
SING WHEN YOU’RE WINNING!

ALL AROUND THE WORLD IN POP STAR’S 300SL
PLUS
RARE BEASTS
THE W124s YOU NEED
TO KNOW ABOUT
DTM DOMINANCE
SUCCESS AT THE CIRCUIT
WITH 190E TRACK STARS
TYRE TECH
UNDERSTANDING
BLACK CIRCLES
FIND YOUR LOCAL STOCKIST www.bit.ly/storemd

“WHAT SUNDAYS WERE MADE FOR” Headline sponsors
/lancasterins @lancaster_ins LIS.K.MD.FP.2018
01480 587 006

www.lancasterinsurance.co.uk
Policy benefits, features and discounts offered may vary between insurance schemes or cover selected and are subject to underwriting criteria. Lancaster Insurance Services is a trading name of Insurance Factory Limited
who are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (No. 306164). For mutual security, calls are recorded and may be monitored for training purposes.

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1st FOR

FORMULA ONE STAR’S W124 E320

FINANCE CAN BE ARRANGED ON ALL OF THE ABOVE

Tel 07624 406060 or 01624 845200

former keepers have been precious @DanFurr

A 1989 560 SEC, THE BLUE-BLACK

sight to visitors popping in to see the living legend

Mushroom leather, on the other hand, showed

Rockingham Motor Speedway to be

WANTED AND FOR SALE

The Tamiya Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.5-16 Evolution II ZakSpeed

PRO WAX APPLICATOR KIT SUBSCRIBE!

MISHIMOTO LIQUID CHILL POWER MAXED AIR-CON REFRESH

RECOMMENDED READ WIPAC LED

REVIVE TURBO CLEANER

MTEC STAINLESS STEEL BRAKE HOSES

01933 410851 Mon-Fri 9:15 - 5:15

For Cars & Commercials

DTM WEAPONRY DEMANDED

Above You'd think the coupe

Above The 944's evolution as

Left Oval-shaped dashboard

PORSCHE'S GOAL WITH THE TRANSAXLE

THE BABY BENZ REPRESENTS

development of the updated model. Nevertheless,

MERCEDES 280SL/8 1968 MERCEDES 300SL 1989

MERCEDES CL55 AMG KOMPRESSOR 2003 MERCEDES SL500 2003

MERCEDES 230E 1985 MERCEDES S500L 2006

SERVICING • STAR DIAGNOSTICS • MOT • MECHANICAL AND ELECTRICAL REPAIRS

Unlike many of the people in charge of other car storage companies,

ENGINE PARTS (UK) LTD

Attendance figures increase year on year, with at least 150,000 visitors

Established in 1959, Nankang produce

www.nankangtyre.co.uk Nankang Tyre UK @NankangTyreUK

BEST THING ABOUT

get behind the wheel after a night on the

LENGTH OF BLACK BOXES

CARLY CONNECTED CAR

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Right Richings Greetham

THE MORE YOU LOOK, THE

of trying a Mercedes with a more compact engine,”

DEPICTING THE TOWN OF DEUTZ

joint Mercedes-Benz emblem to follow. Four

Facing page Humble origins

Old, but gold

Right If four wheels isn't

while in 2005, Brabus engineers added to their

THE WILD BUNCH

Above No matter your taste,

Up to date stock situation on our website: www.eppingmotorcompany.com

TEL: 01277 365415 FAX: 01277 365436 e-mail: sales@eppingmotorcompany.com

T & D HEANEY MOTOR COMPANY

THERE’S SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE

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GIVE SOMETHING UNIQUE THIS YEAR. SIMPLY VISIT:

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Gary Conway How has GCAP changed over the years?

Does your base in London's fashionable