Mercedes-Benz launches Young Classics Store

Sarc · 03-19-2009, 08:25 AM

(autospies.com)

Daimler AG is adjusting its vision on a new and promising business sector of the growing interest of enthusiasts for classic cars of the more recent kind. This is signaled by the Mercedes-Benz Young Classics, passenger cars produced from 1970 to 1990.

There is a growing number of these Mercedes-Benz model that have gained cult standing, especially in the US and Europe. Due to the limited supply of well maintained cars and the demand for originality, prices of these classics have soared skyward, including the young classics. Daimler is bridging the gap between newer vehicle sales and the highly specialized vintage car business of the Mercedes-Benz Center in both the US and Germany through the ‘Mercedes Benz Young Classics’. As its lead project in the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart, Daimler has started its first ‘Mercedes-Benz Young Classics Store.’ In this store, where models from 1970 and onward are offered in a first-class condition, buyers can purchase, lease, insure and also finance available young classics.

http://young-classics.mercedes-benz-classic.com/?lang=en

onewhippedpuppy · 03-19-2009, 08:33 AM

That's really cool. Personally I love a lot of the MB models from the mid-70s through the 90s. They made a lot of really unique cars that can be suprisingly affordable to buy. Plus it's always nice to see a company embrace their heritage.

Now what can I pawn to purchase that 500E?

Sarc · 03-19-2009, 08:45 AM

Exactly what I was thinking (as you already know)!

What would also be really cool would be a W108 or a W114 upgraded with a modern engine and mechanicals. Love those early Benz's.

Eric 951 · 03-19-2009, 08:47 AM

I will always lust for a 6.9 sedan.

rouxroux · 03-19-2009, 12:07 PM

I guess after seeing Datsun (Nissan) do it with great success with the old Z's a while back that MB is taking the bait?

BGCarrera32 · 03-19-2009, 01:05 PM

That's funny: can't sell the new junk so they're selling the old refurbished stuff.

Somebody probably got bumped to director level for thinking this one up.

dbrisson · 03:18 PM

Does this count, hoping to sand and repaint and then sell for a new project. 1967 Euro delivered, sunroof 250se, that I finally have nicely sorted. Have driven 140miles, daily to work as my rain / beater car. Runs great, (now)

I have been thinking the same as the earlier poster, a newer engine trans swap would rule. I have been searchig around for good deals on engine tranny combos. Trying to resit the urge to mock up a small mock because its so easy.

kaisen · 03-19-2009, 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eric 951

I will always lust for a 6.9 sedan.

I had two of them, both euro-spec, one with AMG cams and some other cool stuff. Amazing motor, neat suspension. Ran 14.6 @ 101mph bone stock, hazing the tires all the way down the strip.

dd74 · 03-19-2009, 09:41 PM

My folks had a 280 SEL. Fabulous car. Loved the interior smell of real leather. Car was faster than hell, too.

One day when it was getting serviced, my dad received a phone call from the mechanic; he had "interesting news" about the M-B.

It seemed "somehow" assembly went askew in the fatherland, and M-B mistakenly crammed a 6.3 liter V8 in our car as opposed to the 4.5. No wonder it was so fast, got terrible mileage, and was sold ten years after we bought it for 150% profit.

I still miss that car twenty years later.

Anyway, if all the 300 D and TDs running around here is any indication, M-B will do really well with this program. The old M-Bs were some of the best cars ever built, IMO.

onewhippedpuppy · 03-20-2009, 05:56 AM

Mercedes has made some seriously cool cars over the years. I didn't realize how many until I started reading the various forums.

How about an AMG Hammer?

Or a 190E 2.3-16V?

I will forever lust after a 500E.

I've always had a thing for the 6.9 sedans, a-la Ronin.

daepp · 03-20-2009, 07:41 AM

Great idea - Crappy web site tho...

sand_man · 03-20-2009, 08:19 AM

Not crazy about the colors...would rather have silver exterior and blue leather interior, but I've always had a thing for the 280SE Cab. Maybe a bit of an "old man" car, but just looks like such a cool cruiser!

911boost · 911boost's Garage

Thats cool, my first car was almost a 280SEL from Colin Powell. My dad was at the Pentagon at the time.

dd74 · 03-20-2009, 12:15 PM

Matt - do you have any shots of the red sedan that appears in the first photo off to the right? I've seen that car somewhere. A 6.3 rally car if I'm not mistaken. Fairly bad-ass with flared arches, etc.

onewhippedpuppy · 03-20-2009, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Matt - do you have any shots of the red sedan that appears in the first photo off to the right? I've seen that car somewhere. A 6.3 rally car if I'm not mistaken. Fairly bad-ass with flared arches, etc.

Nope, I wish. I found that pic on Google image search.

dd74 · 03-20-2009, 01:53 PM

That's okay - I found some more:

What a sweet car!

Racerbvd · Racerbvd's Garage

Ray B · 05:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BGCarrera32

That's funny: can't sell the new junk so they're selling the old refurbished stuff.

+1. My E-class was a stool sample. The old stuff was great- wish they still made 'em like that.

onewhippedpuppy · 03-21-2009, 08:17 AM

I think 2000 - 2006 or so was pretty rough for quality. No coincidence that the worst years were during the Daimler Chrysler merger. My '95 is a freakin' tank, best build quality of anything I've owned.

deathpunk dan · 03-21-2009, 02:32 PM

Matt

What do you think of early 90s E320 (?) wagons? My girlfriend loves them but I know very little about their reliability, cost of ownership, how DIY friendly (compared to say, an E36 3 series) etc.

Was 4matic available on those and how does their AWD rate compared to quattro or subaru's system?