OK, this is a bit off the wall, but next time you pass a semi, have a look at the front corner lights, i.e. the turn signals on the tractor. If it is a semi which is a few years old, the corners look just like the corners on a W124.

Now I know there are lots of brands of semi tractors, and I'm lame for not knowing which particular brand this is, but I can assure you that there are a lot of this particular type of semi cab out there.

I have not been at a truck stop to where I could eyeball these corners up close to see if it is a Bosch or Hella part. The only reason this really stuck out for me is that I had to replace one of my corners recently and shortly thereafter I noticed it (or a close match) on a truck. Now I see them everywhere.

Rgds,
Chris W.

Damn, Jung's synchronicity again!!! I was just wondering the same thing while driving on I-5 up to Seattle yesterday. I think '90's era Freightliners use the exact same corners as my 124...of course, Freighliner IS owned by Daimler-Benz.

Freightliner is owned by MB, and their turn signals do show a lot of family resemblance. I'm not sure, however, if they are the same as MB auto signals, or if they were just designed by the same person.

Tom

Anyone else see the resemblance of Freightliner semi headlights with the S-class series?

__________________
2009 ML350 (106K) - Family vehicle
2001 CLK430 Cabriolet (80K) - Wife's car
2005 BMW 645CI (138K) - My daily driver
2016 Mustang (32K) - Daughter's car

There are also some Freightliners with headlights similar to the ML, with a chrome bezel surrounding it to make it look a little larger on a semi fender. I don't know if they are direct drop-ins from MB's, or just robbing the styling. Looks cool though. I like the Volvo semi headlights better, more aerodymanic too. At least looks like it would be. Projector lense "everything".

Gilly

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I can't believe I'm not the only sick person who's noticed that regarding the turn lenses, I also didn't know however that Freightliner was owned by MB.

Gilly, I agree that the new Volvo headlights do look really cool.

One more thing, I'm sure you guys DON'T want to hear this but old Chrysler Reliants look like they have the same headlights as -85 126's. BTW, the 86+ 126's look MUCH better in that respect. I have never been able to warm up to the recessed light look of the older 126's.

Thanks
David

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2000 Honda Accord V6 137k miles

1972 300SEL 4.5 98k miles

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I remember a buddy of mine noticing that the tail lights on his Jeep were the exact same ones on some beat up dump truck.

He sold the Jeep and got an Audi.

__________________

Current:
2014 VW Tiguan SEL 4Motion 43,000 miles.

2016 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport (wife's).

Past:
2006 Jetta TDI 135,970 miles. Sold Nov. '13.
1995 E-320 Special Edition. 220,200 miles. Sold Sept. '07.
1987 190-E 16 valve. 153,000 miles. Sold Feb. '06.
1980 300-D 225,000 miles. Donated to the National Kidney Foundation.
1980 240-D manual, 297,500 miles. Totaled by inattentive driver.

I know it's bad form to respond to your own post, but I was in bumper to bumper traffic today, and lo and behold, a beat-up Freightliner pulled up next to me as we were crawling along. Bingo! Sure looks like the corner light on my 124's! Here is a crappy cell phone picture.

Rgds,
Chris W.
'95 E300D, 312k
'88 300E, 146K

Attached Thumbnails

 

A few other interesting observations on parts-sharing here:

http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=4275625

And yes, the W124/Freightliner connection is made therein!

__________________
1992 300D 2.5T
1980 Euro 300D (sadly, sold)
1998 Jetta TDI, 132K "Rudy"
1974 Triumph TR6
1999 Saab 9-5 wagon (wife's)

A couple interesting images from the above thread:

Attached Thumbnails

   

__________________
1992 300D 2.5T
1980 Euro 300D (sadly, sold)
1998 Jetta TDI, 132K "Rudy"
1974 Triumph TR6
1999 Saab 9-5 wagon (wife's)

A fun road trip game to play is name the headlights on RVs. Since the headlights from existing cars are already DOT approved, RV companies use headlights from other companies. Fun game.

The first one is a hood latch on a Mercedes, guess what car the second one is )

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1982 300GD Carmine Red (DB3535) Cabriolet Parting Out
1990 300SEL Smoke Silver (Parting out)
1991 350SDL Blackberry Metallic (481)

"The thing is Bob, its not that I'm lazy...its that I just don't care."

vw

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-Justin

91 560 SEC AMG - other dogs dd
01 Honda S2000 - dogs dd
07 MB ML320 CDI - dd
16 Lexus IS250 - wifes dd

it's automatic.

Yup -- VW!

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1992 300D 2.5T
1980 Euro 300D (sadly, sold)
1998 Jetta TDI, 132K "Rudy"
1974 Triumph TR6
1999 Saab 9-5 wagon (wife's)

Note that the latch is bolted in and removable for replacement on the MB, while on the VW it is riveted in place. And that, is a perfect example of the difference in a MB.

I've noticed that the freightliner trucks do share lighting with the MB vehicles, it makes sense, since they own Freightliner.

__________________
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'15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800)
'17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k)
'09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k)
'13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k)
'01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km)
'16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k)