Rare Mercedes (&roll call) - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Greg in Oz · #1 03-25-2003, 07:58 PM

I am interested to get some discussion going about rare Mercedes. Certain models are rare or non-existent in some markets but common in others. Some models are just plain rare anywhere. For example, I know of only one W124 300TE 24 valve Sportline (in the UK) on a discussion forum. Maybe they are fairly common in the UK. I know we got none in Australia. Likewise we got no W124 400E (E420) or 500E (E500) and yet these are fairly common in the US market. On the other hand 4 cylinder W124s never went to the US but did go across Europe and Oz. The W124 range in Oz included the 220E, 220CE, 220TE, E220, E220C, E220T, 230E, 230TE, 260E, 300E2.6, 300E2.8, 300TE2.8, E280, E280T, 300D, 300E, 300TE, 300CE, 300E24, 300CE24, 320E, 320CE, E320 & E320C. A rare few Sportlines were available here in some of the W124s and W201s. The S-Class diesels that were popular in the US never came to Oz but we did get the W116 in a 280S, 280SE(L), 350SE(L), 450SE(L), and 450SEL6.9. The W126 came here in 280S, 280SE(L), 300SE(L), 380SE(L), 420SE(L) and 560SEL but no 500. In addition to the larger engined W201s we also got not only the 190E1.8, but a popular low cost (lower equipment level) version badged as a 180E that I believe was unique to Oz.

I am not necessarily talking exotic cars, just rare models. I will start the roll call with one of my cars. Here in Australia my 1990 190E 2.3 which is a Sportline and has 5 speed manual transmission is rare. Despite being an Australian delivery, it is believed to be one of only a very small number (if not the only one). Only small numbers of 190Es here were 2.3 or 2.6 (most were 2.0 or 1.8), few were manual and very few were Sportlines. To get the combination I have in one car is rare. Does anyone else know of this particular combination elsewhere? Let's hear about other rare Benzes.

Frank X. Morris · #2 03-25-2003, 08:34 PM

Howdy Greg,
If you want to talk about rare vehicles come on over to the Unimog forum

We would l0ve to have stop in and enjoy the the talk about Mogs. Oh yeah there are those 2 other vehicles there too

suginami · #3 03-25-2003, 08:51 PM

It may seem like 500E's are common because there are so many owners who participate on this forum, but they are actually quite rare.

Most people don't even know the model exists.

Even most MB owners are unaware of the existence of the 500E.

suginami · #4 03-25-2003, 08:53 PM

I think that '93 300CE and '94-'94 E320 Sportline Coupes are awfully hard to find.

Greg in Oz · #5 03-25-2003, 11:21 PM

Paul,

I appreciate that the 500E / E500 in reality is rare being a limited production (LHD only) vehicle. I guess that if you take a forum such as this as representative of what enthusiasts own though, it is not as rare (among us enthusiasts) as perhaps a 300TE-24 Sportline or even my 190E 2.3 Sportline manual. I'm talking rare as opposed to collectable or desirable. A 500E (or even a 190E 2.3-16) is both significantly more desirable and collectable than my 190E 2.3 Sportline, whatever the rarity of each model.

You mention the Sportline version of the 124 coupe. Strangely, in Australia, they are about the only Sportlines you ever see. You are right though, I cannot remember ever seeing one in a 320CE or E320 coupe ('93-'95). From memory all have been the 300CE-24. I have also seen the occasional 300E-24 Sportline and 190E Sportline in 2, 2.3 and 2.6 litre but none have been manual like mine.

Frank,

Yes, the Unimog is rare among private owners yet pass any Australian Army base and there are plenty to be seen!

Greg in Oz · #6 03-27-2003, 02:01 AM

If I had to name the rarest MB I have known it would have to be the 1936 500K cabriolet one of our club members here in Sydney owned some years ago. He restored the car over a period of years then enjoyed it for probably another 10 years, driving it on club events and showing it at concours where it was always a great crowd puller. I can still remember that huge supercharged straight 8 with the chrome exhausts visible outside the engine bay. Eventually he decided to sell it and I believe it is in China now.

Jim Anderson · #7 03-27-2003, 01:36 PM

I have a semi-rare 1991 190e 2.6 with a 5 speed. In my continuing searches I found one once that was a sportline. I even called the guy and talked with him, but he was seriously non-technical. I was seriously toying with the idea of buying it, until I talked to my wife

Greg in Oz · #8 03-27-2003, 05:20 PM

Jim,

Your car would be a one and only if it were in Australia. Manuals here are very rare. There are a reasonable number of 180E (190E 1.8) in manual as well as some earlier 2 litre 190Es. There may be others in the 2.3 but I'm not aware of any. I'm sure in the 2.6 there would be no manuals here. I have heard of only one other 2.3 Sportline and have heard of a 2.6 Sportline (both auto).

Regarding manuals, we see a few from the sixties and obviously earlier (190SL, 220SE, 230SL, etc.) and the occasional one from the '70s (280E, 350SL). More recently, apart from the W201s mentioned above there are some around in the C-Class and even the odd SLK. Some of the A-Class here also have the clutchless manual. Generally, if you want a manual, you need to place a special order for one.

I'd still like to hear if anyone knows of another 190E 2.3 Sportline manual like mine.

Greg

#9 03-27-2003, 06:06 PM

How about an W140 S280, with a 5 speed manual transmission? I have only seen one, and it was a cab, waiting outside the Stuttgart airport. Had manual climate control.

A 350SEL (116 body) with a manual transmission...not too many of those around - also the last manny tranny V8 sedan the company ever made.

The 560SE had very low pruduction numbers if I remember correctly....

I think the rarity of most models is relative to where you live. I never see 116 cars - to much rust, A german has never seen a 300sdl, and most Americans have never seen an E220cdi. I dont think any of us have seen a CLK-GTR roll by, however.

Mike

wbain5280 · #10 03-27-2003, 06:22 PM

A local woman has a 450SL with a manual trans. I saw it at Nokesville day. I spoke to her briefly. Nice car.

tabasco85331 · #11 03-27-2003, 09:48 PM

My authorized MB dealer said it had been a long time since he saw my model , 1979 450 SLC . He said a 70`s SL 450 was not that unusual but the SLC`s were somewhat rare . Is it rare ? I don`t see many myself running around town (Phoenix and all California) .

Aaron · #12 03-28-2003, 12:07 AM

My own rare bird is the 6.9

tabasco85331 · #13 03-28-2003, 01:49 PM

I see you own an 89 420 SEL like me . Mine is pearl grey with navy interior . This car was pampered and parked inside all it`s life . Looks like new . And yes I did buy it from an elderly lady that decided she wanted a Lexus . My wife says it looks like a German bankers car . I told her go drive your 79 450 SLC and maybe I would take her out tonight in my 89 420 SEL and spoil her . My favorite Mercedes are - 89 and 90 , 420 and 560 SEL and the new 2003 SL500`S and SL600`s . I also like all years of SL`s says my wife .

Limited Edition · #14 03-28-2003, 02:27 PM

I have a 1993 190E 2.3 5-Speed Non-Sportline.

Don

Greg in Oz · #15 04-02-2003, 08:02 PM

My timing for starting this thread was good because as it happens I travelled interstate from Sydney to Melbourne to visit the MB Club of Victoria (Australia) concours on the weekend. At the concours I met an owner of a 190E 2.6 Sportline (automatic) who has done some research. He told me that only 15 190E Sportlines (any engine size) came to Australia. It is believed that most were automatic and possibly my 2.3 is the only manual in Oz.

On Monday the club organised a tour of three private collections of very rare and valuable cars. The highlights of the first collection were an 1896 Benz (which was started to prove it goes), a 1936 540K (just superb) and a Bugatti among others. The second collection also included an early Benz W5 and several race cars including some previously raced by Sir Jack Brabham. The third and largest collection also included a 540K, several 1950s 300SLs (gullwings and roadsters), several 1960s 600s (standard and pullman including laundelet), a 1950s 300Sc cabriolet, a 280SE 3.5 cabriolet, a 190E 2.5-16 Evo 2, numerous other Mercedes and many examples of other marques including Porsche, Ferrari, Jaguar, Bentley and Rolls Royce. The one thing common to all the cars in this collection was their rarity. Adjoining this collection is a workshop with full time staff undertaking restorations of more rare and exotic cars.

In all, a fantastic weekend for the car enthusiast and well worth the 1800km return journey. I drove my 190E 2.3 Sportline (the first long trip I have done with it) and it performed faultlessly using no oil and only 8 litres/100km of fuel travelling at around 115km/h for most of the journey.

Getting back to some of your replies, I am surprised to hear of the 450SL manual. To the best of my knowledge, the only V8 available in manual was the 3.5 (ie. 280SE-3.5, 350SL, 350SLC, 350SE, etc.) Regarding the 450SLC, they are still quite common in Australia although not in the numbers of 107 series SLs. The 350SLC is not as common and the 280SLC and 380SLC are scarce. 450SEL-6.9s are not common, but I believe there are still several dozen in Australia.

Let's hear about more rare Mercs and please tell me if you know of a Sportline like mine.