Marque: Mercedes - Company History & Models - Cars By Brand
Mercedes
The granddaddy of the automobile, no other car maker has stood the test of time as well as Mercedes. Mercedes-Benz was the amalgamation of the founders of the motor car, Karl Benz and Gotleib Daimler in 1926 where the emphasis was always on quality and exacting engineering – a philosophy that the company still adheres to. Apart from its road vehicles (and commercials) Mercedes was also hugely…
Mercedes ‘New Generation’ Saloons
Fast Facts
- Produced:
1967-76 - Bodywork:
Four-door saloon Engine - Engine:
200 Overhead camshaft four-cylinder 1988cc 95bhp; 200D Overhead camshaft four-cylinder 1988cc 55bhp; 220 Overhead camshaft four cylinder 2197cc 105bhp; 220D Overhead camshaft four-cylinder 2197cc diesel 60bhp; 250 Overhead camshaft six-cylinder 2496cc 130bhp; 280 Overhead camshaft six-cylinder 2778cc 140bhp - 0-60 mph:
220 16 sec; 250 12.5+ sec, 280 11.5+ sec - Top Speed:
80-110mph - MPG:
17-25 mpg
PAST: Cleaner swinging 60s replacement for much loved Fintails but with crisper styling and upgraded mechanics such as trailing arm rear suspensions, all round discs and a lot of S-Class DNA. Base 200 never officially sold over here but they turn up. Five-speed manual ‘box available but as rare as they are desirable. Range survived until 1976 before being replaced by similar theme W123 range.
PRESENT: Taxi! Well, they were hugely popular as them thanks to their sturdiness and space. A highly pleasant all rounder that’s dead reliable although car lacks the character of the older Fintail.
FUTURE: Difficult one this – prices have hardly moved since we last covered this manufacturer over five years ago so value is better than ever. However restos are usually uneconomic as a result.
Mercedes ‘New Generation’ Coupes
Fast Facts
- Produced:
1969-76 - Bodywork:
Two-door coupe - Engine:
250 Overhead camshaft six-cylinder 2496cc 157bhp (twin carburettor); 280 Overhead camshaft six-cylinder 2746cc 185bhp (fuel-injected) - 0-60 mph:
250 (twin carburettor) 13.5+ sec; 280 (fuel-injected) 9 sec - Top Speed:
250 (twin carburettor) 115 mph; 280 (fuel-injected) 125 mph - MPG:
15-20+ mpg
PAST: Sleek coupe, with attractive ‘pillarless’ styling that’s practical and comparatively scarce, yet still affordable for a classic Mercedes. Increasingly appreciated for its design and a good one is bound to appreciate further down the years. Solid if not exciting performers even in fuel injected form that surfaced in 1968. Range lasted for a decade and has since aged well.
PRESENT: As we said, hardly an exciting driver’s car but no worse than many other cars of that era plus it’s a Mercedes that will cruise over the ton all day in top security and comfort. Soft riding so handling is fairly ponderous but these were never GTs.
FUTURE: If you want a two-door instead of the four-door saloon then fine but the latter are better value and more versatile. That said prices of the CEs are steadily moving away from saloons so the market is there.
