Marque: Mercedes - Company History & Models - Cars By Brand

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.

PAST: A sort of affordable ‘300’ and much cheaper to run too care of mildly tuned 190 four-cylinder engine with twin carbs and sportier floor change gearbox. Servo brakes from ‘56 along with RHD cars and a factory hardtop. Replaced by Pagoda range in 1963.

PRESENT: Classical looking 300 clone that’s as affordable as a 190. Not exactly speedy but as you’d expect a good cruiser while less taxed suspension is far easier to handle. As always the SL is beautifully built and looks super classy – much less flash and brash than some of the more modern Merc SLs!

FUTURE: These cars are already blue chip classics and prices at the top end reflect this. Rust can be a worry and restorations can be 300SL dear to the superstructure but the oily bits are everlasting and spares and support pose few worries either.

PAST: Large, luxurious and extremely rare cars, especially the exclusive 300S coupes and roadsters. Early 300 versions featured twin Solex carburettors but rare 300S used triple jugs. Servo brakes for ‘54 with auto option a year later along with needed rear suspension revise. 300D doesn’t mean diesel but limo with power steering for ‘58. Although a manual (column)change ‘box was listed all UK cars were autos. 300S uses shorter platform, 150bhp engine or 175bhp and it’s dry-sumped for the 300SC!

PRESENT: Fine old stately ’six light’ Merc saloon offering excellent performance for 1950s, especially, and fuel-injected examples (1956 on). Cabriolets are rare four-door drop heads with 300 roadster pretty sensational for its day.

FUTURE: Rarity means they will always command high prices while legendary build and craftsmanship means restos may not be too horrendous but always costly.

PAST: Announced in 1963 but with production commencing a year later, this is a limo of classic proportions and status in every way. New V8-powered, this 18-20-footer (depending upon body) that had everything and the kitchen sink: hydraulic seats, front/rear air con, self-levelling air suspension, adjustable dampers, limited slip differential, power assisted steering and dual-circuit, servo-assisted brakes (with discs all round) – the list goes on. Limousine versions feature three rows of seats with standard central glass division.

PRESENT: A car still fit for Presidents and one that still hugely impresses with its forward thinking, all round ability and performance. Hardly a classic for frequent use but one that puts a Rolls to shame.

FUTURE: A classic for sure – just don’t even think about trying to restore one. And where are you going to park it?

PAST: Hugely respected range of saloons and estates that are still regular sights on our roads. Usual line up with range topper 500 launched in spring ‘91 with 319bhp. CE coupes and cabriolets launched in October ‘92, slingshot-saloon estate and coupe E36 AMG arriving in the summer of ‘94. Range re-badged E Series in 1993 and continued in production until 1996.

PRESENT: Prestigious saloons with classic good looks providing top performance, integrity, durability and plenty of space. Relatively affordable still, too. Estates are super practical and long-lasting. 24-valve 300 and AMGs exhilarating. Four-wheel drive ‘4-Matic’ versions technically interesting, with electronically-controlled all-wheel drive.

FUTURE: AMGs are only starting to gain classic status, others almost bangers so buy/cost up with care. Originality can be wanting on many cars too.

PAST: Launched to compete with the Range Rover in 1982 but without the style or ability (except off-road). No-nonsense, angular 4x4 estates, in short wheelbase and long-wheelbase forms, and with legendary Mercedes-Benz toughness built-in. Usual manual and auto versions available – most opted for the latter. Revamped during the 1990s, albeit now made to special order, but still the fundamentally the same vehicle.

PRESENT: Competent both on and off-road but colourless. Difficult to know its buying base as a classic Mercedes; perhaps best seen as a working one that’s a dependable daily driver although they did prove fairly popular to custom and modify in their day.

FUTURE: At present we can’t see one having great future classic status and there’s enough around to negate any rarity potential for a good many years yet. Hugely dear to maintain or repair as well so buy with care.

PAST: Start of the stylish big Mercs from Stuttgart, identifiable by their ‘stacked’ headlamps, and deliberately looking sleeker than ‘Fintails’ although similarly sized overall and giving an early taste of Fintail replacements. Model designations hard to fathom. In each case, ‘S’ refers to ‘S’ Class. Versions with fuel injection incorporate the letter ‘E’ within the designation Long wheelbase models by the letter ‘L’ with 3.5 V8 arriving in ‘69 (300SEL) featuring 600-like appointments.

PRESENT: If you look at the S Class as a down-sized 600 you won’t be wide of the mark. Rare coupes and cabrios are distinguished, albeit dropped in 1971.

FUTURE: An easier to own and store alternative to the 600 although values won’t be as good. Buy the best you can from the outset.

PAST: Launched in 1971 to replace the wonderful Pagoda, the W107 has even eclipsed that classic for desirability and durability. Based on a 97ins platform and now with S Class suspension it was right from the word go. Twin Cam 280SLC (‘74-’82) not for UK but a 280 SL surfaced in the 1980s. 230s came in 1977, same year as big V8 450s (no manual option) that was later badged the 500 when revamped in 1980. The W and R 107’s design lasted up until 1989!

PRESENT: This range is dripping with future classic status thanks to its style, performance, durability and usability and prices are reflecting this. Six pots are fast but reasonable to run and all cruise fabulously while handling is equally adept although a tad soft.

FUTURE: The fact dedicated specialists are sprouting up tells you everything and prices are on the move so buy now – but beware as most of the cheapies on sale are rubbish.

PAST: Faithful 70s replacement for the W114 with a more modern look and a roomier 110in wheelbase that again drew from S Class experience and a good deal of DNA. The 250 uses single cam engine while diesels now have benefit of a turbo for added guts. For the 1980s, all new 2.0 and 2.3-litre petrol units arrived.

PRESENT: Strong and dependable cars if unexciting and ponderous. Styling very similar to that of contemporary larger S Class and has that same hewn from solid feel too. Not fast or sporting but a good choice as a daily driver, especially the yeoman-like estates (T stands for Transporter, not turbocharged by the way!).

FUTURE: Hardly the stuff dreams are made of but careful buying can bring home a bargain; prices are generally affordable all round and this Merc is easy and cheap to own if you use a good specialist.