Motorworld Classics 2016: ALL TIME STARS takes stock after one year

Mercedes-Benz Classic and ALL TIME STARS played a big part in the successful premiere of the Motorworld Classics show in Berlin last year – and this year will once again have numerous vehicles on display at the historic exhibition centre next to Berlin's 'Funkturm' (a former broadcasting tower). The event, which runs from 6 to 9 October 2016, will once again feature a large number of the officially recognised Mercedes-Benz brand clubs.

ALL TIME STARS is the vehicle trading arm of the Mercedes-Benz Museum and has sold around 50 vehicles since its launch in 2015. The line-up ranges from young classics to pre-war classics. Sale prices for the vehicles sold to date likewise vary wildly, ranging from €9900 for a Mercedes-Benz 200 D from the 123 series to €2 million for a Mercedes-Benz AMG CLK-LM racing car. A 300 SL Roadster from the legendary 198 series sold for just under this at €1.8 million. Vehicles from the 1960s and 1980s are particularly popular with customers. Stock replenishment is necessary to make the business a success: ALL TIME STARS is constantly on the look-out for high-quality vehicles to create an ideal range for its customers to choose from.

ALL TIME STARS has established itself with its commitment to maximum transparency. All of the vintage classics and young classics on sale undergo a thorough 160-point check, come with a Classic Data Report and achieve a technical score of at least 2, with 1 being the highest possible score. These factors, along with the famous star on the bonnet or in the radiator grille, represent a sound promise of quality – backed by a one-year warranty from ALL TIME STARS. Three Editions are available.

Concours Edition: young classics and classic cars in rare original condition with very few miles on the clock and vehicles that have been lovingly restored by the experts at Mercedes-Benz Classic in Fellbach.

Collectors Edition: these young classics and classic cars are in excellent condition both technically and visually. Their patina gives them a particularly special character.

Seven ALL TIME STARS at Motorworld Classics

In a prominent position near the entrance to the Hall of Honour at the Berlin exhibition centre built in 1936, ALL TIME STARS is presenting an S-Class 280 SE (first registered in 1982) and an SLK 200 Kompressor (2003) during the Motorworld Classics show. Both cars are milestones in the brand's history.

The S-Class from the 126 series unveiled in 1979 was built based on what were then the latest findings in the areas of lightweight construction, aerodynamics and safety. These attributes, along with the exceptional comfort of a Mercedes-Benz S-Class, of course, set benchmarks that today make this a highly coveted classic car. The vehicle on display in Berlin is in first-class condition. Other key data: Collectors Edition, sale price €43,126, exterior colour 473 champagne metallic, interior appointments 934 bamboo velour, mileage 30,500 km, first registered in March 1982, equipment including automatic transmission and Becker car radio.

Mercedes-Benz launched the SLK (170 series) 20 years ago in 1996 – meaning that the first models now have 'young classic' status. The SLC in the current Mercedes-Benz model portfolio continues the tradition started by the SLK in 1996. The compact Roadster impresses with its vario-roof, which allows it to be an open-top two-seater or a coupé. The SLK 200 Kompressor on show at Motor Classics, from the penultimate production year of the first model series, is a shining example: its first owner ordered it with a black-painted body and attractive two-tone leather interior appointments in black and red. Other key data for the ALL TIME STARS vehicle on display in Berlin: Collectors Edition, sale price €18,170, mileage 89,430 km, first registered in August 2003, equipment including CD car radio, automatic transmission and six-hole alloy wheels.

Five further ALL TIME STARS are on display on the Mercedes-Benz Classic main stand (Hall 20, Stand 11) at Motorworld Classics: two four-seater cabriolets in the shape of the 280 SE 3.5 Cabriolet (1971, 111 series) and E 320 Cabriolet (1994, 124 series) plus a 280 SL 'Pagoda' (1970, 113 series), a 280 SLC (1980, 107 series) and a 230 TE (1991, 124 series).

The Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 Cabriolet was the flagship model of the W 111 cabriolets made between 1961 and 1971. Its timelessly elegant lines today make it one of the most coveted classics of its era. The vehicle on sale features a rare colour combination: exterior paintwork and soft-top in dark blue, interior appointments and tonneau cover in parchment-coloured leather. Other key data: Drivers Edition, patina in original condition, sale price €462,000, mileage 66,795 km (read), first registered in July 1971, equipment including ivory-coloured steering wheel and power steering.

In September 1991 the Cabriolet arrived as a further body variant in the 124 series. After a gap of exactly 20 years, this meant that a four-seater cabriolet was once again available in the medium class, plus it was the first four-seater cabriolet offering roll-over protection: a linear roll-over bar located behind the rear seALL TIME STARS was specifically developed for the cabriolet - this extended almost vertically upwards within 0.3 seconds if a roll-over was likely. It could be extended at the touch of a button at any time to act as a head restraint for passengers in the rear. Other key data for the E 320 Cabriolet at Motorworld Classics: Collectors Edition, sale price €56,124, mileage 54,800 km, first registered in July 1994, US version, exterior colour 744 brilliant silver metallic, interior appointments 201 black leather, equipment including automatic transmission, leather seALL TIME STARS with seat memory function, automatic climate control and wood highlights in burr walnut.

'Pagoda' was the name given to the Mercedes-Benz SL range (113 series) unveiled in 1963 on account of the hard-top's characteristic shape. The vehicles have long been among the brand's most sought-after classics. The 280 SL was launched in 1968 as the last and most powerful of these models. Other key data for the ALL TIME STARS vehicle: Concours Edition, as-new condition following complete restoration by Mercedes-Benz Classic, sale price €328,000, mileage 540 km, first registered in July 1970, exterior colour 717 papyrus white, interior appointments 132 MB-Tex blue, equipment including Becker car radio.

The equivalent Coupé models in the SLC range were built alongside the SL Roadsters in the 107 series up until autumn 1981. Of particular note is the fact that they fully live up to their classification as 'sports coupés': Mercedes-Benz won numerous rally and long-distance races with these cars. The vehicle on offer at Motorworld Classics features an extraordinary colour combination: exterior colour 420 manganese brown, interior appointments 035 plaid crème fabric. Other key data: Collectors Edition, rare original condition, sale price €39,107, mileage 41,800 km, first registered in July 1980, equipment including Becker 'Kurier' car radio and alloy wheels.

The Estate is one of the most popular body variants in the 124 series. Called the 'T-Modell' in German, the T stands for 'tourism and transport'. And it is this combination of utility value and family-oriented lifestyle and leisure car that has enabled Mercedes-Benz to set the standards ever since the preceding 123 series was launched. The 230 TE model on offer from ALL TIME STARS in Berlin features SPORTLINE equipment and appointments and is in first-class condition. Other key data: Collectors Edition, sale price €24,124, mileage 121,900 km, first registered in April 1991, exterior colour 441 impala metallic, interior appointments 073 plaid brown fabric, equipment including automatic transmission, electric sliding sunroof, air conditioning and trailer coupling.

Two SL Roadster models from the in-house collection at Mercedes-Benz Classic round off the vehicle presentation on the show stand at Motorworld Classics: a 300 SL Roadster (198 series) and a 280 SL (113 series) 'Pagoda'.

Numerous brand clubs are represented at the exhibition

The brand clubs officially recognised by Mercedes-Benz Classic are important upholders of tradition. There are 18 clubs in Germany, eleven of which are showcasing their vehicles at Motorworld Classics. They have a stand area of 1400 square metres at their disposal. There are a total of 80 clubs worldwide, with more than 100,000 members. How does a club become an official brand club? In short, it must do verifiably good work in the interests of the Mercedes star. Plus it must meet various criteria, such as ensuring that none of the club's activities are of a commercial nature.

Motorworld Classics 2016

Following its successful premiere last year, the second Motorworld Classics show takes place from 6 to 9 October 2016 at the exhibition centre in the heart of Berlin, near the former broadcasting tower known locally as the 'Funkturm'. It has grown already, with an additional three exhibition halls now being occupied. This year, too, the event organisers have opted for a mix of look and feel from years gone by, high-quality exhibits and numerous highlights for experts and enthusiasts alike.

The vehicles from the Mercedes-Benz Classic collection at Motorworld Classics

Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster (W 198 II, 1957-1963)

Mercedes-Benz unveiled the 300 SL Roadster as the successor to the 300 SL Gullwing Coupé at the Geneva Motor Show in March 1957. At a technical level, the open-top sports car was very like the Coupé, although the modified space frame allowed the installation of conventionally attached doors, which were necessary for open-top driving. The chassis likewise features an advanced design: the single-joint swing axle with lowered pivot point was equipped with a compensating spring for the first time in the 300 SL Roadster. From 1958, the Roadster was also optionally available with a removable hard-top. It was from the standard-production 300 SL Roadster that the Mercedes-Benz engineers developed the 300 SLS racing variant with which Paul O'Shea was victorious in Category D of the American Sports Car Championship in 1957. Production of the 300 SL Roadster ceased in 1963 after a total production run of 1858 examples of this highly exclusive sports car.

Production period: 1957-1963

Cylinders: 6/in-line

Displacement: 2996 cc

Output: 158 kW (215 hp)

Top speed: up to 250 km/h

Mercedes-Benz 280 SL (W 113, 1968-1971)

The 'Pagoda SL' W 113 series, thus called by enthusiasts on account of its pagoda-shaped hard-top, achieves the difficult balance between high-performance sports car on the one hand and comfortable touring car on the other. It therefore combines the qualities of its two predecessor models: the uncompromising 300 SL (W 198) production sports car and the 190 SL (W 121) designed more with sporty, comfortable touring in mind. These attributes of the 'Pagoda SL' won the hearts of highly ambitious buyers looking for a mix of the extraordinary performance and superlative power delivery of a thoroughbred sports car together with the spaciousness and ride comfort of a luxury touring car. The highly advanced 280 SL variant launched in 1963 had a displacement of 2.8 litres yet 15 kW (20 hp) more power output than the preceding 230 SL and 250 SL models. Thanks to greater flexibility, these performance credentials made the six-cylinder in-line model nicer to drive and more refined. In terms of unit sales, the 280 SL model in the 'Pagoda' series was almost as successful as the 230 SL and 250 SL combined, with the latter having only been produced for around one year.

Production period: 1968-1971

Cylinders: 6/in-line

Displacement: 2778 cc

Output: 125 kW (170 hp)

Top speed: 200 km/h

Photo credit: Mercedes-Benz
posted on conceptcarz.com

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