MERCEDES-BENZ: I was daydreaming about what I’d do if I ever had the means to purchase a proper car, and I thought, wouldn’t it be fun to restore an old classic? The Aston Martin DB5 of James Bond fame has always caused my heart to race, but it is far out of reach for all but the super rich. Classic Jaguars are of course wonderful, and an old E-Type would be amazing. Yet, while I usually hate the design of modern Mercedes-Benz, I recently discovered these two classics, the Mercedes 300SL and its little brother the 190SL, and I’m in love.
The 300SL is legendary. Its gull-wing doors were one of the most inspired design touches in all of automotive history. This makes it a rare and expensive find for the collector today. However the 190SL was the 300′s little brother, and while less powerful, and lacking the gull-wing doors, its elegant shape still leaves me pining for a top-down drive along California 1 with a picnic basket and a dream. More imporantly, the 190SL is accessible. It can be found for the price of an average new car, or less depending on the amount of work it needs. There are clubs of enthusiasts who restore them, and provide resources and advice on the process. Have a look at this bit of sex on wheels! In a decision that I suppose we can only blame on the 70′s, shortly after these two classics, Mercedes decreed that all future designs should look like a box, and most Mercedes were hideous square shapes for the next two decades. Continue reading
