For many Mercedes enthusiasts, the appeal of the brand is in its heritage and the older and rarer the model, the better. So if you are looking for a vintage Mercedes Benz you have a rich variety to choose from. With incredibly rare models at a very high price tag, to everyday older models which you can still use for the daily commute, there is a vintage Mercedes for everyone.
Check out this guide to Mercedes to learn more about this much loved car brand.
If you are looking for a rare or collectible vintage Mercedes then you might want to consider those which were only produced in low numbers originally, such as the 1957 300SL Gullwing. If you can find one of these it will come with a hefty price tag – a pristine condition version could fetch more than a million dollars at auction. It is one of the most sought after vintage Mercedes.
Some of the other popular vintage Mercedes models are the W108, the W109, and the 126 Mercedes S-class – from the eighties era, although models from the 1960s and 1970s are also incredibly popular.
One of the things to consider when looking for a vintage Mercedes Benz is how easy it will be to find parts for it and whether you will need specialist help for any maintenance, repairs or restoration work which might be required.
Some models are easier to find parts for than others, so make sure you do your research before committing to buy. The last thing you want is to buy a car only to find that the parts cost three times the price of the vehicle in the first place.
One of the most popular vintage Mercedes which is renowned for not requiring too much costly maintenance sis the Mercedes-Benz 280SL – there were a number of models of this car produced through 1963 to 1971 and the 1968 version is a particular favourite for collectors. Known as the Pagoda, it is available as both a soft and hard top roof and is renowned for ease of maintenance.Buy here pay here in Miami
The other thing to consider when choosing your perfect vintage Mercedes is your budget as understandably a million dollar model is going to be out of most people’s price range. But with so many older cars out there, it is entirely possible to find a vintage model to suit any budget. Here are some examples which can be purchased without breaking the bank:
The 1971- 1982 Mercedes SLC
This four-seater coupe is largely available for under £10,000 and comes in a variety of engine sizes. The SLC was discontinued in 1982 although a roadster SL carried on through into 1989. Bear in mind that these cars are at least 35 years old so it’s worth doing a check for rust in the wings and other vulnerable areas, before committing to buy.
The 1980 – 1991 Mercedes SEC
This saloon car is still a common sight on the road today and comes with a big V8 engine. Again, the better examples will set you back around £10,000 with others needing a bit of TLC available for well under that price. It’s worth bearing in mind they will be expensive to run and are fairly simple cars when it comes to getting them repaired. These are not sporty models so won’t suit everyone.
The 1983 – 1993 Mercedes 190E
This car comes with a racing engine from Cosworth making it a fast and speedy option. It has a potential speed of 145mph as a result of the engine. The later models were fitted with a catalytic converter. You could pick one of these up for well below £10,000 but again, look out for rust and it can be costly if the engine needs any repairs.
The 1992 – 1998 Mercedes 600SEL (W140)
This big ostentatious model was developed in the late eighties and featured all the new technology of the day. They are still frequently seen on the roads and are a popular choice despite the comparatively high running costs due to the large engine.
With so many vintage models to choose from, whether you are looking for a small sporty model, or a large heavy classic Mercedes, there is one to suit you. Whether your budget is a million, or a hundred, you are sure to find a suitable car out there somewhere.
It’s important to do your research first to make sure that there are parts available should you need them, and that you have access to relevant expertise and skills to support your car when it needs some TLC or regular maintenance.
If you can do it yourself then great, but there are bound to be times when your car needs professional help so make sure that’s available before you take the plunge and buy a vintage model as a restoration project.
