Lewis Hamilton and his Title-Winning Cars -- at the Museum

Formula 1® champion Lewis Hamilton with his winning cars in the Great Hall of the Mercedes-Benz Museum. Photo: Stephen Reuss, December 2024.

 Looking back at his record-breaking career under the banner of the Mercedes star: Lewis Hamilton is the world’s most successful Formula 1® racing driver of all time. He won seven World Championship titles in a Mercedes-Benz-powered car – the first in 2008 with the McLaren-Mercedes MP4-23 and six more with Silver Arrows. Now Hamilton and the team are parting ways, and the Mercedes-Benz Museum is celebrating the legendary champion with a very special presentation. Through to 6 January 2025, six of his title winning vehicles will be on display in the Great Hall on the entrance level. Entry to the Great Hall is free of charge. His 2020 World Championship car is on proud display in the permanent exhibition in Legends Room 7: Silver Arrows – Races and Records.

The vehicles of the Formula 1® special presentation at the Mercedes-Benz Museum

• 2008: McLaren-Mercedes MP4-23
• 2014: Mercedes AMG PETRONAS F1 W05
• 2015: Mercedes AMG PETRONAS F1 W06 Hybrid
• 2017: Mercedes-AMG F1 W08 EQ Power+
• 2018: Mercedes-AMG F1 W09 EQ Power+
• 2019: Mercedes-AMG F1 W10 EQ Power+
• 2020: Mercedes-AMG F1 W11 EQ Performance (2020) – in Legends Room 

German women and a Mercedes-Benz during the early 1930s -- are they lost?

 

German women from the 1930s were the most beautiful in the world - and on a trip with a 380 Cabriolet! My mother was of that generation!

The Mercedes-Benz Hood Emblem -- Symbolism, Meaning, and Representing a True Object of Desire

 It is often the everyday things around us that we take for granted, yet do not understand. How many M-B owners have ever thought about the badge on the hood of their car?  What about meaning of that badge? What about the company that made the car -- what is the organization trying to say about themselves to the public and competitors.  Can we interpret the history of the firm when the badge or logo changes, as it did several times in the history of Mercedes-Benz and its precursor compnies? What is the significance of the colors used and the design itself?

On the badge afixed to my hood (1982 Mercedes 380 SL) the three pointed star is white, the background is silver, and the laurels are blue. The three pointed star had its origins of the stationary used by the Daimler family in the 19th century. One story is that the Daimlier brothers used a 1872 family postcard, where thefamily home was marked with a star, as the insipiration for the logo. The laurels are from the Carl Benz side of the firm after the 1926 merger, and symbolize "victory" used in Greek Culture.

As I looked at the new M-B models on the lot the other day, the badge is a Black with a contrasting background.  A very different message is now sent to consumers in a complex global environment, where asia plays a major role in the marketplace. 

In 1902, the Mercedes symbol was first composed of an oval badge, positioned horizontally with a sans-serif wordmark in the center. The Mercedes badge here was a little unusual, with the central letters of “Mercedes” appearing larger than the surrounding characters. All of the letters in this logo were capitals and designed in a soft grey.The oval itself was in black, with a double outline of grey and black to draw further attention to the name in the middle.The design of the Mercedes car symbol changed significantly in 1909. This time, the company released a circular badge with the word “Benz” in capital, serif letters in the middle. The word was written in black on a grey circle, with a border in black around it. The black border featured a sort of crest-style wreath.

This design was far more traditional and detailed than the previous, intended to represent the brand's luxury.

1921 poster

The first version of the iconic Mercedes three-point star appeared in 1916, with a more color for the image too. The star was designed in gold and white, on a red background with a thick circular frame. the three points of the star represented the Daimler ambition for its engines to dominate and conquer travel on land, in the air, and on the seas.

After the merger

“Der Stern ihrer Sehnsucht” (1929, Atelier Hans Neumann ) and “Frau in Rot” (1928, Edward Cucuel Offelsmeyer) are two of the most striking advertising motifs of the 1920s.

After the merger of 1926 between Daimler and Benz, and then in 1933 with the rise of the Nazi party to power in Germany,  Mercedes-Benz began simplifying its logo. The Mercedes image quickly became a simple, minimalistic version of the three-pointed star inside of a circular emblem.

from W121 1960 190

note how it is attached. Now plastic grommets are used rather than a nut.

This is pretty much how my emblem looks on my 1982 Mercedes 380 SL My badge ihas a three pointed start that is infilled with white and silver lines demarking the stars. It is aluminum, and from what I hear now badges are plastic. with a different as you can see below.

reverse

Fact File: Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

 

• Abu Dhabi 2024 will be the 246th and final Grand Prix with Mercedes for Lewis Hamilton, a partnership that has delivered six World Drivers’ titles, eight World Constructors’ titles, 84 wins, 153 podiums, and 78 pole positions.
• It stands to be the 356th and final Grand Prix for Lewis with a Mercedes-Benz powered car in F1, ending a run that started on the seven-time world champion’s debut in the sport in March 2007.
• Abu Dhabi made its F1 debut in 2009 as the sport's first ever twilight race, with the start taking place at sunset. Around 4,700 light fixtures are used to illuminate the track.
• Several modifications were made to the track layout ahead of the 2021 race, changing the lap length from 5.554 km to 5.281 km.
• These changes including removing the chicane at the start of the second sector and widening the following hairpin. The twisty chicanes at the start of the final sector were also replaced by one long, banked corner.
• Similar to other twilight and night races on the calendar, FP1 and FP3 take place in the daytime. FP2, Qualifying and the Grand Prix itself take place at night or as the sun sets.
• That poses a challenge to the engineers and drivers who must accommodate for the changes in tyre and car behaviour owing to the differing ambient and track temperatures.
• The pitlane at the Yas Marina Circuit is unique in F1, in that it features a tunnel that runs underneath Turn One. Drivers pass under the track at the pit lane exit, re-joining on the left-hand side of Turn 2.
• In 2023, Yas Marina Circuit overtook Adelaide as the track at which the most season-ending F1 races have been held (12).
• The circuit has seen four world champions crowned. Sebastian Vettel in 2010, Lewis Hamilton in 2014, Nico Rosberg in 2016 and Max Verstappen in 2021.
• Mercedes has six wins at Yas Marina. Four with Lewis Hamilton (2014, 2016, 2018 and 2019), Valtteri Bottas (2017) and Nico Rosberg (2015)
• In 2023, George Russell’s third place finish helped clinch P2 in the Constructors’ standings.
• George also sealed his F2 title at the circuit in 2018, before making the step up to F1 the following season.

A Tesla Truck on the Beach

 

How do they handle in deep snow? 

But they will save the planet, some say.

The Asian Roof Line! The Mercedes-Benz W 113: 230, 250 and 280 SL "Pagoda"

 Spa-Sofia-Liège Rally, 27 to 31 August 1963. The eventual winners Eugen Böhringer and Klaus Kaiser with the Mercedes-Benz 230 SL (W 113) and starting number 39 on the gravel tracks of the Karst region near today's Podgorica in Montenegro, then Titograd in what was then Yugoslavia, one of the worst sections of the route. (Photo index number in the Mercedes-Benz Classic Archive: U17265)

Mercedes-Benz 230 SL (W 113)

Memorable: What an unconventional nickname for a car: “Pagoda”. The name was coined a long time ago for the Mercedes-Benz SL model series 113. This SL was called “Pagoda” for the first time in Italy, recalls former chief designer Bruno Sacco.

Style icon: The name “Pagoda” is based on the sports car’s characteristic hardtop, which is slightly curved inwards and is reminiscent of Asian temples. The shape was designed by Paul Bracq, who became the first designer in the “Main Department for the Development of Car Bodies” at the Sindelfingen plant in March 1957. The pagoda roof is a stroke of luck for the image and design of the sports car. And of course the overall design: clear lines of great simplicity and lightness create an expressive elegance. Even decades later, Bracq still described the design of the W 113 as “perfect”.

Stability: The idea for the concave roof line came from a technician. Force progressions in the bodywork are an area of expertise of Béla Barényi. He points out that a roof curved downwards is more stable than sheet metal that is curved upwards. This, however, is only of limited practicality for everyday use of the model series 113 since the hardtop of a sports car is rarely used with a roof luggage rack for transporting loads.

Innovative: Another of Barényi’s inventions is of great significance in terms of safety: his concept for the body with crumple zones at the front and rear and a customisable passenger compartment in between. In 1959, the Mercedes-Benz model series 111 was the world’s first vehicle with this safety body. Of course, the new SL, which appeared in 1963, also had it – a milestone in the world of sports cars. This underscores why this SL is in Legend Room 5: Pioneers – Safety and Environment, 1960 to 1982.

Predecessor model: The Geneva Motor Show from 14 to 24 March 1963 is the premiere venue for the 230 SL, the first version of the model series 113. The roadster with a 2.3-litre six-cylinder engine and 110 kW (150 hp) takes on a challenging legacy. It replaces two predecessors, the 190 SL (W 121) and 300 SL Roadster (W 198), both of which had been extremely popular and successful from the outset. The 300 SL had already become a legend with the coupé produced from 1954 on.

A true all-rounder: With the new model, the company opts for a happy medium. The 230 SL is neither an uncompromisingly tough roadster nor a gentle boulevard sports car. It is a comfortable yet sporty two-seater with a high level of driving safety.

Portfolio: The model series 113 is developed further. On 27 February 1967, the company presents the 250 SL, also with 110 kW (150 hp), but with a displacement of 2.5 litres and therefore greater torque. This is replaced less than a year later by the 280 SL with a 2.8-litre engine and 125 kW (170 hp), which is even more powerful.

Rally racer: Motorsport is also in the genes of this SL generation. The victory of Eugen Böhringer and Klaus Kaiser in a Mercedes-Benz 230 SL at the Spa-Sofia-Liège long-distance rally from 27 to 31 August 1963 – around 5,500 kilometres at top speed – is legendary. Böhringer calls the sports car a “dancer” because it is more manoeuvrable than the saloon with its longer wheelbase.

Young at heart: Production of the 280 SL comes to an end in March 1971. Its successor is the completely newly designed 107 model series. A total of 48,912 units of the three SL models of the W 113 are produced in eight years of production. Today, they are among the brand’s most popular classics. No wonder: they combine sportiness with a high level of everyday practicality, comfort and timeless elegance. The comprehensive supply of Mercedes-Benz Classic Genuine Parts available through the manufacturer is a major advantage when it comes to preserving any “Pagoda”. Looking for a part? Click here for the parts finder: https://teilesuche.mercedes-benz-classic.com.

Mercedes-Benz Marco Polo -- 40 years! Musuem Exhibit!

The first Marco Polo based on the T1 van
 

• Since 1984: Four decades of camping with the Mercedes‑Benz Marco Polo
• To conclude the anniversary year, Mercedes-Benz is presenting the first Marco Polo as a special exhibit at the Mercedes‑Benz Museum

To mark the 40th anniversary of its Marco Polo camper van, Mercedes‑Benz is presenting the first Marco Polo from 1984 as a special exhibit at the Mercedes‑Benz Museum. Visitors will have the opportunity to experience the beginnings of the Mercedes-Benz camper van from early December 2024 to the end of January 2025. The special exhibit is located in the atrium.

1984: The first Mercedes-Benz Marco Polo celebrates its premiere

Forty years ago, the Venetian explorer became the namesake for the camper van from the brand with the star. In 1984, the first Mercedes-Benz Marco Polo made its debut. The model was based on the T1, the so-called "Bremer Transporter." Its characteristic features included the stubby hood, the Bahama beige paint, and the beige-brown interior, which was considered a "must-have" for discerning campers at the time. Additionally, with a height of 2.97 metres, it made an impressive appearance. 

From generation to generation: The Mercedes-Benz Marco Polo continues its success story

Following the first Marco Polo in 1984, the second generation based on the Vito was introduced in 1996, and the third generation based on the Viano followed in 2003. Since 2015, the Marco Polo has been built on the
V-Class. In between, there have been numerous product enhancements according to customer preferences.

With each generation, the Marco Polo has become more compact, more stylish, and more comfortable - thanks in part to intelligent technology.

In the here and now: The Marco Polo as the smart glamping vehicle for travel and life

The current V-Class Marco Polo, which was relaunched at the beginning of the year, places a special emphasis on aesthetics - both inside and out. The interior presents itself as an exclusive lounge, from the cockpit to the living area. Highlights include a yacht-style floor, atmospheric LED interior lighting - including ambient lighting - and a wide range of design packages, high-quality trim elements, and upholstery. With this, the current model offers a true glamping experience.

The V‑Class Marco Polo also excels in comfort thanks to intelligent technology, including the innovative MBUX (Mercedes‑Benz User Experience) multimedia system and the advanced MBAC (Mercedes‑Benz Advanced Control) camper control unit, transforming the vehicle into a smart home for travellers and digital nomads.

The current model also places great emphasis on safety and driving pleasure, making it ideal for both travel and life. This virtue is further strengthened by its compact exterior dimensions of under two metres.

The living concept has remained unchanged since the first generation. It still includes a roof bed, a rear seat/bed bench, swivel driver and passenger seats, a kitchenette with sink, stove, and cooler, as well as cabinet and drawer modules.

Further information and press material on the current V-Class Marco Polo can be found here.

Marco Polo special exhibit at the Mercedes-Benz Museum: Open daily from Tuesday to Sunday

The Mercedes‑Benz Museum - with the special exhibit of the first Mercedes‑Benz Marco Polo in the atrium - is open daily from Tuesday to Sunday between 9 am and 6 pm. The ticket office always closes at 5 pm. For registration, reservations, and current information, you can contact them Monday to Sunday from 9 am to 6 pm: phone number 0049 711 17-30000, email classic@mercedes-benz.com, online www.mercedes-benz.com/museum.

Contact Mercedes-Benz Vans: 
Diana Boch, +49 (0) 176 30 932 601, diana.boch@mercedes-benz.com 
Ingeborg Schulenburg-Gärtner, +49 (0) 160 867 0044, ingeborg.schulenburg-gaertner@mercedes-benz.com

Contact Mercedes-Benz Museum: 
Friederike Valet, +49 (0) 151 58622944, friederike.valet@mercedes-benz.com 
Julia Löwenstein, +49 (0) 151 58610215, julia.loewenstein@mercedes-benz.com

Mount Shavano, Colorado

 

Lars Leber Photography

1954 Mercedes-Benz W 196 R "Stromlinienrennwagen" at auction, February, 2025

 Offered in collaboration with Mercedes-Benz Heritage, this 1954 Mercedes-Benz W 196 R “Stromlinienrennwagen” with streamlined body holds the unique distinction of being driven by two of motor racing’s best drivers, Juan Manuel Fangio and Sir Stirling Moss. Donated to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway by the Mercedes-Benz factory in 1965, this iconic W 196 R will be auctioned in an exclusive, standalone event in Stuttgart on 1 February 2025, through RM Sotheby’s in partnership with Mercedes-Benz Classic.

• The first W 196 R with streamlined body ever offered for private ownership
• The car forms part of an outstanding collection from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum that will be sold by RM Sotheby’s to benefit the Museum's collection and restoration efforts
• Chassis No. 00009/54 is one of four known complete examples mounted with the exquisite factory-built enclosed-fender “Stromlinien” coachwork
• Driven to victory at the 1955 Buenos Aires Grand Prix by future five-time Formula One Drivers’ World Champion Juan Manuel Fangio
• Sir Stirling Moss achieved fastest lap at the 1955 Italian Grand Prix at Monza with today’s streamlined bodywork
• Donated to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS) Museum by Mercedes-Benz in 1965
• Now offered after years of fastidious care by the IMS Museum

One of the world’s most historically significant racing cars, the 1954 Mercedes-Benz W 196 R Formula One “Stromlinienrennwagen”, chassis number 00009/54, is to be offered in an exclusive standalone auction at the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart on 1 February 2025. The car forms part of an outstanding 11-car collection from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum that RM Sotheby’s will be offering via a three-auction series to support the Museum's collection and restoration efforts, and is being offered in close collaboration with Mercedes-Benz Classic. Experts from the Mercedes-Benz Classic Center in Fellbach and the company's own archive are working on a manufacturer’s expert report regarding the originality and authenticity of the vehicle.

Few historic racing cars resonate as strongly as the famous Mercedes-Benz “Silver Arrows” that dominated Grand Prix racing in the immediate pre- and post-war era. They were admired for their advanced technology and spectacular speed. The W 196 R was developed to meet the new “up to 2.5 litre” regulations that applied from 1954, and it soon proved to be the car to win races in the hands of legends such as Juan Manuel Fangio and Stirling Moss.

The W 196 R features a straight-eight engine displacing 2,494 cubic centimeters and designed around a complex Hirth roller-bearing crankshaft. The fuel-injected powerplant was essentially two four-cylinder motors in unison, with two camshafts for each intake and exhaust. A jewel of an engine, it guaranteed reliable and smooth power delivery and was capable of producing 213 kW (290 hp) after two seasons of development. Since the new 1954 formula specified few limitations to the coachwork, Mercedes-Benz concluded that a streamlined, aerodynamic body with enclosed wheels would optimize the car for high-speed courses, while an open-wheel body would be ideal for more twisting circuits.

The new Mercedes-Benz race cars made their highly anticipated debut at the French Grand Prix at Reims with a trio of the new W 196 R streamliners. Mercedes-Benz achieved a spectacular double victory: the driver team Juan Manuel Fangio, Karl Kling and Hans Herrmann came in 1st, 2nd and 7th, with Herrmann driving the fastest lap of the race. The race marked a resounding success for Mercedes-Benz on its long-awaited return to racing. Juan Manuel Fangio won the 1954 Formula 1 World Championship with the new Silver Arrow.

Chassis No. 00009/54 in competition:

For the 1955 season, the W 196 R was further developed to remain as competitive as possible. The engine was improved in numerous aspects, including the addition of a new intake manifold. The decision was made to run the open-wheel grand prix bodies for almost all of the 1955 races, while improvements and updates resulted in an approximately 70-kilogram reduction in weight over its predecessors. The race team also recruited Stirling Moss to join their stable of drivers.

The Formula Libre Buenos Aires Grand Prix on 30 January 1955 would mark the first race for this car, chassis number 00009/54, fitted with an open-wheel monoposto body and piloted by Juan Manuel Fangio. Fangio earned pole position and eventually proved victorious in the race conducted over two heats.

By 1955, Italy’s Monza circuit had been rebuilt with a new high-speed bank that has since become legendary in motorsport. For the Italian Grand Prix, it was decided that chassis number 00009/54 should be fitted with the streamlined body for the first time in the 1955 season, and driven by Stirling Moss. Fangio secured pole position in a similar car, with Moss 2nd on the grid at the start. Moss took the lead from Fangio in the ninth lap of the race, but would eventually finish 7th after encountering some mechanical difficulties. Significantly, the Englishman registered the fastest lap of the race in chassis number 00009/54, clocking a time of 2:46.900 at an average speed of 215.7 km/h.

At the conclusion of the 1955 Formula One season, Fangio captured his second Formula One Drivers’ Championship in a row, with Moss finishing 2nd, sealing the W 196 R’s legend status in the process.

The W 196 R’s pedigree was now unimpeachable. In two seasons, the W 196 model family—which included its racing sports car variant, the two-seat 300 SLR (W 196 S)—had won three championships in two different racing series. In 12 appearances at Formula One points events, the W 196 R had won a commanding nine times, and it won two additional non-points races, totaling 11 victories in 14 starts. 

In 1964 chassis number 00009/54 was earmarked to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum and was officially donated to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Foundation on Sunday, 30 May 1965. For almost six decades, the W 196 R has been fastidiously stored and maintained by the IMS Museum, occasionally being invited to attend important exhibitions, such as the 1996 Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance, the 2003 Canadian International Auto Show, and the grand re-opening of the redesigned Petersen Automotive Museum in December 2015. Although the car has appeared at prestigious shows, including most recently as part of the Mercedes-Benz display at the 2024 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, the car has never been submitted for judging at concours events.

A true motorsport icon, 00009/54 is one of only four known complete W 196 R chassis to be mounted with the magnificent factory-built streamlined coachwork at the conclusion of the 1955 season. The racing car represents only the second W 196 R ever offered for private ownership, and the first example offered with the streamlined coachwork. It is presented in its proper Monza livery from the 1955 Italian Grand Prix, and documented with a trove of period materials.

40 Years of the Mercedes-Benz W 124 (E Class after 1993): Aesthetics and Reliability

 

40 years ago, a success story begins at Mercedes-Benz which continues to this day: in November 1984, the brand unveils the saloons of the 124 model series. Just one month later, this completely redesigned generation of upper mid-size class vehicles hits the market. Customers and industry experts are captivated by its timelessly modern design and innovative engineering. From 1993 onwards, the 124 series was named E-Class for the first time. After 13 years of production and more than 2.2 million units, series production of the 124 model series ends in 1997. The saloons, estates (T-models), coupés and cabriolets quickly become highly sought-after modern classics. Rare versions attain the status of collector’s items years ago.

Today, every vehicle in the 124 model series is an invitation to philosophise. Is it a beloved witness to the vibrant 1980s and the dawn of the 1990s product offensive? Or is it a timeless classic remaining forever young? Without a doubt, this generation of upper mid-size class vehicles from Mercedes-Benz radiates a unique charm, reflected in the model series’ large fan base and its significant role in the classic car scene.

One great strength of the 124 model series is its timeless aesthetics and exceptional practicality in day-to-day use, making these vehicles a reliable gateway to the world of classic cars. Mercedes-Benz Classic continues to build on this success story, especially by ensuring the global supply of spare and wearing parts through Mercedes-Benz Classic Genuine Parts, as well as by supporting the fan community via company-recognised brand clubs.

Reliable spare parts supply from Mercedes-Benz Classic

From best-selling spare parts like the Mercedes star and individual components which are newly manufactured according to strict manufacturer’s specifications, all the way to mud wings which are still available from original production, Mercedes-Benz Classic Genuine Parts offer an unparalleled range of spare and wearing parts for the 124 model series. Currently, more than 5,800 spare parts are available for this generation of upper mid-size class vehicles – including more than 1,000 so-called exclusive parts used solely in this model series.

Fast, reliable worldwide spare parts delivery is one of the most important services provided by Mercedes-Benz Heritage GmbH for owners of classic Mercedes-Benz vehicles. Classic Genuine Parts are currently available for 57 of the brand’s historical model series. Parts which are no longer available are continuously being identified and reproduced. One focus is on safety-critical and driving-related components. These currently include a rev counter and a transverse control arm for the 124 model series. Most parts can be shipped to customers within 24 hours via the worldwide network of sales partners. This high-quality service aims to ensure that classics with the star remain operational in their authentic condition in the long term as a result of genuine parts – which is also critical for value retention.

Link: https://partssearch.mercedes-benz-classic.com/

Sharing a passion for the 124 model series

The company-recognised Mercedes-Benz brand clubs form a unique international community. Members share a mutual enthusiasm for the brand, specific eras, classes or individual model series. These brand clubs, with their extensive knowledge, also support new enthusiasts interested in owning a Mercedes-Benz classic. This invaluable commitment to the brand is supported by the Mercedes-Benz Classic Club Management, the central organisation which oversees nearly 80 clubs with over 120,000 members worldwide.

Link: https://www.mercedes-benz.com/en/exclusive/mercedes-benz-classic-club/club-addresses/

One premiere address for owners and fans of the 124 model series is the W 124 Club Deutschland e.V., which hosts numerous events ranging from drives and annual meet-ups to technical workshops. The club celebrated the 40th birthday of the model series at the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart. The technical resources which the club makes available to members, covering all the versions of the modern classic car, are of particular importance.

Link: https://w124-club.mercedes-benz-clubs.com/w-124-technik/

A versatile classic

The 124 model series impresses with its variety, not only in terms of the body versions, but also with a diverse array of models. Engine options range from four-cylinder entry-level versions such as the Mercedes-Benz 200 and 200 D all the way to high-performance saloons powered by V8 engines. The iconic 500 E, unveiled at the Paris Autosalon as a top model in 1990, features an eight-cylinder engine producing 240 kW (326 hp); the driving performance transforms the saloon into a powerful sports car.

The E 60 AMG follows in 1993. This is one of the first AMG vehicles which Mercedes-Benz integrates in its official product portfolio. This is the year that the brand lays significant groundwork for the future. For instance, the vaehicles of the upper mid-size class are renamed “E-Class”. To this day, the name is synonymous with the brand’s business vehicles of the upper mid-size and executive classes.

40 years ago, the 124 model series sets technical benchmarks in its segment with distinguishing features such as high-strength sheet steel panels and weight-reducing materials. Exceptional passive safety is demonstrated by challenging offset crashes. The optimised aerodynamics lead to top scores for Mercedes-Benz passenger cars. The groundbreaking systems which premiere in the 124 model series include the panorama windscreen wiper, with what is then the world’s largest wiping field, and the first generation of the 4MATIC four-wheel drive system.

Further information and photos in the Mercedes-Benz Classic Multimedia Archive and Research System M@RS:

• Saloon (W 124) – https://mercedes-benz-publicarchive.com/marsClassic/de/instance/ko/Limousinen-der-Baureihe-124-1984---1989.xhtml?oid=5258
• Estate (T-model) (S 124) – https://mercedes-benz-publicarchive.com/marsClassic/de/instance/ko/T-Modelle-der-Baureihe-124-1985---1989.xhtml?oid=5387
• Coupé (C 124) – https://mercedes-benz-publicarchive.com/marsClassic/de/instance/ko/Coups-der-Baureihe-124-1987---1989.xhtml?oid=4558
• Cabriolet (A 124) – https://mercedes-benz-publicarchive.com/marsClassic/de/instance/ko/Cabriolets-der-Baureihe-124-1991---1993.xhtml?oid=4639

The Mercedes 2 Liter Targa Florio Race Car -- Celebrating the 1924 Victory

Mercedes 2-litre Targa Florio racing car from 1924. Vehicle with the number 32, driven at the Targa Florio 1924 by Christian Lautenschlager with co-driver Wilhelm Traub. Photo shot during the drive past the stands in the start/finish area. (Photo index number in the Mercedes-Benz Classic Archives: R575)

 “I was deeply touched by the Targa Florio racing car’s returning to Sicily, to the place of our great triumph 100 years ago. This experience is something very special, even for us at Mercedes-Benz Classic who deal with outstanding classics each and every day. In 1924, our brand wrote motorsport history with the 2-litre racing car. A hundred years later, one of the original vehicles has once again been stealing people’s hearts at its outings marking the anniversary. We owe our thanks to the combined expertise of the Mercedes-Benz Classic Centre, the Group archive of Mercedes-Benz Classic and a strong network of experts, who together made it all possible. After the racing car’s return to the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart, every visitor can now admire it, initially in a special display on the Classic Island, and later in its regular place in the racing curve.”

Marcus Breitschwerdt, Head of Mercedes-Benz Heritage GmbH

A hundred-year-old’s trip around the world

The first moment to cause goosebumps was when the classic vehicle was put into operation in April 2024 after it’s complex restoration. This was followed by fascinating guest appearances at international highlight events for automotive classics. The racing car experienced a brilliant end of the season in Italy at the Targa Florio Classica from 10 to 13 October 2024 – at the site of the great Mercedes victory 100 years ago. This revival brings together racing cars of earlier eras and is reminiscent of the legendary years of the great Targa Florio road race. In the Mercedes 2-litre Targa Florio racing car, former Formular One racing driver Karl Wendlinger inspired spectators on a section of the historic Circuito delle Madonie.

This is the original vehicle in which Christian Lautenschlager finished in 11th place in the Targa Florio overall ranking on 27 April 1924. His teammate Christian Werner won the historic victory in an identically constructed Mercedes – the first driver not hailing from Italy. He won the race in 6:32:37.4 hours across four laps, each 108 kilometres long. The winning car from 1924 has not been preserved.

For the motorsport history of the brand, the great significance of the Targa Florio extends beyond Werner’s victory in 1924. In 1921, a Mercedes racing car took second place overall. The first overall victory with a privately entered Mercedes followed in 1922. In 1955, the double victory of Stirling Moss/Peter Collins and Juan Manuel Fangio/Karl Kling with the 300 SLR (W 196 S) secured the decisive points to win the sports car world championship.

Beartooth Highway, Wyoming and Montana

 

Mercedes-Benz First Estate Vehicle: the 1965 200 D Universal

Mercedes-Benz 200 D Universal

Surprise: An estate car from Mercedes-Benz back in the 1960s? The 123-series estate was not launched until 1978! This makes the 200 D Universal all the more astonishing for many visitors to the Mercedes-Benz Museum. It can be seen in Collection Room 5: Gallery of everyday heroes. Its history is intriguing.

Show premiere: The estate version based on the “fintail” 110 model series was presented by the then Daimler-Benz AG at the Brussels Motor Show in January 1965, initially as the 190 D. It had a load compartment capacity of 2.71 cubic metres behind the front seats for carrying a load of up to 710 kilograms. For that reason, this spacious body variant was fitted with larger 15-inch wheels than the saloon and came with reinforced springs. The new variant was of in-house design, and sales were via the dealer network. The vehicles were manufactured by IMA in Belgium on the basis of delivered chassis with partial bodywork.

Trendsetter: Quite appropriately, its model designation was “Universal”. Because this variant cut a fine figure on any road: it was the Mercedes-Benz among estate cars, and combined the advantages of the elegant saloon with a high utility value for daily use and leisure time. The Universal was already a harbinger of the attributes that Mercedes-Benz would establish twelve years later with the 123-series estate, which was launched in 1977 and went into series production in 1978.

High everyday utility: At the same time, the Universal heightened public perception of the “fintail” model series in a special way: the successful combination of spaciousness, comfort, performance, value for money and economy was considered ideal. The rigid passenger cell with crumple zones at the front and rear also set new standards in safety at the time.

Elegance: A look at this special estate shows a coherent all-round design. For example, the characteristic rear wings with their “guidance fins” are perfectly integrated into the bodywork – earning the model series the nickname “fintail” at the time. And of course the design of the entire rear section, including the large tailgate and low loading sill, is in keeping with the car’s role as a load carrier, yet it remains elegant and harmonious – typical of Mercedes-Benz.

Symbiosis: The press package of the 1960s describes the effort involved in styling and body construction: “Though the exterior lines already emphasise that this is a vehicle with special character, rather than a car whose rear end has merely been modified or extended, further examination of the uniform bodyshell structure shows that the design has been created as an inseparable whole.”

Premium quality: A glance into the rear compartment also reveals a consistent design for practicality and function with high visual appeal. Medium brown artificial leather gives the interior a cosy feel. The flooring resembles fine mahogany wood. In fact it is ‘Panolux’, as the press package explains: a composition of wood fibres and bakelite resin. “It guarantees maximum protection against scratches, stains, wear and tear, etc., not to mention the luxurious touch it gives the car.” And more: “The use of a wooden floor made of such a valuable material as ‘Panolux’ is more expensive than painted sheet metal, but in addition to the luxurious appearance, it offers the advantage of good sound insulation.” Screw-fitted chrome strips with rubber sections prevent the load from slipping. The rear seat can be folded down to create a load area around 1.90 metres long.

Also with a six-cylinder engine: From 1967, the 190 D Universal was followed by four variants of the “estate saloon” based on the 200 D, 200, 230 and 230 S models. The first two were powered by four-cylinder engines, the other two by six-cylinder units. The 230 S Universal had a special role to play: It was assigned to the luxury-class 111 model series and – with its longer front end, the front section typical of the corresponding saloon models with vertical rectangular headlights and lavish chrome trim – it was a particularly prestigious ancestor of later lifestyle estate cars.

Export career: The exhibit in the Mercedes-Benz Museum is a 200 D Universal. It has a four-cylinder engine with a displacement of 1988 cubic centimetres and an output of 40 kW (55 hp). The vehicle on display was delivered near to Bordeaux in France, and registered there in July 1968. It was therefore built after the facelift, and has the newly developed hydropneumatic suspension adjustment for added safety and comfort. This automatically adapts itself to the load weight.

Rarity: Plenty of space on four wheels, packaged in an elegant body – that’s what the Mercedes-Benz Universal already offered back in the 1960s. It is a rare beauty. Because between 1965 and 1968, just 2,754 units of the first Mercedes-Benz lifestyle estate were built. A total of 622,453 saloons and 5,859 chassis with partial bodies left the Sindelfingen plant during the six-and-a-half-year production period of the 110 model series.

Mercedes-Benz/Hydro Joint Venture: A Very Interesting North/South Development

 

• Corridor Program: Mercedes-Benz and Hydro extend their strategic partnership to support the long-term development of communities along the aluminium supply chain in the state of Pará, Brazil.
• Just Transition: Lighthouse project to create positive impacts for both people and nature throughout aluminium supply chain in Brazil.
• Joint efforts: Mercedes-Benz, Hydro and local NGOs form a steering committee to enhance community involvement in mining area.
• Decarbonization: In 2022, Hydro and Mercedes-Benz agreed to work together on a technology roadmap for producing low-carbon aluminium.

At the New York Climate Week, Mercedes-Benz and Hydro elevate their strategic partnership by enhancing the vertical integration of their aluminium supply chain and launching the long-term Corridor Program for a sustained development in the Amazon. Following their joint decarbonization roadmap Mercedes-Benz and Hydro signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate with local NGOs and partners in the state of Pará, Brazil. Their goals include promoting human rights, generating income for local communities, fostering biodiversity and low-carbon value chains in the Brazilian Amazon. 

“In managing our supply chains responsibly, we concentrate on three goals: The decarbonization of our products, the promotion of human rights and the focus on more sustainability over the vehicles' entire life cycle. The joint Corridor Program manages to connect all three. In close cooperation with our partners, it has the potential to push the vertical integration of our supply chain to a new level.“ 
Dr. Gunnar Güthenke, Head of Procurement and Supplier Quality Mercedes-Benz Cars

The Corridor coalition aims to create a positive impact for the communities along the 244-kilometer bauxite slurry pipeline operated by Hydro, which runs through seven municipalities in the state of Pará, Brazil – from the Paragominas bauxite mine to the Alunorte alumina refinery in Barcarena. The goal is to engage local communities along the aluminium supply chain and empower them to improve their economic, ecological, and social well-being. Mercedes-Benz is part of the program's governance, helping to establish necessary structures and build knowledge for sustainable risk management in raw material supply chains.

The Corridor initiative reflects the company’s commitment to a "Just Transition": Prioritizing people and human rights along with responsible policies and community engagement as the decarbonization of the Mercedes-Benz Group’s business model leads to significant changes in technology, products, and workforce. The program has the potential to become a blueprint for the involvement of local communities and getting vertically engaged in vulnerable mining areas.

“The joint program with Hydro in Brazil serves as a model: We are sourcing aluminium with reduced CO_2-emissions and are firmly committed to uphold human rights along our supply chain. In doing so, we are putting our sustainable business strategy into practice. A special focus is placed on engaging with the local communities. This example demonstrates that decarbonization measures and social considerations can go hand in hand for a successful sustainable transformation.” 
Renata Jungo Brüngger, Member of the Board of Management of Mercedes-Benz Group AG. Integrity, Governance & Sustainability

“We are excited to further develop our strategic partnership with Mercedes-Benz, expanding our collaboration beyond low-carbon product development to create positive social and environmental impact in the Amazon. Working together, we aim to lift sustainability throughout our shared value chain, from mine to end-consumer product, while fostering economic opportunities and biodiversity conservation in the communities where we operate." 
Eivind Kallevik, President and CEO in Hydro

The program has been rethought from the ground up and is built on a fundraising concept. While some projects, like scaling up local farming (Tipitix) or sewing initiatives (Estilo), are already underway, the Corridor coalition aims for long-term value creation. Local communities living around the pipeline will identify and prioritize projects, ensuring they directly benefit their regions. This approach empowers local stakeholders to foster ownership and align with the project's overarching goals. This way Corridor intends to achieve improvements for the local people. Hence, data-based tracking of effectiveness will be a crucial part of the governance.

The program will be anchored on three strategic pillars:

• Economic Development: Identifying obstacles to the economic development and finding solutions to improve the conditions for raw material value chains in the territory.
• Social Development: Large scale approach to social development, targeting basic human needs, well-being, and opportunities. The program will pursue practical ways to implement improvements to the condition of life in the communities, both in urban centers but mainly in rural areas (e. g. ongoing TerPaz program).
• Environment and Biodiversity conservation: Working on the conservation of biodiversity in the Amazon, required to ensure positive gains for people and nature. The program will identify opportunities to reduce degradation of forests as a first target but with an ambition to contribute to the regeneration of nature.

The projects will operate in strict compliance with Brazilian laws and regulations. Moreover, the program will be implemented by a multi-institutional project organization composed by the companies and organizations. Partners include (but not limited to) Hydro Brazil, Alunorte, MPSA, Mercedes-Benz, IPAM*, IMAZON**, CEA***, Hydro Sustainability Fund and BCG.

About Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes-Benz is dedicated to responsible raw material sourcing and advancing global mining standards. Key to this is ensuring low participation barriers for mining communities and indigenous peoples as well as effective certification schemes. The company is actively involved in various raw material initiatives and has extended partnerships with Bon Pasteur in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Terre des Hommes in India to support human rights. Mercedes-Benz aims to merge commercial success with responsible actions towards the environment, people, and society across the entire value chain. 
Moreover, Mercedes-Benz will consistently create the preconditions for a net carbon-neutral**** 
new vehicle fleet by 2039. The company focuses on reducing CO₂ emissions and preserving resources through its "Design for Environment" approach. Mercedes-Benz collaborates with partners to research sustainable materials and promote circularity.

About Hydro

Hydro is a Norwegian leading aluminium and energy company that builds businesses and partnerships for a more sustainable future. Hydro is committed to leading the way towards a more sustainable future, creating more viable societies by developing natural resources into products and solutions in innovative and efficient ways. Hydro is through its businesses present in a broad range of market segments for aluminium, energy, metal recycling, renewables and batteries, offering a unique wealth of knowledge and competence.