Maria Callas thrilled the world with her voice. She chose a fascinating car to travel through Europe in style: Mercedes-Benz Classic is presenting the legendary opera singer’s Model 600 “Grand Mercedes” (W 100) as an exclusive sales vehicle at the Salon Rétromobile show in Paris. It is a short-wheelbase saloon dating from 1971. The opera singer, who was living in New York at the time, personally took care of the car’s registration in France by letter.
“This Mercedes-Benz 600 formerly owned by the great Maria Callas is a luxurious contemporary witness to an era in which the ‘600’ was as much appreciated by royalty as by film and music stars. Our Mercedes-Benz Classic Centre has carefully refurbished the elegant saloon for sale with its classic expertise. We are delighted to bring this car back to Paris.”
Marcus Breitschwerdt, CEO Mercedes-Benz Heritage GmbH
The rare two-tone paintwork with the body in silver-grey metallic (code DB180) and the roof in blue metallic (code DB387) emphasizes the elegant individuality of the vehicle. For her Mercedes-Benz 600, Maria Callas chose an interior that perfectly combines luxury and functionality. This includes a specially customized Becker Grand Prix audio system that can be operated from the rear seat. The individualized system testifies to the opera star’s love of music and sense of exclusivity. The original service booklet documents that this vehicle accompanied Maria Callas to San Remo, Milan and Paris, among other places. In these cities, Callas thrilled millions with her art – and her W 100 saloon was given its regular inspections there.
Mercedes-Benz is also offering two vehicles with the legendary 300 SL model designation for sale at the Rétromobile show. One of them – a 300 SL “Gullwing” (W 198) – dates from 1955. This coupé is currently undergoing a factory restoration at the Mercedes-Benz Classic Centre. The bodyshell, which has already been restored, is on display at the stand. It documents how the experts proceed: the aim is always to preserve the original components. If this is not completely possible, they professionally insert new sheet metal sections. The future owner of the legendary super sports car can find out about the vehicle and the work up to its completion in detail at the Rétromobile. The “Gullwing” will be painted in silver-grey metallic (DB180) as before, with the interior in “blue-grey chequered gabardine” (L1). In parallel with this restoration work, the drivetrain is being completely overhauled.
Also for sale: a 300 SL of the R 107 model series from 1988. Its original mileage of just 3,587 kilometers is impressive. The condition of this classic is correspondingly good. The 300 SL also stands out with its unusual paint finish in surf blue (DB900) – one of the rarest colors for this model series produced from 1971 to 1989. In combination with the grey leather interior and the manual transmission, this creates a sporty and elegant overall impression.
Mercedes-Benz Heritage GmbH’s services include the sale of particularly high-quality classic vehicles of the brand – as well as the services of the Mercedes-Benz Classic Centre, manufacturer’s expert reports on the authenticity and history of individual vehicles, and the supply of genuine parts.
U.S. auto sales in 2024 showed a moderate increase compared to the previous year. Here's a summary of the key figures and trends:
Overall Sales:
Key Trends:
Unfortunately, precise, finalized data on automotive sales for each individual state in the U.S. for 2024 is not readily available in a single, comprehensive source. This type of data is often compiled and released with a bit of a delay by various industry research firms.
However, I can provide you with some insights and estimations based on available information and general trends:
Factors Influencing State-Level Sales:
Fuel prices have a significant impact on the demand for different vehicle types. Here's how:
High Fuel Prices:
Low Fuel Prices:
Other Factors:
It's important to note that fuel prices are not the only factor influencing vehicle demand. Other factors include:
Long-Term Trends:
Even with fluctuations in fuel prices, there's a growing long-term trend towards more fuel-efficient vehicles and alternative fuel technologies due to:
In conclusion, fuel prices have a direct and measurable impact on the demand for different vehicle types. However, it's essential to consider other factors and long-term trends that also influence consumer choices in the automotive market.
:
Salomé Chatriot, FLUID LANDSCAPES, 2021-2024. HD video (video still). Courtesy of the artist. In Salomé Chatriot's artworks, machine and organic qualities merge into (bodily) landscapes. Through sculpture, painting, and a rendering program that translates the artist’s breathing into images, she expands the exploration of technology to include the aspects of gender, identity, and physicality. The use of this photo is only permitted in connection with editorial coverage of the exhibition "PROTOTYPE” from January 25 to March 22, 2025 at Studio Odeonsplatz by
Under the title “PROTOTYPE – An exhibition of the Mercedes-Benz Art Collection at Studio Odeonsplatz”, the art collection of Mercedes-Benz will present the works of six international contemporary artists from 25 January to 22 March, 2025, who approach the phenomenon of the prototype and its potential for innovation in diverse ways. Inspired by the history of automotive design, contemporary media, and digital culture, their artworks merge the physical and digital realms. The pieces range from an experimental video game to blockchain-based integrations and visual compositions based on human breath. The exhibition was developed by the Mercedes-Benz Art Collection and external curator Christopher Dake-Outhet.
Prototypes navigate the tension between creative vision and commercial standardization. They capture the moments before production transforms forward-thinking ideas into a product, embodying a belief in the future that is tested by market demands and the feasibility of series production. It is precisely in this space of possibilities where the potential of prototypes lies.
The prototype as a leitmotif builds a bridge between art and the automobile in the Mercedes-Benz Art Collection exhibition – two areas where prototypical thinking is of utmost relevance. With prototypes such as the Mercedes-Benz concept vehicles, some of which are displayed as scale models at Studio Odeonsplatz, Mercedes-Benz provides an insight into the versatility of technological visions. Artists, in turn, often embody the essence of the prototype by challenging traditional production methods and creating works that resist standardization. In doing so, they go beyond conventional consensus and the idea of practicality. Accordingly, the presentation at Studio Odeonsplatz invites the audience to understand the artworks as prototypes.
The “Temporal Secessionism” series by Paul Seidler questions alternative systems of time measurement. In „Timezone 5“, he focusses on the “production time” of industrial manufacturing processes which is decisive for many infrastructures and runs in parallel to coordinated universal time (UTC). In “Advanced Vehicle Transformation”, Simon Denny uses machine-assisted techniques and blockchain-based technology to create hybrid paintings. These painterly prototypes explore technological progress through motifs inspired by Mercedes-Benz Concept Cars and historical art movements. With an accompanying website that integrates the NFT component of the work, Denny examines unique forms of 'movement' by engaging with the foundational elements of the blockchain.
In “Key Exchange”, Sarah Friend combines methods of digital information security with automotive access control by incorporating a hardware wallet for cryptocurrencies into a Mercedes-Benz Smart Key. In doing so, she creates a prototype that integrates options for access denial and enablement within a single object. “Feral Metaverse” by Theo Triantafyllidis presents an experiment disguised as a multiplayer game that deliberately dispenses with technological 'advances'. Without clear goals or instructions, it fosters new forms of communication and togetherness in a gaming context.
In Salomé Chatriot's artworks, machine and organic qualities merge into bodily landscapes. Through sculpture, painting, and a rendering program that translates the artist’s breathing into images, she expands the exploration of technology to include the aspects of gender, identity, and physicality. In "Maschine", Harm van den Dorpel creates blockchain-based art that is constantly evolving. The NFT collection was created in collaboration with Mercedes-Benz NXT and is inspired by the so-called wagon wheel effect. Spoked wheels appear to rotate in contradiction to their actual speed and direction.
A bold statement: This Mercedes-Benz C 280 from the 202 model series certainly attracts attention. All the body surfaces, front and rear aprons, trim strips and exterior mirrors of the sporty saloon are painted in intense designo green metallic, which has the Mercedes-Benz colour code 252. The C-Class with its 2.8-litre six-cylinder engine radiates springtime verve and energy all year round. Museum visitors can see this for themselves in Collection Room 5.
Top model: The first generation of the C-Class made its debut in May 1993. At that time the C 280 was the top model in the 202 model series. Its six-cylinder in-line engine delivered 142 kW (193 hp), with an automatic transmission transferring the power to the road. The C 36 AMG became top model of the series in September 1993.
Sporty highlights: The dynamic appearance of the C 280 on display is emphasised by the “Sport” design and equipment line. This includes, for example, a suspension lowered by 25 millimetres, a firmer suspension set-up and wide-base tyres as standard, as well as light-alloy wheels in AMG design on the vehicle on display. From 1993, Mercedes-Benz offered three equipment lines in the compact class in addition to the classic equipment (later “Classic”): “Esprit”, “Elegance” and “Sport”.
Modern saddlery: The theme colour green is continued in the designo interior. Both the seats and the door panelling play with the contrast between central green elements and black sides. With this customised design, Mercedes-Benz demonstrates the saddler’s art with a flair for sporty aesthetics. Using the rear seat unit as an example, the various rectangular, green components of the seat, backrest and head restraint together form a vertical stripe – as if dynamically applied with a brush on the canvas of a modern work of art.
Individual appeal: The designo paintwork of the C 280 dating from 1996 and displayed in the Mercedes-Benz Museum is a testament to its time. One year earlier, in 1995, the first Mercedes-Benz designo consulting centre opened in the customer centre at the Sindelfingen plant. Mercedes-Benz experts were on hand to discuss and plan their individual dream cars with customers. Nowadays the MANUFAKTUR individualisation range across all model series offers exclusive equipment for the exterior and interior – including MANUFAKTUR paint finishes. In December 2024, Mercedes-Benz opened the new MANUFAKTUR Studio in the heart of the Sindelfingen plant. Here, customers can experience first-hand how their vehicle is customised according to their personal wishes with attention to detail, classic craftsmanship and state-of-the-art production technologies.
Explosion of colours: Colourful paint finishes for the high-quality individualisation of cars play an important part in the history of the brand. In the second half of the 1950s, Mercedes-Benz significantly expanded the colour range: in 1953, passenger cars bearing the star were only available in five different paint finishes as standard. By 1956, there was already an opulent colour range with 26 monotone and 23 two-tone paint finishes.
Great variety: During the model offensive of the 1990s, Mercedes-Benz once again focused on prominent colours for individual appeal. Examples among recent classics include the SLK (R 170, from 1996) in intense yellow or the CLK Coupé (C 208, from 1997) in bright blue metallic.
New Orleans is a special place for me. Between 1974 and 1978 I lived there and loved the city. I never could find a job there that I could turn into a career that I felt comfortable with, and so I reluctantly left want went to graduate school at Johns Hopkins. But it always remains a happy place in my heart.
So, this early morning New Years' Day terrorist attack affected me greatly. And by cleaning it up, and returning Bourbon Street to "normal" a day later, disturbs me. As a society we tend to move on -- quickly -- with little deep thought about the event. We fail to soul search concerning aspects of our contemporary society. It is about making it like it never happened. Like an accident at a street corner near my home, where things are cleaned up within an hour and off we go again.
Maybe it is our internet and AI culture -- faster, faster, the hell with others and a settled sense of community. Maybe we just don't want to think deeply about ourselves but rather prefer to stick our heads in the sand, keep very busy, and never take time to take stock of ourselves and the quality of life. Surround ourselves with ephemeral plastic and metal things, and all will be fine.
