Assembling an S-Class W 116 Mercedes during the 1970s -- The Best Car in the World?

 What made Mercedes - Benz the brand that defined quality during the 1970s and 1980s? Automation on the assembly line? Design and engineering? Materials made of metal rather than plastic? A rigorous quality control system? Attention to detail on the line 0r perhaps off it as well.  The people on the line -- motivated by living through the tough years of WWII and the decade afterwards? A culture of exactness? The fact that all these cars were made in Germany? (Well, there were some made in South Africa). The firm's relationship with parts suppliers and procedures procuring parts. All of the above!