Enthusiasts Blogging Our Favorite Classifieds
There is no greater example of a car I love but have no interest in owning than the Mercedes-Benz 600. I’ve opined for years about them and every time I see one for sale it’s a new treat. Today’s example, a 1966 up for sale in Portugal, has its surprises and little fun features that always impress me. It also carries a hefty price tag too.
Once again the internet teaches me something new when I think I’ve seen it all. This is a 1995 Mercedes-Benz 350GD which is fixed with what looks to be a “high roof” body. These weren’t all that uncommon back in the W460 chassis given their utility, but I can’t remember seeing one on what looks to be a civilian 350GD. The seller says it was made for the Dutch Forestry Commission, whatever that is, but this seems like such an odd vehicle to use for such a purpose at that time. Either way, it is now up for sale in the UK of all places and the price is actually really good, as long as you can live without backseats.
One of the biggest jumps in values over the past two years has been the Mercedes-Benz G-Class. It seems that no model was spared in the G world, as almost everything saw a spike a value. Pre-2020, finding an early-2000s G500 in decent shape for around $25,000 wasn’t a problem. Now, those trucks are well over $30,000 and it only gets crazier from there. With the pre-2002 imports, things get a little more complicated. Given all of these trucks are imports with varying degrees of condition of specifications, you really only have a ballpark based on recent sales. However, that might only be a handful given their rarity, so values tend to be a bit more suggestive when talking about a fixed asking price. Today’s G, a short wheelbase 300GE, is one of those situations.
You spend a billion dollars on developing a car, it better be damn good. That’s what Mercedes-Benz was faced with when debuting the W140 S-Class. It had to every bit as good as the legendary W126 it was replacing and more. When it launched in 1991, opinions were mixed. Some say it was the last great over-engineered Mercedes that was built without cost in mind. Others say it wasn’t attractive with it’s body panels that look like slabs. Either way, 25 years later these cars still have me amazed at what it took to get this car — along with all of it’s advancements — into the hands of buyers who were willing to pay over 25% more than the W126 it replaced.
While we’re probably all familiar with the legendary Mercedes-Benz 600, one little fact of which enthusiasts may be unaware is that these behemoths were produced all the way up until 1981. It’s fairly amazing this über sedan that was introduced in 1963 outlasted the W116 S-class that was introduced in 1972 and lived on to see the birth of the W126 S-Class. In its time, this was quite possibly the best car money could buy, favored by dictators, celebrities and the well-to-do alike. The car wasn’t just a pretty face, however. It was also a technical tour de force, with a SOHC 6.3 liter V8 under the hood, a hydraulic pressure system that powered everything from the windows to the self closing doors and trunk as well as adjustable air suspension. This right-hand drive example for sale in London is not only rather uncommon due to its late build date, but has a rather muted cloth interior in place of the usual leather we see in these limousines.
