Discovering the Marvel of a 1969 Mercedes-Benz

My trip to Ultrace this year was one of pure wonder. Never before had I seen so many high-quality builds gathered in one place. Each car left me more amazed than the last, with so much beauty that it was sometimes hard to know where to look. Yet, one car stood out above the rest: this 1969 Mercedes-Benz W108 by Martin Szombierski. The inspiration behind this build was immediately clear to me.

It harkens back to the legendary Mercedes-Benz 300 SEL 6.8 AMG race car, which gained fame in 1971 when it finished second overall at the 24 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps. That race car earned the nickname “Rote Sau” (Red Pig) due to its massive size and red paint.

In Martin’s modern interpretation, the red is nowhere to be seen, but the headlights and other details are direct nods to the 1971 beast. Like the wheel arches which have been widened by 200mm, perfectly accommodating the custom-made 19-inch Mercedes-Benz Designo wheels.

Reviving Legends: Mercedes 190E Evo II Replica

Lowering a Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.5-16 Evolution II over a set of BBS wheels? I can almost hear the purists falling off their chairs. But fear not, this is a replica. And it’s so meticulously crafted that you can barely tell the difference from the outside. I spotted this gem at Ultrace, lined up with other classic models from the Mercedes-Benz catalogue.

These days, you can transform a standard Mercedes-Benz 190E into a true legend. A quick search for an Evo II body kit for the Mercedes-Benz 190E yields plenty of results on Google. So, if you own a 190E, the possibilities are endless. Genuine Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.5-16 Evolution IIs have become prohibitively expensive, which isn’t surprising given that only 502 units were ever made. If recent auction prices are anything to go by, they now fetch no less than €300,000.

Back to this well-crafted replica, the owner has added several personal touches. Most striking are the BBS LM wheels that fill the wheel arches nicely, thanks in part to the air ride suspension.

A Surprise Encounter with a Mercedes W114

At a recent Porsche event in Dinslaken, Germany, my attention was unexpectedly captured by a Mercedes-Benz parked in the outside parkinglot. I’ll be honest: I often struggle to identify these models at a glance. Fortunately, the license plate offered a helpful clue with “W114,” indicating this car’s model year from 1968 till 1976 also known as the “Strich-Acht” in German (slash eight). The “/8” designation refers to its introduction year, 1968. It also indicates this as a car with a six-cylinder engine, because the W115 version had 4 cylinder engines.

This particular model is the Coupé version, instantly recognizable by its absence of a B-pillar, giving it a sleek and elegant profile. But this wasn’t just any W114 Coupé. Equipped with air ride suspension and custom wheels, it made an unforgettable impression, evidenced by the crowd gathered around it in the parking lot.

The combination of classic design and modern modifications transformed this Mercedes-Benz into a show-stopper, blending timeless style with contemporary flair. It’s a perfect example of how classic cars can be reimagined to capture the attention and admiration of enthusiasts from all walks of life.

Owner; Mr. Robson

Hardcore Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.5-16v EVOII

This is number 23 out of 502 so one of the first ones ever made. But it’s even more unique than the other 501 cars made because it’s a whopping 300kg lighter than a standard Mercedes-Benz 190 E 2.5-16v EVO II. Transformed into a true hardcore track tool, it features a fully stripped interior, two racing bucket seats, a roll cage, and race configuration, while retaining the original engine setting. Thanks to the stripped interior, this EVO II now weighs in at just 1030kg. What’s even better is that it comes with a road-legal license plate.

Gallery: Classics & Coffee event by Octane

On Sunday I visited the Classics & Coffee event organised by Octane Magazine, they had such a good turn out with so many different cars. Really cool to see all these different cars together and the fact they all drove there was even better.

Home Built Mercedes-Benz SL320 on Air Lift

The Mercedes-Benz SL made its debut back in 1952, and the most iconic and now unaffordable 300SL remains one of the most beautiful cars ever designed. Anything that came after had some pretty big boots to fill. Now, the fourth-generation SL (R129) isn’t exactly the model that sets my heart racing. But after laying eyes on this version, built by Harry Pippard, I’ve had to reconsider.

The foundation here is an SL320, a rare 40th-anniversary Designo edition from 1998. The color is a stunning blend of green and blue, much to my surprise, it’s standard on the Designo edition cars. While the SL’s lines remain intact, Harry has made some subtle tweaks to the bumpers and sideskirts. Everything’s been done by Harry himself, including the paintwork, right from his own garage at home.

Working in collaboration with 6ad Forged, Harry designed the wheels himself. These three-piece wheels come in 18”x9.5j up front and 18”x10.5j at the rear. The inspiration here is pretty clear, taking cues from the Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.5-16 Evo II wheels, giving the car that sought-after OEM+ vibe.

The Levella Mercedes Benz 190e x C32 AMG

The Mercedes Benz 190e 2.5-16V EVO 2. They seem to pop up quite frequently, but you won’t find one for less than $250,000, at least according to Bring a Trailer. The latest auction on there was on March 13th, and the highest bid reached a whopping $370,000, which still wasn’t enough for the seller.

Now, onto this particular specimen from Levella, a wheel manufacturer in Germany. With the increasing demand for the Mercedes Benz 190e 2.5-16V EVO 2, it’s no surprise that replicas are hitting the market. You can now even buy a full EVO 2 body kit for your standard 190e. I’m not sure if that’s the case here, but what I do know is that you won’t find the 4-cylinder 2.5-16V engine under the hood. Instead, there’s a 3.2-liter V6 sourced from a much newer C32 AMG.