In the history of the automobile industry, it isn’t easy to find a manufacturer that has had a more significant impact on the sector’s development than Mercedes-Benz. This German brand is known all over the world. Its cars are actively sold in dozens of countries and are popular with people with different financial capabilities. The ten best classic models deserve special attention among the many vehicles produced. At certain stages of Mercedes-Benz’s development, all of them became iconic and were able to change history.
540K
In 1936, the 540K model was introduced, which later became one of the best cars of the decade. It was produced in three different versions. The first was a convertible, the second was a coupe, and the third was a limousine. All versions were made exclusively to order and were intended for the most influential figures of the time. The 540K belonged to the luxury car class. Despite this, it could drive quite fast. Thanks to the powerful 8-cylinder 5.4-liter engine under the hood, the model accelerated to 170 km/h, which was considered the benchmark speed at that time. The interior of the car and its exterior were created considering practicality and comfort. This made the 540K the top model of the 40s.
300SL
In 1954, Mercedes-Benz expanded its model range with the 300SL sports car. Initially, it was a two-seater coupe, but later turned into a classic roadster. This model was equipped with a 6-cylinder gasoline engine from Daimler-Benz, which had a power of 215 hp and allowed acceleration to 240 km/h. It was paired with a 4-speed manual gearbox. The 300SL went down in history thanks to its unique appearance and doors that opened not to the side but upwards. For the 50s, this was something special, so it immediately attracted the attention of all car lovers. Later, Mercedes-Benz repeatedly used some design elements of the 300SL to produce its modern supercars.
300d Adenauer
In 1957, Mercedes-Benz released a luxury sedan called the 300d Adenauer. This car received its name thanks to Konrad Adenauer, the Chancellor of the FRG at the time, and was explicitly intended for this important person. The model combined strict design, luxury, comfort and safety. It was painted mainly black and was used as the primary vehicle for Konrad Adenauer’s official trips around the country. The main difference between this model and all previous ones was the presence of a partition between the first and second rows of seats. It was made of glass and was intended to isolate the Chancellor from the driver. Also, the car used by Adenauer was equipped with a dictaphone and a telephone.
230 SL Pagoda
This lightweight and compact sports car became a natural pearl of the Mercedes-Benz model range in the 60s. It stood out with its unique removable roof, which had an unusual concave shape. It was due to its resemblance to the roof of a pagoda (an Asian cult structure) that the car got its name. For eight years, the 230 SL was equipped with a 6-cylinder engine with a volume of 2.3 liters. It produced 150 hp and made it possible to accelerate to 200 km/h. 4-5-speed gearboxes supplemented the power plant. In various modifications, they were automatic or mechanical. At the end of 1966, Mercedes-Benz stopped production of the 230 SL and replaced it with a more modern analog.
600
After the 300d Adenauer was discontinued, Mercedes-Benz introduced its 600 model. It was a luxury sedan with a unique design and provided high comfort for passengers. Such characteristics made the 600 the most popular car among celebrities. Over the years, it was used by politicians, actors, musicians, and the rich people of that time. This model came with a powerful 6.3-liter V8 engine, which worked with an automatic transmission (three-speed). Thanks to them, it was possible to accelerate the 600 to 205 km/h and not experience any discomfort during the trip. This iconic German car was discontinued only in 1981.
300SD
This 4-door sedan, produced since 1978, earned a place among German classics. It quickly became popular among drivers due to its reliability, durability, and good safety indicators. Its robust construction easily withstood the most substantial impacts and helped save many human lives. This model was not the most luxurious in the Mercedes-Benz range. However, it compensated for this shortcoming by having a cozy interior where everyone felt comfortable. The 300SD was produced with a 3-liter diesel engine, which produced 115 hp and allowed the car to accelerate to 165 km/h. It was installed in tandem with a 4-speed AT, which worked without failures throughout the entire period of operation of the vehicle.
G Class
This famous model, produced in 1979, was among the best SUVs in the world in the late 70s and early 80s. It combined a sporty style, broad off-road capabilities and a high comfort level. This combination is unique even today, and it was considered something special at that time. Users had access to gasoline and diesel engines in different versions of the G Class, all of which had different characteristics so that everyone could choose the best option. The power plant was complemented by a standard automatic transmission, which in modern versions has been replaced by a 9-speed AT 9G-Tronic or AMG SpeedShift TCT. Today, the G Class is a popular model. It can be purchased from Mercedes-Benz dealers or at special online auctions where crashed Mercedes-Benz cars are sold.
190E
This classic car was produced by Mercedes-Benz since 1982. Over the next 11 years, it became many people’s favorite and helped them cope with their daily affairs. This model was equipped with gasoline and diesel engines. The former had a volume of 1.8-2.6 liters, and the latter – 2.0-2.5 liters. The best modifications were produced with a 4-speed AT; the rest used a 4-5-speed MT. Such various options allowed each buyer to choose the best option based on their needs and preferences. The peak of popularity of the 190E came in 1985 when more than 120 thousand copies were sold in Germany alone. In other European countries and the USA, this car also showed excellent results, earning the status of a cult Mercedes-Benz model.
W124 500 E
This classic model of the famous German company went on sale in 1984. It belonged to the business class cars and had a corresponding appearance. The interior design was devoid of excesses, but each driver and passenger could still feel as comfortable as possible in the cabin. Mercedes-Benz offered buyers of the W124 500 E many gasoline and diesel power plant options. In the top versions of the model, the V8 gasoline engine was most often used, and it had a power of 326 hp. With its help, acceleration to 100 km/h was carried out in 6.1 s, and the maximum speed was 250 km/h. The W124 500 E also stood out for its advanced technologies. Drivers had access to new functions and capabilities unavailable in other Mercedes-Benz models.
C36 AMG
This car became one of the most popular in the 90s and the last century. It was a high-performance version of the standard C-Class model, the first product of the joint work of Mercedes-Benz and its AMG division. This stylish and easy-to-drive sedan was produced with a 6-cylinder engine with a volume of 3.6 liters. It produced 280 hp and allowed acceleration to 270 km/h. A manual (5-6 speed) or automatic (4-5 speed) gearbox was paired with this engine. Immediately after its release, the C36 AMG pushed many German competitors into the background and became one of the best-selling in Germany. Outside its home country, it also had many fans, for which it received the status of a cult car of the 90s.
Even people who have never been interested in cars know about the existence of the Mercedes-Benz company. It has long acquired the status of a legend and left its mark on the history of the global auto industry. At different times, many of its models became revolutionary and impeded the development of the entire industry. Today, studying classic Mercedes-Benz cars, many admire the talent of engineers and designers who were able to provide the world with models capable of making history.
