Mercedes-Benz Anniversaries

Safety steering system

55 years ago – August 1967 Providing additional safety for the driver, all MercedesBenz passenger vehicles were fitted with the brand’s telescopic steering column from August 1967 onwards. In the event of a severe frontal impact, the steering column components would move or collapse into each other, thereby reducing the chances (or severity) of impact forces. Other passive safety measures of the steering system included an impact absorbing pad, favourable column angle and position of the steering gear mechanism.

Ralph de Palma wins Elgin Road Races

110 years ago – August 1912 Not to be confused with our own Elgin Valley in the Western Cape, Elgin in Illinois (USA) hosted various road races late in August 1912. First prize went to Ralph de Palma in his privately-entered 1908 Mercedes 140hp Grand Prix, followed by Erwin Bergdoll in a Benz 150hp. De Palma also set a new record with an average speed of 110km/h.

First German motoring club

125 years ago – September 1897 Just 11 years after the invention of the motor car, the “Mitteleuropäischer Motorwagen-Verein” (Middle European Motorcar Club) was founded on 30 September 1897. Founder members of the first ever German car club included Carl Benz, Gottlieb Daimler and Rudolf Diesel.

Mercedes V8 wins CART World Series (Indycar) engine classification

25 years ago – September 1997 Mercedes-Benz provided various Indycar teams (later CART World Series) with power plants during the latter half of the 1990’s. In 1997, their IC 108 D power plant won nine out of 17 races, and was crowned winner of the engine classification after the last race on 28 September of that year. The 2.65L methanol-fuelled DOHC V8 weighed around 125kg and produced up to 625kW (850hp) at around 14,000rpm.

30th anniversary of the 400E

30 years ago – October 1992 If you thought that a W124 500E / E500 was a rare beast on our shores, consider the slightly weaker, certainly more modest but even more elusive 400E. This 4.2L (M119) model with 205kW enjoyed great sales in the USA and Japan from mid-1991, while its European counterpart was only launched on 1 October 1992. The vehicle’s badge changed to E420 with the restructured nomenclatures of 1993, and a total of 22,802 units of the 400E/E420 were sold worldwide.

Much like its bigger 500 brother, the W124 400/420 engine was only available in a sedan body; never as a convertible or estate. The later W210 E420’s could be had as station wagons, while this smallest version of the M119 engine was replaced by the smallest M113 motor of the time: the E430, which had fewer valves, less consumption, but identical power and torque figures.

W140 is voted World Car 1992

30 years ago – October 1992 An international jury of automotive journalists considered a vehicle’s environmental compatibility, safety and comfort during their votes for the World Car 1992. On the eve of the Paris Motor Show from 8 to 18 October 1992, they crowned the new MercedesBenz W140 as their winner. The French motor show also played host to the new W140 300SD, the first diesel-powered S-Class in Europe. A total of 406,532 units of the W140 were sold until its series production ended in 1998.

EV tests on the island of Rügen

30 years ago – October 1992 Mercedes-Benz commenced large-scale EV (electric vehicle) testing exactly 30 years ago on the Baltic Sea island of Rügen. This government-funded project involved ten Mercedes-Benz W201’s and a further ten MB 100 vans with a variety of electric drive trains. The fleet of EV’s tested energy systems, photovoltaic charging stations and batteries in everyday use until about 1996.

Klaus Ludwig becomes 1992 DTM champion

30 years ago – October 1992 Mercedes-Benz collected their second constructor’s championship when German driver Klaus Ludwig won the driver’s championship in 1992 in an AMG 190E 2.516 Evolution II. His brand colleagues Kurt Thiim and Bernd Schneider finished the championship in second and third place.

World’s first metal airship was powered by a Daimler engine

125 years ago – November 1897 On 3 November 1897, an all-metal airship designed by Hungarian inventor David Schwarz set off on its maiden voyage in Berlin, equipped with an 8.8kW (12hp) Daimler engine. Mobility on land, on water and in the air. More than 100 years ago, the successful uses of Carl Benz’s and Gottlieb Daimler’s combustion engines also included aircraft.

Last 126 off the line was a 560 SEC

30 years ago – August 1992 Did you know? On the 28th of August 1992, a 560 SEC rolled off the production line at the Sindelfingen plant as the last vehicle in the S-Class 126 series. A total of 892,193 sedans and coupés were built in 13 production years!

W126 Fact Sheet

• Introduced in September 1979 at the IAA in Frankfurt,

Germany • The Coupé arrived two years later, also first exhibited at the

IAA • A mild update was introduced in September 1985. Guess where? • Built from 1979 to 1991 in Sindelfingen (Germany),

Malaysia or South Africa • Total of 818036 units produced, 1465 of which were armored versions • Officially available as a sedan (W126), LWB sedan (V126), LWB armored sedan (V126) or coupe (C126) • Sedans came with 5-cylinder turbo-diesel or 6- and 8-cylinder petrol engines • Coupes only had 8-cylinder petrol engines • Sedans were available as a 4- or 5-speed manual (6-cylinder petrols) or 4-speed automatic (V8’s and turbo-diesels) • Coupes were only available as 4-speed automatics • All 126’s were front-engined and rear-wheel drive only • Their predecessors were the

W116 and C107, while their successors were W140 and

C140

W126 Production Numbers:

260 SE, 1985-1991: 280 S, 1979-1985: 280 SE, 1979-1985:

20 836 42 996 133 955 280 SEL, 1980-1985: 20 655 300 SD Turbodiesel, 1980-1985: 78 725 300 SDL Turbodiesel, ‘85-87: 13 830 300 SE, 1985-1991: 105 422 300 SEL, 1985-1991: 40 956 350 SD Turbodiesel, 1990-1991: 2 066 350 SDL Turbodiesel, ‘90-91: 2 925 380 SE, 1980-1985: 58 239 380 SE (Armored), 1981-1985: 86 380 SEL, 1980-1985: 27 014 380 SEL (Armored), 1981-1985: 88 420 SE, 1985-1991: 13 996 420 SE (Armored), 1985-1991: 229 420 SEL, 1985-1991: 74 017 420 SEL (Armored), 1985-1991: 63 500 SE, 1980-1991: 33 418 500 SE (Armored), 1983: 3 500 SE (Armored), 1987-1990: 7 500 SEL, 1980-1992): 72 693 500 SEL (Armored), 1981-1985: 376 500 SEL (Armored), 1985-1992: 262 500 SEL (Armored LWB), ‘83-85: 2 560 SE, 1988-1991: 1 252 560 SEL, 1985-1992: 75 071 560 SEL (ECE), 1985-1987: nsd* 560 SEL (Armored), 1986-1992: 349

*not seperately documented

380 SEC, 1981-1985: 420 SEC, 1985-1991: 500 SEC, 1981-1991: 560 SEC, 1985-1991: 560 SEC (ECE-Version), ‘85-87:

Rarest models:

500 SEL (Armored LWB), ‘83-85: 500 SE (Armored), 1983: 500 SE (Armored), 1987-1990:

Rarest (non-armored) models:

560 SE, 1988-1991: 350 SD Turbodiesel, 1990-1991: 350 SDL Turbodiesel, ‘90-91: 11 267 3 680 30 184 28 929 nsd*

2

3

7

1 252 2 066 2 925

Most common models:

280 SE, 1979-1985:

133 955 300 SE, 1985-1991: 105 422 300 SD Turbodiesel, 1980-1985: 78 725

Shared on Facebook, from Sandown Motors:

“Behold, the WILL.I.AMG! Pictured here is an AMG GT Coupe known as “The Flip”, and stems from a collaboration between will.i.am and Mercedes-AMG.”

Ralekota Louis Chepape: Apart from the grill everything is dope Frederick Kotze: Pray tell who might Will.i.am be when not at home sleeping Jacques Pierre Le Roux: Must be the ugliest car I’ve seen in quite a while. Niel Nathoo: Horrible

Shared on Facebook, from Southern Cape Old Car Club:

“Save the Date: Dates for next year’s George Old Car Show, with its focus firmly on Italian marques, have been confirmed for 11 and 12 February 2023.” Leon Erasmus: Looking forward to it – the best show of the year! Zaheera Ebrahim: Abdul Gani Carim Jack we definitely going

The Mercedes-Benz Club of South Africa introduced a new segment to its National Concours. Today was our first Spectacle Spécial, and what a special day it has been!

Our members, who displayed and entered their cars, shared the very special stories of their cars and how they became the curators / owners of these cars. We had an incredible Concours weekend…

Hans-Georg Bosch: What a fantastic event it was. A big thank you to all organisers and sponors! My son Hans-Rudolf would have loved to be there. Thank you once again for a super MBCSA event! Dawie Louw: What a fantastic event indeed! A big thank you to the sponsors, organisors and participants, and last but not the least, thanks for all these photographs. Vishen Chetty: Passed by yesterday and just had to see these beautiful cars Nerisa Chetty: Absolutely breathtaking !!! Marius Erlank: Awesome

As part of a multi-photo event post

Pieter Ackerman: Mooi kar Louwrens Coetzer: Stunning motor!! 350 of 280? Tiaan Opperman: Louwrens Coetzer, 280S

As part of a multi-photo event post

Pieter Ackerman: Mooi groene Tshepo Mashala: Very nice

On the previous Benz Lens post:

Christina Kannemeyer: Maybe not relevant to present post but couldn’t find another place to post. 8.9.2022 - A sad day indeed and end of an era. Farewell Elizabeth. Pic taken from “Sternes Stars und Majestâten” by Paul Simsa & Jürgen Lewandowski.

As part of a multi-photo event post

Richard Tudor-owen: Who owns this car? Looks very much like my old R129!

Smythe Insurance Brokers Classic Car Enthusiasts

Old Friends, Are The Best Friends

Introducing our partners for all our classic car insurance, Vantage Insurance. Why Vantage Insurance? It is one of the few true motor insurance specialist in the market with a solid track record of more than 13 years. As niche underwriters on behalf of Santam Insurance Ltd its focus has been to provide tailor made cover specifically for Classic and Executive cars. Vantage has a highly experienced team who are also actively involved in motoring events, including club memberships of a variety of makes. Vantage therefore understands the needs of these enthusiastic groups more than most in the industry.

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REGALIA

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The committee of the Benz-Lens Magazine CHALLENGE ALL OUR MEMBERS to submit their own personal stories and images. The winning articles will be published in the quarterly magazine and on our digital media. Annual prizes will be awarded according to contributions on photos, articles and Facebook posts. PLEASE CONTACT OUR EDITOR FOR ASSISTANCE

DIE THE BENZ LENS

MERCEDES-BENZ CLUB OF SOUTH AFRICA

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Regalia Officers Jacky Lavin

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Leon Erasmus

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Club Approved Insurance Brokers Elsabé van Zyl (MUA)

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Honorary Life Members

Sir Stirling Moss | Steve Rademeyer | Ettienne Geel | Ria Geel | Philip Kannemeyer | Graham van Heerden Dirk van der Westhuizen

Hero Awards

Kobus Harris | Norman Hickel | Louis Coetzer | Chris Calisle-Kitz | Maxim Erdmann (Posthumous) | Bill Tolken | Fred Winkel Okkie Potgieter | Theo Classen | Waldo Scribante | Annalie Kachelhoffer | Colin Meyer | Pieter Moolman Special Members

Chris Calisle-Kitz | Hein Lorentz | Okkie Potgieter | Brian Slingers | Anna-Lee Dos Santos | Selvin Govender | Warren Geyser Fanie du Preez | Jeff Sansom | Russell Grigg | Esté Campher | Ian Matthews | André Fourie

PLEASE NOTE: The placement of ads is a service rendered to our members. Neither the editor nor the committee accepts any liability pertaining to condition or ownership of goods advertised. It remains the responsibility of the reader to investigate these issues before closing any transaction. DISCLAIMER: The Mercedes-Benz Club of South Africa, although an authorized user of the Mercedes-Benz Trademarks, is an independent organisation and the views expressed in the Newsletter are not necessarily those Mercedes-Benz SA, Mercedes-Benz AG or the Mercedes-Benz Museum GmbH.* Opinions expressed are those of the individual contributors and should not be interpreted as official club policy. While great care has been exercised in the compilation of the material published, members are advised to personally verify information, statements and claims before committing themselves to acts on transactions.