Chapter3&4 lowres

Global and local

A generation of peace signs, bell bottom blue jeans, the launch of the Apollo and a kaleidoscope of music gave rise to hope, idealism and a belief that the world could be changed, transformed, altered for the betterment of mankind.

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Previous: And so the S-Class legend begins. The launch of the W108 and 109 represented the epitome of the modern S-Class with a style close to perfection. Paul Bracq’s design was an object lesson in understated elegance. In 1968 these entry level models were increased in engine capacity to 2.8-litres, carburetted and fuel-injected SE form.

Left: The last truly hand-built Mercedes-Benz mainstream car and also the last vehicles with the stacked headlamps and a very large front grille. To this day, many people can still recognise a 108 or a 109’s lines as distinctively Mercedes-Benz, even if they were not even born when the model was still in production. This 1967 image shows the 25000th Mercedes-Benz model series being readied by the East London factory.

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t’s 1965 and Jim Clark wins the first race of the

(for the 1968 launch year) and thus earned the German

Formula One Grand Prix calendar at the East

nickname “Strich Acht” (Slash Eight).

London Grand Prix circuit. Later that year at the

The Strich Acht was hailed as a paragon of automotive

Frankfurt International Motor Show, Mercedes-Benz

functionalism and destined to become a cult object. A

launches their new premium class 250 S, 250 SE, 300

continuation of Mercedes’ new styling direction for the

SEb and long-wheelbase 300 SE (W108/109) models

Sixties, the new 200 series brought the new design

to replace the seminal ‘Fintail’.

language to their most attainable range of cars- the

Free of any fads of fashion, designer Paul Bracq

People’s Mercedes-Benz. It led the way the new post-

made the point through simple elegance, bestowing

Fintail look and in modified form, the styling would last

the cars with integrated safety features that secured a

all the way to the last W126s in 1991. All versions used

lasting competitive advantage for the brand. Manfred

the same body - the W114s had a variety of six-cylinder

Mann’s ‘Mighty Quinn’ was top of the South African

engines - while the W115 used four-cylinder petrol or

singles charts when Mercedes-Benz South Africa

diesels and five-cylinder diesels. The 240 D featured the

unveiled their mid-range W114 and W115 models in

world’s first ever five-cylinder diesel engine installed in

1968. Local media, industry experts and public alike

a passenger car, giving it the distinction of being the

welcomed this East London assembled mid-range

liveliest, fastest diesel car in the world at the time. Fuel

series, which appeared in South Africa 250, 280 and

consumption was 10.8 litres per 100km. The technical

300 guises. One of the most successful models of the

highlights of these new generation models included a

70s, internally, the new cars were designated by “/8”

diagonal swing axle, which gave distinct improvements 4

Left & Below: There is some justification for excellence for its own sake, and that is what this Mercedes-Benz represents. The designation S or SE was used for short-wheelbase models including 250S, 250SE, 280S, 280SE and 300SE. The ‘E’ stands for the German word ‘Einspritzen’, a reference to the engine being fuel injected. Vehicles without the E designation retained the carburetor setup.

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Left & Below: Over its nine years in production, the W115 and W114 series became an icon of the automotive culture of the 1960s and 70s. Nowadays they have long since become both prized classics and high mileage ‘everyday use’ cars. Demand was high from the outset , with almost two million units of the series selling world wide between 1968 and 1976- roughly equaling the entire number of Mercedes-Benz passenger cars produced between the end of the Second World War and 1968.

in handling without sacrificing ride comfort. In 1972, the 280 and 280 E models were added to the range, both of which were available as saloon or coupe. New safety features included a collapsible steering column, padded instrument panel, breakaway rear view mirror and seatback locks as standard.

The car was constantly evolved and saw many new safety and convenience improvements, including flexibly mounted exterior mirrors adjustable from inside, molding on the A-pillars that kept the side windows clean and ribbed tail lights for minimising dirt collection. From March 1973 onwards, head restraints and inertia-reel front seat belts also became part of the standard equipment list.

As an indestructible and reliable long-distance runner, these cars knew few peers, the Mercedes-Benz with the highest known recorded mileage in service being a 1976 240 D Greek taxi. Its owner, taxi driver Gregorios Sachinidis from Thessaloniki, covered 4.6 million kilometres in this car, which is now resting in 7

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Left: The creation of the so called ‘Stroke Eight’ (Internally they were given the abbreviation /8) in 1968 was the start of a design revolution in Stuttgart that laid the foundations and set standards for future generations of Mercedes-Benz mid-range series, what is known today as the E-Class.

the Stuttgart Mercedes-Benz Museum.

In 1971, the SABC was finally allowed to introduce a television service and in the same year, a new SL rolled out onto South African roads - the MercedesBenz 450 SL. (R107). In a decade which began with a continuation of the mini skirts and the introduction of bell-bottoms immortalised in the 1977 film Saturday Night Fever, starring John Travolta, the new SL quickly left an indelible mark of the fashionable set around the world.

For the first time in the history of the model series, the SL received the internal designation ‘R’ as in Roadster instead of ‘W’ as in ‘Wagen’ and an eightcylinder engine. In the case of the C107, the coupés were based not on the four-door premium class saloons but on the roadsters of the SL-Class. Mercedes-Benz South Africa produced both the roadster and coupe between 1971 and 1981, helping the Stuttgart brand to notch up a total of 237,287 of the open-top twoseaters and a total of 62,888 coupés. The SLC’s drag 9

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Left & Below: The introduction of a smaller car was something completely new for Mercedes, and paved the way to a whole new segment for the brand. It started by experimenting with shorter versions of the W114, which ulimtately led to the first ever ‘Baby Benz’, the W201 series.

coefficient was better than that of the SL so that the coupé attained the same performance despite an added weight of some 50 kilograms. At the end of the 1970s Daimler-Benz participated under the leadership of Erich Waxenberger at various world rally championship events. The car they used in 1978 and 1979 was the 450SLC 5.0. In 1980 the car was slightly updated with black wheel-arch extensions and used for the group 2 rally events in Argentina, New Zealand and the African Ivory Coast Bandama rally.

As a ‘Sports Coupé’, it gained wins for MercedesBenz in many rallies and long-distance races. The SLC was discontinued in 1982, although the roadster SL continued all the way through to 1989. MercedesBenz later returned to a saloon-based coupe with the introduction of the W126-based SEC. The decision to make the SL open-top two-seater with a fabric roof and an additional removable hard top was attributed to Hans Scherenberg, the head of Development, who fought tooth and nail for it: “The 11

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Left: Its distinctive front end with the dominant SL face, the wide-band headlamps and grooved turn indicator covers had a powerful aura; the lines of the low silhouette were harmonious – soft top open or closed, or with hardtop. The very slight inward curve of the boot lid, along with the concave hardtop, were reminiscent of the ‘Pagoda’ style immortalized by earlier SL’s.

SL gave me great pleasure, but also caused me great trouble. This was no easy decision for us.” The solidity of the engineering can be felt from the moment you close the door with a satisfying clunk, which ensured a loyal following from day one.

Béla Barényi’s safety legacy was further developed to create a carefully defined safety cell crumple pattern and the seats were available with head restraints and seat belts as standard. Roll-over protection was provided by the A-pillar and bonded-in windscreen which had 50 percent more strength than in the previous SL. As a further safety feature, the fuel tank was no longer installed in the rear end but above the rear axle, protected in the event of a collision. Later models included the anti-lock braking system ABS, airbag and seat belt tensioner.

From

a

technological

stand

point,

the

period

characterised by laid-back disco style and leopard print - to the glitz and glamour poularised by the likes of Liza Minnelli, the 70’s are still very much a part of 13

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Left & Below Top: Internally the Coupe was designated C 107 (the ‘C’ stands for ‘coupé’).

Up to the windscreen, its appearance matched that of the open-top variant; behind the windscreen the overall height and length grew. A flat roof spanned the four-seater passenger compartment in a gentle curve, going over into a large and very steep rear window that arched in two directions. The boot lid was slightly convex in shape, unlike the SL’s.

Below Bottom: The R107 was the first SL generation to be characterised by a large variety of models. During its long construction period, it was available, for instance, with engines from the 2.8-litre six-cylinder in-line engine to the 5.6-litre V8. The R 107 set new standards in safety with its high safety reserves and numerous innovations.

present-day: the first calculator, digital camera, word processor, email, and video game were all created.

These days, the SL is as sought after as ever, meaning prices are holding strong and rising and with care and attention, engines should be good for 500,000 kilometres. A great influencer of style in the 70s, the R107 defined the 70s era and was improved constantly throughout the cars production period. The 350 SL’s eight-cylinder 3.5-litre engine did service in the W108, W109, W111 and W116 series. Whilst production of the 450 SL and 450 SL ended in South Africa in 1981, the production of the 107 series ended in Germany in August 1989, more than 18 years after the 350 SL’s debut. This SL series set an internal record that will probably never be broken: in the entire history of the company no other passenger car series has ever been produced over such a long period, with the exception of the G-Class. Its timeless look is naturally elegant, it was the car of choice for the era’s movers and shakers and set trends as well as followed them.

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Volume through efficiency In a world of contrasts, where innovations like lead-free petrol, Post-it Notes, Rubik’s cube and the Sony Walkman emerged, the energy crisis and global uncertainty caused momentous changes. Yet Mercedes-Benz South Africa invested heavily in local assembly, bringing increased confidence and a barrage of new models to market.

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Previous: A fore-runner of the modern E-Class, the Mercedes-Benz W123 went on to introduce innovations including ABS, retractable steering column and an airbag for the driver.

Right: The Mercedes-Benz W116 required a considerable financial outlay to buy, but it was not only a prestige status symbol. It had a high degree of active safety and crashworthiness, Friedrich Geiger’s perfected body design, outstanding comfort, large reserves of energy, effortless driving and exemplary craftsmanship. And all these highly desirable features came together to form an overall image in which one thing stands out above all – that this was one of the world’s most perfect cars.

F

rom 1965 to 1973 Daimler Group sales almost

shortening of the braking distance, particularly on wet

tripled but on 17 October 1973 the oil price

roads. It took over 20 years for Dr. Hans Scherenberg’s

rose from about three to five US$ per barrel – a 70 per

ABS anti-lock braking system to be developed from the

cent increase. During the next year the world oil price

initial idea to series deployment and it made its series

rose to more than $12 per barrel and by the end of the

debut in 1978.

1970s, Mercedes-Benz drew up a ‘long-term production structure’ to reorganise their production plants.

Amongst the first to benefit from this structure was the S-Classs. A mirror of its time, the top-of-the-range

The first official S-Class was proudly assembled in the firm’s East London plant in South Africa between 1973 and 1978, where the 280 S, 280 SE and 350 SE models were available.

S-Class W116 became a trendsetter for vital new safety

In January 1976 Mercedes-Benz introduced the 123

innovations, and its history reflects the way in which

series saloon, stepping out into the limelight for the

vehicle safety grew and changed with each era. This

first time with all the poise and assurance of being best

premium saloon was characterised by improved crash

in class. Despite tumultuous events in South Africa,

performance, extreme comfort and countless detailed

including the death of Stephen Biko, the anti-apartheid

solutions for passive and active safety: it was in this

activist, South African assembly came on stream in

model series that the ABS anti-lock braking system

1977 and instantly generated a high demand.

made its series debut in 1978. This system ensured

The W123’s design pointed towards the future:

that the vehicle was still able to be steered even when

technically, with numerous safety innovations; and

the brakes were fully applied and it also led to the

aesthetically, with a design that took its cue from the

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Right: Many years after the end of production, the 123 series was still a familiar sight on the roads. But today this generation of Mercedes-Benz upper mid-range cars have become something of a rarity and its models are rapidly establishing themselves as recent classics.

Below: Bonnie Tyler’s ‘Lost in France’ topped the South African single charts 1997, the same year local assembly of the W123 started. The 1982 facelift saw circular headlights give way to rectangular ones, which were previously fitted only to the 280 range and power steering became standard.

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Right: The W123 series was another master-stroke from Friedrich Geiger, the man who penned the pre-war 540k and post-war 300SL.

looks of the new S-Class and current SL models. The

commenced in 1972 and series production started in

cars were imbued with a high standard of workmanship,

1979 at Mercedes-Benz’s partners, Magna Steyr in

functionality and a particularly wide range of body

Austria. It remains by far the longest-serving model

variants

production

series since Mercedes-Benz came into existence in

ended in Germany in November 1985, but the East

1886. The ‘G’ stands for Geländewagen meaning ‘all

London factory continued assembling the model until

terrain vehicle’, hence its nickname, ‘G-wagen’. In its

1986, where it is known that the last car to leave the

long career, it’s seen service with NATO, the Pope

factory was painted anthracite grey. 77,350 W123s

and many armies. Major refinements came in 1981

were assembled in East London, contributing to the

including an automatic gearbox, air conditioning and

2.4 million W123 models produced worldwide, thus

other ‘car-like’ features. A Paris-Dakar rally win in

surpassing its predecessor as the most successful car

1983 generated huge publicity. At the same time it was

to date.

decided to construct a new plant in Graz, where the

and

engines.

W123

saloon

Local cars had 40 per cent local content, with

vehicle has been built mainly by hand throughout its

superior wool carpets and leather interiors and better

time in production until the 460 series was phased out

sound deadening. The engines were also bench-tested,

in 1991.

so in some respects they were superior to the German-

1981 saw the U.S. space shuttle ‘Columbia’ make

built car, evidenced by Mercedes-Benz AG using one

its maiden flight, the first Compact Discs (CD) entered

of the last local cars, a 230E, as a template for their

the market and the ‘Tutankhamen’ exhibition amazed

restorations of W123 models.

3.5 million visitors. Mercedes-Benz South Africa also

The development of the Mercedes-Benz G-Class 23

commenced assembly of the new generation S-Class 24

Right: In early 1987, thoughts turned to the creation of a model series with a higher specification, named the 463 model series. “The model upgrade and modification have transformed this diamond into a priceless gem”, said Jürgen Hubbert, the DaimlerChrysler Board member responsible for the Mercedes-Benz Passenger Car Division at the time. “We have polished and refined it, but we have not changed the essential nature, the character of this car.” From 1989, the G-Class came under the aegis of the Mercedes-Benz Passenger Car Division. The dashboard design was adopted from the 124 series, while exotic wood trim and comfortable seats were standard equipment. As with all other Mercedes-Benz models, the G-wagen’s naming system changed from 1994. The ‘G’ would come before the model number - ‘G500’ as opposed to ‘500 GE.’ Below: The 461 series was available in three wheelbases and seven body variants.

This offered an immense number of permutations, so vehicles could easily be configured for highly specific purposes. Customers simply ordered exactly what they needed.

(W126 series) and revealed the new 380 SEC and 500 SEC Coupés. This generation of the S-Class truly set the standard for safety with the unveiling of its driver air bag housed in the impact-absorbing element of the steering wheel. Today, this basic principle is an integral part of all modern vehicles.

Mercedes-Benz South Africa continued to build the W126 for another three years after the Sindelfingen plant ended production. The most famous S-Class was the red 500SE given to Nelson Mandela, known affectionately by his clan name of ‘Madiba’, upon his release from captivity.

At the Rivonia Trial in 1964, Mandela, together with a number of other co-accused, was found guilty and sentenced to death. This sentence was changed to one of life imprisonment and he was sent to Robben Island in June of that year. He didn’t know it at the time, but his special relationship with the people of MercedesBenz began with the announcement of his release from Robben Island in 1990.

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Right: A masterpiece among, luxury coupés the luxury coupé the familiar Mercedes-Benz features have were given a contemporary twist, resulting in a blend of the classic and contemporary. The hallmark Mercedes-Benz radiator grille with its wide chrome louvres and the design of the C-pillar are some examples of this. The unique, slightly downwards-tapering pillar configuration is a typical feature of the large Mercedes-Benz coupé who’s roots go back to the 1950s: in 1956 the 220 S/ SE coupé (W180/W128 model series) captured attention with this striking C-pillar design, and a few years later the concept was further refined in the successor model, the 220 SE coupé (W111/112). Other design features which were already acclaimed back were also been reinterpreted for the CL, keeping alive the large coupé tradition of fully retractable side windows uninterrupted by a B-pillar, and the large, curving panoramic rear window.

In the late 80s, Mercedes-Benz South Africa was the first of the local automotive companies to give formal recognition to a black labour organisation, which later became the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA). The labour force, through the trade unions, was at the forefront of a battle to isolate the Apartheid government and saw the factory floor as a platform to make their collective voice heard.

When it was announced that Madiba would be released from Robben Island, NUMSA called a special meeting to decide how best they could honour him. They wished to give him something of great symbolic value and settled on doing what they were best at - building a top-of-the-range Mercedes-Benz S-Class – but in their own personal time without pay. When NUMSA approached management with the idea, they agreed to supply the materials, equipment and facilities.

Together, the people of MBSA created their own unique gift. Employees in the plant at that time still 27

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Right: Mandela was released from prison on Feb. 11th 1990, after 27 years in prison, and workers at the Mercedes-Benz plant in East London lovingly assembled this Mercedes S500 as a gift. At the time, Mercedes-Benz of South Africa said it ‘acknowledges the pride and esteem in which the majority of its employees hold Nelson Mandela and is prepared to agree to a Mercedes-Benz motor vehicle being built for him. This is a gift from the workers.” The car cost R125,000 at the time, more than the value of the modest four-room house where Mandela lived in Soweto, just outside Johannesburg. The licence plate reads “999 NRM GP”, with NRM standing for Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela.

remember the unparalleled excitement and passion

worldwide. As a result, this generation– proved to be

that followed the ‘Madiba car’ on the production line.

the most successful premium-class model series in the

When it reached the end of its production journey and

history of Mercedes-Benz.

was subjected to a tough quality audit, it was revealed

The new E-Class (W124) series was built parallel to

that the now-legendary Mercedes-Benz was ‘blemish

the old model for almost a year. Assembled in South

free’. To this day it remains the best S-Class ever built

Africa between 1986 and 1995, it scooped the 1987

in East London.

car of the year accolade locally. An important task of

The Madiba car was presented to Dr Mandela on

the design team - lead by Bruno Sacco, supported by

22 July 1990 at a political rally attended by thousands

Joseph Gallitzendorfer and Peter Pfeiffer in shaping

at the Sisa Dukasha stadium in Mdantsane, near East

the car was to integrate the classic characteristics

London. Philip Groom, an employee with Mercedes-

of earlier Mercedes-Benz models in the modern,

Benz South Africa to this day, gave the keys to him.

clean, more aerodynamic lines of the new model. The

In 1998, when then DaimlerChrysler AG chairman,

passenger compartment was now able to withstand the

billion-rand

so-called ‘offset crash’ unscathed at a speed of 55 km/h

investment in the plant, Madiba was by his side —

and these were the first production cars worldwide to

and was presented with a new S-Class to replace the

meet the criteria of the frontal offset crash. From the

famous red model which then took pride of place in the

bevelled edges, elevated boot to the masculine sides

Mercedes-Benz collection at the plant in East London.

and perfect proportions between front and back, this

No less than 818,036 units of the S-Class were sold

car has aged well and is still a common sight on South

Prof

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Jürgen

Schrempp

announced

a

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Right & Below: Press reports on the S-Class W126 models were effusive in their praise.

In 1979, auto, motor und sport, Germany, wrote “on driving quickly, you realise that at Daimler-Benz, quietness is part of civic responsibility. Any mechanical noise – even with the six-cylinders – remains discreetly in the background. Moreover, it is nothing short of remarkable to note just how thoroughly the Mercedes developers have managed to eliminate wind noise.” The car was proudly assembled in the firm’s East London plant between 1981 and 1992 and was the penultimate S-Class to be assembled locally.

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Right & Below: The goal for the East London assembled W201 was to be a featherweight compact sedan that was economical to drive, but rode, drove, and was every bit as safe as a top-of-the-line S-Class. It offered the interior comfort of larger Mercedes-Benz sedans and its ride was silky smooth and its handling highly sophisticated, thanks to a new multi-link independent rear suspension. The official global launch was on December 8, 1982, and by the time production of the Baby Benz ceased in 1993, 1.8 million had been built.

African roads.

In 1982, Survivor’s Eye of the Tiger belted out of car radios and ‘mullet’ hairstyles were all the rage while the Mercedes-Benz South African plant assembled the first car in a new model series in the ‘compact class’.

Slotted in below the E-Class, S-Class and SL-Class, the 190 model (W201) was the Bruno Sacco designed ‘Baby Benz’ that began the journey culminating in the fabulously successful C-Class.

Prototypes

famously

achieved

a

long-distance

world record of more than 50,000 km travelled over an average speed of almost 250 kph on the Nardo circuit in Southern Italy. The 190 engines also set new standards: the use of an encapsulated engine in the diesel version led to the 190 D becoming known as the ‘whisper diesel’, while four-valve Cosworth technology turned the petrol-engined 16-V versions of the compact class into high-performance sports sedans. Around 1.9 million units of the 190 had been produced by the time production ceased 11 years later.

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Right & Below: More than 2.5 million W124s were sold across the globe over an 11-year period. What made W124 E-Class the mid-size luxury vehicle the one to have is that it was one of the most complete cars, characterised by solidity, longevity, safety, luxury, engineering excellence and of course, prestige. Bruno Sacco, Joseph Gallitzendrfer and Peter Pfeiffer, are recognized for creating a truly timeless, elegant, solid and brand-enhancing set of lines, inside and out. From the bevelled edges, to the elevated boot that cut drag coefficient, to the masculine sides and perfect proportions between front and back, it remains a titan of design impact and longevity.

Below: In 1997, the Mercedes-Benz 260E won the South African Guild of Motoring Writers’ Car of the Year amid universal praise from the media.

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