|
nomad
Date registered: Dec 1899
Location:
Vehicle(s):
| W126 - A Classic?
For some strange, unknown reason, I'm thinking most will say yes
Anyway here's my view...No, not a classic
jdc1244 said in his 'Preach to the converted' thread, what I believe the W126 to be and that is, one of the last great MB's
It's a great old car, which is of course built very well, it has few faults and an enduring elegant design, if a little bland
I think it sort of sits in a no-mans land of being neither a classic, nor modern car
For me the last 'real' classic MB's were the 70's era cars (I know the 126 is a 70's design but that's not what I mean)
It's a great car, I just don't consider it a classic, maybe the SEC one day but not the sedans
Just my opinion of course |
|
| |
|
nomad
Date registered: Dec 1899
Location:
Vehicle(s):
| RE: W126 - A Classic?
MBZER - 5/4/2006 2:21 PM
Your NOT thinking of replacing THE PANZR with a 70's Benzo.....R Ya??
Well, I've already got one and had another two not so long ago, all W116 S-Class |
|
| |
|
Photoman
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: New Zealand
Vehicle(s): 280GE, ML500, 280SE 3.5
| Re: W126 - A Classic?
hay nomad did you see the 450SEL for sale on trademe. They only wanted NZ$3500 and it looked mint. CHEAP!!!!!
Nearly bought it myself but had no room to keep it.
The 126 a classic.... hmmmm. Dunno. I think the SEC and the 560SEL are awesome machines for sure. I've owned a 500SEL and a 500SEC and almost bought a 560SEC last week. Great cars for sure but classic???? |
|
| |
|
nomad
Date registered: Dec 1899
Location:
Vehicle(s):
| RE: W126 - A Classic?
I missed that one, what a shame
Did you have it on your 'watchlist', if you did, can you get the auction number? It would be in your 'Items I Lost' list
I'm curious to see it
I'm loving your mag by the way
Cheers, Damon |
|
| |
|
benz420
Date registered: Dec 1899
Location:
Vehicle(s):
| RE: W126 - A Classic?
Of course its a classic, its the last great MB of its time, and to any MB enthusiast who understands what it is, should surely understand its value (well... maybe not its monetary value, yet  )
|
|
| |
|
Nutz
Expert
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location:
Vehicle(s):
Posts: 2026
| Re: W126 - A Classic?
I'm not an owner of a 126 yet but heres my take on it. It has some classic attributes but it may be some time before it is viewed as classic because of the modern appearance.If you look at it's daddy,the W116,you will notice that it has old world styling whereas the W126 actually is a car ahead of its time.If that makes any sense! |
|
| |
|
Marsden
Classic MB
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: Capital City USA
Vehicle(s): Mercedes-Benz
| RE: W126 - A Classic?
The "car ahead of its time" thing is often what eventually distinguishes a car as a future classic. So my answer would be: if not yet, give it a few more years. |
|
| |
|
jdc1244
Date registered: Dec 1899
Location:
Vehicle(s):
| RE: W126 - A Classic?
Currently the 126 is considered a ‘youngtimer.’ Ironic it is denied its classic status because it was designed too well.
A classic is something that retains its original appeal regardless of age.
I believe Bruno Sacco created a classic when the basic design was completed. Of the 126 design – radical for the 70s – Sacco said: ‘a Mercedes should always look like a Mercedes.’ The genius of the 126 design is the blending of the classic Mercedes motif with a fresh, new design. Some styling points are a significant departure such as the large C pillar and how well it flows into the rear fender. 116s and 123s are often confused by MB neophytes. 126s are never confused with any other MB.
Only 15 years out of production it is indeed too early to talk about classic status. Give it another ten years or so and the automotive world will rediscover the aggressively beautiful 126 and acknowledge it as a very deserving classic.
|
|
| |
|
benz420
Date registered: Dec 1899
Location:
Vehicle(s):
| RE: W126 - A Classic?
Do you believe that the value of the W126 will go up substantially after it reaches classic 'status'? |
|
| |
|
jdc1244
Date registered: Dec 1899
Location:
Vehicle(s):
| RE: W126 - A Classic?
As the car becomes more rare and good condition examples are hard to find, yes. Mint cars are already commanding a high price.
|
|
| |
|
storm
Date registered: Dec 1899
Location:
Vehicle(s):
| Re: W126 - A Classic?
i'm planning on trading in my defender for a 300SEL 126 at the moment,... still can't decide. I love the 126 and consider it a classic, but the running cost over here are insane (as a daily driver) |
|
| |
|
jdc1244
Date registered: Dec 1899
Location:
Vehicle(s):
| RE: W126 - A Classic?
…but a 300 SEL is a great choice. |
|
| |
|
storm
Date registered: Dec 1899
Location:
Vehicle(s):
| RE: W126 - A Classic?
jdc1244 - 5/5/2006 6:30 AM …but a 300 SEL is a great choice. I'm going today to see it after some beetle hunting. |
|
| |
|
jdc1244
Date registered: Dec 1899
Location:
Vehicle(s):
| RE: W126 - A Classic?
storm - 5/5/2006 10:22 PM
jdc1244 - 5/5/2006 6:30 AM …but a 300 SEL is a great choice. I'm going today to see it after some beetle hunting.
...cars or bugs? |
|
| |
|
Marsden
Classic MB
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: Capital City USA
Vehicle(s): Mercedes-Benz
| RE: W126 - A Classic?
jdc1244 - 5/5/2006 10:23 PM storm - 5/5/2006 10:22 PM jdc1244 - 5/5/2006 6:30 AM …but a 300 SEL is a great choice. I'm going today to see it after some beetle hunting. ...cars or bugs? Yeah jeez Storm, don't leave us hanging!!!  |
|
| |
|
CND
Date registered: Dec 1899
Location:
Vehicle(s):
| RE: W126 - A Classic?
benz420 - 5/6/2006 10:56 AM
Do you believe that the value of the W126 will go up substantially after it reaches classic 'status'?
I doubt the sedans will. Considering so many were produced. But I do think well-kept SEC's will command a premium in the coming years. |
|
| |
|
BenzDieselTuner
Date registered: Dec 1899
Location:
Vehicle(s):
| Re: W126 - A Classic?
i say yes, a classic............i will be an old old man, and still see its form come down the street, and will still love its look! that makes it a classic......(just like 123's) |
|
| |
|
benz420
Date registered: Dec 1899
Location:
Vehicle(s):
| RE: W126 - A Classic?
CND - 5/13/2006 4:03 AM
benz420 - 5/6/2006 10:56 AM
Do you believe that the value of the W126 will go up substantially after it reaches classic 'status'?
I doubt the sedans will. Considering so many were produced. But I do think well-kept SEC's will command a premium in the coming years.
It will be interesting to see, oh, and WELCOME CND!  |
|
| |
|
jdc1244
Date registered: Dec 1899
Location:
Vehicle(s):
| RE: W126 - A Classic?
CND - 5/13/2006 4:03 AM
I doubt the sedans will.
I'll welcome my good friend to the forum by disagreeing with respect: just as a 1962 300 SE is now a classic (w112) so will my 126 version be one day. |
|
| |
|
420 SE
Date registered: Dec 1899
Location:
Vehicle(s):
| RE: W126 - A Classic?
Welcome CND and ditto what jdc said. |
|
| |
