Mercedes had a very aggressive European Delivery Plan back then. You bought the car at a US dealer and it was waiting for you at the factory. The big draw to the buyer was car insurance in Europe was through the roof back then and if you bought a car on the EDP the insurance for three or four weeks of driving was a part of the price.

Plus you saved from between 5 to 10 percent. Dropped off at one of three ports and shipping was also included.

So if you were planning on going to Europe and renting a car, and could afford a Mercedes, this was a no brainer.

So... Picked up in Europe. Check. A European model? The odds of this are small indeed.