Why does Vintage mean 1975 and earlier???

[suginami]

I have always wondered why this Vintage Mercedes section is for Mercedes cars 1975 and earlier. It doesn't make any sense from a model point of view.

It's right in the middle of the W116 model run.

What significant event happened in 1976 that makes the cars inappropriate for this section?

I've read that the 116 450 SEL's got a new fuel injection sysem in 1976, but I can't believe that it would separate the car from vintage to non-vintage status...

[domchang]

at least here in Colorado, the DMV will not issue you a "vintage car" license plate unless it's 25 years old or older.

Some of the vintage car insurance companies don't consider a car having "vintage" status unless they're at least 25 years old before it qualifies for their special insurance.

My guess is that the forum was started in 2000 which makes 1975 the starting point for cars 25 years or older.

HTH, on a side note, MB has declared all SLs prior to 1990 (I think) to be "vintage".....marketing decision I think but now I can call my 89 560SL a vintage car. ; )

[Clunker]

Ditto in Georgia.

That seems to make a clear distinction between the rarer cars of an older era and a newer design which remained in production through 1985 and is much more common in everyday use on the road today.

[rickjordan]

Mercedes itself considers any series that has been out of production for 20 years, a "Classic". This is according to thier Classic car site. So a 116 chassis would be a "classic" in Mercedes eyes. I agree that calling the R107 SLs "vintage" is just pure marketing. I believe most states say a "classic" is 25 yrs, a "vintage" is 50 yrs and an "antique" is 75 yrs old.

[domchang]

sorry, I mispoke....

all the R107 SLs were declared "classic" by MB, not "vintage"....with the intro of their new 2003 SL500....either way, still a marketing thing.

[rmasteller]

I don't know why they picked 1975, probably just an arbatrary(?) date. The moderator had to pick some year because MB did not release all new models in each class the same year, they all evolved and were released in different years. Can you imagine a new A-class, C-class, E-class, S-class, ML-Class, G-class, and SL-class car all being released on the same model year? Wow!

Anyway, I think I read somewhere that the Classic Center considers a body style "classic" when it's two chassis codes old. That is, the 107 was replaced by the 129 which is now replaced by the new chassis. Therefor the 107 is a classic. I guess that makes the 190E chassis a classic too? Also the 126? The 124 will be a classic when the new E-class comes out. Is this correct, or am I creating this in my head?

[Clunker]

I thought 25 years was an antique in most states. Just the same a 190e a classic too? Damnation!

I recieved a "classic transfer" on my title when I bought my 76 last year. My 76 is the same as the 75 300d w115 so I come here a lot for info. I think 75 is just a guideline as no one has qustioned me yet. Also FYI there are some parts of the W114s 72-75 that will work on mine as well as some parts of the earlier 123s. I found a 72 250 w114 yesterday at the salvage that had idendical sunroof, rear chrome trim, heater controls. dash wood etc.

[rmadison]

Many "vintage" car shows in NY NJ use 25 years as the cut off so this year they cut off at 1976 but next year they'll move up to 1977...
Richard M