Have noticed recently that MB is using lots of vintage cars in its american advertising lately...... in support of modern models with contemporary (invisible?) styling features.

Knowing we've got some ringers on this board who work for MB - am wondering if they've got a new model in the wings that returns to traditional body styling.

Can this happen at the policy level.... if not, why? Chryzler has been marketing lots of successful retro models - and I'm wondering if MB has one in the wings that might bend the trend against modern day nebulous small car styling which seems to be fading away.

the 2005 finback? actually that will be cool, mbz has 100years of retro they can pull from

mike

something with Gullwing doors that no one can afford.

peter

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1972 220D ?? miles
1988 300E 200,012
1987 300D Turbo killed 9/25/07, 275,000 miles
1985 Volvo 740 GLE Turobodiesel 218,000
1972 280 SE 4.5 165, 000 - It runs!

Peter is probably right.

MB has been pulling from their tradition for so long, it wouldn't be anything new for them to make a retro model. I definitely wouldn't be from one of the sedans, if anything.

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63 220S W111
76 300D W115
2013 VW JSW TDI M6

previously-
73 280 SEL 4.5
86 300E 5 speed
2010 VW Jetta TDI M6

Gullwing, check. Unaffordable in this lifetime and a couple others, check. As far as retro styling cues go, the 2004 McLaren/AMG SLR takes a lot from the 1955 MB 300SLR.

I don't think MB will come out with some crazy, contoversial styling ala BMW's recent and homely Chris Bangle designed cars (Z4, 740, etc). Mercedes is well aware which side it's bread is buttered on and I don't see them wanting to jolt their well-heeled, conservative customer base.

I'd bet any 'breath of fresh air' projects are sent to the Smart or AMG divisions. Dunno.

MBUSA put out a call a few months ago for pictures of MB owners with their cars to use in this new ad campaign. My ponton was one of the ones selected. It's on page 2 here, http://www.mbusa.com/microsite/brand/index.jsp, the beige ponton with the bride and groom. I think all the photos they are using in their ads are there.

Len
'59 220S Cabriolet

I think Bangle's BMWs could benefit from a couple of tail-fins.
But seriously, as the proud owner of a Fintail and 250C, I'll be happy if MB just continues to have parts for my 'retro' cars.

Happy Motoring, Mark

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DrDKW

everything else on the road...with a poorly grafted on grille and star, and little if no design continuity with the past.

I'd love to see a recreation of the big 280SE convertible, which would make its own market niche. A return to the W123 body styles would also be a boon, since this model's style and substance look less dated than anything built since.

Unfortunately, I fear Mercedes is a sleepwalking robot zombie shadow of its former self. The cars are both less reliable and more expensive for what you get. I divide Mercedes into two categories: rich peoples' cars and smart peoples' cars. Sad that I believe all the simple quality, taste, thought, simplicity, and durability which characterized the "smart peoples' cars" has been absent for a long time...and won't be back.

Wasn't that a 108 I saw with badges plastered all over the grill and over 1 million miles ?

Betcha it wasn't a v8.....

Jim B+ wrote:That's a great idea. It would be nice to see a real sedan on the road, instead of all these soap bars with trunk lids the size of coin slots.

Then add all the classic details of an old MB:
Wood trim that doesn't look tacky
An engine that is NOT covered in plastic
And, of course, build quality that puts all other ars to shame!

You know, Mr. 240 diesel, I purposely went on early today to start a new thread on this topic...and you beat me to the punch!!

Yes. I've noticed the new campaign. It's about 3 commercials. I love it...kind of vindicates my driving a vintage Benz, and not just an "old" car. Also emphasizes that MBUSA realizes the strength of our 'rides', in various respects. And the weakness of the new cars.

If there's an analogy, Cadillac went through this in the 70s and 80s., when they diluted everything about their cars-except the 'duck' badges. There was nothing (other than MB) betetr in quality than an early 60s Cadillac. I know from family experiences.
Then they castrated the vehicles.

I'm not saying that MB has gone that far, but the days when an MB was a totally different animal than an ordinary car are long gone.

Remember that first time you sat in a benz and took it for a drive? Like a different world. That's what hooked us.

The new MB campaign is not just another 'retro' ad campaign. It goes deeper than that. They're trying to graft what was great about their older Benzes onto the new ones.

The ads are great, and they might work for a while.

But what they really need is building a great line of newer cars that duplicate the unseen virtues, and then promote them. Yeah, the costs would be high in today's dollars. But what they don't realize, is that so many people would spend such money to get the 'real' thing - and then keep them for 10-15 years.

They don't know this. We do.

Bob, thats a good analogy with Cadillac because they did produce a retro model somewhere in the late '70s that reflected 40's styling with high sloped rear trunk and fake spare tire compartment on top.

Meanwhile MB seems to be all over the place in their designs these days from 3 cyl smart cars to the huge Maybach at 1/4 million dollars.

With the Alabama factory paying its rent with the American exclusive ML SUV, am wondering if the plant will expand its line to include some kinda square 'fun car' sedan that invokes traditional styling.

While there have been individual model Cadillacs that were good over the years, auto historian Richard Burns Carlson once termed it America's "...first disposable luxury car."

Mercedes-Benz always had more in common with Packard...a well engineered and well built durable, conservative, stylish auto whose cost was the result of an incredible amount of "value added" in every area.

Cadillac has on the whole been a flashy rather than a product of substance. This is the way Mercedes has been heading for a number of years now. Today Mercedes and Cadillac say only one thing to me and a number of other people...not that this is a "good" car...but rather that this is a car that "cost a lot of money."

PS..."good" Cadillacs...all until 1920, during which time Cadillac was a solid "professional man's" car rather than a luxobarge; the '38-'40 Sixty Special; the Model 75 from around WWII; the '49 with the groundbreaking V-8; and most models from '61 thru '66.

The problem may actually be that they DO know this and would rather have their owners buy new ones every 2-3 years than every 10-15 years.

Packard went out of business because their cars were so well built, their customers would buy one and only one, because it lasted them forever.

I would love MB to return to the stylish days of the 111, 108, 107, 114, 115, etc... but I don't relly see it happening. People want "Aerodynamic" cars that "Look" fast, not curvy cars that look slow but are anything but (especially the 3.5, 4.5, 6.3).

I think a 108 sedan with the windshield a bit more slanted and the front a bit sleeker but with a similar grille and body style would look awesome, and a 111 coupe/convertible would too in the same manner. Too bad it won't happen unless one of us becomes an MB designer!

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Current:
2021 Charger Scat Pack Widebody "Sinabee"
2018 Durango R/T

Previous:
1972 280SE 4.5
2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited "Hefe", 1992 Jeep Cherokee Laredo "Jeepy", 2006 Charger R/T "Hemi"
1999 Chrysler 300M - RIP @ 221k

I know exactly what you mean. Today EVERY car has to look sporty. Part of the pleasure of driving my W114 is that the un-sporty looks is such a nice contrast to modern cars.

Say it loud - It's slow and I'm proud.