Paul,

I appreciate that the 500E / E500 in reality is rare being a limited production (LHD only) vehicle. I guess that if you take a forum such as this as representative of what enthusiasts own though, it is not as rare (among us enthusiasts) as perhaps a 300TE-24 Sportline or even my 190E 2.3 Sportline manual. I'm talking rare as opposed to collectable or desirable. A 500E (or even a 190E 2.3-16) is both significantly more desirable and collectable than my 190E 2.3 Sportline, whatever the rarity of each model.

You mention the Sportline version of the 124 coupe. Strangely, in Australia, they are about the only Sportlines you ever see. You are right though, I cannot remember ever seeing one in a 320CE or E320 coupe ('93-'95). From memory all have been the 300CE-24. I have also seen the occasional 300E-24 Sportline and 190E Sportline in 2, 2.3 and 2.6 litre but none have been manual like mine.


Frank,

Yes, the Unimog is rare among private owners yet pass any Australian Army base and there are plenty to be seen!

__________________
107.023: 350SLC, 3-speed auto, icon gold, parchment MBtex (sold 2012 after 29 years ownership).
107.026: 500SLC, 4-speed auto, thistle green, green velour.
124.090: 300TE, 4-speed auto, arctic white, cream-beige MBtex.
201.028: 190E 2.3 Sportline, 5-speed manual, arctic white, blue leather.
201.028: 190E 2.3, 4-speed auto, blue-black, grey MBtex.
201.034: 190E 2.3-16, 5-speed manual, blue-black, black leather.