Dear Sir,
You are obviously not aware of the DC Classic Parts Pricing Policy.
They take the retail pricelist and note all prices that are relevant to the *classics*,eg any MB older than 25 years old. The *classic price adjuster* computer programme just adds one more zero behind ALL the prices that are moved to the *classic center parts department*, so if the list price was $25.00, the Classic Center Price is $250.00
In one easy move, now only the likes of Jay Leno(sorry, Jay) can restore a 50s or 60s Mercedes
I made a few calls to Fellbach, Germany in 2000 when I was sourcing some parts for the 170DS, all I can say is that the prices would have made the parts worth MORE than it's weight in GOLD and have resigned myself to supporting the vanguard suppliers like Niemoller, that I have used since the 1980s
At least there is, for the time being, an alternative to dealing with the *Classic Center*. I have heard from Germany that there is an active movement among ALL the German manufacturers to *trademark* or *copyright* the parts for their respective autos that will effectively put the independants out of business. BMW tried very hard to do this in the 1990s I think, but failed.
Have a good week