Originally Posted by PaulC

Ah, you guys have forgotten the good old Seventies, when Chevy came out with a grille for the 1973 Malibu that only needed a three pointed star hood ornament to have MB lawyers screaming copyright infringement. The first-gen Ford Granada/Mercury Monarch were virtually w115 ripoffs, at least in general look and proportion. Ditto Plymouth Volare.

MB ripoffs have been happening for decades. Don't forget the era in the late fifties when Studebaker and Mercedes had an affiliation in the US. More than a few Studes had MB-like grilles. Given the regrettable decline in MB quality, I submit that Ford and Mercedes are now closer on many fronts than they have ever been. Mercedes-Benz Pinto? Has a nice ring to it.