Autoblog visits the Mercedes Classic Car Center
We recently made a visit to the Mercedes-Benz Classic Car Center in Irvine, California, to check out this restoration and retail facility. Located adjacent to a cluster of auto showrooms, it looks like just another modern dealership. But the cars inside are anything but modern. For starters, there's a 1954 220 Coupe out front. Once inside the building, you'll be greeted by some of the most desirable models from Mercedes' glorious past. Gullwings and Patent-Motorwagens, SLRs and Pullmen.
(Follow the jump for the rest of the story and a gallery of wallpaper-sized pics.)
Like a small museum housing unexpected treasures, the Center unfolds and keeps delighting. Unlike a museum though, everything here is for sale. Well, almost everything. To one side of the reception desk sits a Sauber C291 endurance racer alongside a 190 SLR. To the other you'll find Mercedes apparel and auto related trinkets, like scale models and cufflinks emblazoned with the M-B logo.
But then it gets really interesting. As you walk into what at first appears to be the service area, you are surrounded by classic Benzes stacked two-high on lifts. Like some cosmic garage that services any Mercedes that drops through a wormhole, there are cars from the 1880s all the way up to the modern day classics.
A Coulthard F1 car and a Penske Indy 500 winner are a few feet from the Pullman and a Gullwing. Outside sat the SLK 4 X 4 that circumnavigated the globe. They didn't even bother to clean it up.
We happened to visit during an open house, something this facility specializes in. They host regional Mercedes clubs periodically and show off what they do best: fixing up and selling classic Benzes. You see, not only can you buy a vintage or classic Mercedes-Benz here, but you can also have yours restored by techs that have access to genuine GM M-B parts and technical drawings that allow them to rebuild virtually anything you need. If you are a fan of Mercedes and happen to be in Southern California, check it out. Click here for more information on the new Mercedes-Benz Classic Car Center. And click away on the photo gallery below to see if you can spot a favorite or two.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Tal D 3:45PM (10/07/2006)
Really like to visit. Looks nice but to far to travel.
Have been to the Greer, SC BMW Plant (Greer is located between Greenville and Spartanburg, SC) where there ae are old BMW vehicles on display. I happened to visit on a Saturday a couple of years ago at the same time BMW was hosting a fantastic Auto show. It was this time of year but do not know if it is an annual event.
In the mean time , I will keep this site in mind to visit when in the vicinity of Irvine, caliornia.
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pro driver 4:16PM (10/07/2006)
Next year I wist to visit more car museums.
http://www.auto-power-girl.com/
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gauens 1:05AM (10/12/2006)
nice site
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Fooman 4:47PM (10/07/2006)
This is the Fletcher Jones Mercedes Benz dealership.
Frank again tahnks for reminding me that I live the center of Automotivity in the US.
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JON 5:38PM (10/07/2006)
Not a bad idea to have a heritage model on display to emphasize pedigree.
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Si 6:08PM (10/07/2006)
If you dip into the past of Mercedes and BMW you start to realise that the Germans actually used to have style. Just look at that 300SL, stunning. Same the same can't be said for modern German Cars.
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JON 6:15PM (10/07/2006)
Your right,SI.the newer ones look too Japanese.The old world craftsmanship on the vintage models is beautiful.Tasteful use of chrome accents.I saw a spy photo/computer rendering of the next gen E-class and the front end looked just like a Lexus.
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Charlie Ludden 10:36PM (10/07/2006)
FRANK YOUR AWSOME
KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK MAN, YOUR AN ASSET TO THIS SITE
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Andy 1:13AM (10/08/2006)
I remember when Motor Trend Classic had a small article on this. I promised myself I would visit it (I live only a couple of miles away from it); somehow, I never got to it. I will see it for sure in the next couple of months.
I would argue Asian luxury vehicles are trying to be more German. The Kia Amanti looks like a knock-off Benz if I ever saw one. The Lexus SC reminds me off a rounder Mercedes SLK. Japan's domestic manufacturers have had a hard time convincing their people to buy their own line of upscale sedans. The Japanese upper-class tends to prefer BMWs to Lexuses.
Would I buy a $50,000 Mercedes over a $50,000 Lexus? No. I want reliability. The Lexus has cutting-edge technology without the headaches. Mercedes today is not the Mercedes of yesterday. The 300SL was an unusual car back in the 1950s (as was the BMW 507). But so many ideas have been tried and tested since then that it is hard to be new in looks and engineering. I would say Mercedes today is nice. I don't care for its sedans, but I do take pleasure in lusting for its high-performance coupes and cabrios.
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Franco 8:26AM (10/08/2006)
http://www.cwwcardesign.com/sightings/mercedes__170_cabriolet.html
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GhostDoggy 9:15AM (10/08/2006)
Am I the only one that things metal body and modern engineered replicas could go a long way for a given automaker? That 1954 220 coupe is a nice car, but imagine it with a modern suspension and drivetrain, modern electronics and passenger convenices, etc.
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eoecho | Greg Magnus 5:48PM (10/10/2006)
Frank,
Great shots! I was at the MB Classic Center when you took the pics. I'm actually in a few of your pics, but I don't think I had the pleasure of meeting you during the event.
The Mercedes-Benz Club of America (MBCA) visited the Classic Center as part of the club's 50th Anniversary celebration. Fifty or so cars participated in a Route 66 drive from Chicago to the Santa Monica Pier. Several additional members started in New Jersey and meandered along Route 6 to Chicago making it a true coast-to-coast adventure.
We had more than 100 Mercedes-Benz vehicles at the Santa Monica Pier for an ad-hoc car show followed by dinner on the pier Friday night.
After visiting the MB Classic Center on Saturday afternoon, we enjoyed the amazing car collection at the Astor Classics Event Center on Ball Road in Anaheim. On Sunday, we left town for Vegas and a week-long Starfest event; a judged Concours and several days of performance driving at Pahrump.
I'll have an article posted soon for those interested. Again, thanks for the post and the pics.
Best Regards,
Greg Magnus
Mid-Atlantic RD, MBCA
AMG Mercedes-Benz | Enthusiasts
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SAMUEL DACOSTA 2:55PM (1/21/2007)
I had the pleasure of touring the MB Restoration Classic Center yesterday with our local Porsche Club (Zone 8, OCR) and was given an indepth tour of the facility. It was a pleasure to see and hear the history of such a great car company and see their old classics (and concepts) on display. The draw dropping Maybach Exelero was on display.
Thanks to all involved in providing a great tour and sharing this great facility with our Porsche family.
SAM DACOSTA
MAX MUSCLE SPORTS NUTRITION
NEWPORT BEACH, CA.
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