Mercedes-Benz Classic Center Opening This February
Posted by www.eMercedesBenz.com on January 25, 2006 at 8:35 AM CST
“Imagine the chance to step back in time and purchase the Mercedes-
Benz of your dreams right off the showroom floor." That is the idea
behind the Mercedes-Benz Classic Center, a new business venture of MB-
USA set to open its doors this February in Irvine, California.
Prospective customers at the Classic Center will have access to a
host of classic Mercedes, ranging in price from approximately $25,000
up into the millions. To be honest, after looking at the photographs
it looks more like a Mercedes museum than an actual showroom.
In addition to selling vehicles, the Mercedes Classic Center offers
Mercedes enthusiasts a wealth of other services as well.
Restoration, appraisal and vehicle-search assistance are all
available for Mercedes models aged 20 years or older. The Classic
Center even features an inventory of 40,000 parts to service every
regular production Mercedes from 1945 through the 107-series SL
models. As if that weren't enough, if the Classic Center doesn't
have the part you're looking for, the Mercedes-Benz Prototype
Department and the Research and Development Department will assist in
remanufacturing the part. One example they gave was the reproduction
of the hood for a 1956-1963 190 SL, because it required a specific
technique that is no longer in place.
If you're interested in visiting the Mercedes-Benz Classic Center, as
we told you at the beginning of the story, it opens this February.
You can find photos by visiting www.eMercedesBenz.com, and more
details below, including location, hours of operation, and contact
information. Enjoy.
OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE
DREAM CARS OF YESTERYEAR ARE REBORN AT THE MERCEDES-BENZ CLASSIC
CENTER IN IRVINE, CALIFORNIA
World’s Only Manufacturer-backed Classic Center Opening its Doors to
Offer Retail Sales and Full Compliment of Services for its Vintage
Vehicles Aged Twenty Years and Older
IRVINE, Calif. –The Mercedes-Benz Classic Center, the first and only
manufacturer-backed classic center of its kind, will open its doors
for business in Irvine, California, in February 2006. The Classic
Center at Irvine will offer a full compliment of services including
retail sales, restoration, appraisal and vehicle-search assistance
for Mercedes-Benz models aged twenty years and older. This is the
latest chapter in the pioneering history of Mercedes-Benz which
includes the invention of the world’s first automobile 120 years ago.
“Imagine the chance to step back in time and purchase the Mercedes-
Benz of your dreams right off the showroom floor, and that is the
magic of the Mercedes-Benz Classic Center,” said Mike Kunz, manager,
Classic Center. “For those who longed for these cars when they were
younger, or for customers who are new to the brand and value the
nostalgia and timeless style that comes with a vintage Mercedes, the
Classic Center at Irvine provides a unique opportunity unmatched by
any other marque in the world to relive automotive history.”
Vehicles will be offered at a wide range of prices beginning at
approximately $25,000 and reaching upwards into the millions.
The Classic Center operates a full service department. Any technician
employed at the Mercedes-Benz Classic Center will be qualified to
work on all Mercedes-Benz vehicles classified by the company as
“classic” – currently up to and including the 107 SL series
(450/380/560) models built from 1972-1989.
Ownership of a classic Mercedes-Benz is by no means required to enjoy
a visit to the Classic Center. The Center will offer something for
all enthusiasts from those who enjoy admiring expertly restored
classic Mercedes-Benz cars to those shopping in the boutique for a
full line of automotive and lifestyle accessories.
Unique Factory Support
Through its close partnership with the original Classic Center in
Fellbach, Germany, the Classic Center in Irvine maintains a direct
link to the factory and unequalled access to the parts, tools,
service manuals and production records needed to work on these great
automobiles, especially in the case of vehicles long out of
production such as the spectacular 540 K of the 1930s.
Owners who enjoy maintaining and repairing their classic Mercedes-
Benz cars will find a wide selection of parts available through the
Classic Center. What is not in stock can be ordered. The Classic
Center has access to 40,000 different parts for every regular
production Mercedes-Benz from 1945 through the 107-series SL models.
“Nobody understands how to care for these cars better than the
company that made them and has the vast resources and expertise to do
so,” notes Christian Treiber, general manager, After-Sales Marketing.
“Should an original part not be available, the Classic Center can
turn to the Mercedes-Benz Prototype Department and the Research and
Development Department for assistance in remanufacturing parts. As
one example, the Prototype Department was called upon to reproduce
the hood for the 1956-1963 190 SL, because it required a specific
technique that is no longer in place.”
Irvine in southern California was chosen for the location of the
Mercedes-Benz Classic Center as it is the heart of car culture in
America and has always been one of the most popular and best markets
for Mercedes-Benz worldwide.
The region is home to a sizeable population of classic Mercedes-Benz
lines, including the iconic 300 SL “Gullwing” coupe and 300 SL
roadster models built 1954-1963; the 190 SL roadster built 1955-1963;
the “113” series SL roadsters (230/250/280 SL) built 1963-1971; the
220/250/280 series sedans, coupes and convertibles built 1959-1971,
and such rare specialty models as the legendary 300 SEL 6.3 and 600
of the 1960s and the 450 SEL 6.9 of the mid-1970s.
The 1959-1971 111-series coupes and cabriolets, in particular, have
been among the fastest appreciating classic Mercedes from that time.
With their elegance, grace and timeless style, these Mercedes-Benz
models perfectly fit the California lifestyle. A restored 1970-1971
280 SE 3.5 Cabriolet, for example, can today approach the $150,000
mark. Five years ago, this model was selling for roughly half that
amount. The coupe versions, both six-cylinder and V8-powered, are
more numerous and also highly desirable.
SoCal’s Favorite Cars: The Classic SLs
In 1963, Mercedes-Benz introduced the six-cylinder 113-series SL
roadsters to replace both the limited-production 300 SL roadster and
the four-cylinder 190 SL roadster. Starting with the 230 SL of 1963
and culminating with the 280 SL offered through 1971, these were
known as the “pagoda” SLs because of the slightly concave shape of
their detachable hardtops. Nearly 49,000 were built, and many are
still driven with great pride and enjoyment in southern California.
One of southern California’s most popular high-end cars from the
1970s and 1980s remains a common site in the region: the V8-powered
107 series SL, starting with the 350/450 SL in 1971 and culminating
with the 560 SL in 1989. More than 237,000 units were built, with
more than two thirds coming to the U.S. – and a large percentage of
those selling in California.
Location, Hours of Operation
The Mercedes-Benz Classic Center (www.mbusa.com/classic) located in a
28,000 square foot stand-alone building at 9 Whatney in Irvine,
California, adjacent to Interstate 5, will provide its complete,
specialized services for Mercedes-Benz classics Monday through Friday
between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. and can be contacted at
949-598-4850. Parts purchasing assistance is available via its toll
free number – 1-866-MBCLASSIC (1-866-622-5277).
About Mercedes-Benz USA
Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA), headquartered in Montvale, N.J., is
responsible for the sales, marketing and service of all Mercedes-Benz
and Maybach vehicles in the United States. In 2005, MBUSA sold
224,421 new vehicles, setting the highest sales volume ever in its
history and achieving twelve consecutive years of sales growth. More
information on MBUSA and its products can be found on the Internet at
www.mbusa.com and www.maybachusa.com.
For more Mercedes-Benz news and information, visit us at
www.eMercedesBenz.com.