Retro
1970 Mercedes-Benz W114 1970 1970 Mercedes-Benz W114
I noticed for a long time: the audience at the exhibitions of old timers with great attention examines not restored, but preserved cars, with native upholstery and never painted, and probably thinks at the same time: “They used to do it for ages!” However, the car was stunningly safe costs no less work than the work of the same restorers. We were convinced of it, having got acquainted with a green coupe of Mercedes-Benz W114 of 1970 of release and its owner Vladimir.
1970 Mercedes-Benz W114
The 250 C label on the boot lid means a carburetor engine with a capacity of 146 hp. and a volume of 2.5 liters. The injection version would be called 250 CE. In 1970, a 250 C coupe cost 18, 430 Deutschmarks, and with an injector - 940 marks more expensive. The most powerful was the modification 280 CE - a coupe with an injection engine of 2746 cubic meters. cm and a power of 185 hp, and the most economical W114 coupe diesel engines were not equipped with a 250 C label on the trunk lid means a carburetor engine with a capacity of 146 hp and a volume of 2.5 liters. The injection version would be called 250 CE. In 1970, a 250 C coupe cost 18, 430 Deutschmarks, and with an injector - 940 marks more expensive. The most powerful was the modification 280 CE - a coupe with an injection engine of 2746 cubic meters. cm and a power of 185 hp, and the most economical W114 coupe diesel engines were not equipped with a 250 C label on the trunk lid means a carburetor engine with a capacity of 146 hp and a volume of 2.5 liters. The injection version would be called 250 CE. In 1970, a 250 C coupe cost 18, 430 Deutschmarks, and with an injector - 940 marks more expensive. The most powerful was the modification 280 CE - a coupe with an injection engine of 2746 cubic meters. cm and a power of 185 hp, and the most economical diesel coupe W114 were not equipped
The first miles Mercedes began to wind up in California, in the town of El Granada, in 1970
In Moscow, such a Mercedes is the only one. Fans of the brand for some reason bypass the compartment of the 114th series, opting for sedans. But that’s not even the point - the safety of a car over the age of “a little over forty” is truly amazing: factory paintwork, “native” leather in the interior and chrome on the bumpers. The current owner is only the third in a row, and Russia is the third host country. Initially, the Olive Grun coupe was intended for the American market: automatic transmission lever on the steering column, speedometer and odometer in miles, lighting equipment of the US standard. The first miles Mercedes began to wind in sunny California, in the town of El Granada, together with its owner Theodore Gladstone. The car was incredibly lucky with its habitat - the California climate, dry and warm, in itself contributes to the safety of body iron. There are 91, 824 miles on the odometer. And 42 years of operation. Machines of this age, the same amount wound around Europe, require at least paintwork. Therefore, such well-preserved specimens are in demand among Europeans. In 2007, the coupe returned to its homeland, in the town of Krefeld on the west coast of the Rhine, where the oldtimer salon from the USA is located there.
1970 Mercedes-Benz W114
Once in Germany, Vladimir’s friend went to Germany for permanent residence at the Mercedes-Benz Classic club in Moscow, and he found this car. Vladimir once saw the exact same car in the melodrama Year of Arms with the still young Sharon Stone. As a result, the green W114 coupe arrived in Russia in November 2007.
1970 Mercedes-Benz W114
The location of the lever on the steering wheel creates a noticeable void in the space between the seats occupied by the shelf for small items. Volumetric pockets in the doors are also provided for them. The location of the lever on the steering wheel creates a noticeable void in the space between the seats occupied by the shelf for small items. Volume pockets in the doors are also provided for them.
1970 Mercedes-Benz W114
Upholstery of seats and seats made of leatherette MBtech, perfectly preserved along with paintwork Upholstery of seats and seats made of leatherette MBtech, perfectly preserved along with paintwork
His condition turned out to be good, but still required work to bring to excellent: the replacement of oils, brake fluid, various rubber bands, dry cleaning of the cabin. Vladimir did not spare either pastes or polishes on paint and chrome - just to preserve everything “in the family”. The attitude to the Mercedes is as careful as possible - the owner not only puts him in the garage for the winter, but even in the summer he tries not to drive out in rainy weather. For daily trips, another classic Mercedes-Benz is used - the less valuable W124 sedan, by the way, is also green.
1970 Mercedes-Benz W114
The speedometer and odometer are marked in miles, at the bottom there is a window of the indicator of the position of the lever of the automatic transmission. The speedometer and odometer are marked in miles, at the bottom there is a window of the indicator of the position of the lever of the automatic transmission.
But an exception has been made for us. Closing a wide door, you find yourself in the recent past. But there are inertial seat belts, air conditioning and cruise control. The set is quite decent for a modern car. Most of the space is occupied by the steering wheel - a huge diameter, with a thin rim and a chrome ring of the sound signal. This was put on the early W114, later it was replaced by a less refined version, which will then be equipped with the next generation W123. The seats are made of leatherette of a darker shade of green than the body color - this color is called "dunkel-grun."
The motor responds to a turn of the key in the lock with a slight vibration. Under the hood, the Mercedes has a 2.5 liter engine and a carburetor. At first, there were problems with setting up this device, which had sunk into oblivion, but everything was solved with finding an experienced "carburetor" who somehow miraculously did not lose his skills in the modern world.
1970 Mercedes-Benz W114
Door vents open with handles - they will not close with a strong headwind; door vents open with handles - they will not close with a strong headwind
Mercedes is American, and the lever "automatic" is on the steering wheel. Because of this, the space between the seats seems empty, but any European customer W114 could choose the more common “mechanics” or automatic transmission with a selector in the usual place in those years. This option did not affect the price of the car.
1970 Mercedes-Benz W114
The front seat cushions are adjustable only in length, and their backs recline for landing and disembarking the rear passengers - due to the decent breadth of the doors, this process takes place without inconvenience The front seat cushions are adjustable only in length, and their backs recline for landing and disembarking the rear passengers - due to decent latitude This process takes place without inconvenience
A trip to W114 confirms once again the axiom: “There are no old Mercedes, only classic ones”
There is no familiar letter D in the window on the dashboard, so I move the lever so that the arrow is opposite the number 4 - for this you need to pull it towards you, and then down. I release the brake, and the car smoothly begins to move forward. A bit of gas, but here Mercedes is in no hurry to hit the dynamics. Still gas, there is a slight impetus from switching to a higher gear - the “automatic machines” of those years do not differ in absolute smoothness and inconspicuous switching. Frisky car becomes only after 50 km / h. Before that, all commands are executed leisurely.
1970 Mercedes-Benz W114
The gas tank hatch hid between the rear number plate and the right lamp. Safety standards in the early 70s were milder. The gas tank hatch hid between the rear number plate and the right lamp. Safety standards in the early 70s were milder.
We ride in the lanes between Ostozhenka and Prechistenka, full of turns, descents and ascents. It’s unusual to twist a wheel of huge diameter, and it wasn’t created for quick maneuvering. Fortunately, there is no need to shift gears. All that remains is the pleasure of a soft ride and some unusual involvement with the past. And, of course, it's nice to watch how the three-pointed star on the hood shimmers and flickers. This is familiar to any Mercedes-Benz owner, regardless of the year of manufacture of the car. And the old "Mercedes" and does not exist - only the classic.
1970 Mercedes-Benz W114
Paul Braque
Paul Braque
The author of the appearance of the W114 / W115 models - the Frenchman Paul Braque - was invited to work in Stuttgart in 1957. Thanks to his talent, the new models have acquired a unique look and have become one of the most original in the history of Mercedes-Benz. First of all, because of the unusual headlights proposed by Braque, and now recognized as one of the milestones in the history of automotive design.
In the 60s, the Frenchman painted the entire series of classic Mercedes with vertical headlights, which included the W114 model: a sedan (1968, photo below), and then a coupe (1969). The hand of Paul Braque is also guessed in the huge rear window, and two chromed moldings on the roof also perform a decorative function, "diluting" the emptiness of the roof. More than bold was the decision of Braque to make a coupe without a central door pillar - a hardtop. Then it will become a classic on all E-class coupes - from the successor to the 114th C123 to the very latest C212. And the letter C from the model index will go into the designation of all subsequent two-doors.
Mercedes-Benz W115
Verdict
Ivan Barantsev, author:
