PLANNED OBSOLESENCE? CERTAINLY NOT A W123.

When I began to get a yearning for a Mercedes W123 I thought that I should do some research first, instead of just buying the first local one I could find.

So, the first place to look was the internet. At the top of Google, as usual, was Wikipedeia which gives a reasonable account of the W123. Also I picked up and read an article from Practical Classics magazine. I then studied various reports and forums on the web. The general consensus was that the W123 is the last of the well built over-engineered cars made.

I found that to get the information I desired, I had to spend a lot of time on the internet, also looking for information in the printed world of books and magazines. I was quite surprised at the limited amount of good quality information out there. There isn’t just one place to look, where the information is readily available. I guess this is the case for many other classic car enthusiasts, except for the Mini, Morris Minor, MGB and suchlike.

DRMERCEDES AND JAMES MAY JUST BEFORE FILMING OF NEXT SCENE

OF TOP GEAR 

It was certainly one of the reasons I put together a website where worldwide enthusiasts of the W123 come together and glean information on ‘one of the best cars ever built’ as quoted by James May whom I met at the TOP GEAR studios at Dunsfold Aerodrome in February of this year.

Also, all our members can have their questions answered and problems solved. Buy and Sell cars and also Swop parts and information freely across the world. I am working towards the ONE STOP SHOP which has been badly needed for the MERCEDES  W123 on the internet.

Mark Cosovich a very well known expert of the W123 has written a book with Martin Buckley and has also very kindly agreed to help us with technical issues on restoration.

As we all know manufacturers of modern cars build ‘PLANNED OBSOLESCENCE’ into their new cars, in other words the vehicle will have a limited lifespan and will need to be replaced after so many years/mileage. This is great for the manufacturer and the economy which also keeps the GDP up which makes the government look good, but is not so good for you and me as we are the ones who have to have our cars repaired or buy a new one.

These days it doesn’t take much to make a car uneconomical to repair. However, a classic car owner isn’t really concerned with all of that. The classic car owner is only really concerned with their own marque and keeping it on the road as economically as possible.

For example, I need a nearside front wing for my 240D. I can get a new one from an auto panel supplier fairly locally in the next town, but it may take up to a month for it to arrive and when I put it on the car I know that it will not fit. It will be made of thinner steel, and I will probably have to spend a couple of hours bending, beating and swearing to get it to fit to an acceptable level.

So, at the moment I am looking to find a decent second hand Mercedes unit from a specialist breaker. I don’t mind refurbishing a good second hand one as I know it will fit, will be made from thicker metal and it’s also recycling which makes me feel a little greener.  I will of course film the refurbishment of the, new to me wing, including de-rusting (not too much I hope), preparation for paint, priming and then the top coat of paint.

I will of course make sure as usual it is filmed and documented simply and easily so that all you DIYers out there will be able to have a go and get good results with basic equipment.

So anyone interested keep an eye on You Tube as I will put a VIDEO clip out there from www.drmercedesw123.com