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DREAM FACTORY
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SHINE FORM THE 80S
S-Class, SL and GLC are just one side of the glittering Mercedes-Benz coin. More than any other automotive manufacturer, the Stuttgart-based brand lives from its magnificent history, which is veritably celebrated at the Classic Center Fellbach.
Since 1993, the Classic Center in Fellbach has been the worldwide focus of Mercedes-Benz automotive authenticity. For those who own a spectacular Mercedes-Benz 600 or wish to restore their Pagoda to its former glory, the workshop is just the place. 'We've certainly seen a change in the type of customer over the years,' explains Klaus Reichert, Director of the Mercedes-Benz Classic Center, crossing the entrance hall of his dream factory. 'Today, authenticity trumps everything. That was not always the case.'
As the company celebrates its 100th anniversary, BMW Group Classic is getting a new home. The 13,000 m² site near BMW headquarters contains one of BMW's first production halls. Used at the time in the manufacture of aircraft engines, this hall now stands as an outstanding and architecturally protected monument to the allure of the BMW Group. A historic vehicle collection, the BMW Group Archive, the BMW Group Classic Center and a historic workshop are all situated together here.
Even though Pagodas of model series W 113 or the classic 107 are now rising in value and accounting for a growing number of work orders at the Classic Center in Fellbach, the main focus is still on luxury models, such as the Gullwing and the W 100 state limousine. 'At the technical level, a Mercedes-Benz 600 is extremely complicated,' says Andreas Häberle. 'The vehicle is complex and this is well known. So most people come straight to us. The same is true of the 300 SL.' Almost incidentally, he points out that the state limousine, also an official car of the German government until 1991, in his opinion is still too low in price on the open market – based on its technology and exclusivity. The black 600 is currently up for sale by ALL TIME STARS. 'It's definitely more valuable than others costing significantly more,' says Häberle.
