Support center gives vintage Benzes classic treatment
If you’re in the market for a set of “pre-owned” wheels, wander the showroom stocked with vintage Mercedes — like the burgundy 1928 630 Saoutchik open-top touring car, originally owned by a Mr. Brandt of San Francisco and selling for the low, low price of $775,000. For those on a budget, there’s a fully restored 1955 190 SLR going for $125,000. Mercedes executives claim the Classic Center is the only facility of its kind, and they might be right.
Other high-end automakers such as BMW, Porsche and Ferrari emphasize catering to owners of their older, classic cars and operate elaborate parts-and-restoration facilities in Europe. None but Mercedes has opted to open a full-fledged support center for its classic car customers in the U.S.
In the rarefied and mercurial world of luxury car collecting and restoration, it was seen as a risky move on the part of the German automaker, one of whose founders, Karl Benz, is generally credited with building the first true automobile in 1885. “It seems to me a reasonably good idea, but I’ve never seen it work yet,” said Bob Mosier, renowned classic car restorer and owner of Mosier Restoration Inc. in Inglewood.
“But if anybody can pull it off, it’s Mercedes.” With average monthly sales of one car and a service department geared toward cars that are at least 20 years old, the Classic Center obviously isn’t intended to function as a true dealership. Director Mike Kunz sees it more as an elaborate advertisement for his company’s products.