Out on the road, nothing draws the eye quite like beautifully restored ‘classic’ vehicles. It’s hard not to feel a sense of nostalgia in their presence – they evoke memories of a bygone era and remind us that true craftsmanship stands the test of time.

Car manufacturers, collectors, enthusiasts and anyone else with a passion for vintage automobiles will agree they’re unique pieces of history that should be treasured, and this is a philosophy Mercedes-Benz embraces wholeheartedly. From the first ‘modern’ automobile in 1901 – the Mercedes 35 hp – through to sports icons such as the 300 SL ‘Gullwing’ and countless other model series, we believe preserving our past is just as important as our current and future endeavours.

Vintage perfection

Mercedes-Benz is proud to have a rich collection of restored icons. Some of the vehicles in our collection were restored by the Mercedes-Benz Classic Centre, while others were procured from owners and collectors. One stunning example found right here in Australia is a 1924 Benz 11/40 Tourer.

Built by Benz & Cie Mannheim in Germany, the car was first purchased in 1924 from Lanes Motors in Melbourne for the sum of £1050 – which, according to the Reserve Bank of Australia, is equivalent to approximately A$102,014.23 today. The buyer was Florence Hewett, a woman from Ballarat whose father came to Australia to try his luck on the Goldfields.

The Tourer boasted a six-cylinder engine (bore 72mm, stroke 117m), four-speed transmission, 4480mm chassis length with a 3204mm wheelbase, and 65-litre fuel tank. When Florence died in 1935, the car passed to her son, who drove it up until 1952, before handing in his licence at the age of 90. He died the following year.

After passing through several owners, the car was purchased by Sydney’s Yorkstar Motors in 1978, in a complete but derelict condition. It was restored that year and successfully completed a rally to Coffs Harbour in 1979. The engine was then rebuilt in 1988, the transmission having never been overhauled – a testimony to the model’s durability.

In 2000, Brisbane-based car restorer Sleeping Beauties, who specialise in vintage and classic restorations, completed the restoration to the highest standards for the current owners: Mercedes-Benz Australia. Today, it remains a symbol of what is achievable through dedication to preservation.

“Our brand is the oldest luxury car manufacturer in the world, and it stands firmly on the foundation of its own history.”

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