The past has always had a certain allure. Today, we can capture hundreds of high-quality photos with our smartphones – yet we’re still drawn to the authentic, unpolished feel of film cameras. The same can be said for cars; as vehicle technology continues to advance, preserving and restoring classic cars will always carry a distinct appeal.
But it’s about more than just nostalgia – it’s about preserving history. That’s why we’re committed to keeping the 138-year heritage of Mercedes-Benz alive through the Mercedes-Benz Classic Archive and Vehicle Collection. Comprising more than 1100 vehicles – passenger cars, racing cars and more – the collection tells the story of our brand and the astonishing growth of automotive engineering.
Some of the historically significant vehicles in our collection (which includes about 160 exhibits) are on display at the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart, while other vehicles are presented at exhibitions, motor shows, classic car events and rallies. Along with our extensive archives – corporate, product and multimedia documents, photos and files – the vehicle collection forms the core of Mercedes-Benz Classic.
The Benz Patent Motor Car
The story begins with what many consider the birth certificate of the automobile: Carl Benz’s 1886 “vehicle with gas engine operation”. The Benz Patent Motor Car or ‘Patent-Motorwagen’, represented in our collection by a faithful replica, marked the dawn of motorised personal transportation. This three-wheeled vehicle, with its single-cylinder engine and innovative design, laid the foundation for all automobiles that followed. It achieved a top speed of 16km/h.
Mercedes-Simplex 28/32 hp
Building on the success of the revolutionary Mercedes 35 hp from 1900, the Mercedes-Simplex 28/32 hp designed by Gottlieb Daimler's chief designer, Wilhelm Maybach, showed an early commitment to innovation. Its groundbreaking architecture featured a low-profile design with the engine mounted deep in the frame and a distinctive honeycomb radiator at the front.
The Mercedes-Simplex models created the blueprint for modern automotive engineering. In 1904 at Ostend in Belgium, a Simplex 90 hp driven by Pierre de Caters set the World Speed Record at 156.5km/h. This configuration fundamentally transformed automotive design, establishing principles that would influence vehicle architecture for decades to come.
The 1924 Mercedes two-litre Targa Florio racer
The Mercedes-Benz Classic Centre recently celebrated a centennial milestone by restoring the famous 1924 Mercedes two-litre Targa Florio racing car. This remarkable vehicle represents a pivotal moment in our racing heritage.
In 1924, works racing driver Christian Werner drove the supercharged racing car – known for its distinctive red paintwork – to victory in the demanding Sicilian road race. The Mercedes team, which also included racing drivers Christian Lautenschlager and Alfred Neubauer, also clinched a triple-class victory that year.