mercedesbenz Archive - petrolpunx

The Kusama Mercedes W126 station wagon is rad!

Benni Serious — Sat, 03 Jun 2023 15:42:24 +0000

Time for the probably most unique #W126 conversion. I call it the “Kusama 126“. And it takes us to the studio of Yayoi Kusama, one of the most important artists of modern Japan. In the hot Japanese summer of July 1982, Kusama herself buys a work of art. It is by Bruno Sacco, and is a dark blue #MercedesBenz 500SEL. The car becomes one of Kusama’s sources of inspiration in her studio. And soon it will become part of her art.

According to her own ideas, the car will be completely rebuilt in Japan. Something between a estste and a liftback. Practicality was no measure for Kusama. Nothing is left untouched. The interior will be changed from grey leather to red.

The exterior is painted in China blue (code 943). The final result is of top quality. It still has its original rear window btw. The boot is partially fitted with wooden parts. After the conversion, the work of art usually stays in Kusama’s studio. And at some point it arrives in Germany – and can now be admired from time to time at events. Absolutely unique in all its details. And it’s probably my favourite #W126 built ever!

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The BMW legend – BMW 02

Benni Serious — Fri, 17 Feb 2023 19:57:43 +0000

Which car is largely responsible for #BMW’s sporting reputation? Almost certainly the “New Class”, and especially the 02. And until then? The Isetta, the somewhat larger 600, the 700, the big “Barockengel” – in between sprotish exotics like the 507 or 503. But BMW is not yet where it wants to be. And BMW would almost have been swallowed by its arch-enemy #MercedesBenz. In the middle of the 1950s, things were happening in Bremen and Munich. Borgward goes bankrupt, under the supervision of Johannes Semlerm, also a member of the BMW supervisory board. Let’s leave all conspiracy theories aside, with the Borgward Isabelle an important player in the middle class disappears. And with the entry of the heavily wealthy industrialist Herbert Quandt, there is money in Munich again. And now BMW needs something in the middle class. These developments finally end with the “New Class” Wilhelm Hofmeister, BMW’s chief stylist, had been advised on the development of the 1500 design by Giovanni Michelotti, who had already worked on the 700. Hofmeister’s team finished his design and the body of the car bore Michelotti’s modern and unadorned lines, while the radiator grille was from the 507 era.

And the “New Class” was followed in 1966, somewhat smaller, by the 02 as a replacement for the #BMW700. Just one year later, there were the “ti” (Turismo Internazionale) and “tii” (Turismo Internazionale Iniezione or “Injection”) models, as the 1600 ti, 2002 ti, and 2002 tii. And apart from the Turbo introduced in 1972, it is arguably these cars that gave BMW its sporting place in the mainstream, a place BMW would retain for years to come. This excellent example was at @MondaenMobil until recently.

Der Beitrag The BMW legend – BMW 02 erschien zuerst auf petrolpunx.

Opels last Landyachts

Benni Serious — Fri, 02 Dec 2022 20:43:10 +0000

Think #bigopels. The Executive Class, where #Opel hasn’t appeared for decades. Opel’s involvement in the luxury class dates back to the 1930s – the names Kapitän and Admiral have a long tradition in Rüsselsheim.

The prosperity of the “Wirtschaftswunder” goes back to the 1960s – for Opel this means launching the KAD series in 1964. Kapitän, Admiral and Diplomat. Opel is top class again. Nothing changes in this order until 1969. KAD-A, quasi MKI – KAD-B then probably MKII. Both the KAD-A and the B were clearly different from their German competitors. At least on the outside, the influence of the American parent company GM is unmistakable.

The KAD-B in particular is a real landyacht. And that is also the problem. Even if the engineers in Rüsselheim take pains not to make everything taste like Detroit – it just doesn’t fit. And indeed, the Admiral here in the picture is a good example. It drives like a Yank, but it feels like a European. Yet it doesn’t even have the 5.4 litre Chevy V8 from the Diplomat, the top of the KAD-B. It is the “small” 2.8 litre in-line six-cylinder. Add to that the three-speed automatic – honestly, that’s all you really need. It also looks better than the Diplomat with its raised headlights.

Between the Kapitän and the Diplomat, the Admiral is something like the perfect middle ground. And yet trouble is approaching. The first: in 1972, #MercedesBenz redefined the luxury class with the #W116, the S-Class. The second: the oil crisis is to the KAD-B as the iceberg was to the Titanic. In 1977 it’s over – by then only the heart of the Diplomat is still beating. After that, Opel never dared to revive the luxury class.

This car is currently for sale at www.mondaenmobil.de – better be quick

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The Toyota Cressida is a beauty in its own right!

Benni Serious — Fri, 21 Oct 2022 11:59:25 +0000

The Toyota Cressida plays a crucial role in Toyota’s history. It ultimately opens the door for the Japanese to the upper class segment – but it all starts in at least own class below. In principle, the first Toyota Cressida is the new generation of the Toyota Corona Mark II, the X30 (or RX30) – so in the end, the roots for two Toyota series. The Cressida and later the Mark II – both loved by #bozozuku extremists, because rwd and horsepower, right? Let’s stick with the X30 for now.

Again, a design that does not seek any connection and has no brand language. But it is distinctive. Especially the side line, which first slopes down towards the rear wheel arch and then picks up again above the wheel arch. Similar to the ’73 Chevy Monte Carlo or the ’71 Buick Riviera – the Cressida corresponds to American taste. In the USA, it’s available with almost full spec. The following generations of the Cressida will ensure that Toyota “moves up”, at least on the US market. In Europe it’s a different story, but even here the Cressida is mostly superior to its competitors, at least in terms of equipment. With #MercedesBenz you still pay decades for the passenger mirrors.

The Cressida’s failure to take off in Europe may also be due to the fact that Toyota is sticking with the 2-litre engine in relatively few equipment lines. The quality is already at a high level. The picture shows the saloon. The extremely rare case of finding a Cressida, unrestored and in original condition (except for the mirrors) at Alphons Ruyls awesome showroom (@ruylclassics). The doors close tightly and I love the details this has. The steering wheel with the milled wooden ring made of finest plastic, the round chromed air vents, original radio with separate tape unit and the original “Automatic Power Selective Controller”. Just 21,401 km on the odometer – and that’s how the comfortable seats in the Cressida feel. What a brilliant car!

The most beautiful Cressida bodystyle – that was the Coupé! And as it was a Japanese design Toyota this has no B-Pillar. It’s a Coupé, we don’t need it anyway. The #Cressida Coupé is the rare occasion of a car, looking perfect from every angle. But for the Cressida it was the last Coupé version. All four years the design was about to change and with the next generation Cressida the Coupé was axed.

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Der Beitrag The Toyota Cressida is a beauty in its own right! erschien zuerst auf petrolpunx.