By Lou Cataldo
Some classic cars become iconic through their design; others, through their performance and reliability; for others yet, it’s a mix of all three. One classic car that has shaped the history of its manufacturer – and is still beloved by enthusiasts today – is the Mercedes-Benz W123, a predecessor of the E-Class we know today.
The W123 series, which included an endless range of body styles and powertrains, was on sale for a decade between the mid-70s and the mid-80s. It was instrumental in building the brand image Mercedes is still associated with today: quality, reliability, and classy, understated style.
This year, the W123 is celebrating a very important birthday: it first went on sale in 1976, half a century ago. Despite its age, this legend on wheels is showing no signs of slowing down, thanks to the hard work of classic car enthusiasts and to Mercedes itself, which is still producing replacement parts to keep existing cars on the road. Let’s take a closer look at its history and what makes it so special.
The Mercedes-Benz W123: An Overview
| Mercedes-Benz W123 | |
| Engine | 2.3L–3.0L I4/I5/I6 (diesel and gas options available) |
| Power | 71–185 hp |
| Torque | 101–177 lb-ft |
| Transmission | 4-speed automatic/4-speed manual/5-speed manual |
| Model Years | 1976–1986 |
The W123 range was first introduced in 1975. A full-size or “executive” car, it was available in a wide variety of body styles, which contributed to its popularity as it had something to offer for everyone. The sedan was the first to hit the market in early 1976, while a long-wheelbase (“limousine”) version was introduced shortly afterward. Other body styles available included a coupe and a wagon, both of which joined the lineup over the course of the following year.
The long-wheelbase version’s chassis was also available on its own without any bodywork, to be used as a base for custom-built vehicles such as ambulances or hearses. Although Mercedes never produced a convertible variant in-house, a few coachbuilt examples exist; in the US, this work was mostly undertaken by New York’s Niko-Michael Coachworks.
The W123 was characterized by a simple but elegant, understated look, which prioritizes comfort and reliability. The vehicle was equipped with a large number of tech gadgets and comfort and safety features for the era. Automatic climate control, anti-lock brakes, and driver and passenger airbags were all standard. The heating system could also be switched on while the engine was not running, a feature truly ahead of its time.
In terms of powertrain options, the W123 offered a wide variety of choices. A total of 11 engines (inline-four, inline-five, and inline-six) were made available over the course of the model’s lifespan: 6 gas-powered units and 5 diesel ones. Most of these had also been used in the W123’s predecessor (the W114/115); just one, the M123 2.5-liter inline-six, was a new addition, although North American customers could not have it.
The US market version only offered two gas-powered units (2.3 and 2.8 liters respectively), which were later taken off the market due to EPA regulations. Far more common in the States was the diesel version, available with a 2.4-liter inline-four or a 3.0-liter inline-five. The latter also ended up becoming the first turbodiesel engine sold in the US, as a turbocharged version was offered a few years into the model’s lifespan. These engines had a stellar record for reliability and contributed heavily to the model’s good reputation.
Birth Of An Icon: The W123's History
The W123 originates from Daimler-Benz wanting to rebuild its image. After several years of trying to reinvent itself, and shake off its problematic associations with Nazi Germany, the company launched the W123 as a symbol of modernity. With a more approachable design, high build quality, and reliability; the model expanded Daimler-Benz’s reach into new markets abroad, and helped associate the company with well-made, dependable vehicles in the eyes of the public.
Italian automotive designer Bruno Sacco, one of the most well-known names in the history of car design, was a key figure in the development of the W123. He worked as head of styling at Daimler-Benz for several years, and came up with the clean, straightforward lines that made the W123 so memorable and instantly recognizable.
The design of the W123 was also influenced by laws and regulations on the powertrain front, which further contributed to its popularity. As West Germany heavily taxed engines over 2.8-liters – and the US was beginning to impose emissions regulations – the Mercedes team worked on extracting power from smaller engines, meaning customers could get a good level of performance without paying a premium.
The W123 soon became a firm favorite not just among ordinary consumers, but among celebrities too: musical legends such as Barry Gibb, Bonnie Tyler, and Lady Gaga have all owned one at some point. At the start of the model’s lifespan, production struggled to keep up with demand, which was extremely high. A kind of “black market” quickly formed, where people who managed to get their hands on a car were able to sell it almost immediately for inflated prices.
Sources: Mercedes-Benz
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This article originally appeared on CarBuzz and is republished here with permission.
