You may have heard of Garage Classico, an Old School firm run by “an Italian gentleman who does everything the old-fashioned way with multiple hammers and formers”, and whose no-compromise approach led the previous owner to commission them to sort out the A124’s coachwork.
The new metal they let in was done with an unusually deft touch, as the shutlines and panel alignment are as good now as they were when the car rolled out of the factory 30 years ago.
Imperial Red (colour code 582U) is an unusual colour, and one that suits the E320’s lines unusually well; staid colours might be the safe choice, but who doesn’t love a splash of colour on their sportscar?
The paint itself is still in great shape, with a wonderful shine and no significant flaws bar some microblisters to the boot lid. The underlying panels still run true, with no dents, dinks or ripples to spoil the reflections they cast.
He also arranged for d:class to install a new black Sonnenland soft-top with a beige brocade headlining, a typically thoughtful touch that illustrates how carefully considered the refresh was.
Of course, the soft-top still rises and falls as it should, and it is also free of rips, tears, or other damage. It also incorporates a proper glass rear window with a heating element.
As for the Weismann hard-top we enthused about, enthusiasts will know how rare these are – and how valuable. The seller put the Mercedes on Autotrader to gauge the level of interest but quickly withdrew it: “I must have had a hundred calls just about the hard-top,” he despaired.
We aren’t surprised at the level of interest because it gives the convertible the elegance and weatherproofing of a coupé, turning the A124 into all the car you’ll ever need.
The Mercedes also sits on a set of three 225/45 R17 Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tyres, with the offside rear being a later Michelin Pilot Sport 5. They are fitted to refurbished and original AMG wheels – and as you’ll have guessed by now, some of that investment went on making sure the spare wheel and tyres matched the rest.
We will never get tired of telling you that experience shows that matching high-quality tyres are an infallible sign of a caring and mechanically sympathetic owner who is prepared to spend the appropriate amount in maintaining their car properly. Their presence does not, of course, preclude the need for a thorough inspection - something the vendor would welcome, by the way – but it does perhaps give you a shortcut into their attitude towards maintenance.
As for flaws, the rear numberplate panel to the boot lid fell off when it was being delivered and has been stuck on with double-sided tape, we suggest a proper fix before it happens again. The nearside headlamp wiper blade also needs replacing.
