Mercedes-Benz oldtimer convertible models
Over the years, Mercedes-Benz has produced a wide variety of cars, including sedans, coupes, station wagons, and convertible models. Over a 40-year production period, this has resulted in a large number of options, as seen in our comprehensive Mercedes-Benz classic car overview. Within this extensive selection, the Mercedes convertible classic remains the most popular choice. Therefore, we will focus on this and provide a clear overview of every classic convertible Mercedes-Benz produced, from the mid-1950s to the early 1990s.
To keep things organized, we divide the various models into two categories: cars with four full-sized seats and cars with two seats (or 2+2 and 2+1). “Two plus two” or “two plus one” means that there are two full-sized seats, supplemented by one or two smaller seats intended for children. The two-seaters always belong to the SL-Class, while the four-seaters fall under both the S-Class and E-Class. However, there is a sort of ‘gap’ in the range, as Mercedes did not produce a four-seat convertible classic between 1971 and 1991.
Which Mercedes-Benz classic convertible is the most suitable for me?
First, consider what the most important criteria are for a potential purchase. Some good questions to ask are the following:
1. What is my budget, including repairs for technical reliability?
The budget is often a key factor in the decision-making process. The most important thing is to choose a car that has either recently been serviced by a Mercedes-Benz classic car specialist or to allocate enough budget for repairs within your total budget. If you don’t take this into account, you will either need to exceed your budget or take risks regarding safety and reliability.
In practice, we see that all Mercedes-Benz classic cars, including convertible models, tend to have deferred maintenance. This is often due to a lack of knowledge or insufficient investment in the past. Nothing is as unfortunate as a beautiful car that stays in the garage because it’s not in proper condition. Would you like help with the purchase or repairs afterward? Feel free to let us know.
2. Are extra seats important, or are two seats sufficient?
This depends on your usage and personal situation. Some people want a Mercedes classic convertible to drive with family and friends, or with another couple who doesn’t own a classic car. In that case, a four-seater is ideal. If you have older children that you want to take along regularly, a four-seater is worth considering.
If two seats better suit your goals, you have more options. The popular Mercedes SL models always have two full-sized seats. In the W113 Pagoda and W121 190 SL, there is an option for a small seat behind the front seats, providing one additional seat (2+1). The R107 and R129, on the other hand, offer two ‘child seats’ in the back, suitable for children up to 12 years old, with limited legroom (2+2).
If you’d prefer four seats with more options, you might consider a sedan, station wagon, or coupe. In that case, take a look at our Mercedes-Benz classic car overview for a complete picture of the possibilities.
3. How much do you want to use the car?
Cars from the 1970s are generally considered more practical by most people if you plan to drive a lot, without any hassle when starting. They feel fairly modern and comfortable and are easy to use. Several of our customers drive these cars more than 10,000 km annually. If you’re looking for a Mercedes classic convertible for travel, semi-daily use, or a Sunday drive to the bakery, then a younger model is probably the most suitable for you.
A classic Mercedes convertible from the 1950s or 1960s is often considered more beautiful and charming. These cars are still very pleasant to drive and can easily, smoothly, and safely keep up in daily traffic. Just like newer models, they are very reliable, provided they are well maintained technically. However, these older models come with a certain charm, such as less visibility in the mirrors and a lower level of driving comfort compared to their younger successors. As a result, they are more commonly used for Sunday drives or on sunny days. Still, you can easily drive to the south of France with these models if you’d like. Mercedes-Benz was already far ahead of other brands at that time.
