When we bought our W124 300E in 2019, we were instantly sold as students. We didn't need a car at all – let alone such a special one. Smoke Silver with red velour, and a silky-smooth 2,932 cc six-cylinder under the hood.

This is where our love affair began. When we came across this model, we couldn't help but add it to our collection. Everyone knows that besides Smoke Silver, there was another iconic color for the W124: Black Blue, code 199. In 1986, this Mercedes was delivered in that shade, combined with black leather. Back then, it was a true executive's car, stylish without ever being flashy.

Mr. von Hinden was 45 when he took delivery of his W124, and he would enjoy it until he was 84. The car was only ever serviced at the dealership, and from 1992 onward, every invoice has been kept. Of course, all the service records are neatly stamped in the service booklet. But the folder with documentation that comes with it is truly unique.

Although he drove it relatively few kilometers, his love for the car was obvious. Germans are known for being punctual, but to keep an invoice that's almost forty years old—that says it all. When you see how Eberhard treated this car, you immediately understand. There are hardly any dents or scratches to be found, the rims are virtually undamaged, and only the hood and tailgate have ever been repainted. All the bumper corners are scratch-free; only a small smudge on one of the mirrors reveals the owner's advanced age.

If you pay attention to the details, you'll notice that all the plastic parts are still deep black or dark gray. "Yes, you polished that up nicely," you'll hear. No, you didn't—aside from some polishing of the paint, no cleaning agents were used. That's why I can say with certainty that this car has always been stored indoors; UV rays are otherwise unstoppable.

The interior is just as neat as the exterior. The gleaming zebrawood wood immediately catches the eye the moment you open the door, and there's not a single crack anywhere – something you rarely see. The whole thing has a business-like feel, but that's precisely why I find it so beautiful. The quality of the materials speaks for itself: the black leather is still supple, the seats are wonderfully comfortable, and there's hardly any wear and tear on the four seats, as if only silk trousers were worn there.

When ordering, Eberhard opted for some nice extras: a parking heater, heated seats, heat-insulating glass, a steering wheel with an airbag, an automatic antenna, rear speakers, and a few other minor options.

Underneath, the car is perhaps most remarkable: not a speck of rust, not even a trace of rust on the differential, the subframe bolts, or any other parts. We don't have a lift ourselves, but we can always put it on a lift at one of our neighbors' – and believe me, you'll be instantly sold.

Is this exactly what you're looking for? Then you're more than welcome to come and admire it in person. During the holiday period we are open by appointment only.

‍