 Mercedes-Benz
Classic Center
Page 4
Continued from page
3
The following information was supplied by Mercedes-Benz:
Random facts and figures
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More than 23,000 Mercedes-Benz car enthusiasts showed up at the
Classic Center during its grand opening weekend in May, 1993.
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Mercedes-Benz defines "oldtimer" cars as vehicles that have been
out of production for 20 years or more. (The company has been building cars
since 1886.)
-
The company has a satellite Classic Center in Irvine,
California, and is planning a third center in Shanghai, China.
Parts and manuals
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Currently, some 40,000 parts are available from the Classic
Center. (36,000 can be shipped from stock; parts for extremely old or rare cars
can be made to order, using drawings and other data from the corporate
archives.)
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Every year, the Classic Center receives some 30,000 parts
inquiries.
-
The Classic Center also supplies copies of hard-to-find parts lists, workshop handbooks, owners' manuals,
technical data manuals, and maintenance booklets.
Restoration
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The Classic Center buys, restores, and sells about 80 classic
cars per year. (About 40 percent of the workshop's restoration work is for the
Mercedes-Benz Museum and other clients within the company; 60 percent is for
private owners.)
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A typical restoration (for example, of a 600 Series sedan) might
take one to 1½ years and cost up to €750,000.
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Restored cars have a three-year
warranty. With proper care, a restored vehicle should last 50 years.
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The Classic Center's workshop also restores Formula 1 race cars
from the previous year. (F1 cars are considered "oldtimers" after just one
season of racing.)
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In its first 10 years of operation, the Classic Center did some
250 complete or partial car restorations. The largest job was a complete
restoration of a W196 Streamliner racing car from 1954, which took five
years.
Staff
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Mechanics at the Classic Center are normally hired from
within the company. The typical mechanic has 25 to 30 years of experience.
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Classic Center mechanics have the authority to seek help from
Mercedes-Benz's 7,000 master mechanics, apprentices, and engineers when they
encounter problems with parts or materials. They're also able to consult with
experts at Stuttgart's university without asking permission from higher-ups.
Souvenirs
Back to:
Mercedes-Benz Classic Center - Introduction
Photo copyright © Mercedes-Benz.
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