Mercedes-Benz Classic Center
Stuttgart, Germany
ABOVE: Car restoration in the Werkstatt. INSET BELOW:
A vintage Mercedes-Benz from the Classic Center's collection.
by Durant Imboden
 Stuttgart,
Germany is a city that takes pride in its automotive heritage, as evidenced by
the Gottlieb Daimler Memorial and the
Mercedes-Benz Museum, both of which are
essential stops on any car enthusiast's trip through Germany. But history means
more than places or institutions: Material culture plays a vital role in
preserving the past, and The Mercedes-Benz Classic Center in Fellbach (a
suburb of Stuttgart) serves as "a guardian of the brand's tradition" by
restoring historic cars and supporting owners of vintage Mercedes-Benz
automobiles.
The Classic Center has several functions:
-
It restores cars for the Mercedes-Benz Museum, other car
museums, and private collectors;
-
It supplies parts (and, in some cases, makes custom parts)
for "oldtimer" cars, meaning vehicles that are more than 20 years old;
-
It buys, sells, brokers, and even rents Mercedes-Benz
classic cars;
-
It supports "Classic Partners" such as dealers, independent
workshops, and Mercedes-Benz clubs around the world.
Although the Classic Center isn't a tourist attraction per se,
it welcomes visits by Mercedes-Benz owners, mechanics, and enthusiasts. It also
offers free guided tours on Mondays. For
details and directions, see
page 2 of
this article.
Next page:
Visitor
information, Web links
Inset photo copyright © Mercedes-Benz.
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