Shed of the Week feels like taking it easy. After getting all excited over last week’s blood red Alfa Romeo, Shed has decided to settle back and enjoy a more stately existence - a life of quiet dignity where speed, for once, doesn’t matter.
‘The last of the true Mercedes’ goes the folk lore, and it’s true that someone high up in Stuttgart around the time of this car decided that the way to make money was not by making cars that lasted a lifetime. Only in the last few years has Mercedes’ reputation for quality – and interiors in particular – begun to recover from that fateful decision.
The W124 E-Class is the kind of car that swallows intergalactic mileages with ease. It decays gently with its surroundings, oblivious to fads, and often in line with its owner - a bit like the family Labrador, and possibly little more energetic in its old age. Interior switch gear may wear smooth with the passing of years like pebbles on the beach, but you’d never expect them to be so vulgar as to snap off.
Why you’d want to spoil all of this admirable restraint with such a truly atrocious steering wheel we simply have no idea, but for us, that’s going to be the first thing to go. The mention of rust has us twitching nervously, and we’re under no illusion that when it does go wrong – it’s going to hurt.
Most of all however, this old Merc has a natural sense of gravitas seeping from every meticulous panel shut line. The square rigger styling, bluff nose and prominent grille are proud and upstanding, but somehow without the brashness much of the firm’s current portfolio seems to promote. Pull up at the most exclusive of resorts and you could be the wealthiest of old-money land owners, or have just spent your every last penny buying this shed from the pages of Autotrader. Or it could just be an old taxi…
Advert: 1987 E reg, 91,924 miles, The Mercedes can be said to be in nearly showroom condition with only two minor rust spots. The alloy wheels are in excellent condition with two new front tyres and nearly new rear. The interior of the car is in biscuit leather with cherry wood door cappings and steering wheel, again in beautiful condition. There's also a JVC CD player fitted and a full electric pack. There is a very comprehensive service history with all 13 previous MOTs. Presently MOT until October 2007 and taxed until August2007. I would welcome any inspection or trial of the car. £995. ono