10 September 1959 – 65 years ago
Mercedes-Benz launches systematic crash tests for safety research
Realistic evaluation of passive safety solutions with accident tests
The head-on crash of a four-cylinder saloon of the W 110 series makes the start
Modern crash tests depict more detailed scenarios
Accident simulations under reproducible conditions can be used to reliably evaluate solutions for passive automotive safety. In 1958, Mercedes-Benz therefore decides that, in future, crash tests with complete vehicles will play an important role in addition to calculations and the evaluation of real accidents. The premiere is on 10 September 1959: A pre-series vehicle of the forthcoming 110 series is subjected to a frontal collision with a stationary obstacle. At this time, the world’s first passenger car with a safety body is already on the market, the luxury class saloon of the W 111 model series (see next section). Crash tests with this vehicle confirm the effectiveness of the safety body for all occupants. Mercedes-Benz is constantly developing its crash test methods. In 2016, today’s Technology Center for Vehicle Safety opens in Sindelfingen, which can also carry out very complex crash tests. Mercedes-Benz shows an offset crash test between two electric cars in October 2023 (media.mercedes-benz.com/article/3ebae1fd-f3ac-4b81-a39e-727b4d4f93a0). About half a year later, Mercedes-Benz is the first car manufacturer in the world to X-ray a crash test, thus rendering all processes in the vehicle structures and dummies visible (media.mercedes-benz.com/article/6b76ca06-9ece-4bfe-8c28-fe40e727a29e).
17 to 27 September 1959 – 65 years ago
“Fintail” luxury class saloons of the Mercedes-Benz W 111 model series have their premiere
First sedan with a safety body based on the Barényi patent
Bearing bars at the rear give the series the colloquial name “fintail”
Grand appearance of the S-Class predecessor at the IAA in September
At the International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt am Main from 17 to 27 September 1959, the Mercedes-Benz six-cylinder saloons 220, 220 S and 220 SE of the 111 series celebrate their public debut. This generation of the S-Class tradition is a milestone for passive safety: the world’s first automobile based on the principle of a safety body with a rigid passenger cell and front and rear zones that can be deformed in the event of a collision (“crumple zones”). The safety body is developed and patented in 1951 by Béla Barényi, Mercedes-Benz engineer and pioneer of passive safety. A particularly striking design detail are the bearing bars at the rear. They have given the W 111 and W 112 series (from 1961) the colloquial name “fintail”. By 1967, a total of 337,659 units of the W 111 series have been produced. It is also successful in motorsport rallies, endurance races and on the circuit.
26 November to 8 December 1984 – 40 years ago
Press presentation of the Mercedes-Benz 124 model series in Seville
Technical and aesthetic milestone in the history of the E-Class
The sedan is followed by the Estate, Coupé and Cabriolet
Start with four-, five- and six-cylinder engines
Big stage for the new generation of the upper mid-size class from Mercedes-Benz: In Seville, Spain, the completely newly designed 124 series is presented to the international press at the end of 1984. In December 1984, the sedans are launched on the market, initially with four-, five- and six-cylinder engines. The 124 series has parallels to the W 201 compact class. This concerns the use of high-strength steel sheets and other weight-reducing materials, the further improvement of passive safety, the aerodynamic optimization of the body and the design. The press kit describes the design as a “slightly wedge-shaped body with strikingly smooth surfaces and rounded edges, flush glued front and rear windows and an optimised design of the rear”. The innovative panoramic windscreen wiper for the windscreen enables the world’s largest wiper field of a passenger car at the time. The 124 series becomes a multifaceted success story. In addition to the saloons, it includes the Estate (from 1985), Coupé (from 1987) and Cabriolet (from 1991) as well as chassis for special bodies. From 1993 onwards, the model series bears the name E-Class.
5 to 14 December 1924 – 100 years ago
In Berlin, Mercedes presents supercharged models of the international luxury class
Top models developed by Ferdinand Porsche in the tradition of Paul Daimler
Popular with social and political celebrities
Debut at the 16th German Motor Show in Berlin on Kaiserdamm
In 1924, Ferdinand Porsche succeeds Paul Daimler as Member of the Board of Management for Development at Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft (DMG). The assignment of the engineer coming from Austro-Daimler according to the ideas of the Supervisory Board and Board of Management: “He is to shape the future of the Mercedes brand with high-quality utility cars”. Initially, however, Porsche designs two high-performance representative vehicles in the international luxury class for DMG with a six-cylinder engine and supercharger in the tradition of Paul Daimler. The Mercedes 15/70/100 hp (3,920 cc engine) and Mercedes 24/100/140 hp (6,240 cc engine) models premiere at the German Motor Show in Berlin in December 1924. Mercedes offers these types in various sporty and representative body variants. They are popular with customers who are social and political celebrities, among others, and are among the forerunners of the Nürburg 460, or the type “S”. The sporting successes of the Mercedes 24/100/140 hp with a 6.3-litre engine play an important role. They pave the way for the unique success story of the supercharged sports cars of the Mercedes-Benz S series until 1932.
Mercedes-Benz Classic Genuine Parts
Keeping the brand’s classics ready for use in authentic condition
Currently 160,000 parts for 57 model series
Every year, 20,000 Mercedes stars are sold
In focus: Spare parts for the Mercedes-Benz 111 and 124 series
From the “fintail” saloons of the 111 series to the first E-Class generation of the 124 series: Mercedes-Benz Classic Genuine Parts offers an extensive range of spare and wear parts for the brand’s classic automobiles. This service stands for the highest quality and originality down to the last detail and also for short delivery times. Only the manufacturer itself can offer such a high-quality service. With this service, Mercedes-Benz Heritage GmbH makes a significant contribution to keeping the brand’s classic cars ready for use in authentic condition in the long term. Some parts for the types presented in this newsletter: For the W 111 “fintail” saloons available are for example the Mercedes star (part number A 180 888 01 09, price 82.41 euros), the radiator grille (part number A 111 888 50 15, price 1,129.88 euros) and the hub pad for the steering wheel (part number A 115 464 03 42, price 210.39 euros). And for the 124 series, among other things: the switch for fan adjustment (part number A 124 820 23 10, price 124.32 euros), the lower and upper part for the antenna seal (part numbers lower and upper part A 124 827 07 98 7C45 and A 124 827 08 98 7C45, prices 22.61 euros and 17.61 euros respectively) and the parts kit for the coupling (part number A 124 250 04 01 80, price 296.31 euros). All prices stated are recommended retail prices for Germany and include 19 percent VAT. In total, there are more than 160,000 part items for 57 model series. Mercedes-Benz Classic has 42 different versions of the Mercedes star alone on offer and sells almost 20,000 of them every year. Many of the Mercedes-Benz Classic Genuine Parts can be delivered to 170 countries worldwide within 24 hours.
Link: teilesuche.mercedes-benz-classic.com
Birthday
80 years ago: Jürgen E. Schrempp was born on 15 September 1944 in Freiburg im Breisgau. An apprenticeship at Mercedes-Benz as an automotive mechanic was followed by an engineering degree. From 1989 onwards, he headed the DASA subsidiary of the former Daimler-Benz AG and became Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler-Benz AG in 1995. In 1998, together with Robert Eaton, he was appointed Chairman of the Board of Management of the newly founded DaimlerChrysler AG. At the end of 2005, Dr. Dieter Zetsche became his successor.
