Many happy returns: an icon of Benz history turns 40

Life begins at 40, right? Which means the 124-series Mercedes-Benz is just getting started. Except it's long stopped. Before this analogy falls apart completely, celebrate the iconic Benz's 40th anniversary by poring through the gallery of retro images up above.

The W124 saloon was first unveiled in November 1984 and went on sale just a month later. The S124 estate, C124 coupe and A124 cabrio didn’t appear until later down the line, but we’ll celebrate them here anyway because they’re really rather excellent.

 Merc says the 124 series remained in production for 13 years, with over 2.2 million safe and supremely reliable cars built.

The 124s housed an array of different engines over the years, with the entry level cars getting small four-cylinders and the 500E getting a whopping 5.0-litre V8 (with more than a little help from Porsche). From 1993 onwards, the 124 series became known as the E-Class and in that same year the E60 AMG arrived as Merc grew ever closer with the Affalterbach-based tuner.  

The 124 was the base for ambulances, hearses, limos and so much more. It was aerodynamic and introduced things like the panoramic windscreen wiper and 4MATIC four-wheel drive. Merc reckons it can keep a good chunk of them going for longer too, because Mercedes-Benz Classic Genuine Parts currently offers more than 5,800 spare parts for the 124.

Anyone for a slice of birthday cake?

By Greg Potts

PUBLISHED NOVEMBER 25, 2024 ON TOPGEAR

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