Mercedes-Benz Classics Restored by Japanese Shop

Going Back in Time

The cars of today are a significant indication of how much technology has evolved since the 1900s. However, it is often said that they have lost their original character as they strive to catch up with modern standards. The good news is there's a place overseas that's willing to take you back in time through restored W124 Mercedes-Benz station wagons - the ancestor of the E-Class Estate of today. These are available at a cost lower than that of a new E-Class. To top it off, the place also offers the conventional G-Wagen. 

Photos Courtesy of ARROWS

Custom Craftsmanship for Way Less

Arrows is an outfit in Kawasaki, Japan that builds you your own Mercedes-Benz from the 1980s. The price starts at around $31,000 and can go up to $53,000 for a complete restoration. The tear-down will get you a well-built Mercedes-Benz 300TE that comes with an excellent plaid interior, a retro-themed paint job, reconditioned mechanicals, and old school wheel caps. This is a pretty good bargain considering how much folks pay for custom craftsmanship. 

>>Join the conversation about these restored Mercedes classics right here in the MBWorld Forum!

Paint Options

Arrows offers two paint options: the original color from Mercedes-Benz, the "Pueblo Beige," which is a Light-Ivory shade commonly used in Germany by taxis and the "Rodeo Gray." A respray also includes plastic reconditioning, original semi-period wheel caps from the W124, and minute dent and ding corrections to give your station wagon the exact timely look. 

>>Join the conversation about these restored Mercedes classics right here in the MBWorld Forum!

Touch Ups

Buyers have the option of choosing an older steering wheel that comes with no airbags and cloth-covered interiors that add to the realistic picture of the era. Wood trims on the center console and dashboard are blacked-out to give the 300TE an admittedly clean and comfortable vibe. 

>>Join the conversation about these restored Mercedes classics right here in the MBWorld Forum!

More Room for Passengers and Cargo

Arrows also includes an optional luggage rack that's mounted on the roof. Add that and you get a station wagon that can comfortably and confidently carry passengers and cargo with more style than any of the overwrought crossovers available today. 

>>Join the conversation about these restored Mercedes classics right here in the MBWorld Forum!

Durable

The estate version of the W124, which was built between 1984 and 1996, was capable of covering up to 500,000 miles and more under the ownership of caring hands. Buying one from a specialist shop like Arrows which stocks its own parts is quite different from landing one through a vetted auction or private transaction. When restored correctly, these cars are likely to last just as long as the original model, if not longer. 

>>Join the conversation about these restored Mercedes classics right here in the MBWorld Forum!

There's No Waiting in Line

Most tuning companies normally have a long waiting list for bespoke projects. For Arrows, however, things are very different. The outfit will build you a station wagon according to specifications whenever you need one. There's even an option of choosing your very own platform at a discount. There are several examples displayed at the shop to give clients a picture of their every-day car inventory. Currently, the shop has a manual 1991 Mercedes-Benz 300TE painted in Pueblo Beige going for $52,882 and an automatic 1995 Mercedes-Benz 320TE going for $35,000. 

>>Join the conversation about these restored Mercedes classics right here in the MBWorld Forum!

The G-Wagon

At Arrows, the Classic Line touch does not end with the station wagon. The 2- and 4-door military-based Mercedes G-Class that has been running on the same platform since 1979 also gets a treat. For as much as $44,000, Arrows will find and restore for you a solid Geländewagen from the '90s. Touch ups include black steel wheels, a flat black dashboard, checkered seats, and a nicely-painted finish. The original grille is also included to give your G-Wagon its original utilitarian glory. 

>>Join the conversation about these restored Mercedes classics right here in the MBWorld Forum!

Better than a Brand New Benz?

Most of the W124's available today have outlived America's 25-year import ban. This is a cause for relief as it makes it easier to ship one of these into the US. So would you rather have an impeccably restored classic Benz, or a brand new model?

>>Join the conversation about these restored Mercedes classics right here in the MBWorld Forum!

For service and maintenance information on your car, check the how to section of MBWorld.com.