1991 MERCEDES-BENZ 300E-24V

First, an admission. Although the curator values originality, the original eight-hole wheels on our high-spec W124 are stored in the back of the Garage. On this car, bigger alloys are more in keeping with the purposeful and appealing Sportline packages applied inside and out. It also sits lower on Sportline suspension and, if the arches were more heavily blistered, it would mimic the look of the Porsche-developed 500E. It goes one better than that rare beast by featuring a five-speed automatic that brings obvious open-road benefits.

This low-mileage car still has only five digits on the odometer and feels just about run in. That’s because it has been expertly maintained from new – and expertly driven. The long-term first owner was Jim Palmer (pictured in an F2 McLaren) who achieved great success in single seaters and touring cars from the Sixties onwards.

The provenance explains the choice of the energetic 24-valve engine and the extensive Sportline options. The Smoke Silver paintwork is brilliantly preserved and the bone leather, burr walnut and light-tan carpets are unmarked.

This 300E-24 was built to last and, with the free-revving straight-six motor, built to go pretty fast.

Own one? Driven one? Share your Merc experience: keepers@kiwigarage.co.nz