Heavy Mettle : 1968 W108 & 1988 W126 & 1991 W140 & 2021 W223 Mercedes-Benz S-Class

By topgearsingapore, 12 May 2021
L-R: 1968 W108, 1998 W126, 1991 W140, 2021 W223
L-R: 1968 W108, 1998 W126, 1991 W140, 2021 W223

Singapore - Well, Mother Nature has a way of raining on a parade… literally, in this case!

We’d set aside a weekend morning to get three generations of the S-Class together for some photos with the latest W223 (Click HERE to read about it).

Unfortunately, the weather wasn’t having any of it, as it proceeded to pour its guts out for the better part of half the day.

Still, it gave us some time to hang out with the owners of the three cars, the imported 1968 W108 (which features in the main story), the 1988 W126 and the 1991 W140, the latter two of which are one-owner cars!

1988 W126

林先生: “Our one owner W126 from 1988 was dad’s first car purchase in Singapore. The car is a sentimental piece for him as it marked his return home after 15-years overseas. Growing up, the effortlessly chic, Bruno Sacco designed W126 was my ride to and from school as a kid.

After getting my driving license, I would look for every opportunity to sneak behind the wheel; considering it comes from an era where German cars were built like tanks, it was probably the ‘safest’ place for this then-newbie driver to be!

These days, everything has come full circle as I take on the role of designated driver, and ferry my folks around wherever and whenever, just as I was ferried around as a kid.

Over the years, the W126 has become a large part of the family, and there’ll be a W126-shaped hole in my heart on the day I no longer see it in the garage.”

 

1991 W140

关先生: “The year was 1991. My late father just had a newborn (me!) and the business was finally turning a corner, which meant the new S-Class was finally financially within reach.

The purchase was to mark a milestone in both life and career. Looking back, he probably wasn’t very amused when his infant son proceeded to take a number two in the backseat! It’s been in the family since new, and has been lovingly restored and maintained through the years.

I love the beautiful burl walnut trim with its gleaming sheen, because this is hard to find in modern cars.

Also, the tactile quality of the buttons in the cabin is reminiscent of mechanical keyboard switches, which I absolutely love.

How long will I keep the car for? My answer is “for as long as I live.” It serves as a reminder of the values my dad stood for, and how there is never a replacement for true hard work and grit.”

PHOTOS Lawrence Loy

Many thanks to Arthur (W108), 林某 (W126) and Wai Yew (W140)

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