Skip advert
Advertisement

Brabus ditches super saloons for classics at Techno Classica

If horsepower-heavy modern Mercs aren’t your thing, Brabus has the answer with a glut of beautifully restored vintage cars

Brabus is best known for its high-performance tuned versions of Mercedes, Smart and Maybach cars but for Techno Classica in Essen last week, the company showcased something totally different – restored classics. Brabus bought along seven beautifully presented Mercedes models, ranging from a 280 SL Padoga convertible right up to a stunning 600 Pullman limousine.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Although this part of Brabus doesn’t get as much publicity as the tuning arm, the company has long had a successful sideline in restoring old Mercs. The ground-up restoration process can take up to 4,000 man-hours, depending on the car, and the end result is as close to factory-fresh as it’s possible to get.

The process starts with a complete tear down of the original car, with every part being checked and catalogued. Worn parts are thrown away and replaced, ensuring that only the best remains.

Smart ForTwo Brabus spied

Paint is stripped off and the bare shell of the car is given extra rust protection, before a top-class repaint in the original factory colour. Engines aren’t spared, either – they are completely stripped down and refurbished to bring them back up to factory spec. In the interests of safety, though, suspension and brakes are replaced with modern units.

It’s a similar story inside, as the interior is fully refurbished. Leathers are reconditioned or replaced where necessary and wooden inlays are reworked, with everything being finished in original factory colours.The results are absolutely stunning – and supplied with a two year warranty.

Brabus bought seven of these restored vintage Mercs to Techno Classica in Essen last week, alongside over 1,200 other exhibits.

Which of these classic Brabus-restored Mercs would you take? Let us know in the comments below...

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Best new cars coming soon: all the big new car launches due in 2025, 2026 and beyond
New cars coming soon header image

Best new cars coming soon: all the big new car launches due in 2025, 2026 and beyond

These are the most important new cars headed our way, from brands including Audi, BMW, Dacia, Ferrari, Ford, Skoda and more
Best cars & vans
23 Jun 2025
Best electric car deals: today's top discounts and incentives on new EVs
Best electric car deals - header image

Best electric car deals: today's top discounts and incentives on new EVs

Making the switch to an EV? These car brands have an offer (or two) for you
Best cars & vans
29 May 2025
Fastest Nurburgring lap times 2025: quickest cars and lap records
Mercedes AMG-One at Nurburgring

Fastest Nurburgring lap times 2025: quickest cars and lap records

Check out the top 10 fastest production cars around the Nurburgring Nordschleife circuit in Germany
Best cars & vans
13 May 2025
Lightweight British electric motors to power Mercedes-AMG’s 1,000bhp super-saloon
British Yasa Motors

Lightweight British electric motors to power Mercedes-AMG’s 1,000bhp super-saloon

Auto Express speaks to the Brit behind the tech underpinning Mercedes-AMG’s new super-saloon
News
12 May 2025

Most Popular

Toyota GR Corolla hot hatch is on the way to the UK
Toyota GR Corolla - front cornering

Toyota GR Corolla hot hatch is on the way to the UK

The success of the GR Yaris has persuaded Toyota that there’s room in its UK range for the high performance Corolla
News
19 Jun 2025
Citroen recall sees owners told to stop driving “immediately”
Citroen C3 Mk2 - front tracking

Citroen recall sees owners told to stop driving “immediately”

A ‘Stop-drive’ order has been issued by Citroen following a fatality that may have been caused by a faulty Takata airbag
News
20 Jun 2025
Car Deal of the Day: a potent 335bhp Volkswagen ID.7 GTX for a rock bottom price
Volkswagen ID.7 GTX - front static

Car Deal of the Day: a potent 335bhp Volkswagen ID.7 GTX for a rock bottom price

GTX Plus gives some extra punch to an already excellent electric saloon. It’s our Deal of the Day for 20 June.
News
20 Jun 2025