- With a place at the starting line of the 1000 Miglia 2026: Three exclusive Mercedes-Benz classics from the 1950s
- Spectacular barn find: 1960 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster as a restoration candidate
- “417 Legacy Edition” driving simulator – A joint offering together with Roarington
- Debut of the Classic Partner network in France: SAGA Classic with three locations
- Available worldwide: Mercedes-Benz Classic Genuine Parts for the brand’s classic vehicles
“At the start of our anniversary year marking 140 years of innovation, Mercedes-Benz Heritage GmbH demonstrates how it is preserving the brand’s heritage in the long term while consistently developing its range of services further. We are continuously expanding our workshop services for classic Mercedes-Benz vehicles: we are in the process of doubling the capacity of the Classic Center in Fellbach by consolidating several facilities in the Stuttgart area. Back in 2022, the Classic Center in Long Beach, California, was reopened with extended workshop space. We are also setting standards with our global spare parts supply and the international Mercedes-Benz Classic Partner network. I am proud that we now are present with this network in France also. Our neighbouring country has played a decisive role in the history of mobility from the very beginning and has significantly shaped the development of our brand.”
Marcus Breitschwerdt, Executive Vice President of Mercedes-Benz AG and CEO of Mercedes-Benz Heritage GmbH
1000 Miglia: A thousand miles of fascination throughout Italy
The 1000 Miglia is the main theme of the Mercedes-Benz Classic booth in Hall 7.3 at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles. The 255-square-metre space is designed accordingly, complete with an Italian coffee bar. The renowned long-distance road race from Brescia to Rome and back was originally held from 1927 to 1957. Highlights included overall victories for Mercedes-Benz in 1931 and 1955.
Today, the 1000 Miglia regularity rally is a major event in the international classic car calendar and is known far and wide as “the most beautiful race in the world”. Mercedes-Benz Classic is the Premium Automotive Partner of the 1000 Miglia 2026.
At the fair booth, visitors can experience Mercedes-Benz automobiles which have a special connection to the Mille Miglia. From the company’s own vehicle collection comes a 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR racing sports car (W 196 S). The vehicle is a reminder of the brand’s outstanding success at the Mille Miglia during the legendary motorsport year of 1955. Stirling Moss, together with co-driver Denis Jenkinson, won the overall classification in a Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR in the fastest time ever achieved at a Mille Miglia. They lead a comprehensive triumph for the brand: Mercedes-Benz claimed overall victory with a one-two finish with the 300 SLR (Juan Manuel Fangio finishing second), secured a triple class victory in the Gran Turismo category over 1.3 litres with the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL “Gullwing” (W 198), and achieved a triple class win in the diesel category with the Mercedes-Benz 180 D (W 120).
A place at the starting line of the 1000 Miglia 2026
In Paris, Mercedes-Benz Classic Vehicle Trade is presenting a 300 SL “Gullwing” (W 198) from 1955, a 220 “Ponton” (W 180) from 1955 and a 190 SL (W 121) from 1956. One extraordinary feature of these exclusive classics is that they come with a guaranteed place at the starting line of the 1000 Miglia, to be held from 9 to 13 June 2026. Buyers will have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to take part in the event as part of the Mercedes-Benz works team, following in the tracks of the “most beautiful race in the world”. Traditionally, today’s regularity event is open only to vehicle types which competed in the original road race. Mercedes-Benz Classic offers further attractive customer packages in connection with the 1000 Miglia. Further information: www.mercedes-benz.com/millemiglia
An additional reminder of the legendary Mille Miglia is the “417 Legacy Edition” driving simulator, a joint offering from Roarington and Mercedes-Benz Classic. This simulator, just one of seven produced, revives the Mille Miglia class-winning Mercedes-Benz 300 SL from 1955 with the starting number 417 using state-of-the-art technology. Further information: www.mercedes-benz.com/300sl-simulator
Another spectacular vehicle is available for purchase: A 1960 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster (W 198), in barn find condition, discovered in Pennsylvania by the Mercedes-Benz Classic Center. Registered for the first time in 1961, the unrestored open super sports car delights with matching numbers and original patina. For the new owner, this would be an ideal candidate for factory restoration by the experts at the Mercedes-Benz Classic Center.
Classic Partners: Mercedes-Benz Heritage GmbH continues to expand its outstanding network
The first three French Mercedes-Benz Classic Partners are SAGA Mercedes-Benz La Roche-sur-Yon, SAGA Mercedes-Benz Les Ulis and SAGA Mercedes-Benz Lille. The RCM dealer group, with its brands SAGA Mercedes-Benz and SAGA Classic, dates back to 1971 and is a cross-regional Mercedes-Benz Partner with locations in France and other European countries. SAGA Classic, with its Belgian location in Nivelles, has been part of the Classic Partner network since 2022.
“Following Belgium, the designation of SAGA Classic as a Classic Partner in France marks a new major milestone. This label recognises the expertise, commitment and passion of our teams in preserving and promoting the Mercedes-Benz heritage, in full compliance with the brand’s standards. Founded in 1971, SAGA has always been driven by a deep respect for automotive heritage, a legacy that SAGA Classic has been carrying forward for ten years. It reflects a long-term development strategy, with the ambition to expand SAGA Classic across Europe from 2026.”
Ronan Chabot, President, RCM Group – SAGA
The new Classic Partners will become part of the international network of partner companies which are particularly well qualified for carrying out work and providing services relating to classic Mercedes-Benz vehicles. Mercedes-Benz Heritage GmbH is continuously expanding this international network. Meanwhile, there are 80 Classic Partners in 17 countries offering service and expertise for Mercedes-Benz classics, with the support of the manufacturer. In 2025, new markets including Italy, Canada and the United Arab Emirates were added; and now, at the Rétromobile, France is joining the network. Preparations are currently being made for further markets and Classic Partners.
France is of particular significance in the history of Mercedes-Benz: at the end of the 19th century, the key invention of the automobile was accepted more quickly here than in Germany. Just two years after Carl Benz filed his patent, Émile Roger established the first international sales office of Benz & Cie. in Paris in 1888. The first automobile competition in history was the race from Paris to Rouen in 1894, which was won by vehicles powered by Daimler-licensed engines. In 1900, the first Mercedes 35 hp was delivered to Emil Jellinek in the south of France – the first modern automobile in history. It caused a sensation with its racing victories during the Nice Race Week in 1901.
One-of-a-kind expertise from Mercedes-Benz Classic
At the Rétromobile, Mercedes-Benz Classic Original Parts will be presenting its extensive current portfolio and will have experts standing by at the booth. The range of parts for historic model series from Mercedes-Benz, produced in accordance with the manufacturer’s strict quality standards, is continuously being expanded and currently consists of some 160,000 items. Many are ready for pick-up within 24 hours from close to 3,000 authorised dealers in 170 countries. Further information: mercedes-benz.com/classic-ersatzteile
One particularly exclusive service is the Manufacturer Expertise from Mercedes-Benz Classic for valuable classic vehicles belonging to the brand. This assessment is based on a detailed inspection of the vehicle and research conducted using the unique archive holdings of Mercedes-Benz Heritage GmbH. The Manufacturer Expertise provides transparent and verifiable documentation of the originality and authenticity of historic vehicles.
In addition, Mercedes-Benz Classic is presenting a 1998 Mercedes-Benz CLK-LM racing touring car (C 298) at the booth of the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) in Paris. The CLK-LM won every race of the 1998 FIA GT Championship in which it competed. Klaus Ludwig and Ricardo Zonta took the drivers’ title with the CLK-LM, while AMG-Mercedes won the Manufacturers’ Championship.
140 years of innovation: Mercedes-Benz celebrates the invention of the automobile in 1886
On 29 January 1886, Carl Benz filed a patent application for his motor car. This marks the documented birth of the automobile. That same year, Gottlieb Daimler installed the high-speed internal combustion engine – developed in collaboration with Wilhelm Maybach – in a carriage, thus creating the first four-wheeled automobile in history. This is the foundation upon which the unique culture of innovation has evolved at Mercedes-Benz.
To this day – and looking to the future – the company continues to write a story of ongoing progress. The result: automotive icons in every decade. Throughout 2026, Mercedes-Benz will be commemorating this outstanding tradition while simultaneously looking ahead to the future.
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