29.10.2020Companion of our youth: Modelcars of the Mercedes-Benz 200

Since 1975, this predecessor of today's Mercedes-Benz E-Class belongs to the street scene: The limousine of the model series W 123, which belonged to the most popular vehicles and dream cars of family fathers with the model designation 200 up to 280 E. The cars were or are part of the upper middle class and gained the reputation of beeing almost indestructible, that is how solid the four-door models were. This of course also applies to the coups and station wagons, but the topic of this short article will remain the sedans because it deals with the entry-level model 200. Norev launched the signal red version under item number 183714 in an edition of 1,000 copies. The diecast miniatures have doors and hoods that can be opened all around and reproduce the model year 1982: important, because the 200 series have also had rectangular headlights since then.

Until then, rectangular headlights were reserved for the top models 280; the base received double headlights with grey plastic slats around them, but also under a cover glass. For the facelift of the third series - the role model for these modelcars - detailed work was done again: New roof trims reduced the wind noise and the interior was upgraded with new fabrics in the door panels. Zebrano wood found its way into the base; the power steering was now also available as standard equipment in this level. Four years, until 1986, was the state of affairs, until the W 124 series replaced the 123. A total of 2.4 million W 123s with the four-door body left the assembly line; including station wagon and coupe there were 2.7 million 123s. The modelcars presented here do not yet replicate the airbag available from 1982.

Let us now take a look at the miniatures: In terms of Mercedes-Benz, Norev is very popular with the collectors: Everything available, right from the early SL up to the W 126! The makers from Vaulx-en-Vaulin near Lyon delight the eyes of fans with the W 123, because the appearance and lines are largely perfect. We would have liked the rear lights with their dirt-repellent ribbing to be a little less flat. But the replicas of the doors, the interior, the combined rubber-chrome trim and the downsizing of the 2.0 liter four-cylinder engine with its 80 kW / 109 hp leaves nothing to be desired. In keeping with the original, the boot lid was painted matt black on the inside; a convincing conclusion to these recommended modelcars, which are also available in other paintwork.

Here: Click to the Mercedes-Benz W 123 from Norev