Tag Archives: Classic Cars

Rare Rides: The 2000 Mercedes-Benz CL 500, a Finale Called Final Edition

Large, luxurious, and very serious, the first generation CL was also an SEC and S during its life. While Mercedes-Benz played the Nineties naming games with its lineup, the W140 soldiered on in two-door format as a last-of for a top-tier Mercedes coupe.

The W140 500 SEC and 600 SEC were introduced in 1992 globally as successor to the C126 (that’s coupe) variant of the legendary W126 S-Class. We’ve covered C126 previously in both standard and cocaine-inspired AMG variants, but never a W126. Look for it in a future Rare Rides Icons.

Both versions of the W140 were penned by Bruno Sacco late in 1987, during the middle of his career at Mercedes. Sacco was lead designer at Benz between 1975 and 1999. With the W140, he brilliantly continued the pillarless hardtop styling of the C126. Two models of SEC were initially available: The 500 used a 5.0-liter V8 that produced 320 horsepower, while the top-drawer 600 SEC had a V12. The most expensive car Mercedes produced at the time, it used a 6.0-liter engine that produced 394 horsepower and rocketed the coupe to 60 in 6.1 seconds. The 600 SEC was incredibly exclusive, and fittingly asked $132,000 in 1992. Adjusted for inflation that figure comes to an eye-watering $262,000. V12 models were identifiable almost solely via their V12 badges on the C-pillar and the 600 on the back.

The range expanded into other models over the years, as a less expensive 4.2-liter V8 was an option in some markets. On the other end of the spectrum, AMG models used larger and more powerful V12 engines of 6.0, 6.9, and even 7.3 liters. That largest engine allowed the CL 73 AMG a top speed of 199 miles per hour and was the engine Pagani chose to power the Zonda of the 2000s. Standard Mercedes-issued coupes were all limited by German tradition to 155 mph. A considerable number of horses were required to motivate the CL, since in any trim it weighed at least 4,500 pounds, and weighed about 4,900 pounds with a 12-cylinder lump upfront. All cars used a four- or five-speed automatic dependent on model year.

In 1994 the SEC moniker that Mercedes used for decades was replaced by an S, as the S 500 Coupe and S 600 Coupe more closely identified with their sedan sibling. It was a temporary measure though, as for the model year 1997 in Europe and 1998 in North America the S was swapped for CL, and the CL-Class was born. Models were then CL 500, CL 600, and so on. The car underneath changed little over the years, as Mercedes used their best build quality, materials, and technology in their halo coupe.

The W140 coupe was offered through 1999 in Europe and 2000 in North America, at which point it was replaced by the W215 CL-Class. The second CL was based upon the new W220 S-Class sedan. The W215 was noteworthy, as it was Bruno Sacco’s final design for Mercedes. Both the W215 and its 2007 successor (C216) were more modern, full of even more technology, much more complicated, and as a consequence has aged more poorly over the years. Both second and third-gen CLs can be found commonly on high-quality internet content like “You Can Get All This $200,000 Mercedes Coupe For $15,000 You Guys Like and Subscribe,” but the W140 SEC and CL have escaped such an undignified fate. Their quality, non-bling appearance, and limited production (26,022 total) have kept them under the radar.

Shortly before the end of its production, Mercedes offered a final run trim on the W140 CL which they creatively called Final Edition. Said special edition seems to be an “all options as standard” version of the CL 500, and in this instance pairs a nice navy metallic paint to a black interior, with sporty AMG-adjacent monoblock wheels. A testament to its build quality, today’s CL has traveled over 164,000 miles and looks brand new. Located in Spain, the future classic asks $15,235.

[Images: Mercedes-Benz]

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Rare Rides: The 1979 Renha Formigão, Rear-engine and Beetle Adjacent

Not long ago, Rare Rides featured the Gurgel XEF, a Brazilian microcar of luxurious intent that was styled like a contemporary Mercedes-Benz, and based on a Volkswagen. Today’s Rare Ride is a very different Brazilian take on the same basic bones.

Say hello to the Renha Formigão.

Renha was short for Renha Indústria e Comércio de Veículos, which in English meant Renha Industry and Commerce of Vehicles. Founded in Rio de Janeiro, the company was the creation of Paulo Sérgio Renha. Renha was a powerboat racing enthusiast and held a speed record in the Atlantic for a crossing from Santos to Rio de Janeiro.

Renha previously designed some buggies and cars for other Brazilian firms and decided to found his own car company in 1977. The firm’s original product was a trike with a Volkswagen engine. The initial iteration of the trike faced legislative hurdles, as it occupied a vehicle class not yet recognized by the Brazilian government. Renha revised the trike after its initial debut and added more power and different bodywork, and was able to get it past legalization. It was sold as a kit or a complete bike.

The next year Renha had more ambitious ideas and launched the Formigão. The very small pickup truck body was attached directly to a Volkswagen Beetle chassis. It used a 1.6-liter gas/ethanol engine. Renha created his own body but made no mechanical changes underneath.

Said body was designed in fiberglass, focused on utility, and was shaped mostly by a ruler. Renha got some headlamps from a Fiat 127 to complete the square look. The pickup bed could hold up to 1,433 pounds, and its size capacity was about 25 cubic feet.

The bed capacity was not as utilitarian as one would hope, however. Volkswagen would not supply the flat design 1.6 from its second-generation Bus to outside companies, so Renha had to make do with the Beetle’s engine in its truck. As a result, there was a pronounced rectangular elevation in the bed.

Inside, buyers found three-point seatbelts and rode along with the spare tire and battery that resided behind the seats. A luxury trim was also available which offered upgraded alloy wheels, leather seats that reclined, and a useful tachometer.

Formigão remained in production for a short while, as in 1980 Paulo Renha moved on to a newly founded company called Emis and produced his trike there. Formigão was reborn in 1986 as the Coyote, after the company obtained rights from Renha. By that time, Mr. Renha had moved back into his real passion – boats – and started a ship-building firm.

Today’s Rare Ride is a 1979 Formigão from near the conclusion of initial production. With alloy wheels, it’s most likely the upscale luxury model. From the photos, it seems the engine bump issue in the bed was fixed by a later owner, or by Renha later in production. This tiny truck is yours for $14,000.

[Images: Renha]

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Chevrolet Charging into Electric Aftermarket with K5 Blazer Conversion for SEMA Show

Chevrolet will showcase a 1977 K5 Blazer converted to all-electric propulsion at SEMA360.

Crate engines have been wildly popular for decades with car enthusiasts, giving them a way to beef up stock vehicles. Chevrolet has a long history of offering these powerplants, but now is honoring that tradition with a modern twist: eCrates.

In fact, some of those doing electric conversions are using old EV1 motors, General Motors’ long-dead first attempt at electric vehicles. However, there are several options available for those looking to get the instant torque only an electric motor can provide while keeping those vehicles on the greener side.

At this year’s virtual SEMA show, called SEMA360, Chevy will be showing what it thinks can be done with their eCrate motors by revealing a 1977 K5 Blazer that has been converted to an all-electric powertrain. The setup used in the K5 Blazer-E should be available from the company sometime next year, pushing aside the aforementioned EV1-powered conversions.

(Chevrolet teases 2022 Bolt EV makeover — and new Bolt EV.)

“As GM introduces a new fleet of electric vehicles, it creates an exciting opportunity to bring EV technology to the aftermarket,” said Jim Campbell, GM U.S. vice president of Performance and Motorsports.

The K5 Blazer-E uses a Bolt EV electric motor, delivering 200 hp, paired with a Chevrolet Performance electronically controlled 4-speed automatic.

“Our vision is to offer a comprehensive line of Connect and Cruise systems from Chevrolet Performance – delivering a solution for every customer ranging from LSX V-8s to eCrate conversions,” Campbell said.

The K5 conversion uses a 60-kWh battery pack sitting the cargo area behind the driver and front-seat passenger to provide the power for a 200-horsepower electric motor as well as all of the necessary power inverters, converters and additional equipment needed to make it a fully functional 33-year-old vehicle — with an electric powertrain.

This isn’t the brand’s first foray into the eCrate conversion segment. It’s already done two other vehicles: an eCOPO Camaro in 2018 and an E-10 pickup last year. The efforts acted as development projects for the brand’s Electric Connect and Cruise electric vehicles. The converted vehicles also attracted plenty of attention.

“Minutes after Chevrolet showed the E-10 concept, customers started calling to ask how soon they could build their EV project,” said Russ O’Blenes, Chevrolet director of engineering, Performance and Racing, in a statement.

(Chevy squeezes 21 more miles out of Bolt battery for 2020.)

Power for the K5 Blazer-E is supplied by a 400-volt Bolt EV battery pack with 60 kilowatt-hours of usable energy installed in the cargo area.

Often vehicles SEMA are wild takes on the original machine, but the goal of the K5 conversion is to make it look as close to normal as possible. However, the upgrades are the latest technology offered by Chevy with 90% of the new parts coming from the Bolt EV.

Obviously, the first thing that had to go was the K5’s 175-hp 400 cubic-inch V-8, three-speed automatic, fuel system and exhaust. Aside from the previously mentioned 200-hp electric motor, Chevrolet Performance installed an electronically controlled four-speed automatic. The rest of the Blazer drivetrain is original, including the transfer case, driveshaft and axles.

The battery pack providing the juice to the system is a 400-volt Bolt EV battery pack. The system uses so many of the Bolt’s components, it retains many of the benefits of the system, such as shock protection, battery heating and cooling, battery-overcharge protection and even regenerative braking, GM engineers added.

Anticipating demand for these conversions, Chevy created a certification program for dealers and aftermarket companies. Performance vehicle stalwart Lingenfelter Performance Engineering is piloting the training and certification program. As part of that, they will get the tools and equipment needed to work with high-voltage systems and charging stations used by the vehicles, GM officials said.

The K5 Blazer-E gets special badging.

“The K5 Blazer-E demonstrates what is possible for customers who want to convert their vintage truck to a daily driver with the instant torque and unique driving experience of an EV. For customers who want more extreme performance, the modular eCrate system will have virtually limitless applications,” O’Blenes said.

(GM EV program charging ahead despite pandemic.)

As the program moves forward, GM will find ways to incorporate its Ultium batteries and supporting technology, the company noted. In addition to the K5 conversion, the brand is showing off several Tahoe and Suburban aftermarket performance parts at the show.

Joseph Szczesny contributed to this story.

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