W114 and W123 Coupe Production Figures

In 1968 the new mid-size Mercedes-Benz range made its debut.   This was a pretty important model from Mercedes-Benz – it would set the basic platform for their model range for the next twenty years.   While stylistically it took cues from the old W108/W109 range, underneath was a far more modern car.   The 107, 116, 123 & 126 models would all share an ancestry from the W114/W115 range.   Also new was a coupe in the mid size range.   This is something that Mercedes-Benz continues to this day.  This article covers the W114 and W123 coupe models and their production figures.

An important feature was the pillarless design of the cars.   This meant, with the windows down, there was a really airy feeling in the car.   With the optional sunroof, it was almost like a convertible.   This feature was kept in nearly all the subsequent generations, save one.   Being based on the saloon, they were practical cars with plenty of room and a big boot.   The cars can be generally thought of a a 2+2 rather than a full four seater coupe, but the rear seats are useful for children and short trips for adults.

In 1968, the new coupe was only available as a W114 model with six cylinder petrol engines.  It was based on the Saloon wheelbase, which gave it a very long boot lid and somewhat controversial proportions.    This is something that would change for the W123 and subsequent models.   The advent of the W123 models extended the range with four cylinder options for the first time.    The W114 models had offered two six cylinder choices, but instead of the smaller six, a four was offered.   This drove an increase in sales, especially on the release of the 230CE which as as much power as the old mid size six, with much better economy.

Throughout production of the W114 and W123 coupe, almost 170,000 examples were made.   This is impressive given how exclusive these cars were.   In most years, a 280CE was a similar price to a 280SE.

In looking at the numbers, one of the first things that can be seen is how important the US market was to Mercedes-Benz.     Not only were the models offered in that country popular, but there were models that were made specifically for the US market.    The first was the 250C 2.8.    In other markets, the regular 250C was offered.    The M130 engine was a better solution for the USA emissions regulations, and allowed reasonable performance to be maintained in that model.    After April 1972, the model was standardized, and the USA moved to the 280C.   This is easy to see in the production figures.

When the W123 was introduced, the USA was offered the 280CE and 300CD.    At the time, the USA had regulations that levied taxes based on the average of all the models sold by the manufacturer (CAFE).  This caused Mercedes to push mid-size buyers into their deisel model and keep the gas guzzlers for the big S-Class buyers.   The 300CD was a USA/Japan only model for this reason.    Once the Turbo version was introduced, the 280CE was discontinued for the USA market and again this can be seen in the figures.

The 250CE was an important model that signaled the direction of the range.   It was the first mid-size model to be offered with fuel injection, and the first Mercedes-Benz with electronic fuel injection.   The next year, the 300SEL 3.5 and 280SE 3.5 Coupe/Cabriolet would follow.    Surprisingly, a 250E model was never offered.   A fuel injection mid-size saloon would have to wait until 1972.

The W114 and W123  coupe models have become increasingly desirable classics in recent years.    The W114 models are worth more, driven largely by rarity.   Not only were there less produced, but the W114 suffered badly from rust and many cars were scrapped due to terminal firewall rust.   In the W114 range, the 280CE is seen as the most desirable model.   In the W123 range, that is the 280CE, 230CE and 300CD Turbo.

I’ve owned a W123 280CE before, pictured above.   It was later sold to my brother who used it as his daily car, and it is now with another MBCNSW member.    Before that car, he owned another 1978 280CE.  280CE’s make great daily driver classics.   There is also the story of another MBCNSW member’s 280CE available here.