It’s no secret that one of the most sought-after classic Mercedes-Benz models is the W123 sedan. Produced from 1976 to 1985, it sold some 2.7 million units worldwide and is still quite a valuable commodity today.
Yet true Merc enthusiasts know that the Coupe version, codenamed C123, was an even more desirable variant. Released in March 1977 at the Geneva Motor Show, it shares the same timeless and elegant lines as its four-door sibling, yet possesses an identity all its own. The rectangular headlamps, chromed air intake grilles at the windshield base, and chrome trim located beneath the taillights were just some styling cues to tell the two-door apart from its brethren.
What most diehard Mercedes coupe aficionados really appreciated about the C123 was its outstanding visibility for a two-door offering. While it is 4cm lower than the sedan, the more steeply raked front and rear windshields and pillar-less side glass with separate front and rear window openings all contribute to this.
Buyers back then had a choice between the 230C, with a 2.3-liter four-cylinder with 109hp, the 280C that had a 2.8-liter six-pot with 156hp, and a 280CE with a more potent version of the 2.8-liter mill with 177 horses. These were later joined by a 300CD 5-cylinder diesel that put out 80hp. It was later upgraded to a turbodiesel mill with 125hp. The same goes for the 230C, which became the 230CE with a mechanically fuel-injected motor putting out 100hp—a jump from the archaic carburetor equipped engines at launch.
The powerplants, however, weren’t the only cutting-edge technology packed into the 123-series at the time. Just like all Mercs, this one came with amenities and safety systems that were ahead of its time. Crumple zones, for instance, were already standard fare—at a time when these were virtually unheard of in the industry. And antilock braking systems (ABS), straight from the 1978 W116 S-Class, made its way into the options list in August of 1980.
And of course, we can’t rave enough about the design. It was simplistic beauty at its finest—even until today. Yes, it may be 40 years old. But the Mercedes-Benz C123 Coupe will definitely be one nameplate that will live on for generations to come.
