Mercedes-Benz has long experience in coupés. How long? The C123 you see in the images celebrates the 40th anniversary of its launch this year (NDR: at the date of original publication of this article).
Even today, we can go back to the C123 and find the ingredients that influence the appearance of its successors, such as the recently introduced E-Class Coupé (C238) — the absence of the B pillar, for example.
The Mercedes-Benz mid-range range has always been fruitful in the number of bodies available. And the coupés, derived from the saloons, were the most special expressions of these — the C123 is no exception. Derived from the well-known W123, one of the most successful Mercedes-Benz cars ever, the coupé emerged a year after the saloon, presented at the 1977 Geneva Motor Show.
It was initially made known in three versions — 230 C, 280 C and 280 CE — and the information made available to the press, in 1977, referred to:
The three new models are a successful refinement of the mid-range 200 D and 280 E series that have been so successful over the past year, without giving up their modern and refined engineering. The coupés presented in Geneva are aimed at car enthusiasts who value visual individuality and visible enthusiasm in their vehicle.
More distinguished and elegant style
Despite the visual approach to the saloon, the C123 was distinguished by its search for a more elegant and fluid style. The C123 was 4.0 cm shorter and 8.5 cm shorter in length and wheelbase than the saloon.
The superior fluidity of the silhouette was achieved through the greater inclination of the windshield and the rear window. And, last but not least, the absence of the B pillar. It not only allowed for better visibility for its occupants, but also lengthened, lightened and streamlined the coupé's profile.
Effect achieved in all its fullness when all windows were open. The absence of the B-pillar has remained until today, visible also in the most recent E-Class Coupé.
Generation 123 also saw important advances in the field of passive safety, starting with a much more rigid structure than its predecessor. The C123 also featured programmed deformation structures long before they were the industry standard.
In terms of security, the news does not stop there. In 1980, the brand made available, optionally, the ABS system, debuted two years earlier in the S-Class (W116). And in 1982, the C123 could already be ordered with a driver's airbag.
A diesel coupe
In 1977, Diesel had reduced expression in the European market. The 1973 oil crisis gave a boost to Diesel sales, but even so, in 1980 it meant less than 9% of the market . And if it was easier to find Diesel in a work vehicle than in a family one, what about a coupé… These days Diesel coupés are the norm, but in 1977, the C123 was practically a unique proposition.
Identified as 300 CD, this model, curiously, had the North American market as its destination. The engine was the invincible OM617, 3.0 l inline five cylinders. The first version didn't have a turbo, just charging 80 horses and 169 Nm . It was revised in 1979, starting to charge 88 hp. In 1981, the 300 CD was replaced by the 300 TD, which thanks to the addition of a turbo made it available. 125 hp and 245 Nm of torque. And on…
Important note: at that time, the name of the Mercedes models still corresponded to the real engine capacity. So the 230 C was a 2.3 l four-cylinder with 109 hp and 185 Nm, and the 280 C a 2.8 l with inline six cylinders with 156 hp and 222 Nm.
Both the 230 and the 280 were complemented with a CE version, equipped with Bosch K-Jetronic mechanical injection. In the case of the 230 CE the numbers rose to 136 hp and 201 Nm. The 280 CE had 177 hp and 229 Nm.
Subscribe to our newsletter
The C123 would remain in production until 1985, with almost 100,000 units produced (99,884), of which 15 509 corresponded to the Diesel engine. The C123 variant that generated the fewest units was the 280 C with only 3704 units produced.
The legacy of the C123 continued with its successors, namely the C124 and two generations of the CLK (W208/C208 and W209/C209). In 2009 the E-Class again had a coupe, with the C207 generation, and its successor, the C238 is the new chapter in this 40-year-old saga.
