ContiTech Press Releases

Hanover, July 2011ContiTech collaborates with the Mercedes-Benz Classic Center to reconstruct a 40-year-old component

Through to the present day, the Mercedes 600 remains the incarnation of prestige motoring. To overhaul the suspension system on the armored version of the luxury vehicle, two premium manufacturers, ContiTech and Mercedes-Benz, took a close look at the past and brought air springs that were beginning to show their age into line with the current state-of-the-art.

The Mercedes 600 is a real eye-catcher: Michael Becker (left), on the sales staff at ContiTech Air Spring Systems, and Willy Gruslak from the Mercedes-Benz Classic Center show the newly developed air spring for the armored version of the luxury vintage car.

Photo: ContiTech

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Back in 2009 the Mercedes-Benz Classic Center approached ContiTech: The old air springs were no longer being made, so new ones were needed. This involved overcoming a number of obstacles. The problem was that the drawings for the air springs – produced by Phoenix in the ’60s and ’70s – no longer existed. So ContiTech developers meticulously studied the components, some of which were up to forty years old. They drafted blueprints and adapted the new air springs not only to the vehicle but also to what is now state-of-the-art. “The latest standards dictated the selection of material for the spring, and the inner workings were improved," says Michael Becker, a member of the field sales staff at ContiTech Air Spring Systems.

It was already so in the '60s and '70s: A Mercedes 600 always caused quite a sensation when it pulled up.

Photo: ContiTech

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It should be kept in mind that 40 years ago, the Mercedes 600 was regarded as the highest state of technological perfection. Features on the car included air springs, automatic transmission, air conditioning, power steering and power brakes. The governments of a number of countries had the luxury vehicle, which debuted in 1964, in their official fleets. The unique charms of this model line proved seductive not only for heads of state, but also for celebrities like Elizabeth Taylor, Elvis Presley, John Lennon, and Johannes von Thurn und Taxis. It is in circulation to this very day. Heads of state, celebrities and, of course, vintage car aficionados still gladly make use of the armored version of the 600.

There have already been enquiries for the new air springs. The Classic Center also has air springs for non-armored Mercedes 600s as well since ContiTech has these air springs in regular production.