Those Ingenious Eyes

The A124 has a face that is both modern and classic. It clearly borrows visual cues from the days of classic Mercedes with a massive chrome grill, but it does that with a thoroughly modern sensibility. It's aerodynamic, clean and parts like the grill are even light, at least by Mercedes standards.

In the opinion of this blogger, one of the most handsome details on the A124 can be found on all facelift (post-1994) examples, regardless of country of delivery. I'm referring to the pair of large glass headlights that are synonymous with mid-90s Mercedes. Like the four oval headlights on a W210 that broke new ground in design at the time, the pop-up lights on a Porsche 928, or the famous "bugeye" headlights on a Triumph Sprite, the headlights on your A124 are the highlight of its face. They are its eyes. Moreover, years later, they are part of its trademark look.

Eyes like these need to be protected. Although unlike the next-generation W210, there's no plastic lens to dull or fade over time like so many cars. These are Old School—they're a very thick glass. Of course, they can break from contact with stones or road debris, but for the most part, they are durable and not prone to cracks.

Study the fit and finish of these lighting units and it's a marvel of engineering. The reason that every 124 has such a perfect fitting headlight and turn signal is an ingenious pressure fitting that holds the pair side by side perfectly. They simply "click" into place, ensuring consistent gaps each time. Plastic clips are thick and strong. Assembly is completely intuitive. It's brilliant.

Road rash, sandblasting and dirt accumulation can all happen, but there are some simple steps you can take to preserve your headlight assemblies.

First, invest in automotive clear tape. It's removable and sold in sheets all over the Internet. At the very least, consider covering the headlights and painted wiper panel where owners in the US have a small wiper arm installed. Over time, those pieces get sandblasted and chipped from road debris.

And while you're at it . . .  (words every classic car owner understands) you might want to take the opportunity to clean the rubber gasket attached to the bottom of that wiper panel. It tends to get dirty under there, and you want to avoid it becoming a rust trap.

Although I generally prefer cars like the A124 Cabriolet of a certain vintage, there are still quite a few modern updates to consider to improve the ownership experience. Removable clear tape in key areas of wear is one that's been widely adopted by today's manufacturers, as well as by this Cabriolet owner.