The mid-priced W114/115 sedan lineup was introduced in Hockenheim January 1968 which gave the the "/8" designation denoting the first year of sale. These sedans featured RWD, unibody construction and diagonal swing-axle rear suspension.
This lineup also contained the first ever coupe in its mid-sized class. It sported a pillarless hardtop design with a lowered roof and flatter windshield. The top engine choice was the 2.8 DOHC inline 6 cylinder that was offered in 1972 producing 160 hp with a carburetor (280 C) and 185 hp with Bosch fuel injection (280 CE).
AUTOart has replicated this car in 1/18 scale as part of their Millenium Series and have done quite a nice job. Finished in my favorite period color, metallic beige, it has all the luxe upgrades available, including automatic trans and sunroof (inoperable). It has great chromed trim and radiator shell which frames the fine metal mesh frill. The tri-star hood ornament is perfectly scaled (hence, very fragile) and all the exterior and interior hardware and trim are separate pieces with no painted trim. The cowling vent is a separate chromed piece and the screening below it is in fine mesh. Even the delicate trim on the door panels are foiled. The panel hinges are all the correct types and the hood is supported by locking bayonet struts. All the shut lines are tight and even and there is full glazing with decent optical clarity. All the lenses are very nicely modeled and are of European configuration.
The interior sports beige upholstery and carpecting with faux wood trimmed anti-glare black dash. All the components from the headliner to the floor mats are represented. The visors articulate but the front bucket seat backs do not. The gauges are all legible and the materials and textures give an overall realistic look. The trunk is rather spartan containing a spare in the well with the ribbed trunk liner and shock tower covers as the only other features evident.
From what I can see, there's nothing missing under the hood but the brake lines from the dual master cylinder. My only nitpick here is the use of colored plastic rather than painted for larger components like the valve covers which just enough grainy translucency to give a slight plasticy look to the engine. But from the dipstick to the clear sensor tubing, the engine bay does offer an impressive array of realistic content.
The undercarriage is adequate. The suspension is static, but most every component is separately modeled with only the fuel lines molded in. The exhaust system is silver colored plastic but ends in a nice chromed split exhaust tip. The wheels are crisply modeled chromed pieces with the proper body colored accents and the tires, though generic, have a period Continental type tread pattern. All in all, this is a very well done piece that captures the look and stance of the original
-Richard Sufficool
