When Mercedes-Benz unveiled the W124 in 1984, it wasn't simply a new model, it was a statement of intent. Engineered to outlast, outperform, and outclass everything in its segment, the W124 E-Class quickly earned a reputation as the definitive expression of German automotive precision. Decades on, the earliest production examples have grown into some of the most sought-after classics in the Mercedes-Benz lineage.

This 1986 example is among the earliest W124s ever produced, a genuine early-model, UK-specification car that arrived before the model had been homogenised for global markets. Finished in Willow Green Metallic, a colour of quiet rarity and period elegance, it carries the kind of understated presence that only a factory-correct classic can command.

The cabin tells a story of thoughtful, era-accurate specification. Green fabric upholstery and wooden trims run throughout, creating an interior wholly consistent with its UK-market origins. Period details such as the retractable radio antenna and original Mercedes-Benz mud flaps remain intact, preserving the authenticity that restorers spend years chasing.

Under the long bonnet sits a 2.3-litre inline-four, paired here with a 5-speed manual gearbox, a combination that delivers the kind of mechanical, driver-engaged experience increasingly absent from modern motoring.

Nearly four decades on, this W124 230E stands as a remarkably honest survivor. For the collector who values provenance above all else, you could be the next custodian of one of Stuttgart's finest.