The New Mercedes E-Class Coupe Has 30 Years Of History Behind It

Mercedes-Benz revealed an all-new E-Class Coupe just last week, but though it’s been called by different names over the years, the mid-range two-door is just the latest in an unbroken line that stretches back to the C124 model, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary.

Following a gap of several years from the discontinuation of the previous C123, Mercedes took the wraps off the C124 (as it was known internally) at the 1987 Geneva Motor Show. The coupe closely followed the W124 sedan on which it was based, but with a few key stylistic differentiators: it had only two doors, of course, but there were also no B-pillars, and the lower bodywork was painted a contrasting color.

The model was initially offered in two specs, dubbed 230 CE and 300 CE, with a 2.3-liter inline-four or a 3.0-liter six respectively. More frugal and more potent versions arrived later, ranging from the 200 CE to the 300 CE-24. A cabriolet version followed as well, and eventually they were all rebranded under the E-Class moniker.

Next up, it went on a hiatus, with the smaller CLK taking its place, and we wouldn’t see an E-Class coupe until 2010. But while the new model takes the stage, its progenitor has earned its retirement: now 30 years old, the earliest versions of the C124 are now eligible for an H license plate in Germany to denote their historic classification.