, the first car in the door at Cooper Classic Cars is a 3.5-liter Mercedes-Benz convertible. It is stately, almost plain for what it is, but exquisitely well-made. To an ordinary observer, it’s just an old Mercedes like any other. To a trained eye, it is a remarkably rare classic. Only produced, it was the top-of-the-line V8 model from the peak moment for Mercedes quality. It is a high point, the end of an era.
There was a time when these cars could be bought on the cheap. There was a time when they flew under the radar. But that time is gone. So strong of a cult following do these cars have that Mercedes started factory-restoring them. ForCuker, now in his early 80s, maintains an aura of effortless relaxation. His silver hair is still a messy mop, his face often bends to a wry smile. He is very casually stylish, the hardest kind.