From the Beetle to the S-Class: The Top 10 Classic Cars in Germany

Classic cars with an expert appraisal are considered cultural assets in Germany. They are cared for and treated with respect by their owners. The number of classic cars with H-registration plates (German historic registration) has almost quadrupled in the past ten years. Around 88.5 percent of vehicles with historic registration are passenger cars. We have compiled a list of the 10 most popular classic cars in Germany for you here.

1st place: VW Beetle – 39,758 vehicles with Historic registration

t runs and runs to this day. With 39,758 examples currently recognized as classic cars, the VW Beetle is Germany’s most popular classic car. The original Volkswagen was built from 1939 to 2003 more than 21.5 million times. Until 2002, the VW Beetle was the most-built car in the world. In Germany, production ended on July 1, 1974, with the launch of the Golf 1. The last VW Beetle left the production line in Mexico in 2003.

2nd place: Mercedes-Benz W123 – 22,667 vehicles with Historic registration

With 22,667 units, the Mercedes-Benz W123 comes in second place in the current classic car statistics. A total of around 2.7 million vehicles of the Mercedes, which was available as a sedan, station wagon (T-model), and coupe, were produced between November 1975 and September 1986. This makes the Mercedes-Benz W123 the Stuttgart-based company’s most-built vehicle model to date. In the late 1970s, buyers had to wait up to 3 years for delivery of their W123. Vehicles of this series are considered to be robust and reliable.

3rd place: Mercedes R107 – 21,320 vehicles with Historic registration

The 3rd place in the ranking of the 10 most popular classic cars in Germany is also held by a Mercedes. The R107 was introduced in 1971 as the successor to the famous Pagoda. The last Mercedes R107 rolled off the production line no earlier than 18 years later, in 1989. The Mercedes R107 was sold with 6-cylinder engines and large capacity V8 engines ranging from 2.8 liters in the 280 SL to 5.6 liters in the 560 SL. A large proportion of the V8 models were exported to the USA.

4th place: Porsche 911 – 18,985 vehicles with Historic registration

For many, a Porsche 911 has been the epitome of the sports car since its presentation on September 12, 1963, at the IAA in Frankfurt, Germany. Only 81,032 units of the 911 Ur-(F)-model were produced from 1963 to 1972. The successor, the G model, sold 193,605 times between 1973 and 1989. Today, the first 911 Turbo models from the 1970s and the even rarer Porsche Carrera RS 2.7 are particularly sought after. Despite the declining prices in recent years, enthusiasts still have to invest a six-figure euro amount for a 911 F model with 130 hp from the 1965 to 67 model years.

5th place: Mercedes-Benz W124 – 10,134 vehicles with H registration

The mid-range model series was produced by Mercedes-Benz from the end of 1984 to mid-1997. Of around 2.6 million vehicles produced, 10,134 are still on the road in Germany today as classic cars with H license plates. This Mercedes was available as a sedan (W124), estate (S124), coupe (C124), and convertible (A124). The W124 was delivered with gasoline engines with 77 to 280 kW and diesel engines producing 53 to 108 kW. Mercedes-Benz vehicles of the W124 series, like the preceding  W123 series, are considered reliable and robust.

6th place: Mercedes /8 (W114/115) – 9,766 vehicles with H registration

The W114 and W115 series are known as the Mercedes-Benz /8 (“slash eight”). This Mercedes was first introduced in 1968 as the successor to the 110 series. All 6-cylinder models are classified as part of the W114 series. All other /8 models belong to the W115 series. A total of around two million /8s were built by Mercedes up to 1976. Most of them were equipped with 2-liter and 2.2-liter diesel engines.

7th place: VW T3 – 9,542 vehicles with H registration

The 3rd generation of the VW Bus – the T3 – was produced from 1979 to 1992. The T3 was available in five body styles: flatbed, station wagon, bus, crew cab, and cargo van. In terms of engines, buyers could choose between four gasoline engines with displacements of 1.6 to 2.1 liters and three diesel engines with displacements of 1.6 and 1.7 liters. The T3, which had a much more angular design than its predecessor, the T2, was the last VW Bulli with an air-cooled engine at the rear.

8th place: Mercedes W126 – 9,474 vehicles with H registration

With 892,123 vehicles delivered, the Mercedes S-Class of the W126 series is still the most-built luxury sedan. Beyond that, 70,060 vehicles were built as coupés (C126). This S-Class was produced from 1979 to 1991 and was continuously improved during the twelve-year production period. Vehicles that left the production line up to August 1985 are now counted as part of the 1st series. Vehicles from September 1985 until the end of production are counted as 2nd series. Regarding engine size, buyers could choose between gasoline engines with displacements of 2.8 to 5.6 liters and diesel engines with displacements of 3 and 3.5 liters.

9th place: BMW 3 Series – 8,419 vehicles with H registration

In June 1975, BMW presented the first 3 Series as the successor to the 02 Series. Right from the start, the 3 Series BMWs were a great success for the Munich-based automotive group. The one-million production mark was surpassed as early as 1981. The first 3 Series, known internally as the BMW E21, was produced from 1975 to 1983. The revised E30 rolled off the production line from 1982 to 1994. The E21 was only available as a two-door sedan. The E30 was available in dealer showrooms as a two-door sedan, convertible and station wagon (Touring).

10th place: VW Golf – 8,136 vehicles with H registration

The VW Golf has been produced since 1974 now in the 8th generation. With 21,517,415 units produced, it broke the old record of the VW Beetle on June 25, 2002. From 1974 to 1983, 6.72 million Golf 1 units were produced. The Golf II, manufactured from 1983 to 1992, left the factory 6.41 million times. The 1st generation Golf GTI is particularly popular today. Well-preserved examples of the GTI equipped with a 1.8 l / 110 hp in-line four-cylinder engine cost up to 25,000 euros. By comparison, buyers had to pay 13,850 Deutschmarks or about 7,000 Euros for a new Golf GTI when it was launched in July 1976.

Many cars produced in large quantities in their day are now among the most popular classic cars. Among them are essential milestones in automotive history, such as the VW Beetle, the Porsche 911, and the VW Golf. Our list illustrates that a classic car does not necessarily have to cost a lot of money to be appreciated and preserved.