Mercedes-Benz Classic provided memorable moments spanning the ages last weekend during the brand’s first appearance at “The Aurora” in southern Sweden. The highlights were two pairs of vehicles that bridged the gap between history and the present day: the Mercedes-Benz W 125 Silver Arrow from 1937 met the Mercedes-Benz Vision EQ Silver Arrow concept car from 2018. The Mercedes-Benz C 111-II from 1970 was paired with the Mercedes-Benz Vision One-Eleven from 2023. Both of these contemporary concept cars draw on the design and aesthetics of these iconic classics and bring them into the 21st century. Also taking part were two authentic replicas of the Benz Patent Motor Car from 1886.

Latest photos and videos: The Aurora

The history of automotive innovation began 140 years ago with the Benz Patent Motor Car. Mercedes-Benz Classic brought two authentic reconstructions of this milestone – invented by Carl Benz and for which a patent application was filed on 29 January 1886 – to Sweden under the title “The Story of Beginning”. During demonstration runs, one of the vehicles fitted with a 0.55 kW (0.75 hp) single-cylinder engine impressively demonstrated how individual motorised mobility first began.

With “The Story of Weißherbst”, the brand revisited the history of the gold-orange paintwork of the Mercedes-Benz C 111 (1969) and C 111-II (1970) at “The Aurora”. With its Wankel engine, GRP body, gullwing doors and “Weißherbst” paint finish, this experimental vehicle inspired generations of motoring enthusiasts. In Sweden, a C 111-II came face to face with the Mercedes-Benz Vision One-Eleven electric concept car from 2023 – an aesthetic dialogue in a class of its own.

The unique history of the Mercedes-Benz Silver Arrows was recounted by “The Story of Silver”. The W 125 Grand Prix racing car dominated the 1937 season; it was in this car that Rudolf Caracciola became European Champion that year. At “The Aurora”, experts from the Mercedes-Benz Classic Center started the 475 kW (592 hp) inline-eight engine of the W 125 twice a day, providing an audible reminder of the technological masterpiece from nine decades ago. Mercedes-Benz Classic paired the W 125 with the Mercedes-Benz Vision EQ Silver Arrow. This electrically powered tribute to the Mercedes-Benz W 125 was created in 2018.

The Mercedes-Benz 300 SE Rallye (W 112) received a particularly enthusiastic response from the audience. The car was reminiscent of the brand’s identical rally cars, in which Swedish rally driver Ewy Rosqvist (1929–2024) achieved numerous successes and, as a result, gained worldwide recognition in the 1960s. The “Fintail” saloon, which had been optimised down to the last detail to meet the exacting demands of long-distance rallying, demonstrated at the time the exceptional robustness and reliability of this luxury car – a model in the S-Class tradition.

The Mercedes-Benz Classic vehicle sales department brought a Mercedes-Benz 300 SL “Gullwing” (W 198) with a unique original combination of paintwork and interior to Sweden. The car’s original owner acquired it in 1955 and maintained it with great care. In the 2010s, the iconic sports car was restored to the strict standards of Mercedes-Benz. The vehicle sales department always has an extensive range of particularly attractive classics from the brand, dating back to the authentic replica of the Benz Patent-Motorwagen and, of course, including high-quality vehicles from all other eras. Link: https://www.mercedes-benz.com/en/vehicles/mercedes-benz-classic/classiccenter/vehicle-trade/

Mercedes-Benz Classic presented another Mercedes-Benz 300 SL at “The Aurora”. The super sports car was complemented by an elaborate driving simulator called “417 Legacy Edition” – a joint offering from Roarington and Mercedes-Benz Classic. Event visitors had the chance to qualify for an exclusive ride in a genuine 300 SL by setting the fastest lap time on the simulator.

“The Aurora” took place from 26 to 28 June 2026. The crossover event at Norrviken Gardens, a botanical park near Båstad in southern Sweden, focuses on classic cars. It was held for the third time and is already one of the most important events in the international classic car calendar. Every year in early summer, cars from every era come together with art, yachts, exquisite fashion and mechanical watches. Its influence extends far beyond the Scandinavian region.