For sale: 1956 Hollywood Hardtop Hornet Hudson

Stereos:

The C140 was originally available with a number of factory option units over the 6 year production run, including units with navigation functionality. The stereos were different “Becker” or Blaupunkt units (except in Japan where a Bosch nav unit was available). We have summarised each that we have observed on the cars below, including the approximate years they were available. Labeled images have also been included in the gallery:

Type 1: Becker 780//1430/1480/0830/BE1100 Mexico Diversity 830:

This model was named either the Becker Europa 2000 or Becker Mexico 2000. This was fitted to early vehicles, and we've only sighted these units on 1993-94 cars. This unit was carried over from the C126. Note, the “Becker Europa 2000”, was the "BE 1100", and has a label on it at the base that says “Becker Mexico Casette Code”. The label on the base of the BE1430 is “Becker Mexico 2000”.

Type 2: Becker BE1492 / 1692

These units were available from 1994 – 1999, and were the most commonly fitted stereo to the 140 series cars. The BE1492 has Mercedes part number 0038203686(07). The BE1692 has Mercedes part number 0038205986(09).

Type 3: Blaupunkt APS4 BP4902 Navigation radio

This unit was fitter to some later 140 coupes, and had a large central screen with navigation arrows on the left side, pre-sets 1 - 6 on the right had side and a "Nav" button at the top right. Mercedes-Benz was printed above the screen. Our understanding is that this was a European market only unit.

Type 4: Blaupunkt APS4 BP4902 Navigation radio (version 2)

This unit was very similar to the Type 3 system. It had navigation arrows (and what appear to be volume controls) on both the left and right side of the unit, similar to the navigation toggles on Type 3 on the LHS (but on both sides for this Type 4 unit). As with the type 3. this unit is believed to have only been available for the European market.

Type 5: Bosch Japanese exclusive navigation unit with integrated climate control

This unit is believed to be a japanese market only product, and contained a much larger navigation screen than the European market navigation systems (types 3 and 4 above). We have sighted this fitted to one coupe.

CD-Stacker systems:

On review of many cars, it has become difficult to state with certainty whether certain stacker units were factory fitted. We have signed examples from Kenwood, Pioneer, Blaupunkt etc in the trunk space of the C140. However, the factory correct units, so far as we can tell, should be within a Mercedes-Benz branded plastoc casing, witha  slide window. We have sighted two types applicable to the C140 - a 6-disc stacker and a 10 disc stacker. Images of both have been included for reference. The same 10 stacker system has been sighted in person on two Australian CL500s (1996 and 1997 models). Further research is needed on this item, and if anyone has further information that could assist, please get in touch.

Post-facelift models had small “Bose” badges fitted to the rear parcel shelf speakers identifying the vehicles fitted with the Bose sound system option. This comment is based only on a forum discussion so needs further research.

Rear view mirrors:

Several rear view mirror styles were applied to the C140. Supposedly, very early W140s in 1992 were fitted with a simple manual dimming mirror (with a small tab underneath which was flicked back or forward for the dimming function). We have not sighted this type of mirror on the C140, which presumably is explained by the C140 being introduced later than the W140, and by that time the earlier mirrors were phased out.

We have observed 4 types of rear view mirror on the C140, and included part numbers based on those observations (note, there is a part number shared between Type 1 and 2):

• Type 1 (1993-1995) – Simple auto dimming mirror (power adjusted) (part number 1408102217 and 1408103717):

This mirror is the simplest in overall appearance, with no home link buttons or knobs on the casing itself. These power mirrors were electronically adjusted using a knob on the lower dash(the same knob that was used to adjust the side mirrors). There were three memory settings available, linked to the driver's seating memory positions. This power adjustable mirror was only available on the earlier cars (we believe up to June 1995).

• Type 2 (1993 - 1999) - Auto dimming mirror (non-power adjusted) (part number 1408103717 and 1408110031):

This mirror is identical in appearance to the early power adjusted mirrors, with no home link buttons or knobs on the casing. However, it was manually adjustable. The mirror retained the auto dimming functionality (with the light sensor on the front side of the casing). We believe this mirror was available throughout the entire production period, but certainly on vehicles up to 1995.

• Type 3 – Red / green light receiver with anti-dazzle manual dimming adjustor (Part number 1408105117):

This is perhaps the most rare of the rear view mirrors applied to the 140. At some point in 1994 or 1995, Mercedes introduced this mirror which had red and green lights in the base (a receiver for the central locking) and the circular knob linked to the vehicle’s security lock/alarm system. The mirror was not available with a power option (ie, it's position is manually adjusted), and it is similar (possibly the same) as the mirrors fitted to many R129 SLs. This style of mirror has been sighted on vehicles from as early as 1995 through to 1997.

• Type 4 (1997-1999) – the “Homelink” autodimming mirror (Part number 1408106017):

This mirror is similar in appearance to the Type 1 mirror, but has three small buttons on the underside of the casing (left hand side) which are the “Homelink” buttons. This mirror was not available with a power option (ie, it’s position must be manually adjusted). The buttons could be programmed to control up to three rf-controlled items such as garage doors, gates etc. Forum discussions suggest that some of the early Homelink mirrors will not work with later garage door which use a rolling frequency.

Bose speakers attached to mirrors:

All mirror types were available with two types of Bose overhead speakers which were mounted forward of the mirror base. These speakers were installed on vehicles optioned with the Bose sound system. One type of speaker is a small rectangular design (part number 1408101211), the other is a small round design (part number 1408201202). Several examples have been included in the images.​ It ie not clear from our research so far whether the different speaker designs relate to different years.