I was born in 1993, the first year that China mainly imported private cars. In the 1990s, China further removed restrictions on private cars and currency exchange, importing more S-Classes in 1993 than any other year in the 20th century.
Octavius left Sindelfingen in August 1993 and was registered by an American company in Hangzhou in January 1994 – this was just a cover, because cars imported in the name of foreign companies are tax-free, while cars imported by Chinese citizens are subject to a 220% tax. As a result, many fictitious foreign companies were formed just to resell cars. They bring in the dollars the authorities need, invest that money into imported cars, then sell the company and cars together to actual operators at a profit, and that’s it.
I’ve been into cars since I was born and the first car magazine I bought was the month I was born, I think it was my dad’s idea. Mercedes-Benz is the brand that every family tells their children first, but it is far away from us. Octavius works in a real estate company in Hangzhou, which does not prevent me from sitting on the back seat of my parents’ bicycle. The S-Class keeps popping up in automotive books and on TV, but I’ve rarely seen one in person. On TV it always looks like it’s with the bad guys, well, that’s scary to kids.
In 2002, Octavius was transferred from a US shell company to its actual owner, the Hangzhou real estate company. In order to prevent the resale of cars, the authorities do impose restrictions on tax-free cars, such as they cannot be traded within 10 years. Anyway, Octavius is safe now.
In 2003 we got our first car, a 2003 VW Bora. In the same year I traveled to Hangzhou with my parents, maybe Octavius and I were once very close. We took a ride in a Lexus LS 430 newly bought by a friend of my parents in Hangzhou. It was the first time I got into a luxury car, and it was the first time I knew Bora was not the best in the world.
At 18, my univerity offer surprised my partents, they bonus me to have a car. I was looking for something odd, 140 wasn’t my priority, they were the most common vehilce on 90s Chinese roads. For that reason, I never obsess with something too familiar. I wanted an Audi V8, unfortunately it’s too rare to find.
l born with passion of wheels but didn’t fall in love with 140 until some years ago. For a period it was actually the car I dislike.Typical user icon of a S-class in 90s China： wealthy, powerful, perhaps also rude and not tasteful, none of them was my pursuit.
I grown up like everyone, absorbed those preconception from the enviroment. When I’m old enough that mentaly free like child again, taking Octavius to the woods alone I feel the first sight feeling again.Yes I like him. I must had the same feeling before people influenced me, such memory was buried too long. It is the styling that stamp into my mind in the first moment. Love is a simple emotion leave the complication.
However, it’s too much engineering for an liberal arts college freshman. Since ownership in 2012, I deposit skills all over the cars, including but not limited to engine, chassis, body, paint and every single bolts and buts zinc plating. long may it continue.
Without him I probably would not step in restoration profession, could missed some sparkly moments happaned in life. We had a struglling time but we made through together. He trained my patience, concentration, logics and a lot. Would never find anything greater.
To check articles about Octavius, click here.
**************Chassis*************
Sales designation: S600L [MODEL_IDX = 8]
Order number: 0 3 524 00941
Delivery date: 1993-08-03
Market: AG,Europe
Production order: N
Paint code 1: 040
Paint code 2:
Equipment:261
Engine no.:120980 12 021385
Transmission:722362 03 877031[GA]
SA code:
247 ELECTRIC SEAT ADJUSTMENT (FRONT PASSENGER SEAT) - ADDITIONALLY ADJUSTABLE FROM THE REAR
303 FRONT FOLDING ARMREST WITH TRAY
481 UNDERSHIELDS
524 PAINTCOAT PRESERVATION
540 ROLLER BLIND, ELECTRIC, FOR REAR WINDOW
652 8-HOLE LIGHT ALLOY RIMS
819 CD CHANGER - ALPINE - IN TRUNK
828 ELIMINATION OF EXHAUST EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM (CAT)
860 TELEVISION TUNER
880 CLOSING SYSTEM WITH INFRARED REMOTE CONTROL
884 TRUNK LID ADDITIONAL LOCKING MECHANISM (HZS)