Company History

A life for Mercedes-Benz classic cars It was at the tender age of seven, back in 1955, that workshop and had more than ten employees. In 1990, Klaus Kienle first set his eyes on a Mercedes-Benz meanwhile with a staff numbering more than 50, his 300 SL gullwing, but he knew right away that this car company moved again, to purpose-built premises – a was going to determine the path his life would take. huge workshop with a floor area of 4,000 sqm in the And things did indeed turn out the way they were little town of Heimerdingen. seemingly meant to: In 1964 he went to work for And in 2006 Kienle added another 4,000 sqm – this Mercedes-Benz in Stuttgart as a trainee motor mecha- time a vast storeroom to house all the spare parts. nic, and just eight years later, in 1972, he already had Today, with a workforce comprising some 85 highly- his master’s certificate under his belt. And it wasn’t qualified professionals and 15 apprentices at any given long before he was appointed head of the department time, Kienle Automobiltechnik is among the leading for major repairs and special orders. restorers of Mercedes-Benz classic cars and can boast In 1984 he left Mercedes-Benz to set up a restoration a huge inventory of spare parts. business of his own, Kienle Automobiltechnik, in Company chief Klaus Kienle is assisted by his sons a garage in Rutesheim, not far from Stuttgart. Just Alexander and Marc, who joined the family firm in two years later the firm had moved to a much bigger the early 2000s.

Marc Kienle Alexander Kienle

Klaus Kienle

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2 3 Our Services: the Best or Nothing

Perfection is all that counts Today “Kienle-restored” is a hallmark of per- fectly restored Mercedes-Benz classics. Over the course of just a few decades, the family-run firm of Kienle Automobiltechnik has gathered an immense pool of specialist know-how that is unmatched worldwide. With all this knowledge behind them, the Kienle experts are able to resurrect even totally ramshackle specimens and restore them to a level of quality that is absolutely on a par with the original. Kienle Automobiltechnik is guided by the highest standards of both traditional and contemporary craftsmanship and make use of the technologies of the future in their ultramodern workshops – in a highly-efficient symbiosis of the traditional and the modern. Making compromises isn’t something the Kienle experts do – the best is all that counts.

“Kienle restorations are done with the high precision and

efficiency of Formula 1 racing cars.” Photo by Adrian Sutil (Formula 1 racing driver)

4 5 Our Services: A One-Stop Shop

Quality from the specialists Restoring historical automobiles is a matter of trust, · Auto electrics which is why we at Kienle Automobiltechnik likes to take · Hydraulics for the 600 care of all the different stages of the restoration process · Spare parts store and sourcing ourselves. The family company is organised like a small, · Mechanics and toolmaking independent carmaker, with the following departments: · Paintshop (business partner) · Body (shell) shop · Final assembly and finishing · Timber frame construction and wheel shop · Sales · Saddlery All these departments are peopled by highly-qualified speci- · Engine construction and engine test bench alists whose services are the guarantee of optimum quality.

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6 7 Our Services: Quality Through and Through

The original is our benchmark At Kienle Automobiltechnik restoring cars isn’t just a matter of window-dressing and skin-deep beauty. The Kienle experts get under the (sheet metal) skin, restoring cars from the inside out, always guided by the benchmark of matching the quality of new Mercedes-Benz cars. They repair crumbling frames and metal panels to the manufac- turer’s specifications. Using original frame gauges, body panels can be joined with such precision that they are absolutely true to the original.

8 9 Restoration: 300 SL

Preserving the original The 300 SL is based on top-end 1950s racing car technology: brilliant, functional – and com- plex. Restoring this racing legend demands a lot of the experts: they need the very best of tech- nical skills, but also have to be versed in materials science and the historical side of things. When restoring 300 SLs, as well as other Mercedes-Benz classic cars, we make sure to preserve as much as possible of the original substance. Kienle specialists inspect each and every single part, including all the body panels, to determine whether they can be reused. Only those parts that cannot be reused or present a safety risk are replaced by new or reproduction parts. “As little as possible – as much as necessary” is our motto.

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10 11 Restoration: 300 SL

Bringing back the shine The Mercedes-Benz 300 SL is a work of art, a technical masterpiece, a masterful driving machine. Lovingly restoring this car requires an understan- ding of its history, but also technical finesse and top craftsmanship. Company chief Klaus Kienle has decades of experience of restoring the 300 SL, and the people who work for him are recognised experts for the gullwing and the roadster. Whether it’s a matter of preserving an unrestored original or restoring a 300 SL to as-new condition – Kienle Automobiltechnik has carried out more than 400 full-restoration projects, giving them an unparalleled wealth of experience.

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12 13 Restoration: 300 SL

Leaving nothing to chance If you dream of being able to drive a high-perfor- mance automobile like the 300 SL with confidence in present-day road conditions, then Kienle can provide the top-standard technical modifications “The complex technology of the 300 SL holds no secrets for Kienle. that will make that possible: authentic – like the centre-lock wheels or the contemporary wooden They’ve improved on its safety and everyday driving capabilities.” steering wheel; factory-tested – like the disk brakes Claude Picasso of the late 300 SL roadsters; ensuring ease of service and operation – like the mixture adjust- (photographer, film maker, graphic designer and son of Pablo Picasso) ment system, a special Kienle innovation, and the modified clutch. What these modifications cer- tainly don’t do is affect what it is that makes the 300 SL so special – its strong and unmistakeable character.

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14 15 Restoration: 300 SL

“What impresses me is how meticulous and thorough the Kienle experts are, I am and always was absolutely certain that my 300 SL is in the very best hands with them.” Jean Todt ( former Ferrari Formula 1 team boss, Ferrari chief and FIA president)

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16 17 Restoration: Pre-War Models

Experiencing history The traditional body- and car-building techniques breathe new life into Mercedes-Benz compressor have often been forgotten – but not so at Kienle. engines and masterpieces of bodybuilding from Here we still cultivate the traditions that gave us Sindelfingen – as if it were only a matter of months, history’s most impressive automobiles in the thirties. and not eight decades, ago that they first saw the Thanks to our enterprise and competence we can light of day.

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18 19 Restoration: Pre-War Models

Creating Atmosphere An abundance of gleaming chrome, sumptuous The best example of this is the Mercedes-Benz leather upholstery and lining, wooden and even 540 K special roadster in whose restoration mother-of-pearl inserts, door handles and hand- Kienle Automobiltechnik invested no less than holds decorated with artistic engravings – automobi- 12,000 man hours. And we’re lavishing the very les built in the thirties beguile us with their incom- same level of meticulous care on other pre-war parable aura which the restorer must take care not cars, too – from the 290 to the 320/380 and to destroy or distort, but to lovingly rekindle. the 540 K.

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20 21 Restoration: Pre-War Models

“Flawless restorations à la Kienle are like the final polish on a diamond.” François Graff (Head of Graff Diamonds, pre-eminent purveyors of diamonds and jewellery)

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22 23 Restoration: 300

Recreating the charm The Mercedes-Benz 300s are the true heirs of the experienced auto interior specialist. Recreating that handsome automobiles of the 1930s, with their elegant special character that was such an innate element of lines and their character. Mercedes 300s – especially these models back when they left the factory in Sindel- the coupé, cabriolet and roadster versions of the 300 S fingen all those years ago is a challenge – one that and the 300 Sc – appeal to all the senses. And they Kienle Automobiltechnik has risen to and successfully demand the very highest level of craftsmanship of the mastered. In all the versions of the 300 the Kienle spe- restorers – the panel beaters have to master the com- cialists have succeeded in giving them back that special plex curves, and regenerating the ornate and intricate charm and perfection that made them so fascinating wood and leather appointments can test even the most when they first graced our roads back in the 1950s.

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24 25 Restoration: W 111 Coupés and Cabriolets

Restoring and optimising Mercedes-Benz classic cars make you want to drive overhauling all the technical components ensures per- them – not only for pleasure, but always with pleasure. fect functioning – to meet the same standards as new Kienle-restored Mercedes classic cars can stand up automobiles. And if that’s not enough, we’ve got still to a lot of wear and tear and exhibit good everyday more to offer: We can build in all kinds of comfort op- driving qualities. If the fancy takes you, you can use tions, no matter whatever they were already available your tailfin W 111 or 112, be it a coupé or a cabriolet, during the W 111 era or not until later – from original to get you to work or to your holiday destination in air-conditioning to seat heating, from a contemporary southern climes. That’s what they were built for – Becker radio system to power-assisted steering and a and that’s what they were rebuilt for. Our aim is to smooth clutch. This is best done while your classic car put them into proper working order. Kienle classic is being restored. Our aim is to create your very own, cars are classic cars without airs and graces. Generally personal Mercedes, something valuable and unique.

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26 27 Restoration: 600

Cultivating luxury It takes the best specialists in the world to restore the Kienle Automobiltechnik has set up a dedicated de- “best motor car in the world” – as the press of the partment to handle the 600 – be it the short wheelbase day called the Mercedes-Benz 600. Only then can the version, the 4- or 6-door Pullman limousine, or the driver and passengers revel in that experience makes landaulet. And they’ve even gone a step further: With the “Big Mercedes” the ultimate luxury cruiser that a range of sophisticated testing equipment, Kienle it is. More than 10 per cent of all 600 landaulets ever Automobiltechnik is one of the very few firms world- built underwent complete restoration at Kienle – over wide that are able to test, repair and – using special- 200 of them in all. The only place where more left purpose tools – reproduce the highly-complicated hydrau- the shed was at the Mercedes factory in Sindelfingen. lic components for the 600, and for the 450 SEL 6.9.

“The Mercedes-Benz 600 is an extremely intricate car, and it should only be restored and serviced by the best specialists, and that‘s Kienle Automobiltechnik.”

Ibrahim Ismail Ibni Almarhum Sultan Mahmud Iskandar Al-Haj Photo by (Sultan and Ruler of Johor)

28 29 Restoration: Model Range

Master of all classes Whether it’s a 190 SL, a Pagoda SL, a 300 SEL 6.3, whether it’s a R 107 or a 450 SEL 6.9 – if it has a star atop its bonnet, then it’s in the right hands with us. At Kienle we have experts for every classic Mercedes series, trained on a specific model, and with many years of experience in dealing with its strength and weaknesses. Whether it’s a 4-cylinder in the 190 SL, a 6-cylinder in the SL from the sixties to the eighties, or an 8-cylinder in the top models built after 1964 – Kienle Automobiltechnik “Kienle Automobiltechnik restores with perfection and has got what your Mercedes needs: competence. passion and has decades of experience behind them.” And ambition. That also applies to modern classics like the R 129 Manuel Neuer SL and the W 126 S-class: Classic car collectors (World’s Best Goalkeeper and 2014 World Champion) have been increasingly focusing their attention on these models for some years now. Kienle Automo- biltechnik restores these modern classics, too – with the same dedication and expertise that they lavish on the older ones. Photo by

30 31 Spare Parts and Innovation

Spoilt for choice Ever since he set up his company back technik will reproduce it themselves if in 1984, Klaus Kienle has made a need be. Accessories and innovations point of systematically collecting used are also an important part of the and new parts for Mercedes-Benz Kienle service package. Reproduction classic cars – with great success: Today and original sets of suitcases and the Heimerdingen-based company wooden steering wheels can be ordered can boast one of the largest stocks of from Kienle. And owners of Mercedes- spare parts for Mercedes-Benz classic Benz classic cars – especially the 300 cars. Kienle customers benefit from SL – who want to improve the safety the veritable treasure trove that Kienle and everyday driving capabilities of has been buying over the years, but their car will also find what they’re they’re not the only ones: Besides looking for at Kienle: Enhanced alter- using them for in-house restoration nators, improved clutches and injec- projects, Kienle also sells them on the tion pumps with optimised oil supply open market. And if there’s a particu- are all available, as are sports bucket lar part that isn’t available anywhere seats and air-conditioning systems for any more, then Kienle Automobil- the 300 SL.

32 33 Buying and selling classic and exclusive cars

Advice from the insiders Kienle Automobiltechnik is one of the major “Kienle Automobiltechnik is one of the most competent dealers dealers on the international market for collector’s cars: The Kienle showrooms house more than 80 for classic Mercedes-Benz cars.” mostly top-end classic cars, rare sports cars and exclusive luxury cars, waiting to be taken out for Professor Jürgen Hubbert a spin. We provide objective and independent ad- (member of the executive board of Daimler-Benz AG from 1989 to 2005) vice. Kienle Automobiltechnik can draw on many years of experience of the industry when buying and selling Mercedes-Benz classic cars – which can only benefit their customers. Anyone who restores classic cars knows where their strengths and weaknesses lie. Buyers can therefore rest assured that the classic cars on offer at Kienle have been subjected to a thorough inspection be- fore they make it to the salesroom to ensure that there are no hidden defects. Kienle offer their customers safety.

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34 35 Events and Rallye Services

Getting off to a good start It’s a pity to keep motor cars – especially Mercedes-Benz ones – technical checks ahead of races, transporting customer cars to hidden away in the garage. Their element is the road and the and from event locations – this is all part of the package you can track. Be it the Nürburgring or the Mille Miglia, Kienle has a expect from Kienle Automobiltechnik, letting you forget all the dedicated team of mechanics there on the spot to lend a helping little details and concentrate on giving it your all in the race or hand quickly. Whether it’s just a matter of changing a spark rallye. And if you’re thinking of entering one of the big interna- plug or checking the brakes, we offer the full service package for tional concours d’élégance, it’s comforting to know that Kienle- customers wishing to put their car to the ultimate test. Thorough restored classic cars are almost guaranteed a place on the podium.

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36 37 Events and Rallye Services

“When I enter an event in a Kienle-restored or – serviced classic car, then I know for sure that I’m going to make it safely across the finishing line.” Karl Scheufele (President of Chopard, Geneva)

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