It was a typical Friday night three years ago, the kind where garage tinkering offered refuge from the house party clamor. Surrounded by friends, amidst the clatter of tools and hushed conversation, we were deep in BMW modifications when two curious faces appeared. Drawn by the party sounds, Cory Hutchison and Rodney Nichols, strangers then, approached to see what we were up to. New to the neighborhood myself, I welcomed the chance to connect with fellow car enthusiasts.
Cory and Rodney, as I soon learned, were a comedic and genuine duo, bonded by a shared passion for Hondas. Preludes, in particular, ignited their automotive spirits, much like BMWs did for me. As the evening drew to a close, an invitation for a weekend wrenching session was extended, punctuated by a playful prediction: “Mark my words… spend enough time around here, and you’ll be in BMWs before you know it.”
It comes as no surprise that Rodney and Cory became close friends, and even less surprising that both now drive BMWs… almost. Rodney, having sold his BMW E23 735i, sought a more practical ride, landing him with a Mercedes Benz 190E. While not a BMW, its European lineage was a close enough victory in my book.
However, Rodney’s automotive heart had long belonged to Honda. His passion wasn’t confined to cars; street bikes held an equal allure. For years, a Honda CBR stood proudly beside his 2nd-gen Prelude and his fiancée’s 5th-gen Prelude. “I think I’d sell the car before the bike,” he once declared, echoing the sentiments of any true motorcycle aficionado. Yet, to everyone’s astonishment, Rodney listed his beloved bike on Craigslist. The reason – another bike, car funds, or bills – remains a blur, but the sale was set in motion.
The realm of cheap motorcycles on Craigslist attracts a diverse crowd. Lowball offers and bizarre trades flooded in – the usual fare of half-price bids and swaps for outdated concert tickets. But one call stood out: a trade proposal involving a grey market Mercedes Benz 190E. It was described as barely running, with faded paint and a grafted front end from a larger, older Benz. Intrigued, Rodney was keen to inspect it, and my excitement mirrored his.
Later that week, a red Mercedes Benz 190E arrived at my doorstep. The grafted front end protruded awkwardly, and the once-red paint had surrendered to years of sun, resembling a faded, pinkish soda can left outdoors. The engine sputtered and struggled to accelerate, a consequence of a failing diaphragm-based injection system – a mystery to Rodney, a Chevrolet technician. Yet, beneath the surface flaws, he saw potential.
Beneath the weathered paint, an original Zender body kit lay hidden, seemingly untouched, adorning a chassis remarkably free of dents and dings, paint aside. Inside, beneath tattered upholstery, original Recaro seats awaited, flanking a rare, Euro-spec dogleg manual transmission. A vintage D&W steering wheel and shift knob remained from its early days, and houndstooth cloth door cards concealed manual windows. This Mercedes Benz 190E possessed the coveted features that Benz enthusiasts dream of, seemingly falling into Rodney’s lap. However, restoring it to its former glory was a significant undertaking.
If Rodney wasn’t a paint correction expert before, he certainly became one. Countless hours were dedicated to buffing and polishing the faded paint, a constant battle against its tendency to revert to its washed-out state. Sourcing European-spec headlights from overseas and a pristine hood from a local salvage yard, Rodney and Cory undertook a backyard respray in a woodworking shop. Miraculously, the color match was impeccable. The Mercedes Benz 190E began to resemble its factory-intended appearance. With the bodywork addressed, Rodney turned to the engine woes, ordering a stream of parts from eBay to revive its performance. Engine issues resolved, the 190E transitioned to daily driver duty, enduring Rodney’s hour-long commutes to the Chevrolet dealership.
Wheel selection became the next focus: 17×8 and 17×9 split wheels reminiscent of the iconic “AMG Hammer” Aeros were chosen. Wrapped in 205/40 and 215/40 Falken 512 tires, the Krone wheels nestled perfectly within the 190E’s boxy wheel arches. To achieve the desired stance, Rodney engineered custom strut mounts, combined with bespoke springs and struts, balancing refined ride quality with striking aesthetics. With final touches complete, the Mercedes Benz 190E was show-ready, garnering attention wherever it went.
Since then, Rodney has journeyed across the East Coast in his once-struggling Mercedes Benz 190E, from SoWo to H2Oi, accumulating significant mileage while his prized Prelude awaits reassembly after a year-long paint project. Its wheels have been sold, its future uncertain. While Rodney’s Honda days are far from over, the Mercedes Benz 190E continues to captivate him, with plans for a driveline swap topping his list. What stands out most is witnessing someone as steadfast as Rodney embrace the unfamiliar. He never envisioned himself behind the wheel of an iconic 80s German sports sedan when we first met, but now, I, along with everyone else, eagerly anticipate the next chapter in this ongoing build.
