India’s Weirdest Mercedes Benz Was Once The President’s Ambulance [Video]

Mercedes-Benz is presently the largest luxury car manufacturer in India. Surprisingly, this luxury car manufacturer offers more models than India’s largest car manufacturer, Maruti Suzuki, in the country. Classic Mercedes-Benz cars are highly collectible, and numerous enthusiasts have such cars in their garages. Among these Mercedes-Benz cars, some are exceedingly rare, and in this video, we showcase one such rarity: the Mercedes-Benz F124 E-Class. What makes this car special is its history—it was once part of the Indian President’s convoy. Recently, after complete restoration, it was unveiled at the Mercedes-Benz rally in Mumbai. There are several videos of this F124 available online, with one shared by Jaydsgarage  on their YouTube channel. In this video, the presenter delves into the vehicle’s history.

The car was brought to India as a special-purpose vehicle by the Government of India, specifically imported for use in the Presidential convoy as a medical support vehicle. Imported around 1987-1988, it was never accessible to the general public. This car can be spotted at the rear in many Republic Day parade videos. After decades of service, this F124 was retired and somehow ended up in Kerala. However, there were no updates about this car thereafter.

During the pandemic lockdown in 2020, someone contacted the presenter, informing them about an abandoned car completely hidden in shrubbery on a property. The discovery happened while clearing the grass around the property.

The presenter, having a soft spot for vintage and classic cars, called their friend Akhil, the current owner of this vehicle. Akhil agreed to retrieve the car, and they managed to find a flatbed long enough to accommodate it. They lacked keys or the ability to turn the steering wheel—it was a blind purchase.

As they began stripping and cleaning the car, they realized the challenges of this restoration project. Due to abandonment, rust issues were found in many panels. They completely disassembled the engine and each panel, rebuilding the car from scratch.

In the process, Akhil decided to convert this car into a camper. The F124 is a version of the W124 used to create special-purpose vehicles. This one, the long-wheelbase VF124 version, provided ample cabin space. The owner undertook a full exterior restoration from scratch, making minor customizations for an enhanced look.

The car’s front grille appears slightly more aggressive, based on the pre-facelift W124, which was never officially sold in India. Customizations include the bumper, side cladding lines, and the replacement of stock 15-inch wheels with genuine monoblock AMG alloys fitted with low-profile tires. The suspension setup was also upgraded. It has a custom-made high roof design that was factory-made, originally with a passenger door on only one side and none on the other. The car features stock W124 station wagon tail lamps and a modified boot. There’s a power inlet port on the long side without doors for rear passengers.

The car’s cabin features a standard W124 setup with a black dashboard, dual-zone climate control, and other amenities. The electrically adjustable ORVMs were retained. The owner has completely redone the interior, an ongoing project mentioned in the video. The roof liner has been redone, featuring a Rolls Royce-like starlight feature. Original cabin lights remain, and the rear passenger seats are stock. The car boasts abundant legroom and headroom, allowing the presenter to stand inside. The boot offers plenty of space along with two cushion beds.

The F124 came with an M111 series petrol engine generating around 150 Ps, coupled with a 4-speed automatic transmission. Undoubtedly, this unique, cool-looking car is a must-have for any classic car collector in India. It’s truly a head-turner.