Photo by Tory Kooyman.
Driver's Notebook: A Change of Face
April 2, 2003
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Head-on, the S500 sedan is nearly indistinguishable from the coupe. (Click image to enlarge)But this car’s raison d’être is its visual impact, and in that department it scores high marks. In certain parts of Los Angeles, people are so utterly jaded that even Ferraris evoke little interest. The Sunset Strip linking Beverly Hills and Hollywood is just such a place; along one and a half miles of restaurants, nightclubs, and shops, speeds rarely exceed 30 mph, and more often cars move at a crawl. No one is terribly bothered—it is a place to see and be seen. (Signs announcing anti-cruising ordinances are prominently displayed.) In the ebb and flow of bumper-to-bumper traffic on a warm January afternoon, the S500 Lorinser attracted copious attention. The drivers of other Mercedes-Benzes, in particular, gave approving smiles when they pulled alongside, and several asked detailed questions about what had been done. The handsome exterior modifications earned universal approval, but the interior’s two-tone color scheme and wood kit did not receive the same acclaim. The strange, mottled green hue of the burled wood resembles stone more than wood (a rear-seat passenger asked, “Do they put marble in these cars?”), and it manages to clash with the foamy green leather panels on the seats and doors. The effect can only be described as an acquired taste.
For the Mercedes-Benz driver who wants to stand out, this S500 Lorinser accomplishes that goal flawlessly. But be forewarned: Having a car done over like this can be addicting. Clients who have had a car modified by CEC often have each of their subsequent cars sent straight to CEC from the dealer.
CEC, 310.203.3900, www.cecwheels.com
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