South Florida is about to get a full-throttle history lesson—with a soundtrack of vintage mechanical clatter, coachbuilt elegance, and modern hybrid hypercar fury. When ModaMiami returns to the Biltmore Hotel Coral Gables on February 27–March 1, 2026, Mercedes‑Benz is bringing a curated slice of its timeline that stretches from the birth of the automobile in 1886 all the way to today’s F1‑inspired halo cars.
ModaMiami is still a new name in the concours world, but it’s quickly positioned itself as a high-caliber blend of automotive culture and luxury lifestyle, anchored by the iconic Biltmore (opened in 1926—which makes the venue itself part of the anniversary energy this year).
And Mercedes‑Benz isn’t showing up with a single hero car. The brand is rolling in with a multi-decade lineup, plus on-site experiences designed to make history feel alive—not parked behind velvet ropes.
The headline act: celebrating 140 years since the automobile’s “birth certificate”
Mercedes‑Benz is framing its ModaMiami presence around a milestone that matters to every enthusiast, regardless of badge loyalty: 140 years since Carl Benz applied for the patent for the “vehicle powered by a petrol engine” on January 29, 1886.
At ModaMiami, the Benz Patent‑Motorwagen story isn’t just a placard on a stand. Mercedes‑Benz says attendees will be able to experience rides around the exhibition grounds in the Patent‑Motorwagen, and the car is also set to lead a portion of Friday’s “Moda Classic” drive.
There’s also a collector hook: Mercedes‑Benz notes that drivable replicas of the Patent‑Motorwagen are available through Mercedes‑Benz Classic Vehicle Trade, emphasizing parts availability for ongoing operation—exactly the sort of detail that matters if you’re the type to run your museum pieces.
A deep-cut U.S. story: the 1905 “American Mercedes”
One of the most intriguing entries on Mercedes‑Benz’s ModaMiami roster isn’t a modern supercar at all—it’s a rare 1905 “American Mercedes.”
Mercedes‑Benz positions the car as a symbol of the marque’s long-running relationship with the United States, and it leans into the lesser-known backstory: in 1888, William Steinway (yes, that Steinway) established the Daimler Motor Company in Long Island, New York, initially importing Daimler engines and then producing them under license from 1891. The business evolved into Daimler Manufacturing Company in 1898, and by 1905–1907, complete automobiles were being produced—leading to cars like the “American Mercedes.”
After ModaMiami, Mercedes‑Benz says the Classic Center in Long Beach, California will prepare the “American Mercedes” for the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance on August 16, 2026, where it’s slated to compete in the Early American Speedsters (Pre–World War I) class.
From elegance to icons: Cabriolets, Gullwings, and the big “300”
Mercedes‑Benz is also using ModaMiami to underline a theme that’s easy to forget when you only think “AMG”: sportiness and luxury have been intertwined in the brand’s DNA for generations.
Among the classics called out:
- A 1936 Mercedes‑Benz 290 Cabriolet A (W 18)—a reminder that pre-war Mercedes elegance wasn’t shy about road presence.
- A 1955 Mercedes‑Benz 300 SL “Gullwing” (W 198)—the poster car that still stops people mid-sentence. Mercedes‑Benz notes this particular Gullwing is associated with Tyler Hoover (Hoovie’s Garage), and that the Classic Center Long Beach has thoroughly overhauled its technology, with the process featured in a video.
- A 1961 Mercedes‑Benz 300 d, framed as the successor to the “Grand Mercedes” of the 1930s and described as a favorite among political and industrial leaders; Mercedes‑Benz also notes the updated 300 d model with fuel injection debuted in 1957.
Mercedes‑Benz says these three vehicles belong to customers of the Classic Center, which adds an enthusiast-friendly authenticity: these aren’t just static artifacts—they’re cars still being cared for, driven, and supported at a factory-backed level.
Rally bruisers: the “Fintail” era gets its due
Mercedes‑Benz also plans to spotlight its rally and endurance racing successes of the 1960s via “Fintail” sedans (W 111 and W 112).
One specific crowd-pleaser: a Mercedes‑Benz 300 SE “Rallye” (W 112), offered for sale through the Classic Center Long Beach and styled after Ewy Rosqvist’s “Fintail” rally car from the 1964 Argentinian Touring Car Grand Prix (start number 609).
If you’ve ever wanted to explain to a younger enthusiast why “sedan” doesn’t automatically mean “soft,” this is your exhibit.
Modern madness: AMG ONE, Evo II, and a Black Series with rare paint
Yes, the classics will bring the romance—but ModaMiami is also about flexing the modern stuff that can warp your sense of what’s possible on a license plate.
Mercedes‑AMG ONE
Mercedes‑Benz says a customer-owned AMG ONE will appear at ModaMiami—an ultra-limited hypercar with an E PERFORMANCE hybrid system derived from Formula 1 collaboration, making a combined 1,048 hp from a 1.6‑liter V6 hybrid turbo plus four electric motors. It also features active aerodynamics, debuted publicly at the 2022 Goodwood Festival of Speed, and Mercedes‑Benz notes only 275 were built.
190 E 2.5‑16 Evolution II
The touring-car legend will also be represented: Mercedes‑Benz notes that only 502 Evo II homologation cars were built, and that Mercedes‑Benz Heritage is bringing one to the Biltmore. The example shown is described as a homologation-series vehicle later adapted for historic motorsport with limited changes (roll cage, engine/suspension tweaks), while remaining largely production-standard.
CLK 63 AMG Black Series (C 209)
Mercedes‑Benz also calls out a 2008 CLK 63 AMG Black Series finished in a rare red paintwork, and says it will participate in “The 100 Club” drive on Sunday, March 1—ModaMiami’s showcase run for the most exclusive super sports cars.
Bespoke is back: MANUFAKTUR takes center stage
Not every flex is about lap times. Mercedes‑Benz says ModaMiami will feature MANUFAKTUR, the brand’s cross-model customization program—highlighting materials, craftsmanship, and deep personalization.
On display: a 2026 Mercedes‑AMG G 63 finished in MANUFAKTUR Sea Blue Metallic with a black Nappa leather interior accented by blue contrast stitching, plus other details Mercedes‑Benz positions as part of its modern bespoke push.
Why this matters: “140 Years. 140 Places.”
Mercedes‑Benz is using this anniversary year to tell a bigger story than just “look at our old stuff.” The brand ties ModaMiami into its broader “140 Years. 140 Places” celebration—driving three new S‑Class sedans on a transcontinental journey to 140 destinations worldwide, running until October 2026.
Whether you show up for the Patent‑Motorwagen rides, the deep-cut American Mercedes history, or the sheer audacity of an AMG ONE on a concours lawn, Mercedes‑Benz’s ModaMiami plan reads like a greatest-hits album—sequenced from the first spark of the automobile to the outer edge of street-legal performance.
