Throwback Thursday: 1977 Mercedes-Benz 230C road test

So, perhaps the 230C worked best as a sedate cruiser for the equanimous driver? “The engine is never particularly quiet, but the noise level does not get appreciably worse in hard driving,” we commented. Ah, maybe not, then.

However, the four-speed automatic transmission was, in our opinion, “considered from all aspects, the best currently available,” on account of it being “extremely responsive to the driver’s mood, hanging on to higher gears if throttle openings are small, and changing smoothly down to third gear and holding onto peak revs if the driver wants to get a move on”. Its selector, too, was positive and definite in its action.

Fuel consumption proved to be a sticking point, though. “Cruising at 100mph, it was alarming to note the rate at which the fuel gauge would fall, and even driving on until the warning light had lit up, we were barely able to cover 200 miles between fuel halts, as consumption was down to 16mpg.” At a more leisurely pace, 19mpg proved a more representative figure in Britain.

Returning to driving matters, Autocar had a pleased but nonplussed view of the 230C’s ride, handling and steering.

“Almost whichever Mercedes one drives,” we said, “they all have the same basic handling characteristics of noticeable but not excessive understeer on corners, coupled with well-controlled roll. When pushed really hard into a corner there is a measure of sway and a tendency for the tail to dip and swing out slightly, helping the car to go round. It is certainly a very manageable car of the kind in which one feels very safe and confident that the handling will not perform any unexpected tricks.”

“Also typical of the marque is the steering with its progressive and extremely unobtrusive power assistance which most drivers may be unaware of, because it takes such even, well-balanced effort to turn the wheel with just the right degree of resistance, even at parking speeds.

“Accuracy on the straight is good but not quite up to the extreme precision normally associated with a rack and pinion system.”

Although grip was good, we did find that the “rather bluff front end of the car is quite badly affected by side winds”.

But it was the ride that really got our brows furrowed. “From the degree of firmness and knobbliness of the ride, especially at low speeds, the impression is given that the tyres are too hard, even though their pressures are found to be correct. Every little undulation or blemish is noticed, coupled with severe jolt on bad potholes or bumps. In this respect, comfort is disappointing and is a long way inferior to, say, a Jaguar XJ6 or Rover 3500,” we complained.

At least wind and road noise were contained most competently.

The inside was similarly lacklustre in the comfort stakes. “All who drove the 230C criticised the limited accommodation,” we reported. “Lowering of the roof has made head room very limited, and if passengers are carried in the rear seats, it is necessary to move the front seats well forward to provide even minimal rear leg room.”

Although supportive, we also found the seats to be rather hard, while the rear seats were “snug”.

Other things we noticed were that there were no heating vents for the rear seats – although they did get a cigarette lighter – and that while the heater was more effective than most, it produced a nasty smell at first and was still short of the 3500’s air-blending system.

As with today’s Mercedes-Benz E-Class, interior quality was a strong point: “Embellishment of the interior with high gloss polished walnut trim on facia, console and door cappings, is pleasantly done and looks attractive,” we praised, “although perhaps a little dated to British eyes.”

Our test 350C also featured an electrically opening sliding sunroof “which automatically lifts a small draught deflector at the front as it is opened.” We found this sunroof “worked very well and wind noise at speed is not excessive with the roof open.”