richard,
(taking a deep breath)
- I see no indication of the existence of the company known as HEPCO any longer, but I honestly don't know for sure.
- the luggage is made of tex, not leather.
- as far as I know, it was only available in black and brown.
- I still have the receipt for mine, but will have to find it to give you the prices in 1970. (I'll update this posting later.)
- they're no longer available new, so the price is whatever the market will bear. (someone I know recently bought a set of 3 pieces second-hand for around $500.)
- the luggage was only available soft-sided. The earlier MB luggage from the 50's (made by Karl Baisch) was hard, fitted luggage and looked quite different, and yes, both the Baisch & Hepco luggage have integrated locks. here's a link to a photo of the earlier luggage:
Download Attachment: MB_luggage.jpg44.65
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- the interior is a cream-colored moir
with some zippered interior compartments as you might expect in luggage
- I'm not aware of a hold-down bracket for a luggage strap in the backseat area, but there are two in the trunk of every W 113. (perhaps they're well hidden, but I've never noticed any.)
One final note: there is almost no indication on the luggage that it is Mercedes luggage. Just a miniscule sticker inside one of my pieces. I am therefore quite confident that there are lots of pieces of Hepco luggage floating around out there at flea markets that people assume is generic 60's luggage. Keep an eye out for it!
(I feel better now. thanks.)
Douglas Kim
New York, NY
#11304410018260