Hanna Schönwald Cares for her Mercedes Benz W123 230 CE Coupé 1984

Hanna Schönwald cares for her Mercedes Benz W123 230 CE Coupé 1984

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With the Swabians you learn quickly: there are actually only two car brands

Swissvax : “Hanna, thank you for letting us learn more about you and your passion for design and cars. What kind of car do you currently drive and why exactly that one?”

Hanna : I currently drive a 1984 Mercedes W123 230 CE Coupé in champagne metallic. The reason I bought this particular model is because of the unmistakable design of this sports coupé without a B-pillar, combined with the reliability and longevity for which the W123 series is known.

Swissvax : " Is this your first classic car?"

Hanna : No, it's my second one. Before that I also had a W123, but as a sedan in anthracite from 1978.

Swissvax : "Why Mercedes?"

Hanna : I spent my time studying industrial design in the greater Stuttgart area. As a Westphalian among the Swabians, you quickly learn that there are really only two car brands in this region that your heart can beat for. Apart from the great vehicle design, which I loved about the old Mercedes from an early age, I knew that the supply of spare parts for classic models of this brand was guaranteed. So the choice was not difficult for me. The fact that I didn't choose a model from the other well-known Stuttgart car manufacturer at first was not least due to my budget at the time. In contrast to Porsche, Mercedes offers a financially easier entry into the world of classic cars, which makes the whole thing particularly interesting for young people.

Swissvax : "We've seen that you're sometimes photographed driving old Porsche models. What's your connection to Porsche?"

Hanna : I drew a lot when I was at school, especially cars. That was when I first got to grips with the different brands and particularly their brand identities, including Porsche. From then on I knew that I wanted to continue drawing in my career and decided to study industrial design in Pforzheim. During my degree course I learned how to design and draw a wide variety of products, and it was through a study collaboration with Porsche that my attention was consciously drawn to the sports car manufacturer for the first time. A short time later, I was so interested in Porsche that I did my practical semester there. Over time, my increased interest in the brand and my professional interfaces led to a network and thus a circle of friends developing. I now know many people here who either work directly at Porsche, restore old Porsches, or are committed to the brand through the fun of driving.

Swissvax : "You restore cars yourself from time to time? How did that come about?"

Hanna : I started doing things on my cars out of necessity. I really wanted a car when I got my driver's license, but at the time I didn't have enough money to cover any repairs. So while I was at school I did my career orientation internship in a Ford workshop and then got a holiday job. I really enjoyed the work. At 18 I bought a Ford Focus through contacts in the workshop, and I was able to do a lot of things on it myself because I had learned from the models. As I studied, my interest in vintage cars grew and I noticed that the old vehicles were much easier to repair yourself. My first W123 - the sedan - was unfortunately in such a poor technical condition that tinkering with it was a necessary evil for me to even get the car to its destination. I remember a broken ignition lock, fuel lines that the previous owner had patched up with garden hoses and, of course, lots of rust. For a while I started the good thing with a screwdriver. But it worked! I'm currently in the process of rebuilding a 1984 Land Rover Series 3 and preparing a 1987 W124 TD as my winter car.

Swissvax : "What is your relationship with your cars?"

Hanna : My W123 Coupé in champagne is called Jürgen. I don't think I need to say anything more.

Swissvax : "You've been modeling since you were 13 years old and you tinker with cars yourself - that's an exciting combination and it gets noticed. How do women and men in the classic car scene react to that?"

Hanna : The classic car scene in general is certainly still a male domain. For example, I restored my W123 Coupé together with the W123 Club, where there are hardly any women. I was given a very warm welcome and my enthusiasm and drive for the restoration was well received - the fact that I am a woman made no difference. It is nice to see that more and more women are opening up to the subject recently. In general, the classic car scene seems to be changing. Age and gender are becoming less and less of an issue and it is the shared enthusiasm that counts, as classic cars are emotionally charged and exciting and the aesthetics have a very special appeal.

Swissvax : "Which car would you like to restore?"

Hanna : As I mentioned at the beginning, I am fascinated by classic Mercedes and old Porsches because of their design and functionality. I would really like to restore a 911 coupé, preferably a 3.0 SC or a 3.2 Carrera, because although these models are very suitable for everyday use and sporty to drive, they are still fundamentally purist and do not have a lot of electronics.

Swissvax : "Are you always fascinated by vintage cars, or can it also be something modern?"

Hanna : I know more about vintage cars, but of course, modern vehicles are also exciting. Especially now, at a turning point towards alternative drives, I'm also getting more involved with these cars. My studies have certainly sharpened my view here, especially when it comes to design. However, many of the modern cars are too packed with electronics and gadgets for me, so I would always choose an old car over a modern one.

Swissvax : "You are self-employed and work for various clients in the field of industrial design, graphic design and also create your own art. What are you working on at the moment?"

Hanna : I'm currently working on a variety of projects, primarily in the automotive sector. I'm currently designing some new spare parts for a Porsche restoration company in Hamburg and am helping to design a new product line. The most exciting project for me at the moment is probably a collaboration with Porsche, which is about to be released. Here I designed and implemented my own art car.

Swissvax : "Can you tell us more about your artwork?"

Hanna : What is particularly exciting for me is how much can be expressed with just a few lines. Drawing is the central medium in my art and I mainly choose the most expressive subject - people. I particularly like drawing faces. In order to depict emotions in them, you often don't need a lot of colors or materials.

Swissvax : "What is good or successful design for you? How do you understand design?"

Hanna : I understand design as giving a feeling or a function a body so that it can be looked at or touched. In my opinion, design is good when it fulfils the specific purpose. It's not even about taste.

Swissvax: “What is your best moment or experience with your classic car so far?”

Hanna : I don't think there is a best moment for me here. Everything has its time and there are always beautiful experiences in every section. The best thing for me is actually driving my classic car in everyday life and being able to enjoy the car every day.

Swissvax : "You're always seen at different events - which one have you liked the most so far and why?"

Hanna : Up until now, my interest in classic car events has always been limited to the younger scene, i.e. events that are organized and spread via social media. There are a number of smaller events in the Porsche scene in particular that I really liked. It's difficult for me to choose a real favorite. In the future, I would actually be interested in the conventional classic car scene - perhaps taking part in one of the big classic car rallies, such as the Silvretta Classic. I would really enjoy that.

Swissvax : “What do you personally associate with Care for your Dream?”

Hanna : For me, that doesn't just mean working towards a dream, but also actively maintaining it and doing so as best as possible. A classic car is never really finished. When you use these vehicles, there is always something to do. The idea that the car has already survived so many years motivates me to extend the life of the car even further. Perhaps being able to pass on a classic car at some point and thus pass the dream on to the next generation: all of this is only possible with the right care, a feel for the technology and mindfulness.

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