Dream cars to grown-up toys why millennial car collectors are going crazy for these 90s roadsters

On early Sunday morning, nearly 70 Mercedes-Benz SL convertibles lined the Alpine, New Jersey, boat basin against a picturesque Hudson River backdrop.In colors ranging from classic black to rare green, with soft and hard tops, the R129s, a luxury convertible produced from 1990 to 2002, drew proud owners who peered through windows, compared price tags, and swapped stories.“I’m the black 600 over there,” one attendee announced, pointing to his refurbished, two-seater whip.“Oh, no s**t,” another replied.But this wasn’t just any car meetup.

Although admission was free, attendees had to apply in advance, submitting photos of their prized rides to event host Andrew Glaser for a spot at the exclusive gathering devoted to the Mercedes-Benz R129 SL, followed by a scenic group drive.Many of the selected enthusiasts were in their 30s and 40s, part of a growing wave of collectors turning childhood car obsessions into grown-up indulgences — and fueling a modern-classic car boom in the processAuctions and online sales of collectible cars surged 10% to $4.8 billion in 2025, according to classic-car insurer Hagerty.A 2024 survey by the company found that 60% of Gen Z respondents were interested in owning a classic car, nearly twice the share of baby boomers.For Nev Schulman, a 42-year-old New Yorker currently three cars deep into his Mercedes modern classic obsession, who attended Sunday’s event, the appeal is simple: it’s the adult toy he can actually afford now.The car enthusiast stumbled across his blue hardtop Mercedes on Facebook Marketplace earlier this year while shopping for a friend’s 40th birthday present.

But when his friend’s wife passed on the offer, he couldn’t resist fulfilling a childhood dream.“I’ve always wanted this car,” Schulman told The Post.“These are the cars I grew up with, and they were so expensive, but now I can afford it,” he said, describing his latest acquisition for $6,000, with 72,000 miles on the odometer.Tony D...