Not wishing to swank, but spent the New Year festivities in Marrakesh, and a good time was had by all. However, the point of this missive is to remark on the multitude of taxis in the city.
There are two types of motorised taxi services available, the ‘petits’ taxis and the ‘grande’ taxis. The petits are nearly all Dacias, all in a uniform dirty beige and only able to carry three passengers. They can only operate within the city, but because of their limited carrying capacity, there were four of us, we never used them.
Now the grande taxis were much more interesting. Similar colours but almost uniformly big old Mercedes Benzes. E Classes (Einspritzung – Fuel Injection) with various engine sizes of the W123 range (1976 – 1985)
There were also many of the older W114/115 range with engine sizes ranging from 2.0L petrol (Model 200) to the 280D and 300D.
The condition of the magnificent vehicles was fairly poor, battered and worn but considering their mileages still running and working well beyond their design life. 850,000KMs was on the speedo of one that we sat in.
I suppose that the dry warm conditions of the area has contributed to their longevity, but there was something special about the W114/115 class; light and airy yet satisfying solid feeling. Modern cars seem so dreary.