History of Garage Wieman
Say "Mercedes Oldtimer" and you say "Wieman." For over 45 years, Mercedes Garage Wieman—formerly Garage en Revisiebedrijf Wieman & Zn.—has been a household name among classic Mercedes enthusiasts. A company with a rich history, where the passion for restoring vintage cars is still very much alive.
Wieman started in 1919 as a moving and transport company, initially using horse and carriage. In 1922, the first NAG truck was added to the fleet.
At a young age, Cock Wieman began working as an apprentice mechanic and detailer at Mercedes-Benz importer AGAM. There, he learned all the secrets of the iconic brand, particularly the high-performance models like the 300SE Heckflosse—including the race car of Hans Tak—and the top-tier 600 series. His mentor was Herr Rauch, a quiet German mechanic.
A speed enthusiast, Cock also competed in motocross racing in those early years, which brought him not only success but also many injuries. When he started his own business in 1972, there was unfortunately no more time for racing. He first opened shop on Spijtellaantje, then in the Vrolikstraat, and since 1979 has operated from the Papaverweg in Amsterdam-Noord. There, he steadily built a strong reputation as a specialist in classic and (young) vintage Mercedes cars.
But passion dies hard, and Cock eventually returned to racing—this time with Mercedes cars. He began with a 300SL in HARC races, mainly for fun, as the car was too heavy to compete at the front. He later gained real recognition with his 300SEL 6.3, which he had imported from the U.S. Using his deep knowledge of Mercedes vehicles, he significantly lightened the car and tuned it to about 350 HP, enabling him to compete with other racers at tracks such as Zandvoort and the Nürburgring. Even Mercedes’ own race engineers were impressed by Cock’s achievements.
As a full-service garage with a six-person team, Wieman carries out many APK inspections, maintenance services, and restorations. It’s also a trusted destination for new Mercedes vehicles and young used models.
The passion for classic cars clearly endures, as many enthusiasts still entrust the care of their vintage vehicles to Wieman. The garage is even recognized beyond Dutch borders as a true Mercedes specialist.
