SHERIDAN, WYOMING – March 6, 2026 – ModaMiami 2026 is set to feel less like a typical car show and more like a living timeline you can actually step into: Mercedes-Benz is bringing vehicles “from the Benz Patent-Motor Car of 1886 to modern models” to this automotive and lifestyle event in Florida. The headline moment is hands-on and rare—rides around the exhibition grounds in the Benz Patent-Motorwagen—paired with a showfield lineup that stretches from early U.S. production history (“American Mercedes”) to modern halo machines like the Mercedes-AMG ONE. Taking place at the Biltmore Hotel Coral Gables from February 27 to March 1, 2026, the event leans into something car fans crave right now: not just looking at icons, but feeling the story of mobility in motion.
A New Florida Event With Big “Collector Culture” Energy
ModaMiami is described as a new, high-caliber automotive and lifestyle event, staged at the Biltmore Hotel Coral Gables in Florida from February 27 to March 1, 2026. Mercedes-Benz is treating it as a place where brand history can be experienced across decades, rather than a static museum-style display.
That matters because car culture has been shifting: people still love “rare,” but they also want context—why a car mattered, what it changed, and how it connects to what we drive today. A single lawn filled with vehicles across 140 years is a very direct way to make that connection feel real, especially when some of the experience is meant to be interactive.
The Star Attraction: The Benz Patent-Motorwagen in Motion
The Benz Patent-Motorwagen appearance is positioned as a celebration of the birth of the automobile 140 years ago. Carl Benz invented the automobile and applied for a patent for a “vehicle powered by a petrol engine” on January 29, 1886, and the release notes that this “birth certificate of the automobile” is now part of the UNESCO Memory of the World Register.
At ModaMiami, the key point is that it won’t just be parked for photos. There will be rides around the exhibition grounds with the Patent Motor Car. It will also lead a section of the Moda Classic drive on Friday, February 27, 2026. For visitors, that’s the emotional hook: you’re not just seeing history—you’re seeing it behave like a vehicle again, which makes the origin story of cars feel surprisingly present.
Collector Angle: Drivable Replicas Are Offered for Sale
There’s also a collector-friendly detail: Mercedes-Benz Classic Vehicle Trade offers drivable replicas of the 1886 Patent Motor Car. The release emphasizes that wear and spare parts are available, making maintenance and operation easier for demonstration use.
That’s a very specific kind of appeal: not “own a classic,” but “own the beginning.” For the right buyer, a drivable replica becomes a conversation piece with real movement—something you can show at events and actually operate, rather than just store.
“American Mercedes” and a Real U.S. Chapter of the Brand
One of the standout historical exhibits is a rare “American Mercedes” from 1905 from the Mercedes-Benz Classic vehicle collection, described as symbolizing the brand’s long relationship with the United States. After ModaMiami, specialists at the Mercedes-Benz Classic Center in Long Beach, California, will prepare it for the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance on August 16, 2026, where it will compete in the Early American Speedsters (Pre-World War I) class.
The release also provides a deeper origin story tied to licensed production in Long Island, New York. In 1888, piano manufacturer William Steinway established the Daimler Motor Company in Long Island, importing Daimler engines and producing them under license from 1891. From 1898 it was called the Daimler Manufacturing Company, and complete automobiles were produced from 1905 to 1907—connecting directly to the “American Mercedes” era.
A Showfield That Jumps Across Decades and Driving Styles
Mercedes-Benz is bringing a broad span of vehicles to make the “since 1886” timeline feel tangible. The release highlights classic luxury and “luxurious sportiness,” including:
- A 1936 Mercedes-Benz 290 Cabriolet A (W 18)
- A 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL “Gullwing” (W 198)
- A 1961 Mercedes-Benz 300 d
- A Mercedes-Benz 300 SE “Rallye” (W 112) styled like a “Fintail” rally car from the 1964 Argentinian Touring Car Grand Prix
This is the kind of lineup that works even for non-collectors, because it shows how “Mercedes” has meant different things over time: elegance, speed, endurance, and status—sometimes all at once.
Modern Halo Moment: The Mercedes-AMG ONE Appears as a Customer Vehicle
On the modern end, the Mercedes-AMG ONE is described as another star at ModaMiami, shown as a customer vehicle. The release says its E PERFORMANCE hybrid drive system brings Formula 1 technology to the road, developed with Mercedes-AMG High Performance Powertrains in Brixworth, England. It lists a combined output of 1,048 hp from a 1.6-liter V6 hybrid turbo engine and four electric motors, along with sophisticated active aerodynamics. The release also notes that only 275 vehicles have been built.
Even if most attendees will never see one again in person, this matters because it anchors the narrative: Mercedes isn’t only honoring the past—it’s showing what its most extreme “future-facing” engineering looks like when it’s road-legal.
MANUFAKTUR: Personalization as a Lifestyle Statement
ModaMiami also features MANUFAKTUR, Mercedes-Benz’s cross-brand customization program. The release positions it as exquisite materials and craftsmanship that refine each vehicle and make it unique, and it mentions a displayed 2026 Mercedes-AMG G 63 finished in MANUFAKTUR Sea Blue Metallic with a black Exclusive Nappa leather interior with blue contrast stitching.
The lifestyle takeaway here is simple: for luxury buyers, uniqueness is often the new status symbol. The event is leaning into that idea—history on one side, personalization on the other.
Mini FAQ: If You’re Thinking About Attending
Mini FAQ
Q: When is ModaMiami 2026 happening?
A: The event takes place February 27 to March 1, 2026, with additional scheduled moments across those dates.
Q: Where is the event located?
A: ModaMiami takes place at the Biltmore Hotel Coral Gables in Florida.
Q: What is the most “once-in-a-lifetime” experience mentioned?
A: Rides around the exhibition grounds in the Benz Patent Motor Car.
Q: What’s the broad theme of the Mercedes-Benz display?
A: Vehicles spanning many decades, from the 1886 Benz Patent-Motorwagen to modern models like the Mercedes-AMG ONE.