Purchase 1968 200D with receipts on rebuilds? - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Palangi · #16 02-07-2001, 10:03 PM

Awwww! It breaks my heart to hear that you don't like the speedometer. I always thought that old fashioned vertical speedometer was the coolest thing about the car!!

#17 02-08-2001, 01:37 AM

You are probably right - this car will likely NOT sell quickly. Unless, of course, you buy it. Take a good look, like all of us are telling you at the hidden rust and the rubber parts. You will know which way to go.

#18 02-08-2001, 04:20 PM

DrT: Yeah i think it won't sell for a while, most non-MB people wouldnt think much of this car and its rare 4-speed automatic.
Palangi: I still don't even understand that speedometer. It glows red, yellow or something and does an idicator move on it?

Palangi · #19 02-09-2001, 12:51 AM

As I recall, it was sort of like a barber pole with 2 or 3 colors. The junction of 2 colors indicated the speed, only it was sorta diagonal at that point, so you could only read it within about 5 mph or so. US cars had similar drum type speedos at one time only they were horizontal. After a few years and a few beers, the memory is a bit faded.

#20 02-11-2001, 07:06 AM

I was 19 in 1987 when I bought my first of five MB's, it was a 1968 200D 4spd, in showroom condition, for $2,200-. It was white w/ red MB tex, and of course it had the fins. I loved that car, it used to turn heads everywhere I went, I don't know if it was because it sorta looked like an old Rolls Royce, or because everybody must have thought that those little punks driving it (me & the crew) surely must have stolen it, that somewhere some little old man or lady was probibly laying out cold in their driveway or a parking lot?

I only had the car for about a year before the timing chain went on it. Back then I didn't pay too much attention to oil changes and such. Shame on me, cause only a rubber band would've been simpler to work on. I don't even remember how many miles the car had on it. It had been repainted and any rust must have been fixed, because it looked like new.

To start it, you turned on the power with the key, but to engage the starter you pulled a knob on the dash to the first stage to glow the plugs, then the rest of the way out for the starter to spin. The glow plug indicator wasn't a light back then, it looked like the metel top off a pepper shaker with a live electric coil behind it that would glow red hot when the plugs were at temp. It probibly could've doubled as a cigarette lighter too. It had a verticle speedometer that worked like a mercury thermometer, no needle, it was a pretty neat car. Given the chance, I'd buy it again.

Even with the stick it was very slooooow off the line, but drove rock solid, a very tight car, as good as any new car. The steering and suspension was perfect, something my newer / old 123's lack.

Anyway, I was proud of that car and it started my love affair with Mercedes Benz cars. I only wish that I could load up a pic to show ya's

~George~

#21 02-11-2001, 05:56 PM

George,
Hey thanks man! Youve certainly helped me spark interest in looking at the one for sale again! This one for sale is a automatic though. If he will come down in price i will think about buying it, it needs paint and a little body (rust) work however. The rear-end of the car IS distinctive however.

Palangi · #22 02-11-2001, 10:33 PM

Jeeper, If I were you, I think I would wait a few weeks until he gets tired of looking at it, and offer him about a kilobuck. Nobody else is going to buy it. Sooner or later the guy will realize that. It will never be a daily driver, but it's certainly an unusual "cruiser". It's the most fun you can have in an "old man's car".

[Edited by Palangi on 02-12-2001 at 08:54 PM]

#23 02-12-2001, 07:15 AM

Jeepguy,

I didn't understand at first that this is a finback, I thought it was a '68, the first year after the finback.

I don't care for the finback styling myself, but there are a lot of people that do.

The only thing that would greatly concern me about this car would be the automatic transmission. Not only will it be a dog powerwise, but if you ever have any trouble with it, you'll be cooked.

Best of luck,

#24 02-12-2001, 07:42 PM

I agree Larry about the automatic being expensive to fix, but according to the seller it has been rebuilt with documentation. It is a 1968 and it is a finback. Also a 200D with 4 speed automatic is so rare i beleive 500 or so were built that year. These were prob leftover 67s sold as 68s.

Jeff72_220d · #25 02-12-2001, 08:20 PM

The price sounds pretty high, unless that car is considered a 'collector car.' I bought a very nice 1972 220D for $1000 last July, with 5 new Michelins, new radiator/water pump/hoses, new brakes, very good interior and exterior. Mine has a 4-speed. With 65 hp (10 more than the 200) I can't imagine how you can drive that car in serious traffic, particularly on hills. I have little trouble keeping up with Los Angeles freeway and city street traffic as long as I drive it hard. Not sure if the automatic would be viable here.

I think that it might actually be a 1967 car if it doesn't have circular guages. What "model" is it supposed to be? The 1968 200 and 220 are model 115.

Jeff Naumann

#26 02-13-2001, 07:54 AM

They only built 500 200D automatics? What does that tell you? I think I'm safe in saying this would not be a popular car then OR now.

Not only undesirable but a REAL problem if something happens to that transmission. Even if it has just been rebuilt, things could easily happen to it. They didn't manage to sell only 500 of them for no reason.

This is an EXTREMELY underpowered car, and that's coming from someone who has driven over a half million miles in 240D's. I would expect that a stick shift 123 240D would feel like a double A fuel dragster after driving an automatic 200D.

There are many cars that are rare. Rarity does not necessarily mean desirability..

Don't get me wrong, if you have a burning passion for an automatic, finback, 200D, I say wait the guy out for a reasonable price and go for it. And I'll be happy for you because you found your hearts desire.

My warning is only that this car being rare does not make it desirable to others. If you expect to sell it in the future there will be a very limited if not nonexistent market.

Best of luck,

#27 02-13-2001, 05:14 PM

Thanks guys,
Well its listed as a 1968 200D, it has the vertical speedo.
And Larry, i totally agree that this automatic car will no doubt be trouble if service is needed. It is overpriced. If the body was in better shape it would be worth it. But the rust turned me away.

#28 02-13-2001, 05:24 PM

So, is this a final answer?

Good answer if I do say so myself. I hate rust. Good decision.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
brakes for a 1968 200D	farmer mike	Vintage Mercedes Forum	5	07-15-2002 11:58 PM
Brake Shoes for 1968 200D	farmer mike	Diesel Discussion	0	07-02-2002 10:27 PM