my '67 250SE - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

jleblanc77 · #1 12-03-2005, 01:18 PM

I think I was meant to own this car.

I looked at it when it was for sale about 18 months ago, but couldn’t afford it at the time. I drove it, talked to the owner, and totally fell in love with it, but the money situation sucked. I saw the same ad pop up on craigslist about every week or so for a while, but I still wasn’t in any position to buy it. It was taunting me. Then last week I saw it again under a different owner for a really great price, and nearly lept out of my chair. I called to make sure it was the same car (I knew it was, it’s probably the only European spec ’67 Benz in the state.) The couple that had bought the car from the original seller was selling it because they had upgraded to some giant SUV since their daughter was playing soccer and they were coaching the team. Plus he had cancer, and they had too many cars, etc. etc. They sounded like really nice folks, and they had 2 other old benzes already. He was very upfront about what was wrong with the car (locks rarely work, seat is a little wobbly, key is finicky, the usual old car stuff, exactly the kind of things that make old cars cool.)

I emailed and told them I wanted to stop by on Monday evening to drive it, and they said two people were coming by Monday, at 1:00 and 2:00. There was no way I was going to lose this car, so I said I’d be there at 8:00 with a check.

Drove it, bought it, and then stopped by this morning to actually pick it up and drive it to work. Then I dropped it off at the local detail shop this afternoon and took these pictures. They didn’t turn out all that great, but you get the idea. And of course the first day I have it, it snows.

Details: 1967 Mercedes-Benz 250SE, European model. This car has had seats from a later car installed, mainly because they’re safer (they have headrests) but otherwise everything is all original. It runs and drives very nicely, starts right up even on cold-ass mornings like today and floats down the freeway just like it should.

I’ve been itching for an old Benz for a a very long time, ever since I sold my old 280E that I loved. This is absolutely perfect substitute and makes me grin like an idiot when I’m driving it. I’ve promised myself that I won’t tell or trade it, unless it’s for another old Benz.

OK, on to the pictures. These were taken at the detail shop, and then right outside of it. I want to get some much nicer ones once we have a clear day here in Seattle.

Dana B. · #2 12-03-2005, 01:51 PM

What a winner. Congrats! Sorry about the snow. Other than the weather, you are charmed to get such a clean vintage car.

300SDog · #3 12-03-2005, 02:38 PM

Its a beauty and classic color combo - bergundy on tan.

Lemme guess, original paint and manual everything including sunroof and a mechanically operated, fuel injected inline 6cyl engine that was never available in the USA....... and umm, can be driven 180mph steering with your toes?

meltedpanda · #4 12-03-2005, 10:17 PM

very very nice

pj67coll · #5 12-04-2005, 10:39 AM

Jleblanc77. That's an absolutely beautiful vehicle. Very similar to my first Mercedes. A 1971 280S, Same color, interior and exterior. Just curious. Is that actually a 2.5 liter motor or had they changed to the larger 2.8 by then? Mine was a 2.8. I'm still trying to acquire another. One word of advice based on hard experience. Check the power steering box mounting bolts and make sure they are torqued as per factory spec. Also do a very careful inspection of the chassis box section to which these bolts mount for rust. If it's been in a rainy are all it's life rust might be an issue but this is the only thing that could potentially be a real problem. My steering column snapped because of this! So I know of what I speak...

In my opinion that's one of the most beautiful Benz's ever made and you are really fortunate.

- Peter.

BENZ-LGB · #6 12-04-2005, 01:13 PM

My first Benz was a 1967 250Se Euro delivery.

It was a very nice car.

I still miss it.

Good luck....

jleblanc77 · #7 12-07-2005, 02:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pj67coll

Jleblanc77. That's an absolutely beautiful vehicle. Very similar to my first Mercedes. A 1971 280S, Same color, interior and exterior. Just curious. Is that actually a 2.5 liter motor or had they changed to the larger 2.8 by then? Mine was a 2.8. I'm still trying to acquire another. One word of advice based on hard experience. Check the power steering box mounting bolts and make sure they are torqued as per factory spec. Also do a very careful inspection of the chassis box section to which these bolts mount for rust. If it's been in a rainy are all it's life rust might be an issue but this is the only thing that could potentially be a real problem. My steering column snapped because of this! So I know of what I speak...

In my opinion that's one of the most beautiful Benz's ever made and you are really fortunate.

- Peter.

Thanks for the advice Peter, I will be sure to check. I don't know for sure that it's a 2.5liter motor, but I would assume so, especially for a European spec '67.

Arthur Dalton · #8 12-07-2005, 08:29 AM

It is a 129 motor . which is 2.5 l.
...and b/c it is the 129 and not the 130 , the first check I would make is the oil level dip stick on the MFI pump.. Nobody checks these and many don't even know they are there ... VERY IMPORTANT on that early pump.

jleblanc77 · #9 12-07-2005, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arthur Dalton

It is a 129 motor . which is 2.5 l.
...and b/c it is the 129 and not the 130 , the first check I would make is the oil level dip stick on the MFI pump.. Nobody checks these and many don't even know they are there ... VERY IMPORTANT on that early pump.

Thanks Arthur, I will be sure to do that. I haven't found a good reference on these early MFI systems, do you know or anything online that I can read to edjumacate myself on them?

Arthur Dalton · #10 12-07-2005, 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jleblanc77

Thanks Arthur, I will be sure to do that. I haven't found a good reference on these early MFI systems, do you know or anything online that I can read to edjumacate myself on them?

The place with the MFI techs/owners are over at the 113 group. Yours is the same system as the 113 chassis. Yours will be the Early style pump
[ Bosch R18] with it's own Oel Res/Sump, so be sure to look at those post . The 280/130 engine pumps has crankcase forced oil feed and some polution controls..
Use the search feature with " FI pump Tour".
..or check with me if you want technical specifics and pump set-up procedures.

http://www.sl113.org/forums/forum.asp?FORUM_ID=2

jleblanc77 · #11 12-07-2005, 11:37 AM

If anyone knows anything about the availability, or the correctness of having lights like these:

on my car, I would love to know. I like the look of the extra lights, but if it was not anything that would have been an option at the time, I'd rather stick to keeping the car correct for the period.

Arthur Dalton · #12 12-07-2005, 12:58 PM

Optioal driving and fog were available... but , seeing you have Euro lens, you can upgrade to H4 halogens drop in with the bilux P45T base.
Big improvement for short $$$$ about $8 ea