Fintail to Die For - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

ctaylor738 · #1 08-24-2006, 10:25 AM

If anyone in the DC area finds themselves around Tysons, there is a wonderful barn find Fintail at Eurasian Imports on Tyco Road. It is a 200 from Oregon with 67K miles, last run in the 1980's, according to the guy who is working on on it. It is a time capsule. No rust that I could see. I could not believe the condition of the trunk.

Sounds like the owner is having all the right things done - fuel tank, carbs, ignition, etc. They are replacing the clutch because it welded/rusted itself to the flywheel.

Worth a stop if you are in the area - its parked in the back.

And no, it's not for sale - I already asked.

I'll try to get a picture.

meltedpanda · #2 08-25-2006, 11:04 AM

post a picture so I can be depressed that I did not find it!

ctaylor738 · #3 08-29-2006, 05:18 PM

Not much has changed since last week. They are still waiting on carb parts, but have the ignition together.

meltedpanda · #4 08-31-2006, 09:55 AM

thanks for the pictures, very nice, when I got my 115 it had the same AAA sticker on the bumper

300SDog · #5 08-31-2006, 11:43 AM

Those 110 finbodies are so clean an uncomplicated, probly has fewer parts than any other MB ever built. I once owned and restored a 190c that was white with tan interior, pulled the engine and replaced the clutch single-handedly in one weekend. Not bad on performance either, roadworthy even by contemporary standards.

Walter59SL · #6 09-02-2006, 11:54 AM

The 190c I have for sale in the for sale section is as clean, if not cleaner than that one. The 940 engine *IS* a better engine though. The 190c I have really only needs the interior completed. NO RUST EITHER (we fixed the typical lower front fender areas) and it is a California car. The 190c needs NO mechanical work. Rebuilt or new everything. Fresh paint and good chrome (some original, some NOS, only grill shell shows some dots.)

Not a POS, like most of them. We just have no time it anymore. Too many SLs to play with!

-Walt

300SDog · #7 09-02-2006, 12:39 PM

Yeah but the only problem with California cars is that they're way the hell out there in California - millions of miles from everybody else.

nhdoc · #8 09-02-2006, 05:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 240Dog

Yeah but the only problem with California cars is that they're way the hell out there in California - millions of miles from everybody else.

That's where my finny came from too. Cost $1300 to have it shipped in a covered carrier and delivered to my door. Worth every penny...it is truly a time machine, nearly perfect in every way and more like 4 year old than 40+. The trunk is spotless and looks like it was never used...even the sticker on the edge of the lip is near mint as is the tire pressure chart on the gas door! This one was truly one in ten thousand find! I would never find one like this out here on the east coast unless it came originally from out west. I bought mine from a couple who owned it from 1966, bought second hand when it was 2 years old!

Walter59SL · #9 09-04-2006, 01:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 240Dog

Yeah but the only problem with California cars is that they're way the hell out there in California - millions of miles from everybody else.

Well you either pay to have it shipped or pay a lot more to fix all the stuff that is wrong with one that is near you. Your choice.

I have now sent several cars to far away places from here. The new owners are always happy because there is so little to mess with.

The last car I bought was a 1959 190SL that the PO from LA thought had "rust." Turned out to all be in the right and left rear outer skins of the car. Very typical spot, but that was about it. Basically, it has no rust as far as the rest of the world is concerned. I drove it to the gas station, filled it up and drove it home. No big deal.

So either get a POS local or pay a bit more and get one that needs a lot less from out West. Again, your choice.

Mark DiSilvestro · #10 09-05-2006, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nhdoc

That's where my finny came from too. Cost $1300 to have it shipped in a covered carrier and delivered to my door. Worth every penny...it is truly a time machine, nearly perfect in every way and more like 4 year old than 40+. The trunk is spotless and looks like it was never used...even the sticker on the edge of the lip is near mint as is the tire pressure chart on the gas door! This one was truly one in ten thousand find! I would never find one like this out here on the east coast unless it came originally from out west. I bought mine from a couple who owned it from 1966, bought second hand when it was 2 years old!

Now THAT'S a Fintail to die for! I'd like a black one with a red interior, like the 220S my dad bought in 1961, while stationed in Madrid.

Happy Motoring, Mark

mamali · #11 09-05-2006, 11:17 AM

Just Curious what did you pay for such a superb Fintail?

meltedpanda · #12 09-05-2006, 11:22 AM

nhdoc, what a car, now I know why I want one, but much like Dog, I have to stick to finding them in barns and such, easier on my non existent pocket book

I actually saw one running down the road the other day, looked like a bit of a fixer upper but was running strong. I attempted to follow it but realized I might miss my daughters cross country run and guilt got the better of me.

Dog it was headed north on HW150

nhdoc · #13 09-05-2006, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mamali

Just Curious what did you pay for such a superb Fintail?

That's kind of a long story...the seller thought there was something significantly wrong with the differential since it was leaking from the pinion seal and he also claimed he could not keep the car running unless the idle was set really high so he felt the carbs needed a rebuild, so he priced it "attractively" in my opinion.

When I got it I found the seal leak to be caused by a blocked vent and the carbs just needed some cleaning and adjusting and it runs and idles fine now, though it still could use some extra work on them as I only get around 15 MPG on it and I know it is related to the carbs. I can see only one barrel in each is actually dispensing fuel so two are still appraently blocked making the car a little bit "pokey". I bought a set of Webers I might try out on it and see if I can improved both performance and economy by replacing those twin Zeniths.

With the mechanical issues the seller let it go for $4500 which I never even tried to talk down considering how beautiful it looked in the photos he sent. The car exceeded the photos in condition so I was, needless to say, tickled to have found it. I've since had to replace 2 A/C hoses that had pinholes and recharge it (R12) and replace the subframe mounts that had failed. It drives very nicely and that A/C keeps the cabin ice cold even on the hottest days.