1968 230 – Looking for Clarification

There is listing for a 1968 230
http://toledo.craigslist.org/car/274804830.html

I called the owner who is the third owner. As described to me the second owner had the car very briefly and lost interest. The current owner knew the original owner who owned the car up until 1993 (twenty fives years of ownership). I was told that outside of being driven to the golf course the original owner did not drive the car very much and it was always put away for the winter. The car was described to me as not show room condition, but very good.

Now here is my puzzle that I found after speaking with the owner. From the pictures and model of the car it appears to be a W110 chassis, however, when it check this against the MB US models listed at
http://home.hiwaay.net/~gbf/mbmodels.html
I see that the last year of the 230 was 1967. Can anyone shed any light on this year/chassis question?

[POS]

Buy it - talk about rare. Only 1300 fintails made in 1968, and only 318 230s.

Start reading:

http://www.heckflosse.nl/prod4.htm

There's a lot to digest on that site. You'd better lock the guy in quick, for $3800/best offer, I might fly up to Toledo and store it at my father-in-law's house! But you were first - hop to it.

[Blue 72 250]

Absent any major rust or material misrepresentations I would give him cash and run before he finds out what the car is worth.

If you dont move quick it will be gone.

[arootbeer]

The 230S I have is supposedly a 1968, one of 80 produced (according to the numbers on the fintail site). If it had the original 2.3 engine in it, I likely wouldn't be replacing it with a 2.8.

For a good condition car, I'd say $3800 is a great price. And it should be fairly collectible, as others have mentioned.

[300SDog]

And the rare sunroof option is work of art, it slides like a submarine hatch with twist grip handle. Car looks show worthy to me. You can never believe the year though, '68 USA import probly means the car was built in '67.

[Arthur Dalton]

If you spoke to the owner , just ask him for the chassis VIN on the data plate .
That will tell you all you want to know.

[300SDog]

And looking at the 6cyl w110 pics, something i never noticed before: firewall mounted coolant reservoir. Perhaps the first MB sealed and pressurized engine cooling system?

Originally Posted by POS

Buy it - talk about rare. Only 1300 fintails made in 1968, and only 318 230s.

Start reading:

http://www.heckflosse.nl/prod4.htm

There's a lot to digest on that site. You'd better lock the guy in quick, for $3800/best offer, I might fly up to Toledo and store it at my father-in-law's house! But you were first - hop to it.

Well, I have had a change of mind on this for several reasons:
1. I spoke with the owner late Saturday morning. He told me to send him an email and he would send more pictures that he had of the car along with other information. I sent an email right away and I have yet to hear any response.
2. The owner told that he has had a number of people look at the car, but no buyers. This car has been for same for quite some time on craigslist.org.
3. My wife has given me the green light to purchase a SL. I am looking for a W107 or W113. I would prefer a W113, but I know that if I go that direction it will take me longer as I will need to save more money to purchase a W113. My wife has been rather tolerant of my diesel Merc weakness. If I buy a non-diesel Merc it better be one that she would approve. I have shown her numerous listings for different SL’s and she likes most of the ones that I show her. I have shown her the listing for this 230 and I can tell that I better beware unless I first have a SL for her.

If you fly to Toledo to get this car I would appreciate the opportunity to go see it with you as I am unfamiliar with the W110 chassis.

[blueeagle289]

80 is the correct number of these made in 68. I bought one last year and then resold it to a guy from Colorado. It was in excellent condition overall.
I paid 5300 and sold it for the same price roughly. With the sun roof, it is quite a bit more valuable ..... Ben Carter

I just received the pictures a few minutes ago. The car may not be show condition, but it looks very close. The underhood and interior are amazing.

[POS]

Then why hasn't he sold it? His price is below-value.

Originally Posted by POS

Then why hasn't he sold it? His price is below-value.

Good question. I am still thinking about going to look at it because I am curious. If I do I will take my friend who is familiar with is vintage (although his real forte is Pontons). Send me your email if you want me to send you the pictures that he sent to me.

The price has been lowered to $3400.

[t walgamuth]

it looks very nice in the pics but i would take a magnet along and check for bondo. the fintail chassis was extremely rust prone. and toledo is in the snow belt off the great lakes so if not garaged in winter it would have gotten a lot of salt.

did i say EXTREMELY rust prone.

tom w