Introducing "Dolly" - 1962 Fintail 220b - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

JeffreyNMemphis · #1 08-20-2015, 01:24 PM

Hello Peaches,

I have a new project! Just acquired a 1962 Mercedes Benz 220b that is a one-owner car with 118,000 miles. Am always searching for vintage cars like this one.

My other Fintail, the Emerald Bullet was purchased by a Navy Pilot in 1962 at the factory in Germany. He drove the 220Sb until he was in his 90s and then gave it to his son.

The original owner of this car was a Major in the Air Force, veteran of WWII and Korea. He bought this 220b at the factory in Germany and drove it until he departed in 1984. He son Doyle kept the car in the garage and started it occasionally. It has not been registered since 1984. In honor of the son Doyle, I am naming the car Dolly (nod to Doyle Brunson who is nick named Dolly).

The car is going to need nearly everything made of rubber; tires, brake hose, clutch hose, belts, coolant hose, windshield gaskets front/rear etc. The car has good bones. Was running when parked. The engine bay is clean (not a greasy mess). This should keep me busy for the next several months.

Luckily, I have a parts car that will be donating some trim pieces. The side view mirror is not stock, so I will be changing that.

One mysterious issue: the glove box is locked. The family could not find the keys. I had a set of keys made. The trunk key should open the glove box, but the key will not slide into the lock. I used a paper click to check for obstruction, but the paper clip easily slid into the top and bottom grooves of the lock indicating no obstruction. I am curious what I will find in there? Do you remember the exciting television event when they opened Al Capone's vault? The vault was empty. But it did create a TV moment.

I will use this thread to share my efforts to resurrect Dolly from 30 years of slumber.

JeffreyNMemphis · #2 08-20-2015, 01:57 PM

I wanted to send a Shout to TwinockChef Britton. He met me at the estate last Saturday to help me load the car onto the rented Uhaul trailer. The passenger side front tire was completely flat to the rim. Britton made an extra round trip to loan me a wheel. He is a Peach in the best sense of the word!

Thank you again!

gmog220d · #3 08-20-2015, 07:55 PM

That's a nice looking car!

Weird Al spoofed the Al Capone thing in his movie "UHF", but instead of the safe they were opening the glove box in Al's car! Apparently that clip has not been posted to YouTube . . .

dobrodan · #4 08-21-2015, 11:18 AM

Box 16 on the build sheet will have the key code for the glove box. If you don't have the build sheet you can get it from the Classic Center. Any dealer can make the key for you if you have the code. You will have to prove ownership of the car.

JeffreyNMemphis · #5 08-21-2015, 01:25 PM

I have three keys that work for ignition, door and trunk locks. I thought the trunk key also works on glove box. On my other 1962 the same key works trunk and glove box.

I have the data card from the Classic Center. Will take a look at box 16.

JeffreyNMemphis · #6 08-21-2015, 04:00 PM

The Classic Center confirmed that trunk and glove box are keyed the same.

DHW · #7 08-21-2015, 07:10 PM

Very cool, I am excited to see your progress.

JeffreyNMemphis · #8 08-22-2015, 03:33 PM

There is an advantage to having more than one Fintail. I inserted the key that is for Dolly's trunk/glove box into the Emerald Bullet's glove box and it fit in the hole. With confidence that I have the right key, I went back to Dolly and wiggled the key in with some force. I got the cylinder to turn and the glove box opened. The fifty year old lubricant is gummy. I removed the lock to clean and lubricate it.

There was treasure in the Glove Box. The original owner kept a log of mileage and maintenance. I am going to read through it later. He was an Air Force veteran who was trained to keep logs and disciplined about keeping the entries.

A Treasure chest would not be complete without maps! There were two maps of San Antonio and one of Central Texas from the 1960s.

Next task is to clean and lubricate the lock assembly and re-install it.

Stay tuned...

joshhol · #9 08-22-2015, 03:39 PM

Glad to see this fin found a good home. Two fins! I couldn't imagine it

JeffreyNMemphis · #10 08-22-2015, 04:22 PM

Three Fintails actually. One is a parts car named Code Blue. The economies of scale concept work in this situation. It will be much easier to restore Dolly with previous W111 chassis experience. You could show me a random bolt from the car and I can tell you where it goes.

Baxterdown · #11 08-22-2015, 04:25 PM

Congratulations Jeffrey, what a find!

Here's a little bit of inspiration (I hope). This is a 1964 220SEb, which is at the Classic Center (I was there last month). The car looks like out of the showroom! I was told the owner dropped it off for repairs eight years ago and never came back to get it.

Jose

JeffreyNMemphis · #12 08-22-2015, 08:43 PM

Wow! That one looks amazing . In 1963 Mercedes relocated the exterior mirror from the fender to the door.

Wodnek · #13 08-22-2015, 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JeffreyNMemphis

Hello Peaches,

I have a new project! Just acquired a 1962 Mercedes Benz 220b that is a one-owner car with 118,000 miles. Am always searching for vintage cars like this one.

My other Fintail, the Emerald Bullet was purchased by a Navy Pilot in 1962 at the factory in Germany. He drove the 220Sb until he was in his 90s and then gave it to his son.

The original owner of this car was a Major in the Air Force, veteran of WWII and Korea. He bought this 220b at the factory in Germany and drove it until he departed in 1984. He son Doyle kept the car in the garage and started it occasionally. It has not been registered since 1984. In honor of the son Doyle, I am naming the car Dolly (nod to Doyle Brunson who is nick named Dolly).

The car is going to need nearly everything made of rubber; tires, brake hose, clutch hose, belts, coolant hose, windshield gaskets front/rear etc. The car has good bones. Was running when parked. The engine bay is clean (not a greasy mess). This should keep me busy for the next several months.

Luckily, I have a parts car that will be donating some trim pieces. The side view mirror is not stock, so I will be changing that.

One mysterious issue: the glove box is locked. The family could not find the keys. I had a set of keys made. The trunk key should open the glove box, but the key will not slide into the lock. I used a paper click to check for obstruction, but the paper clip easily slid into the top and bottom grooves of the lock indicating no obstruction. I am curious what I will find in there? Do you remember the exciting television event when they opened Al Capone's vault? The vault was empty. But it did create a TV moment.

I will use this thread to share my efforts to resurrect Dolly from 30 years of slumber.

My 63 300 SE used 3 keys from the factory. the trunk and glove box were different keys. The trunk one fit the doors, the ignition was seperate, and the glove box was separate, didn't even look like the trunk key. Mine had the same mirror. Mine was a euro car.

joshhol · #14 08-22-2015, 09:29 PM

Jeffrey, you'll have to update your signature!

I saw that fintail at the Classic Center in June, it's absolutely amazing. Can't believe the owner just abandoned it, yet at the same time I can. Someone with more money than sense.

meltedpanda · #15 08-22-2015, 10:18 PM

I am soooo totally envious. I love that car. Wanting to find one just like it. Wish I were closer I'd help you on the journey/ adventure