Thanks for the clarification Hellflosse. I understand where you're coming from now. I would agree that it's surprising how little some of these fetch on the market. Hopefully that is all the better for us however, in that we can still find parts cars and such for cheaper than the ultra-premium high-end MB models. I still think they're elegant in design and worthy of attention.

If I ever see a 60's 190 engine in my area I will let you know. Are you looking for diesel or gas? I have also heard of conversions into the 190, up to a five-banger, but that's some complicated cutting and welding from what I understand.

I would love to learn wire-feed welding, but I have no shop or garage space at this time. I'm going to take it all slow and do it properly. Eventually I will have more money have afford a space to work in.

PS: Tom W -- Sorry that I mixed up your post with HF's...

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"I didn't mean nearly worthless as in "Of no redeeming value to me", I meant it as "having very little MONETARY value to most people". I think they are amazingly cool cars and can't wait to get one. And by "non mercedes person" I mean "I don't currently own one". I'm looking for a heckflosse of my own to drive/restore."

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+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
- Theo
- Fins make 'em fast! (looking..)
- '65 190-Dc
+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +

no problem.

glad you are having fun with your finney.

i had two of them, a 61 220b that i drove around europe in 1973 on my traveling fellowship, and when i got back i bought a 62 190c which i drove for about 80k miles and then sold off. probably the cheapest car per mile i ever drove, and it seemed like i was always working on it. (and i was, actually).

but they drove pretty much like a modern benz. good steering, good handling, good ride and amazing quality in details other car mfgrs don't bother with.

i can tell a bunch of stories about how my benzes saved my bacon in emergency situations. twice in my finneys!

tom w

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

Get a car, put hundreds of hours and thousands of dollars into it, then get smacked by a kid. That's when the value matters.

Of course, these projects aren't intended to be daily drivers, which rather lowers the possibility that you'll have to sell it to someone's insurance company.

I personally really like old cars that are restored or well cared for, and hate the way insurance companies treat their owners. If you do get this restored to anything resembling new condition, try to get a good estimate of its value and get declared-value insurance on it. It won't replace all your money and effort, but at least you won't have to take a really low-ball offer if you do have a problem.

It's best to buy a well-preserved or properly restored Fintail. Often, a decent one can be bought for a fraction of what it would cost to restore it.
As for terminal rust, there are a couple of opinons on this. First, some worry about rust compromising body strength in the event of an accident. I think this is a valid concern but you would need a near perfect or professionally restored body/chassis to meet this requirment. I'm sure there are many old cars running around out there, incuding 'Miss Daisy', my '60 Fintail, that are much less than perfect in this area. And many vintage cars being driven regularly that, even when new, had minimal accident protection. But if we were only concerned with maximum safety, we wouldn't be driving old cars, only expensive new ones with belt pretensioners, multiple front and side airbags, antilock, etc....
For me, the killer would be when rust threatens anything that could CAUSE an accident, such as the attachements for the subframe, suspension and steering.

Happy Motoring, Mark

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DrDKW

WOW
Lighten up people, I mean everyone of us spends too much on 'our baby' I have been in everyone's shoes, and everyboody here has some truth. So lighten up is for everyone....
My best advice is put your heart and soul into the w110 diesel. But always remember its about learning. I have restored 'questionable' Merc's that should have been put down, but in the end, it was me that survived. Most of my early restorations didn't survive, and in truth not many that competent people restore do survive. The key is to learn from them. One day your going to have the opportunity to buy a rare heckflosse. Mine came from a friend who was tired of his 220 se coupe. After 5 major restorations (of which 2 succeeded) I felt confident to buy it and restore it. My cash flow was way better with the coupe (as in unlimited $$). I miss the early restorations, they were fun and good cars but the w111 coupe benefits from all those failures I had. It's pampered and spoiled, and plenty of women want to be (seen) in the front seat. But at the end of the day, my thoughts (and feet) are next to w111
I guess 'happy trails' would be in order here
Leonard

One footnote:
As for insurance, AAA is great. I have a 1965 220se. I paid 5000 for a rough driver. It needed a complete interior. It had $15,000 in bills over the last 45,000 miles and the exterior looked better then average (although a savy Merc owner would see that the exterior was financially more expensive then the interior). After another $7,000 in bills including a complete leather interior installed by 'no other then me' and Triple A will insured it at their high level; $15,000 if I can prove the cost with receipts. I do have to supply them with receipts. And I do have $6,000 in receipts for parts only, so an $11000 value is proveable and Triple A will insure for that at a minimum. I know they will because I have had some accidents where I was at fault and they were more then good to me and the other parties, so in that regard I feel I owe them the favor.
Leonard

You know ONCE I almost did. It was *that* close

It was a 1965 220SE automatic.
Maroon/tan
One family owned, 93,000 miles, newly rebuilt motor, All books and records,
Sold new, in Santa Barbara, (Would that be Gregg motors?) Original California black plates.
Elegant, clean, wonderful barberpole speedometer.

Medical Student at UC Davis, needed $$$ for tuition.

Asking price $1200.00

Best friend, car nut, said YES YES, Go for It!!

I only had $900, couldn't get the last $300.
Found out later my dad said, why didn't you ask me??

Bought '67 Cougar for $900, June 30, 1972. Kept for 5 years sold for $1100 to people who wrapped
it around a tree in 7 days.

Snif. The Cougar.

Snif Snif Snif Snif, the Heckflosse that got away. Damn.
Worst automotive decision I ever made. Don't even like

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1991 560 SEC AMG, 199k <---- 300 hp 10:1 ECE euro HV ...

1995 E 420, 170k "The Red Plum" (sold)

2015 BMW 535i xdrive awd Stage 1 DINAN, 6k, <----364 hp

1967 Mercury Cougar, 49k

2013 Jaguar XF, 20k <----340 hp Supercharged, All Wheel Drive (sold)