From: 1971 Mercedes Benz 250C - Owned By (4-Star) General James H. Polk

1971 Mercedes Benz 250C - Owned By (4-Star) General James H. Polk - $44900 (Austin, TX)

You are looking at a gorgeous example of a 1971 Mercedes 250C. It is a beautiful blue covering an ivory interior. The interior is original (except the stereo -- original head unit is included). The exterior has been repainted to the original color. The wood on the dash is in good shape and is not discolored or cracked. The car has cold A/C, new tires, and runs well, especially after it warms up.

The factory maintenance book was used to 40,600 miles and then the paper records take over from there (87 pages nicely cared for in a 3-ring binder). The odometer reads 41,349 and maintenance records show it was replaced at 43,187 miles on 7/27/1980. The records show the total original mileage is 84,536. The car comes with the original Service Book, Owner's Manual, and a Parts Catalog.

This car's history is the coolest thing about it. It was originally purchased by the late General James H. Polk, Commander in Chief, United States Army Europe from 1967 to 1971. He bought it to US spec while living in Berlin and brought it back to the USA when he retired from active duty on April 1st, 1971. He lived in Virginia for several years before moving to New Mexico then finally to El Paso, TX where he finished out his days on February 18th, 1992. His son, Jim Polk, inherited the car and kept it for several years. Jim's daughter, Molly Polk, took over the car and brought it to Austin where it has resided ever since. It has had two owners since Molly Polk, and both have clearly loved it and maintained it well. It has service records from all owners.

The car could use a few things. There is a vent on the top of the dash that has misshapen and ideally would be replaced. The passenger side sun visor mount is broken and missing -- this is a simple fix. The steering wheel is cracked, but a replacement (original wheel from another car) is included.

To see all 119 pictures of the car, follow this link: 1971 Mercedes 250C - Owned by General James H. Polk - a set on Flickr

To read more about General James Hilliard Polk, follow this link to the Arlington National Cemetery's website: James Hillard Polk, General, United States Army

Please email through the link above or call/text 512-809-9066 if you have questions or want to take a look at it. Have a wonderful day!



Yeesh, some people...

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- Brian



1969 Porsche 911S Targa
1971 Suburban 4x4
1966 Mercedes 250SE Cab (adopted)

Surely there is an extra 4 in the price, yes?
dws

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1966 Porsche 912
1970 Mercedes 280S
1981 Mercedes 380SL
1984 500SEC Euro
1984 Porsche 944
1986 Jaguar XJS V12
1986 Corvette Z51 (For Sale)
1989 Mercedes 300SE
2010 BMW 328i/M

Provenance means so much in car circles, but I doubt this car will benefit as much as the seller is hoping because of it's original owner. I'm guessing your headline "what a deal" is being sarcastic, but maybe if the General had some serious wartime cred, went on to become a future President, etc., but even individuals with more storied pasts do not command the necessary credibility to command a price inflation such as this car suffers.

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1962 220SE W111 Coupe MFI
Car blog: MotoArigato
Car art & W111 tutorials: MarrsCars
W111/W112 Coupe & Cab Facebook Group

I wouldn't pay a penny over 40,000 for it

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1979 280CE 225,200 miles
1985 300D Turbo 264,000 miles
1976 240D 190,000 miles
1973 450SEL 119,200 miles

GONE but not forgotten
1976 300D 195,300 miles
1983 300D Turbo 175,000 miles

Sarcasm, yes. I troll Craigslist regularly looking for old Mercedes and find quite a few wide-eyed sellers hoping for gold. But this one really takes the cake. Remove the provenance and it's a $4000 car. Add the provenance and it's a $45,000 car? And the provenance isn't all that special! I just don't understand some people; I guess he can ask what he wants, but I'm sure I'll see it time and again on CL for the next few months.

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- Brian



1969 Porsche 911S Targa
1971 Suburban 4x4
1966 Mercedes 250SE Cab (adopted)

Some people really think there are a whole lot of dumb suckers out there! I thought I'd seen it all!