I'm not sure I agree, but have questions...

Would you not drive it regularly because it causes the car to be less beautiful and uniquely low-mileage, or would you not drive it because it is a safety issue?

All the time we drive cars that are worth much more than this car (like a new car) that depreciate much more rapidly than this car. I think if maintained and driven regularly this car will not depreciate, it just may not appreciate as much as if it is kept more as a museum piece.

We tend to think nothing of depreciating a new car to half its value in 5 years, yet when it's an old car we do. It might be different if it were a $50,000 car instead of a < $10,000 car...

I think how much you drive it is more a factor of how much you enjoy driving it. If my Fintail had good A/C it would probably be my first choice as a daily driver. Where as my 250 SL would not be my first choice because a) it would depreciate and b) I don't really enjoy driving it that much and c) Pagodas are a target, Fintails are a curiosity and amusement.

Scott

I would drive it I and enjoy it. Unless it's brand new it's #2 condition at best anyway. I would not expose it to the risks of commute traffic though.

__________________
Tony H
W111 280SE 3.5 Coupe
Manual transmission

Past cars:
Porsche 914 2.0
'64 Jaguar XKE Roadster
'57 Oval Window VW
'71 Toyota Hilux Pickup Truck-Dad bought new
'73 Toyota Celica GT

Statistically most accidents occur 2 miles from home, and those are the miles that are bad on the engine - short trips. I can imagine that stop and go traffic could be annoying.

wow! What a beauty!

__________________
German autos!!!
'67 250se coupe
'89 190e 2.6
'05 BMW x5
'59 0319 diesel Omnibus.
Italian bikes!!!
'64 Lambretta Special 185 hot rod scooter
'66 Lambretta SX200
'59 Lambretta 250 race bike
'70 Lambretta GP200
'77 860gt ducati
'66 ducati monza

One thing I noticed on my pretty much the same fintail many years ago. It seemed very sensitive to the type of tires on it. It could and would understeer until I got the right tires. Otherwise I could not fault the car.

These cars where ahead of the competition in many ways back then. I also considered it a very well built car.

Although be sure to check the valve clearances as per the maintenance requirement. Back then the adjusters sometimes moved a little it seemed. Otherwise You can burn an exhaust valve.

The adjusters later where made a much heavier interference thread fit. You should be able to get a original offset forked valve adjustment wrench easy and cheap enough still.

Thanks guys, I agree. I decided not to daily drive my car and maybe take it out on weekends or very nice days. I'll try to post an interior pic if you guys want.

__________________
1963 Mercedes 220S
Sacramento, Ca

post more picts please!!!!

Beautiful.

__________________
1963 Mercedes 220S
Sacramento, Ca

__________________
1963 Mercedes 220S
Sacramento, Ca

I love green interior on this car, looks great. BTW, I noticed your dash looked a little lumpy, how is your front windshield seal? Maybe water getting in.

__________________
63 220S W111
76 300D W115
2013 VW JSW TDI M6

previously-
73 280 SEL 4.5
86 300E 5 speed
2010 VW Jetta TDI M6

Thanks, yeah the dash has a crack on the left and the right side of the dash sort of just bumped up. Don't know why, although the windshield seals look great.

I'm rather revolted by this whole thing.

The tires and brake hoses absolutely should be replaced before driving this car on the road and the master cylinder/wheel cylinders should also be thoroughly checked. Save your own life and possibly someone else.