1963 was a year for changes in the W110 and W111 chassis. Front disc brakes replaced drums, dual rather than single circuit brakes.

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Regards

Warren

Currently 1965 220Sb, 2002 FORD Crown Vic Police Interceptor

Had 1965 220SEb, 1967 230S, 280SE 4.5, 300SE (W126), 420SEL

ENTER > = (HP RPN)

Not part of the in-crowd since 1952.

Where is this car anyway?

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Regards

Warren

Currently 1965 220Sb, 2002 FORD Crown Vic Police Interceptor

Had 1965 220SEb, 1967 230S, 280SE 4.5, 300SE (W126), 420SEL

ENTER > = (HP RPN)

Not part of the in-crowd since 1952.

Michigan. Said it was stored for 10-15 years before he bought it. It's from Arizona, that's why there is still a car left.
Thanks
David

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2000 Honda Accord V6 137k miles

1972 300SEL 4.5 98k miles

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Looks like a cool car! I wouldn't want to drive it in winter though, if there is no rust and the mechanicals are sound it could be a good canidate for a clean up job. Take a magnet and go around the rust spots and look for filler. I'm begining to like the older MB's more, maybe I'll have to get one some day.

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

I know what you mean. I honestly think my '79 is WAY too new for me.
Thanks
David

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2000 Honda Accord V6 137k miles

1972 300SEL 4.5 98k miles

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I talked to him on the phone and he wants $1400. What do you guys think from the pics?
Thanks
David

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2000 Honda Accord V6 137k miles

1972 300SEL 4.5 98k miles

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That price is valid for a running car that passes a safety inspection. Tell it to him in exactly those words to get him to budge.

The exceptions to that rule are 600s, SL's, adenaurs & 111/112 coupes (OK, and perhaps the new maybach, but you've got to work hard to convince me on that one). -CTH

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- cth350@gmail.com
http://www.111lakeside.com/

Did you buy it?

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

Cosmetically, it looks like a good deal for $1500 or so, but you should do a visual inspection of the floor boards, rocker panels, trunk floor, rear quarter panels and inside fender wells for signs of rust. All are often rusted beyond worthwhile repair. Also, you should of course test drive it if you can, even a short run to get a feel for how smooth the tranny, brakes and over all ride is, (bushings, shocks, bearings, etc). See how much it smokes and rattles when its running to get an idea of the engine condition too. Some blue smoke is usual, it's excessive amounts that should concern you. If it was well cared for in its time, the engine could still be strong at over 175,000 miles. If not, then like any car it will need $$ which will quickly overrun the value of the car. So unless you have an emotional attachment to the finny, as I do mine, it may be hard to rationalize the investment.

But, if you do buy it, you will love it! I get about 16-18 mpg in my '62 220SEb Fintail, (which is about the same for my '92 300TE 4Matic), but mine is fuel injected so that may make a bit of a difference. However, remember that though you may get a mile or two less a gallon than with some other "modern" car, with the finny you have a virtual one of a kind vehicle in your area that will turn heads with its incredible good looks, smooth ride, cavernous interior, and dashing style. That's worth a few more bucks a week in my biased opinion! Good luck and let us know if you get it.

1962 MB 220SEb "Fintail" Sedan
1963 Vespa Motor Scooter VNB4T
1992 MB 300TE 4Matic Wagon
1995 Subaru Legacy AWD Wagon

Condition of interior upholstery would be tie-breaker for me...... Worst rust on the 111 occurs at headlight brows and rocker panels. Hydraulics and engine seals can suffer in storage too. Worst wild card scenario could be something like rusted, bad fuel tank.

Tranny condition can best be known after an extended run with fluid at its hottest. It should be red and NOT brown on the dipstick.

Deffinitely a car you can spend alot of time in - without feeling uncomfortable. Seats are high enough where you arent slouching and the dashboard looks like it's miles away with enough headroom for a cowboy hat.

Highest and best use?? .......probably long hauls where you are practically living out of the car. But wait - it's also an animal in the snow. With 4 wheel snow tires, you can easily drive unplowed roads and punch your way out of drifts that bury the car overnight. Had one in Colorado that was a Wintertime monster.

Good luck if you decide to snag it........ one proposition for the seller might be a "buyback clause" where you buy the car - but the seller will buy it back, say over a few weeks or month, if impossible unforseen problems occur. Suggest this and he might go for it.

I have not bought it yet. My dad doesn't think I "need" a different car. You see, I'm from a family of ten children. I am number 8 from the top, and none of my older brothers or sisters have been able to have cars before me. Partly for financial reasons and that of responsibility. My parents let me get my car because I was always learning more and more about cars and they knew I wanted to learn how to work on cars. So, they keep bringing up recently this previous predicament, and that I should be happy I got a car in the first place. Which I am grateful, but I got my car because it was a good deal and that's about all I had to choose from at the time. Now, I want a car that is just completely different from all others. He also brings up safety matters such as seat belts and lack of headrests. Also, he mentioned something about not having rear disks, I find it hard to believe that MB ever produced a car that would ahve insufficient brakes. I told him I could get on ebay or here and get newer seat belts and put them in. Would such a task be difficult? I'm nopt afraid to get dirty if it would mean that I would be able to get the car.
Thanks
David

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2000 Honda Accord V6 137k miles

1972 300SEL 4.5 98k miles

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What would my options be concerning the rust on the fenders? It is just surface rust. I think that Tim (aka "Tim's__Benz), and I will go up Thrusday and drive it, etc. IO called and left a message with his wife explaining my situation last night, but things are turning out better today since I've been able to seriosly talk to my dad. All he says is I understand why you want that car. Then I mention simplicity and all he says is, "I know". My dad was a salesman here in Ft. Wayne in the late 60's, so he sold these at the dealer.
Thanks Again
David

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2000 Honda Accord V6 137k miles

1972 300SEL 4.5 98k miles

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You may be in luck. Because that car is a '66, it may already have threaded anchors in the door posts, factory installed for shoulder belts.(Years ago, my Dad had a '66 Euro 250SE with the factory Kangol shoulder belts for the front seats but strangely, no lap belts) That 230S may have plugs covering the shoulder belt anchors in the door posts or you will need to remove the door post trim strip to see if there are threaded holes there. If that car was originally sold in the US, it should already have lap belts or somplace on the floor or sills where they were attached. If you need to install seatbelts, don't waste your time on old vintage belts. Get new ones. I got new lap & shoulder belts, with '60s style chrome buckles, for my '60 Fintail 220S from J C Whitney. (No lap & shoulder belt anchors in '60, so a major project for my car)

As for the brakes, the all-drum brakes on the older cars did have their faults. The dual-system front disc/rear drums on the 230S car should be more than adequate, unless you plan on going racing. Make sure those brakes are in good shape. I'd plan on at least replacing the rubber brake hoses.

If you want headrests, that will be a more difficult problem. You may be able to find some front seats out of a salvage-yard '69 to '76 W114 & W115 250, 280, 220D, 240D. You'll need to fabricate a sturdy seat mounting as the later seats probably won't just bolt right in the Fintail.

Can't help on the paint issues.

Happy Motoring, Mark

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DrDKW

I'd like to have some sort of Mercedes belts though. Iw ouldn't do vintage, but something out of a w126, or similar would be what I'm looking for. I DON'T want the 2-piece ones that were in the w108's and maybe w114-w115. I'm not sure if they were in all those, but i know they were in the w108's.
Thanks
David

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2000 Honda Accord V6 137k miles

1972 300SEL 4.5 98k miles

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Mark, here's the rub - gotta figure the Vintage Merc cannot hold its own against comparable Fords and Chevies of the same era whom the dude will quickly meet.

Candy Apple Red 230Sb at Indiana??? Gotta figure the car will become laughing stock of 283's and 289's that will be challenging at every red light.......... easily the guy can be driving the slowest accelerating vehicle in town compared even with 1960's Fairlanes, Comets and Dodge Darts.

If it was up to me, I'd be thinkin the Heckflosse Benz is gonna take a beating at Indiana Vintage Car Rallies and GTG's unless the dude quickly learns the diplomatic skills that will cover the 230Sb in competition against say, 1967 Firebird.

- Otherwise, I say GO FOR IT, Want 280SEL,.... and drive the damned thing everyday and all year long. C'mon back after you've test driven the car for several hours. Talk the owner into letting you have the keys for an afternoon at least.