I wonder how much this beauty will go for.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/COLLECTORS-1967-Mercedes-300SEL-Two-Tone-NO-RESERVE_W0QQitemZ290184669223QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item290184669223

__________________
1993 300E 2.8 185k miles
2006 Mustang Convertible 4.0 Eaton Supercharged

That sure looks to be one of a kind. It ought to fetch a one of a kind price.

__________________
It is a truism that almost any sect, cult, or religion will legislate its creed into law if it acquires the political power to do so. Robert A. Heinlein


09 Jetta TDI
1985 300D

Would be worth more without chrome fender trim.

Sixto
87 300D

It is waaaay overpersonalized, and for that its value is less than you may think at first blush. At least the guy didn't go nuts with J.C. Whitney catalogue accessories. I half expected to see a coontail on the radio antenna.

Even nicer without "Collectible" grille badges from Israel, Korea, Mexico, GB, Switzerland, Japan and who knows where else (they should be on ebay, and not on the car--- collectible my a$$, you can get those in any cheap souvenir schlock emporium on Market St, in San Francisco), and the strange looking bumper guards and curb feelers (when was the last time you saw curb feelers???!!-- Dear doG!!)

And the huge oversized "USA" international license plate (on a car that was never driven outside the country.) the owner must be some kind of a badge freak.

The personalized California blue plate, probably from 1970 when they first came out, - now those are REAL rare these days, won't go with the car, as they are not normally transferable, and who would want that alphanumeric combo anyway, except the good Dr MLK, and the car should really have carried the original 1967 California black plates for maximum collector value..


Then we come to the "paint job" that was allegedly painted at the factory.
It is pretty strange, a two-tone one separated by garish pinstripes, and the vanity initials on the owner's door.

Again, unique is not necessarily good. Just because the owner liked it, or paid Mercedes Benz to paint it like that at the factory, does not necessarily equate to good taste - as is evident in many of the awful Mercedes cars pimped up for Saudi Sheikhs.

If the paint is aftermarket - ANYWHERE, (and it should be ASSUMED to be, unless it is proven to be applied at the Medcedes Benz factory), the car is worth less - a LOT less, than the owner thinks, and should be considered no more than of a generic street rod quality, or MAACO paint job, which degrades the worth and value of the car a LOT.

The GOOD:

If books and records document a lifelong maintenance and repair schedule, with fluid and lube changes performed at constant, regular TIME (not just mileage) intervals, and the seats have NEVER been sat on (always protected by covers) giving it a mint quality, and the car was always protected from elements, always garaged in Sotheren California, there would likely be no rust or rot, major things to watch for in these cars, and there are no plastic or rubber bits needing replacement, then as a 300 WITHOUT the complex hydraulic suspension, it DOES have some things going for it, that make it a VERY nice car, though many buyers prefer leather seats -- in these cars, which normally are expensive to keep running.

It may be a good car, but it comes with many drawbacks, chiefly its age, complexity and running expense, and extensive over-customization.

An identical mint, generic, bone STOCK black plate California model with a full complement of TIME based service and maintenance would be worth lots more than this somewhat odd and slightly overblown car.

__________________
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)

Very well stated.

__________________
- Brian


1989 500SEL Euro
1966 250SE Cabriolet
1958 BMW Isetta 600

No such thing. All 300 sedans are W109s and all have pneumatic suspension. All air, no oil. You can see the leveling valve behind the left headlights and the air compressor between the distributor and radiator.

While we're at it, the DOT lights weren't installed correctly. The front turn signal lamps are too high and the side markers aren't exactly where they are in a US spec car.

AC isn't OE but possibly AC was a dealer option in Europe back then. But maybe not since the 58-62 300 (W189) parts book has an AC section.

Sixto
87 300D

"collectible grill badges" uhh no.. you can get those same exact badges at the flea market..

Nice Curb feelers as well..

totally not feeling the two tone job as well

nice duralast battery as well

YYYES!!, Just what I always wanted..!! A classic Mercedes, with "Auto-Zone" chrome wheel well trim, Shoddy two tone pimp-paint job, curb feelers, an antenna, with a hole drilled through the trunk lid...and a collection of ridiculous grille badges..

Sheesh..

__________________
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]

I think those are original two section wheel covers. Euro 113s have 'em. Full covers were optional on Euro cars through 1967. Full wheel covers weren't standard until 1968.

Possibly the SWB 300SE sedan was a W108 and didn't have pneumatic suspension. But chrome window trim = pneumatic suspension.

Sixto
87 300D

No I was referring to the Auto-Zone fender well trim the guy put on it. Not the hub caps.

__________________
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]

Well don't I just feel like a neophyte! I thought it was a pretty nice car. I didn't even notice curb feelers but they were popular in that era.

__________________
1993 300E 2.8 185k miles
2006 Mustang Convertible 4.0 Eaton Supercharged

Oh, wheel well. Yup, bling.

Sixto
87 300D

Nice car, I'd just get rid of all the personal stuff and have it sprayed on color.

__________________
1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

I am not an expert but the engine looks complete and unmolested. The two tone paint could be original I think, but I don't know if it were the break line would be where it is.

That engine is pretty close to the engine put in the 300SL of that era with an aluminum block and mechanical fuel injection.

They are extremely rare and always have been. I don't think I have ever seen even a picture of one before.

Tom W

__________________
[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.

No rust, eh...what about that surface rust beginning around the hood catch. . .I cant believe anyone would want all those grille badges on their machine, especially when the car has never ventured to those parts of the world (maybe Mexico). . as for the paint, the overall look of it kinda reminds me of a vintage Rolls-Royce in a way. . definitely unique. . .

__________________
". . .back before accountants designed cars"

-Current Stable-
'78 MB 450SL-C 107.024.12.020783 #3840 <Kayleen>
'85 FORD F250 6.9L Diesel <Allison>
'98 Lexus ES300 <Rachel>
Long Gone...
'74 Chevy G10...........................'99 GMC Yukon 4X4
'83 Chevy Suburban 6.2 diesel .....'99 SAAB 9-5
'90 Mitsubishi Eclipse GS............. '01 Chevy Tahoe
'98 Nissan Altima .......................'02 MB ML320
'88 Chevy Suburban V2500 4X4 6.2 diesel