Listed here on Craigslist in Albuquerque, New Mexico with an asking of $25,000, is this rare and dust-covered 1952 Mercedes-Benz 170 DS. It’s been sitting a long time, but always indoors. Yes, it’s a 1952—like the Volvo 544, it looks older than it is. Note the front “suicide” doors.
Before the rounded Ponton models were introduced circa 1953, these Benzes with pre-war styling were used as taxis around the world—and in places like Iran they were still on the road in the mid-1960s. Ask me how I know.
The W191 170 DS (diesel-powered) looks quite a bit like the earlier 170 V (W136), with a four-cylinder inline engine and introduced way back in 1936. It was the company’s top seller before the war, with more than 75,000 built.
The W191 was extant from 1949 to 1955, in both gas (1.8-liters, slightly bigger than the 170 V engine) and diesel forms. In 1952, the 170 SB and DS were introduced. Together, 21,079 units were sold. Among the upgrades were a column shift for the four-speed manual, a floor-mounted starter button, and an improved heater.
The diesel produced all of 40 horsepower and topped off at 65 mph—fine for global taxi duty, certainly. In Iran, during the Shah’s time, these W191s diesels were gaily painted, with totally over-the-top interior treatments reflecting the driver’s taste. What a delight it would be to find a surviving example—probably with a million miles on the odometer.
The example for sale was never a taxi. The owner describes it as a German post-war vehicle, and it is that—despite resembling automobiles in service during the Third Reich. “Very minimal rust. Has been in doors almost all of its life, well protected. Very well taken care of. Will be able to run easily but does not run currently.”
The car is maroon all over (many were two-tone) and sports a canvas sunroof. The headlining is frayed, but the seats look fairly good, considering. A pity we can’t see the dashboard, but it is likely to be intact. One of the hood’s side panels is missing, but that appears to be in the back seat.
It’s quite possible that this Mercedes could be made shiny and presentable with a minimum of effort. There’s no rust on the body and not even any serious paint damage. The undercarriage is an unknown quantity. It’s probably going to need engine work, brakes, shocks, and maybe a clutch. But the signs are there that it could be put back on the road without a serious outlay if the engine is not a goner. The glass and the minimal chrome are all there and looking good.
What’s this car worth? The 170 is not as collectible as the Ponton, and it’s certainly no SL. Hagerty says a Concours 1949 model would be $45,400, and in fair condition, $12,000. That would make the $25,000 being asked for this non-running example a bit steep. But the owner appears negotiable. Still, it could be a lot of fun, don’t you think? It could be a nice father-and-child project, and that 40 horsepower will make it hard for them to get in trouble. But environmentalists will wave fists at all the diesel smoke. No Greenpeace awards for cars like this. Thanks to TJ for this listing.
Somewhere in the dark recesses of my brain I think this needs to be turned into a street rod. Plenty of billet. Probably a Chevy 350/t350 and Ford 9 inch rear end. Did I mention the necessary Mustang II front IFS? Maybe chop the top?
You have obviously never chopped the top of a car if you want to tackle this huge 4 door example. Two door old coupes are hard enough but you’d have to be pretty young to start hacking apart this old dude. Do like the idea of a modern drive train though. Don’t know if a Mustang II front end is necessary but power steering would be a good idea unless you are a body builder.
Or build it 50’s gasser style?
Could be parlayed into a coveted wedding chauffeur vehicle
Too small
As fantastic as this car is, build quality, etc. it is overpriced in this condition. There is no market for these heavy four door sedans. Mechanical parts are available via MB at a price but not body panels or trim pieces. The identical car with the six cylinder (220) is a better vehicle if you intend to drive it on todays roads. A fun project of a lovely car but not one with a paycheck attached.
Way too much coin. The guy is plainly fishing. Many of these end up as unfinished projects. As usual, everything depends on what you can’t see, underneath. These old diesel sedans are “cute” but not worth much. Costs: $10K or more to get it running (engine, fuel-injection, tires, brakes, electrical); $10K for the interior (seats, headliner, carpets, instruments); $10K-plus for paint and trim. Even if you got the car for free, you’d be underwater. If you really want it, make a low-ball offer and wait for the guy to call you.
It would seem almost sacrilegious to cut this car…. fix it up in its style, oh yeah, put whatever engine you wanted that would work… but don’t cut it……
If the underside is in great shape it is a good start for a clean up and drive survivor. At half the price though.
I could see putting a 2.4l diesel in it and be drivable as long as original is preserved for the future.
I took a 6 cylinder version of this car, which had no engine, and added the Mustang II, 5.0 ford, and a later model Mercedes rear end and then build a woodie body. Turned out great, very nice driver and a real head turner.
Man, would I love to see a picture or two of that? It sounds great.
I think it would be a fun project because I’m a fan of Diesel power but I’m not willing to drop $25k on it to many unknowns and I believe there is only one place left in the US that can rebuild the injection pump. Of course I haven’t taken one apart since high school in the 80s
I may be wrong (done that before) but I believe this is the model that was being used as taxis in Hong Kong during the sixties when I was there working for Uncle Sam. They were everywhere.
Jim: you say the owner appears negotiable. I don’t think I would want him as part of the deal (this is where the laugh track kicks in!)
It would be sacrilegious to put a Mustang engine in…and if anyone talks about an LS engine I will go berserk! Despite being a ’52, from the outside it is still a pre-war Mercedes that looks no different from the original 1936 variant used by Colonel Klink of Hogan’s Heroes. Restore it and rent it out for war films.
OK, Jim, how do you know? Wait a minute! Iran? In the mid-1960s? Now I remember!
Just kidding. :>))
neat car.
Iran/Iraq war was late ’70s, early ’80s. Got to go over there a couple of times. Don’t recommend for a vacation spot. No old cars over there, just expensive new ones or camels.
That engine cover panel in the back seat is from the right side, which is shown on the vehicle in the first photo. So there is no sign of the left side one.
The other engine cover is……on the car….!!
Seems to be in really good condition, considering the age, probably HAS been indoors most of its life.
If you look at the shape, that is the cover off the right side. It is the left that is missing. Unless it is neatly tucked under the one shown on the back seat, the left is missing.
Exported from Austria. Regarding the funny red/ white stickers on the right hand side a-pillars, it left Austria around the 1980´s. A close look will tell you the last registration, county/ town and the date of expiry of the MOT.
regards from Tyrol!
Hood side panel in car- the photo could be “flipped.”