There’s a hefty opening bid of $20K expected for this unusual 1965 Mercedes-Benz 319 “Panorama” bus. No one’s stepped up to the plate just yet, which isn’t terribly surprising considering the volume of work needed to make it a runner. It’s been stationary for many years in both indoor and outdoor storage and much of the rare glass panels have gone missing. These do fetch big money when restored or in preserved condition; this example is neither. Find it here on eBay and located in San Pedro, CA.
These Mercedes buses are quite popular with folks who might attend Goodwood or LeMans, as they had a presence both as racing team support vehicles and transport appendages at those venues. Built at a time when Germany was recovering from the economic free-fall of post-WWII, the need for public transportation drove many European manufacturers to develop these buses. Mercedes’ use of the panoramic glass gave it even more style, which makes this one special – but where will you find replacement glass? I suppose with the renewed interest in 21-window VW Buses, a company has started making replacement glass, but it can’t be cheap.
The interior retains what I imagine are the original seats used by commuters and travelers in 1960s Germany. How the 319 got to the U.S. is unknown, but it didn’t have an easy existence on our shores. The glass has been smashed out, the valve cover and carburetor removed from the engine and the body and upholstery allowed to deteriorate under the California sun. The motor also “blew” (seller’s words, not mine) at some point, so a full engine rebuild or replacement is necessary. It was parked in the backyard of the seller’s childhood home in 1972 and moved to indoor storage once a garage was built that could accommodate the lengthy project.
These Mercedes-built buses always intrigued me due to their unusual styling and smart packaging. U.S. buses, even at the height of the art deco era, were big vessels that couldn’t be easily parked on city streets or other tight spaces. European buses of the same era at least seemed better equipped to handle smaller spaces and this also makes them appealing as camper conversions for adventurous R/Vers. Still, an opening bid of $20K seems very ambitious for a major project with a dead engine, limited spare parts supply, and the need for the next owner to have sufficient space to store it.
Next Stop Berlin !
$2000, no wait, $200, no wait, free, no wait, give me $200, no wait, give me $2000, no wait, give $20000 to restore it.
Stylish & classy.
And maybe worth $200.
$2000, no wait, $200, no wait, free, no wait, give me $200, no wait, give me $2000, no wait, give me $20000. Okay we got a deal.
Nope. Not even 200 😁
i wonder if this 20k bid is real.
20,000 is too much even for a 53 year old bus. 100 is more like it. Parts are hard to get and she needs a major restoration
pretty hopeful: “Only day I can’t show it is the 13th.”
Unrealistic in all aspects.
Too bad the condition. Some1 here took a similar (albeit newer I’d imagine, not certain due to the foreign nature of both) and made a nice 1/4 transporter 3/4 camper. Miged in all the back (3/4 of total number of the) windows w/sheet metal panels. Added tank/heater for hot H20, ac roof unit, etc
My restoration of a non-panorama, (panorama is 22 window not 21 on these),is almost complete. I also have another project bus (panorama) with the windows but no seats. A non-pano sold at auction last year for $162,000
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qx1tsnYXkJI
Hi,
I have several of these 319 buses and indead it takes you more than 2 years to get it full restored. To find the correct parts is a job to try to find more parts.
One of my buses is on wikiwand : https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Mercedes-Benz_L_319 with licence plate 1-OAL-247
It has the webasto open roof and panorama windows…all is stock and renewed. It’s like you restore 3 cars at the same time.. 14 seats upholstry, a lot of space and expensive paintjob if it’s done professionaly. Ebay did help me a lot finding prts all over the world. rear lights portugal, side miror Iran, inside parts sweden…
I love mine now that it’s finished. But I spent so much money finding parts and restoring this huge vehicle I ran out of money to restore my second bus. I have a project Panorama with intact windows and about $5,000 worth of parts that I’ve already purchased for it. It’s been media blasted in primer. I might need to sell it as a project. And I think I will have to try to sell my fully restored bus as a project as well but I love it.
Please send me more info about your project that’s for sale.
maybe I put it with my others in the garage
miebrusathotmaildotcom