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30 Years In A Barn: 1959 Mercedes 190 Wagon

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A coach-built wagon with the reliability and construction of a late 50’s Mercedes? What a nice combination! This 1959 Mercedes-Benz 190 Binz wagon gives the vintage Mercedes fan the opportunity to carry some stuff when the 190SL or 300SL just isn’t large enough. It’s located in Branford, Connecticut and is being sold here on eBay at no reserve. Bidding has not yet reached $2,500 as I write. Thanks to Peter R. for submitting this find!

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Presumably this is a picture of the car in storage. If so, that’s a really nice barn, with what looks like a concrete floor. The ad mentions that the car was in the seller’s father’s barn, so this isn’t a flip, and some history comes with the car. It was last registered for the road in 1980, and was intended to be a restoration project, but unfortunately health problems got in the way.

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The left rear fender that is missing in this shot is propped up against the car in another picture, so it does exist. The seller says the car is complete, although some parts were removed when the restoration was started. I found one source that listed a total production of these Binz-converted wagons at 349, and that they were converted with Mercedes-Benz’s blessing from 1956 to 1961. While the amount of rust may appear daunting at first, the seller claims it is on the surface and that the underlying metal is not pitted.

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There aren’t many shots of the interior, and none of the underside of the car; I think I’d request some pictures of the underside before bidding. It is good to see all the interior switches and gauges in place, though. I have never seen one of these up close; I’m hoping there is some signage that I can’t see telling you which one of those similar-looking knobs does what.

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The engine is seized at the moment, but there is hope as it ran when the car was originally placed into storage. The M121 four-cylinder is said to be reliable but not particularly powerful, and this is a lot of car to be hauling around. I suspect acceleration will be leisurely at best. That’s not what this car is about, though. Mercedes built over 400,000 “Ponton” sedans over the production run from 1953 to 1962, and they are much-loved today. Can you find a spot for this rare wagon in your garage?

Comments

  1. Avatar Tom

    Looks like a huge amount of work. The parts have to be hard to find and not cheap. Doesn’t do anything for me.

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  2. Avatar francisco

    Once a magnificent vehicle. Now roached. I would love to own one of these, especially in diesel. Alas not this one.

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  3. Avatar Doug M. (West Coast)

    If a person HAD to have one of these, one could source a pretty decent driving sedan for not too much, then proceed to part it out to make this one work… but it sure would be a lot of work! And the styling of that long back leaves a little to be desired. Seems very utilitarian, but not so much stylish. IMHO.

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  4. Avatar rick

    Psych-a-delik! And I could be wrong, but don’t you mean “pontoon”? I once saw the next series finback in a wagon, now that looked pretty cool also.

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  5. Avatar Charles H.

    I really have no enthusiasm for these vehicles, even if they are in great condition.

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  6. Avatar Horse Radish

    These were durable and very useful cars.
    Unfortunately not enough ‘bling’ as evidenced in above comments.

    All the more for those that know to appreciate them as and for what they are !
    For decades they were discarded and /or put in the corner, as flashier and fancier models came along…..but :
    The recent Classic car market resurgence in Europe made the prices soar and demand for old cars are not letting up.

    On this car :
    NO photos from underneath means inspection required.
    And why no photo from the back with the hatch ?.
    It seems that it’s in pieces.
    Good luck finding one of those….

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  7. Avatar Jamie Staff

    Now up to over $4,000 with 3 days left. Apparently at least two people like it!

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