The combination of a luxury car with a manual transmission is one of the more curious combinations out there. Most buyers of such a car wouldn’t want the “hassle” of rowing their own gears, but if that were universally true, why would a company like Mercedes-Benz offer its 250S sedan with a four-speed column shift? There was a certainly a different time in the car business where it was not untowards to suggest that a manual-equipped luxury sedan would hold some appeal, as this 1967 250S seems to suggest. The seller has listed the car here on Facebook Marketplace as a recent garage find that runs for $7,500.
The W108 and W109 models were Mercedes’ bread and butter for many years. It drives home just how long the company has made a competent mid-size model, even if it’s not particularly exciting. When you think about it, all of these manufacturers need a model like this to support the development of limited-production niche models that enthusiasts crave; it’s a big reason why companies like Porsche make an SUV. That being said, when you step into a vintage Mercedes, you’re still going to find real wood trim, thick carpets, and durable leather regardless of the status of the model.
The standard engine was a 2.2L inline-six, but I believe it was bumped up to 2.6 in this version. Power would have been around 130 horsepower which, when paired with the four-speed, would let this full-bodied sedan accelerate to 60 in a little over 12 seconds. Mercedes’ engines are known for being long-lived, so it’s not particularly surprising that this 250S would fire up after so many years hibernating in the garage. The overall condition suggests it was never full-on neglected, and it’s obvious it was stored inside. The seller estimates that it was last used in the 1990s.
The grill badges are a favorite of enthusiasts of a certain age, and there’s sometimes meaningful symbolism behind them. I don’t see any of the official Mercedes adornments given out to commemorate major mileage milestones, and the seller isn’t ruling out that it only has 85,000 miles. Driving a vintage Mercedes with a column-shift four-speed seems like an experience worth having if you’re inclined to four-doors, and if the rust is minimal as the seller suggests, this 250S looks to be worthy of a revival. Thanks to Barn Finds reader Bruce M. for the find.
Absolutely indisputable, the finest cars in the world. In 1967 very few imports were worth a pile of tin. Compared to our big cruisers, most imports were merely “puddle jumpers”,as my old man called them. With one exception, Mercedes-Benz. Naturally, he’d never be seen in one, but he did like luxury cars, and was his loss. Naturally, I feel the stick will hold back sales, but enough of us shifty characters around yet, that would enjoy this for what it is, the finest motorcar made.
Now, can I direct your attention just beyond the M-B, to what appears to be 2 Dodge Omnis cut in half, rejoined in a push me pull you fashion. Very clever, Red Green would be impressed,, however, on my last trip to Walmart, upon loading my groceries, I noticed across the way, an absolute, like new, Dodge Omni, or Horizon, I couldn’t believe it. Just then, the owner walks up, and I said, that is amazing, singlehandedly saved Chrysler, it did. He didn’t say much about that, I asked where did you ever find it? He said an estate sale, had 40K miles, didn’t say how much he paid( I suspect peanuts), but what a find, so, they are still out there.
I will echo Howard, absolutely the best cars in the world. I I didn’t have my 85 300D with 340K on the clock, I would certainly take a look.
I will echo Howard, absolutely the best cars in the world. I I didn’t have my 85 300D with 340K on the clock, I would certainly take a look.
Listing is gone.
I can see why it sold so quick at that price. This one looks like a keeper, back from when they were known for quality and being well engineered. I remember years ago a close friend of mine was fighting a losing battle with a 1973 Cadillac and finally sold it and bought a ’67 Mercedes to replace it. I think it was a larger model than this one, but what a car. That thing was a tank, it road like it was on rails, you could feel the solidness in that car. But the last car he had was one of their newer diesel SUV’s, nothing but headaches.
Had this car back in the 70s, but mine was a floor shift iirc. Didn’t have these wheels, had color matched dishes. Loved it. X got it.
I went to work as a factory trained Mercedes mechanic in 1967. The cars were awsome. Solid like none other. I stuck with it until 2001 with a couple breaks at Chevrolet dealers. Back to Mercedes. The cars hàd started a steep down hill slide with lots of sharp edges cuting away at quality. What a problem plagued car they had become. Worth next to nothing on the used car market.
Had a ’67 250S w/4 speed on floor when stationed in Germany 70-73. 2-2 barrel carbs, and it would definitely light the tires up. Toured from Germany to Mediterranean side of Spain (Costa Brava) every year. A fast 2 day drive at 90 mph. No bumps or road noise. Liked it so much I shipped it back and drove it for 2 more years till family grew. Got almost what I originally paid for it. This is 2nd one missed, still looking.
Mine twin carb as well, Solexes I believe. Similar to what the 3.0 and Bavarias had. Yeah I loved that car too. It just smelled good!
In Germany these where use as taxi cabs . Almost all of them where manual shift in the day. They saved fuel that way and it was cool riding in one.
Back in the mid 80’s I ran a special interest car lot in Texas. One day a guy comes in and asks if I have any interest in a 220. Seems the carburetter was bad (Stromberg) and he couldn’t afford to fix it. I bought it for change on the dollar, had Johnny Gable (RIP) rebuild the carb and change the oil/filter and gave it to my dad for a driver. He’d never been around any foreign cars other than the British Iron I always had, and really didn’t want a “small” car, but I talked him into driving it for a week. Couldn’t get him out of it. Kept it til he died. Good cars. I’m kinda partial to the TD wagons myself, but these cars were great.
I had one similar about 30 years ago, a later 1970 280S that did have some rust issues. I can’t remember why it stopped running after we had the auto trans rebuilt, but it became lawn art for a few years, then sold for junk for $50. We kept the radiator star insignia, that’s all. They can be good but expensive to maintain or restore. I like the 5-cylinder turbo diesel engine models best. Had good luck with a 1984 300SD.
For ten years there was a 250s just like this parked at a body shop in my hometown except it was a four on the floor instead of a four on the tree and it had steel wheels with painted hubcaps instead of alloys.