The first time that I spied a Mercedes 170S was many, many years ago and it was in a setting pretty similar to this example’s as-found condition. It was a 1951 model but similar overall. It immediately reminded me of a German officer’s staff car – something that I would only know from watching war movies or something silly like Hogan’s Heros. Anyway, it belonged to a young guy who had a penchant for old cars. This was probably in 1969, and the car then, being only eighteen years old, was not in great shape. I haven’t thought about that 170S until this 1949 example turned up on our tip list. Let’s investigate further, this Benz cabriolet is located in Los Angeles, California (Beverly Hills Car Club) and is available, here on eBay for a classified ad price of $59,950.
Assembled in three different series between 1949 and 1955, the 170 was offered in a two and four-seat cabriolet as well as two and four-door sedan body styles but it’s the cabriolet, such as our subject car, that is most memorable for me. Though there were about 70K of all body styles constructed over the 170’s seven model year life, they’re not common finds today having been overshadowed by other M-B models.
The images do the talking in this case as there is little stated in the listing other than a suggestion of, “The 170S has just come out of storage and is an excellent candidate for restoration“. Maybe so, but it’s going to take a lot of effort and expense to make it presentable. The passenger side front fender is sporting a vicious dent, there is rust through in places along with plenty of surface corrosion and peeling paint. The underside images show places where the floor is missing and a rotted-out rear roll pan. The top speaks for itself and it appears that someone used the windshield for target practice. Fortunately, the prominent grille appears to be unscathed.
The interior is no better with destroyed red leather upholstery and a rotted wooden back seat or storage area frame. The instrument panel/dashboard covering is torn and partially missing and there are vacancies for gauges and componentry. It’s rough overall.
Power, when running, is provided by a 52 HP, 1.7 (almost 1.8) liter in-line, four-cylinder engine operating through a four-speed manual transmission and driving the rear wheels. The engine looks intact, other than some missing spark plug leads. Nevertheless, it probably hasn’t turned a lick in many moons. No word if it will turnover by hand.
Forlorn and expensive is how I’d describe this at one-time impressive bit of Mercedes engineering. Priced right? No idea, especially considering all that will be needed. My suggestion is GLWTS.
Wow! That’s quite a price for a restoration project. I’m sure it’s rare, but come on! 60k. I would think 10k is more realistic. Wonder what Randy from cargeology thinks since he’s restoring a 1940 Mercedes.
I htink they are trying to tell us, “its really a 1935 540K Spezial Roadster” in camou from before the war. Yah right!!!
Ha! Thanks for the mention. I had another friend reach out as well. The 1940 Im working with at Carchaeology (check out the youtube stuff) is a much larger model, w142 320 and with a one off coachbuilt body. Values are in different spectrums but honestly finding any convertible Mercedes of the era is pretty tough. The seller is probably not that far off (ok…maybe a little high) but the price of admission to this circus just gets you in the tent…one you are there and paying the restoration clowns for their services, you will leave with your pockets very empty!
But what a cool car!!
Thanks for replying! Love your channel. Must be crazy trying to find parts for these cars. My oldest is a 1968 Polara convertable, and I thought that was crazy trying to find parts for.
The price is stiff, it reminds me of
Wir haben Möglichkeiten, mit diesem guten deutschen Mist umzugehen.
Translates to:
We have ways of dealing with this good German crap.
Beverly Hills Car Club never fails to amuse with these listings…
Question: Does it look like something the cat did on linoleum? Ah, BHCC!
Hey Randy. I really like your 320. I’ve
been following you and your car on
YouTube and can’t wait to see the finished product. I just gotta say that
your car would probably look great as
a 320K. I’ve started doing a print of your
car in that configuration just for grins and giggles. I wouldn’t even try to restore this car in Florida, you can’t get
parts for something like that here.
You cant get parts in California either…its Der Fatherland or nothing!
By the way, a similar age 170 just sold on Bringatrailer for $53,000 in Europe and it was a clean, running car. A bargain by comparison to this!
https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1950-mercedes-benz-170s-cabriolet-b/
I wonder how that engine and gear box handled 3000lbs.? It could be a stunning car someday
Beverly Hill Car Club must be full of get rich quick dreamers and schemers searching junk yards ever day. I’ve never seen cars in the condition that they list for the prices they are asking.
I don’t know? The pricing is not going to get this car restored too fast. If owner accepts lowering the price, the new ower could begin the process quicker. The conscience lies with the seller.
We see these old things a lot now, people are finding it takes a ton of money and time to restore them its just not worth it these days.
i think the trunk is full of gold bars