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Call A Priest! Chunk Of A 1957 Mercedes-Benz SL190

Normally something like this is priced by the pound. A few years ago people everywhere were raiding their “back forty” for long-discarded carcasses of wrecked vehicles to sell for scrap. A friend in Virginia had actually buried one, an old Buick, years ago. After exhuming it with a tractor the tangled metal mess brought nearly $400. However, this is also not the worst-looking hunk of metal that someone has suggested rebuilding. Once upon a time, this mangled mess resembled a beautiful 1957 Mercedes Benz 190SL. If you own a body shop with all manner of straightening machines, and a garage full of unobtainum 190SL parts, and you’re looking for an alternative to spending 1500 hours binge-watching Netflix over the next five years, this listing here on craigslist in Los Angeles, California may be right up your alley. One phone call and a check for $12,500 will get you started. Thanks to Michael who suggested we revisit “April Fools” by documenting this, uh, vehicle, except this listing is for real.

Clearly someone said goodbye to their baby after a bad accident and summoned a Priest to administer last rites. Until recently any rational car owner would have fully expected this once-beloved 190SL to be scavenged for parts then crushed and made into a Maytag washing machine.

In 1957, as today, Mercedes-Benz built structurally solid vehicles, especially important for a convertible that lacks the rigidity provided by the metal roof and pillars. The skeleton may actually survive to underpin new body panels. However, even with Mercedes-Benz 190SL prices climbing ever-upward, it may be difficult to cost-justify the wheeling and dealing necessary to convert this into a six-digit sale.

This view shows that the frame may not have been irreparably destroyed by this car’s apocalyptic shunt, or even the subsequent (most likely outdoor) storage. However from below we can fully reckon the number of rare components required to put this “car” on the road again, including but not limited to the entire drivetrain, steering, suspension, wiring, and electrical systems not to mention dashboard, interior, heating and cooling parts, instruments, and so on. What do you see here? Scrap by the pound or foundation for future restoration?

Comments

  1. Avatar M.Balmer Member

    Scrap for sure.

    Like 16
    • Avatar E. GIBBS

      You don’t need a Priest, you need Chip Foose.

      Like 1
  2. Avatar Billy 007

    Stupid, period. Straighten it out if ya want, but it won’t stay that way. Too bad we still don’t have cash for clunkers, I would relish the thought of this going there. I lament all the truly decent cars that were crushed in that program, yet stuff like this remains.

    Like 16
  3. Avatar Steve R

    This is what’s left after you’ve finished parting it out.

    These guys find interesting cars, but they are too expensive to take seriously as volume sellers.

    Steve R

    Like 10
  4. Avatar Superdessucke

    SS is about broke, American Incomes outside of the top 10% are stagnant, and people are living longer than ever. Those depleting their 401ks are going to get a really nasty surprise in about 10 years, or possibly sooner.

    Like 3
  5. Avatar RoKo

    That’s the most expensive VIN tag I’ve ever seen.

    Like 8
    • Avatar rdxblast

      Those guys have 56(or 57) porsche 356 in similar shape for around 38K. I saw this car earlier on ebay along with the 356. Insane vin tag pricing :)

      Like 3
  6. Avatar Steve A

    He’ll take a check??? I thought he wanted MONEY. I’ll write him a check for twice his asking price!!! No problem!!!
    😂😂😂

    Like 11
  7. Avatar redsresto

    Sheesh, even the trunk hinge looks bent. Pass.

    Like 7
  8. Avatar Lawyer George

    Is this guy nuts? That car is worthless except what the scrap metal will bring at the ovens. It is irritating to just have to read the asking price some of the yahooos want.

    Like 5
  9. Avatar Mike

    BHCC already has a flatbed heading north as we speak.

    Like 11
  10. Avatar James Sterrey

    Hahahaha!!!

    Like 1
  11. Avatar EJB

    That’s a little bit more than “patina”.

    Like 3
  12. Avatar 86 Vette Convertible

    You sure this isn’t a left over April Fools Joke? Is there anything there that isn’t bent or rusted through?

    Like 2
  13. Avatar michael streuly

    12k for scrap come on get a grip. But then again there probably is some fool out there that will give him his asking price.

    Like 3
  14. Avatar Pa Tina

    Based on current pricing trends for fancy German scrap metal, this guy has roughly $1,562,239.67 in inventory.

    Like 1
  15. Avatar Madmatt

    If something this bad,..goes for that kind of money,….
    I’ll know that this world truly is the screwed up mess
    I believe it to be…!! There is nothing there..to “work” with,
    and not a single good part.I would love for owner to
    “justify” said price….impossible..!this almost,Makes some
    of the rusty 356 carcases, actually look good.!

    Like 3
  16. Avatar Pa Tina

    Don’t mention the rust.

    Like 0
  17. Avatar Bob Foltin

    When ever I see cars in this kind of shape on Barn Finds I think the only thing of value is the VIN plate if it is still even there

    Like 1
  18. Avatar Terry

    I think that you can still get parts for these, according to Leno’s Garage (Youtube) Mercedes Benz still maintains extensive parts inventory for all the cars it has made, and while this car is not very common it certainly isn’t the rarest either. Restoration is possible but I would say hugely expensive.

    Like 0
  19. Avatar Ross W. Lovell

    Greetings All,

    Seems to me this one has appeared here before?

    Like 0

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