Of all the cars I’d think about hopping up, a mid-1960s Mercedes-Benz 190 sedan wouldn’t make the cut. But it did make someone’s hit parade who decided to put in a “western” made 350 cubic inch V8, an updated transmission, and airbags into an “eastern” built automobile. More work is needed, at least in terms of whipping the interior back into shape. Located in Franklin, Michigan, this one-of-a-kind Benz is available here on eBay where the bidding stands at $2,550.
Mercedes’ naming convention has always been confusing, at least to me. The 190 designation pertains to the 1.9-liter displacement of the 4-cylinder engine. Yet the series was known as the W110 as Mercedes-Benz’s entry-level line of midsize automobiles in the mid-1960s. The seller’s car was either a 190c (gas) or 190Dc (diesel) depending on how it was built. These automobiles were produced between 1961 and 1965 and saw 130,000 copies of the gas-powered models and 225,000 diesels.
The body on this M-B looks quite good and the red paint is nice, although a coat of wax would probably make it sparkle. There are no indications of rust anywhere and the front seats look to have been removed and then just set back in place inside the interior. The car is full of all kinds of stuff that may or may not relate to the car and the seller would paint a better picture by taking these items out before taking the pics. The car may have been lowered or it could just be overloaded.
We don’t know what prompted the seller or someone else to pull the original drivetrain in favor of a 5.7-liter LS1 V8 from a 1998 Camaro Z28 along with a 4L60E automatic transmission and a shortened driveshaft. And the addition of airbags had to be both difficult and costly, but thoughtful. There is no mention if this car runs or drives after having this work done. It could be an interesting sleeper when completed, but a lot of folks may simply shrug their shoulders and ask “why”?
Air bag system is adjustable to whatever height you want. What isn’t adjustable is the time and money needed to complete the engine transplant. The original engines made these cars as slow as you could get so the idea of a V8 is a good one, but this car needs wiring, exhaust system, intake ducting and a whole lot of others things you can’t see from pictures. Car’s solid, so if it’s bought right finishing it up should get the buyer a neat road car. BTW, the loss of the original suspension is no loss at all. Don’t know how you spell “mushy” in German but that describes it.
My first Mercedes was a 1962 190 gasoline. Marvelous near perfect car. Fast enough to get a speeding ticket anywhere, the suspension is/was marvelous- the car would out handle and out corner most sports cars today the four speed column shift a real joy to operate. This seller killed the soul of a wonderful car. Shame on him.
…”wet strudel-like ride” states the original M-B brochure.
Ach du liber, grossvater, look what das American hooligans did to your car,,oh, dey vil pay for this. Meaning of course, no disrespect to the Germans, just such an unlikely candidate for this. Pretty obvious it DOESN’T run and the steam ran out pretty quick. The car itself is in nice enough condition, I’d almost would prefer the old “oil engine” over this cobbled mess. They were fantastic cars we hardly got to know and deserves better than this.
LS1 is a 346, not a 350.
I’m thinking Russ thought of airbags being the modern safety things, and not the lowrider suspension “springs” installed here?
Overall, I kind of like the swap here – finishing it up won’t be easy but would make for a very cool car.
Back in the early 90’s a friend of mine had a 190 gas model, and I found it surprisingly modern to drive – felt more like a mid 70’s car than the 1950’s design it is. It’s quick enough for a car of its age. Not too noisy, handling wasn’t bad, and brakes are good. I apparently liked it enough that I later bought a very early fintail – a -59 220b – as my own daily driver.
I had a ’67 200 in college among many others. I loved the speedo, the upright seating position and the overall ascetic feeling of the car. No extraneous bs…..just bidness. Mine was a column shift and while it wasn’t a speed demon on the way up, once it got going, it cruised effortlessly.From a time when the name Mercedes indicated quality and not empty bling.
I always wanted a 220 SE or so and a floor shift. Still time ! :)
This is something I would have done back when I was fresh out of high school in the 80s like when me and my friends put a 327 in a 72 Datsun truck and tried to street race it on airport road. Surprised we lived to tell the tale. If the engine and transmission are good take them out and put them in something else and scrap this thing
Ahhh, Woodie wants the ponton (dont blame U) and troy doesnt understand as today’s MB’s are nuttin like the real ones. Scrap my XxXx. um… er… ah…
(rather) I beg to differ~
Look for the green 220 SE on other of these pages woodie
I saw it……….kinda suspect. Always wanted one with a sunroof too.
These cars always had a Tri-Five Chevy Vibe for me. The Fins make it. LS and Airbag suspension are all it needs for me. I had a 4.5 Liter 1973 280SE as a college Hooptie and it was a better car than my 1980 Mustang Cobra.
Must people put a chevy mtr in everything?? Ruined a good fintail
Exactly what I wanted to do to my sister’s 190c back in the early 70’s after me and my buddy were told it needed a new timing chain due to a miss in the 4 banger that turned out to be nothing more than a cam adjustment. No one told a couple of 17 year old boys the timing chain could be installed more than one way, yep 50-50 chance of getting it wrong and we did. We wondered why we had no oil pressure when fired up that’s cuz chain turns oil pump as well and it will go on either side of the pump. Yep you guessed it. A small block Chevy engine would have made a really well built car a really fun well built car!