“Whimsical” is not a word that comes readily to mind when thinking of Mercedes-Benz, as a rule. But, the German giant must have been feeling just a bit frisky in the wake of its ’50s Wirtschaftswunder revival from post-Second World War near-death—not to mention hungry for sales from a surprisingly forgiving American market—when it decided to endow its bread-and-butter sedans with pert little tailfins in 1960. The result was one of the most genuinely charming Benzes ever made, and this ’62 220S example is made all the more charming by its chic color combo and appealing originality. Check it out here on eBay, where it carries a buy-it-now ask of $10,995.
The heckflosse, or “fintail” sedans came in many different flavors, from four-cylinder and diesel W110s on the low end, to W111 six-cylinder sedans and coupes, of which this is an example, up to air-sprung W112 300SE and 300SEL luxury liners. The 220S was the mid-range W111 model from 1960-1965, distinguished from the basic 220 by its dual carburetors and nicer trim, but lacking the fuel injection of the 220SE.
Aside from the inherent novelty of a be-finned Mercedes, the most striking thing about this 220S is its bold blue over red color scheme. Not every owner would be comfortable pulling it off, but more power to you if you are; it’s a timeless, if somewhat offbeat, combo, bestowing a very European look. Also fairly unusual is this car’s full leather interior, a feature more commonly seen on the full-zoot 300 models.
While it presents very nicely overall, it’s clear that this is a preserved original car and far from a showboat, and that’s especially apparent under the hood where presentation takes a backseat to pure function. It may not be pretty, but the straight six is said to have benefitted from quite a bit of recent work, including rebuilt carbs and a tune. Other refreshments include new brakes and a clutch service to keep the column-shifted four-speed operating painlessly. Although these cars were not particularly exciting performers, they were technologically advanced enough at the time that you could easily drive this car in modern traffic without much adaptation needed, and in this condition I’d have no hesitation about doing so.
Kudos to the selling dealer for putting this Mercedes across as such an honest, solid car. Nothing about it looks too perfect to be true, or so worn as to arouse much suspicion. The paint—not original, but not new—holds a shine but isn’t too shiny; the wood trim is weathered but not dried out; the leather is patinated but not discolored; the doors and jambs are clean but not perfect; the underside looks like the underside of a 56-year-old car that has been carefully tended but not hermetically sealed away. All of the lights and other accessories work, but there’s a missing lens on the front—and those stalks for the funky, absent fender-mounted mirrors, and the unpainted replacement wheel covers—just to preserve the humble, approachable veneer that makes this car’s not-too-high, not-too-low price seem just right.
Perhaps Mercedes, too, used the slightly goofy, already passé fins to make their car—an expensive product from a country so recently responsible for massive atrocities and worldwide conflict—seem more approachable and friendly. Hey, cynicism has its time and place, and cynical or not, the fins work for me—how about you?
absolutely love the color combo. very striking. 4spd column shift? that one has me thinking i would almost prefer an automatic…….ummmmm, on second thought no.
Lovely looking Mercedes-Benz. This is perhaps the nicest looking Heckflosse gen Mercedes-Benz I’d ever seen. I hope whoever buys this one loves it and cares for it. I don’t mean they should baby it, but they should maintain it, keep it running like it should. Enjoy it. :)
Me want. A beautiful thing.
About 4 years ago I owned a 1959/60 W111 Merc 220b. The only difference i could find between the “b” and the “s” was that the “s” had double deck bumpers front and rear whereas the “b” only had double deck at the front. I was asked by a restorer of a 230sl if I would sell him the white steering wheel for the same price as I had paid for the whole car! I declined the offer. Wonderful car.
Greetings All,
Ken, “b’s” have a different tailight. They also are more simply appointed with regards to options.
Rear bumper.
While my relatives would spin in their graves, but if I ever was to get a M-B, it would be this. Great styling, dependable as a washing machine, and one of the few vintage European cars that could cruise at 100. That duct tape on the air cleaner boot has me worried, parts may be a problem, although, I read, the German’s are the best for keeping vintage parts. A breath of fresh air compared to the Asians that threw their vintage parts away ( money in new cars, not parts for old ones) As usual, I don’t have $10g’s to pee away on a fine vintage German sedan, but if I did, rest assured, this would be it.
Oh, yes, M-B will still gladly sell just about any part for this car…at a considerable price.
But at least you can get it.
I want one of these! Definitely going into the bucket list!
I love this car. And it’s a three on the tree. Arguably more fun than a floor gear change lever.
Greetings All,
Most likely this was a 4-speed on the column. I wasn’t aware they had a three speed?
Four on the column, not three!! And if not worn out one of the most pleasant and precise shifting cars you will ever experience!
I had nearly the same car in Gray back in ’69-’70. Badly rusted underneath (so I could afford it) but it drove and rode like a dream. Four on the tree was fine – Reverse was a different story. Worn linkage meant reaching thru the wheel with your Left hand to push the slack out of the bushing while pulling up with the Right hand. Running down the road gripping the big White wheel and seeing the 3-point star I forgot all about the rust.
A friend of mine, a faculty advisor to a group I belonged to in college, had an M-B from this era. The little fins always made me chuckle. He later traded it in for the 190 sports convertible that Mercedes came out with in the late ’60’s. Both were very nice cars.