How do you assign value to a car that could be great but is very, very much removed from greatness? The W114 chassis sedans with their thundering V8s put the company on the map for building high-powered sedans that could handle and go like a rocket, but despite this, values have only held for the best examples. If you own a project or one that’s in fairly rough shape like this 1972 model listed here on eBay, it’s a tough call: do you proceed with restoration, or look for one of the legions of better examples that are not all that hard to find on any classifieds site of your choosing? The seller claims this one is rust-free and is asking $3,950 or best offer.
The first thing this car has going for it is its supposed rust-free condition. The seller highlights this as a major selling point, and he’s not wrong: there are many of these sedans littering junkyards and side yards in the north that were kept for posterity’s sake (hell, they were probably still running) but the tin worm had done significant damage to the fenders and undercarriage. So, you’re already coming out ahead with a rust-free project versus one that has thousands of dollars of metal work ahead of it. I actually sold a very similar car to someone out west who wanted the spotless interior and could care less about the ravaged bodywork, so the reverse scenario may be an option here (thinking of someone who needs rust-free body panels.)
Despite this selling point, the seller doesn’t sugarcoat the fact that this is a major project, and we’re glad he was that honest in the listing. The interior does not look to have fared well, wth missing door panels, perished wood trim, and likely a very cracked dashboard under that ancient pad. The floor shift was an option at one point in the production run over a traditional column shift, but I can’t recall if it was standard by this point. The seller reports that it was sitting for years and “….needs everything.” That’s a dangerous admission when it comes to vintage Mercedes, especially when cars that have been loved are still out there.
The problem with these classic Mercedes-Benz products is that they keep running so they’re unfortunately subject to decades of additional abuse past when most older luxury cars have succumbed to the test of time. These are still powerful machines, packing 195 horsepower and 264 lb.-ft. of torque courtesy of the M117 V8. The engines and transmissions were both fairly overbuilt so I would hope that’s part of the attraction here, but the seller mentions having a V12 engine available to potentially swap in (that makes absolutely no sense.) The price is fair for a runner with no rust, and good interiors are not that hard to find. This car would present significantly better with a cheap set of Bundt wheels and matching whitewalls.
Nothing costs more than a cheap Mercedes.
Rat rod. If the engine turned over I would at least get it running and then clean it it up and drive it. But there are a lot of question marks here.
run, don’t look back, just run! this beater would cost a literal fortune to restore. not worth it. buy one for more money in good condition.
Almost has me wanting to buy it and follow a similar path to puddins fab shop on YouTube, he took a 50″s model and put it on a Chevrolet 4X4 chassis with a 350 V8, then take it to Rednecks with paychecks in Texas and jus have some fun
I bought one like this for my wife back in the early 90’s, but it was a 70 280S (with two carbs not injected), same body. The transmission went bad that cost $1,500, a lot back then. Eventually it sat with engine problems for years until it was taken for scrap for $50. All we have left is the hood emblem and a personal license plate. But that was not my worse mistake. Later I bought the slightly longer monster, a 69 300SEL 6.3, the same engine that the 600 limo used. Instead of hydraulic suspension, windows, etc., it had air bags that I replaced myself for just $1,000 in parts. The last straw with that one was a leaky mechanical fuel injection pump that sits in the engine valley about a foot long, very dangerous and too costly for me. That car did have some power, just a mistake.
Minor correction: it’s a W108 chassis. The W115 was the midsize chassis. I owned a 1972 280SE with the fuel injected straight 6. It was an awesome car. While I no longer own it, it’s still on the road and running strong.
You’re right.
Regarding the correction and your car.
I had a 1975 280 E automatic, which had sensational performance. It reached 200 km/h, as solid as a rock.
I spent months trying to wake one of these up! All to no avail. Even enlisted the help of a local specialist and finally sold it for about what they are asking but that was 15 years ago. Not for the faint of heart!