The Mercedes-Benz 170 was one of the company’s more mass-produced models following WWII, and offered in a variety of configurations. We’ve seen most of these over the years, but this is the first time I can recall seeing a pickup-bodied 170, complete with a diesel engine, offered for sale stateside. The seller of this 170 S-D pickup indicates he has owned this truck for some time, and recently pulled it out of storage after last driving it in the late 80s. Find it here on craigslist for $70,000.
That number shocked me at first as I don’t typically associate the 170 model with peak desirability among early post-war Mercedes products. But when you consider the rarity on a global basis, and how it’s likely near impossible to find another example stateside, the pricey pickup starts to make sense. And considering how one of the last ones sold went under the hammer for £49,280 in 2013, the current price tag seems even more reasonable over 10 years later.
Mercedes-Benz has been known for many things, but building robust diesel engines is perhaps one of their most significant calling cards. I’m sure this engine would fire back up with minimal sorting, but I’d still like to know why the seller parked it all those years ago. The good news is despite the obvious obscurity of the model, the seller is including numerous spare parts along with workshop manuals that have lists of part numbers for cross-referencing when you inevitably come across a component with no obvious replacement.
I can’t even imagine how rare that bed cap / topper is, and God help you if you break one of the two windows in the side. The 170 appears very complete, and the seller includes photos of some classic European-market vehicle details, like the “semaphore”-style turn signals. For a vintage Mercedes-Benz collector, this 170 pickup may make an awful lot of sense as an investment, even at the current asking price. I can’t imagine it not being a hit with the concours crowd, and certainly at vintage Mercedes gatherings. Thanks to Barn Finds reader Don L. for the find.
I’ve never seen one either. A German “Coupe Express” for us Studebaker fans.
That’s crazy.. having lived in South Bend off and on over the last 50 years and worked in the Remaining Studebaker stamping plant during the late 1970’s I have a soft spot for old Studebakers… especially the pickups I’d see running around town..
As soon as I saw this 170 pickup in profile I immediately thought ‘Studebaker’.
You could hear a Studebaker rusting but they were well designed and fairly tough vehicles and I’ve always had a tendency to consider them an American equivalent to a Mercedes Benz…
Probably why the Big Three was happy to see the company go away.
Studebaker was the first distributor of Mercedes-Benz after WWII.
I imagine these were a hard sell when new. Granddad and his generation just got back from Germany, and I’m fairly certain they didn’t have a fun time there. I think that makes them more rare here (in the US.) Not just the pickups, either.
All right, but a Coupe Express is much, much prettier than this Mercedes in question.
By the way, I don’t know if there’s a pick up more beautiful than a Coupe Express.
Google images for Armstrong Siddeley Coupe Utility and you will see what I contend was the most beautiful pickup ever built. With images on Google, mine was the tan with brown accents. Sold it to an internationally renowned jeweler/classic car collector.
Rumpledoorskin: “I imagine these were a hard sell when new.”
Indeed.
I’m old enough to remember that, in the fifties, ALL German and Japanese products were shunned by virtually everyone I knew. During this era, I don’t recall encountering many German products apart from cameras and a few then-rare Mercedes-Benz automobiles. But Japanese products were beginning to flood the market, eliciting a strong negative reaction by virtually everyone I knew. In particular, I recall a navy-vet uncle instructing me—quite sternly—to never buy anything made in Japan or Germany, characterizing such products as “junk.” And for about 20 years thereafter, I heeded his advice. Then, in 1974, I finally threw off the prejudice that had forced me to endure a series of shoddily made, problematic American cars; I bought a new Toyota. Since then, I’ve owned about seven Japanese cars (each a remarkably happy experience) and two German ones (both unremarkable experiences). I still own an American product, however: a 1946 GMC pickup!
@Arfeeto
I can certainly relate…one of the favorite cars in my collection is a 1923 Ford Model T Touring. She’s 100 years old and elicits nothing but smiles from everyone! And simple! No fuel pump (gravity feed), no water pump (utilizes the thermosiphon principle), and no oil pump (has “scuppers” which sling the oil in the crankcase).
Last fall my wife, family dog, and I went on a Model T Club Tour…each day covering 80-120 miles. Loved every minute of it, even if our average speed was around 30 mph. Fast enough so the mosquitoes could not keep up, yet slow enough to enjoy the sights and smells of the country roads! I highly recommend it when one wants to “unplug” from today’s fast-paced routine.
Granddad fought the Japanese in the army on Okinawa. Great Granddad fought the Germans in both world wars. I can say that they never drove any foreign cars.
This same truck was on here 2 years ago, might even be the same owner. The price went up by 10 grand though. It was also on another sight in 2015 for 42,000? At that time it was said there was trouble with the transmission. Doesn’t say if that has been fixed.
That may explain the gearbox on the ground in the pic of the left side. I’d venture a guess you’re onto something.
Rumple–best name on the site.
These pickups were a super common sight for me growing up in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Shoot, if ya really wa t one, head to Mercado Libre (AR) and look for one to ship to USA. Also, take a look at the IKA Torinos for sale while you’re at it. You’re welcome!
Last time I saw one was on YouTube
in 2013. And that one actually ran and drove too. Hope the seller has the seat frames, otherwise you’ll have
to have some fabbed up before the
seats can be redone. The owner of
that truck stated that these are rare
even in Germany. Seems to me the
current owner has Barrett Jackson
Syndrome or he’s smokin some really
good stuff to ask that sort of price.
Saw this same truck on BaT back in 2017 asking $40k when BaT wasn’t all auctions. I’d put a link to it, but BF will delete anything with a link. Just use their search.
It appears the same photos were used then and now. There still is no title, either.
70k? I’ll take a pass.Neat truck but for a 55 it looks like 30’s styling kinda weird for a 55 imo .I’d rather buy a prewar or postwar Ford , GM or Chrysler pickup that’s done and only needs a wash and wax once in awhile and in really nice condition for a LOT less.
Many ’50s European cars retained the looks of American cars from the ’30s. Look at the MG TDs. 1955 Mercedes sedans still had pontoon fenders that continued into the door stamping and vetigial running boards. Understandable considering WWII’s devastation to much of Europe’s industrial base.
$70 grand to buy and who knows how much to get it driving again no thanks for that much money I will just buy a new truck and sell it when the warranty ends
Would need proof positive that this is a factory made car and not a conversion. Either way, 70K is a bit steep.
A Mercedes camper.
I wouldn’t pay $70K for any German pos
Wow…
No such thing as a German POS. Everything the Germans manufacture is usually as near to perfection as is possible. I have owned many American cars and a fair number of German cars and the German car build is far superior to the American build, in fact they are over engineered in my opinion.
It was always considered a compliment to call a Packard “the American Mercedes”.
Then why have I never seen a BMW with working turn signals?
Was for sale by same owner in Taos in 2017.
https://bringatrailer.com/2017/03/22/never-seen-one-1955-mercedes-benz-170-sd-truck/
i’m with Glen R spent most of 1956&57 in Germany lived near. Stuttgart. The son of our landlord assembled engines at the Mercedes Benz factory. Never saw a Benz like that.
Chuck S
A lot of the responses are truly awe inspiring,,,,,,,,,,, in a very negative way. It seems that the dumbing down taking place in the U.S.A. is bleeding into the keyboard commandos realm. Sad. That aside , this M-B is pretty slick and would warrant a ” Resto-build “, rare or not. What must be done to receive comment updates like I used to ?
I worked in Argentina during the early 1990’s and saw many of the M-B pickups, usually while working in the interior of the country. I asked a farmer about the one he was driving and he stated that his father was the original owner and he asked if I would want to take it for a drive. Drove like a new truck, not a new model truck but, very tight steering and handling. It was a great experience.
I saw a couple for sale but after checking on the cost to import to the USA I passed on the purchase. Been kicking myself ever sense.
They are fairly common in the interior of Argentina.
The humble 170 is credited with saving Daimler-Benz from oblivion as their factories were levelled during WWII. The infrastructure in Germany needed to be rebuilt and the 170 saw MANY variants including this truck, postal delivery vehicles, ambulances, etc.
I sold my 1952 170Va (last year for the 170Va) sedan a few years ago and have to admit, it was a solid car with a comfortable ride. The 4-speed floor shift was precise and had synchronized forward gears. Small semaphores served as turn signal indicators and there was no turn signal lever. Instead, one rotated the horn ring about 10 degrees clockwise for the right indicator and vice versa.
I’m impressed with the amount of research you guys do! I have owned several of these early 50s Mercedes including several convertibles, and as many sedans. a 1951 220 Sedan just sold yesterday on B a T, very well restored, for $40,000 and they were very nice looking and road worth cars. This pick up would cost a fortune to restore and would still be an ugly duckling.
Greatly interesting vehicle that for any practical interest is sorely over-priced
I can’t see it being safe to drive on a typical freeway with that little diesel.
Living here in UK I often have to drive on our motorways and very rarely have to drive at 70 mph in order to keep up with traffic yet I see many comments on BF’s where Americans are scared to take an old car that is capable of doing 70 mph + on your highways. Is it because most of your drivers exceed 70 mph or whatever your speed limit is?
@Solosolo UK
In some cases, our drivers do exceed 70 mph. The biggest problem I see in our country is distracted drivers who cannot separate themselves from their cell phones. I equate it to a baby having a pacifier in his mouth. Take it out, and the infant screams!
Agreed. Cobra Steve, and let’s not forget the inexperienced American drivers “pointing” their grey/white crossover blobs down the road whilst poking screens and whatever other electronic devices. They are unaware of their own incompetence as well as the shortcomings of their vehicles.
Spot on, John. I imagine that is why the manufacturers, driven (pun intended) by the insurance companies, strive to make the cars as idiot-proof as possible with self-driving nonsense.
Seems as though I recall a Mercedes-Benz advertising slogan back in the 60’s or 70’s which stated, “Mercedes-Benz makes driving something to do, not something to be done.” Having owned nearly a dozen Merc’s over the years, I would never buy a new one today. Too many gimmicks, computers, etc.
In our state, everyone drives 85 on the interstate. Only the big rigs are going under 80 (the limit.)
True here in the great southwest too. There is a 63 mile stretch of interstate that runs from Tucson to the Mexican border. Reasonably flat and virtually no curves. The posted limit starts at 55, increases to 65 then a few more miles it’s 75. Going through a retirement community it drops to 65 but quickly jumps back to 75. Good road should be safe but there are fatalities almost weekly and usually single car accidents. My informal guess is the vast majority are doing 90+ with many exceeding 100mph. Absolute insanity. I set my cruise at 4 or 5 over the limit and stick to the right lane – the gross speeders are usually only 1 stoplight cycle ahead of me when we hit town but undoubtedly have used much more gas, brakes and tires.
I like the way the rear fenders go under that hi bed. Impractical but good lookin.
I’d hafta turbo it if owning/using @ wrk.
Look at recent frequency and cost of repair ratings – “value engineering” has permeated the German car industry, worst is Porsche, next Mercedes, next Audi. I have had two Audi’s. The 2002 bought used in 2004 but maintained by the book before that, and the 2014, bought new, maintained by the book, were money pits. Faulty electronics on the 2014 (10 days in the shop under warranty) oil leaks (oil filter housing to engine and engine to transmission) new rotors when pads are worn every 50,000 miles. My 2005 Toyota, by contrast, has had NO repairs other than wear items at 180,000 miles. Original rotors, about to replace front ones now. The Audi’s are a dream to drive but a rich man’s car to keep going. The Toyota is trustworthy as was my ’56 Chevy back in the day.
I prefer the looks of my ‘41 Studebaker M5. I wonder why MB went with suicide doors.
WTF,….Benz nearly bankrupted dodge, with that ” give us some money,we help fix it,CRAP!”…yes,Germany builds great stuff,…but they don’t export it, all we get is CRAP! Millenials just too blind n dumb to realize it….and yes they stole from chrysler…BIG TIME!!!
What did MB steal from Chrysler?
Mercedes built their reputation in the late 1950s through the early 1970s just as BMW built theirs in the 1970s when both were perhaps the best engineered and manufactured cars in the world. But that exists no more. I drive my 531,000 mile 1998 Toyota Tacoma daily now – in terms of quality it exceeds Mercedes at their best. But I’d still love to have this little truck. After Mercedes was done with the little 170 Diesel, the engine was built for decades by Thermo-King for refrigerated trucks and trailers.
Yes, the OM 636.
I drive my 2015 Malibu at the speed limit whatever it is and get 25mpg to 30mpg at all times. I don’t get a speeding ticket nor have an at fault accident, by using common sense. Yet every day one of the speed demons out there crash n tear themselves and other drivers up. Thanks but no thanks, I like living too much to risk it by driving on the edge as it were. This old Mercedes would be a fun daily driver but not for $70K.
Just posted a little bit ago was a Argentinian Citroen pickup. If you follow the link to the seller Vamanos Vans LLC they also have a ’52 Mercedes pickup very similar to this. It will be interesting to see what this goes for.