Some classics are rare because they’ve become valuable over time, others were rare from the start. This 1955 Mercedes-Benz 170 S-V Diesel pickup, listed here on craigslist and located in Taos, New Mexico, falls firmly into the latter category. Produced in very low numbers, it blends Mercedes’ postwar engineering with a utilitarian truck body. The seller last drove it in the late 1980s, and it has been stored indoors ever since. The engine still turns freely, and the sale includes numerous spare and replacement parts, along with an original Mercedes dealership workshop manual and parts book for proper identification. While it comes with a title, it’s an Australian one, as the truck has never been registered in the United States. Thanks for the tip Spencer D.!
The 170 S-V was based on Mercedes’ postwar passenger car chassis, adapted here into a compact diesel-powered work truck. This example wears the rounded fenders and upright grille styling of its sedan siblings, giving it an elegant but purposeful look uncommon among mid-century pickups.
The body appears complete and straight, with period-correct wheels and trim intact. While the paint’s current condition isn’t described in detail, long-term indoor storage has likely preserved much of the truck’s structural integrity. The rarity of factory-built diesel pickups from this era makes it especially notable.
Inside, the cab shares much with Mercedes sedans of the period, including a simple dashboard layout and bench seating. The seller doesn’t note interior condition, but given the decades of storage, refurbishment will likely be needed before regular use.
Power comes from Mercedes’ robust diesel four-cylinder engine, known for longevity rather than speed. While not currently running, the fact that it turns freely is promising. The included spares and replacement parts should simplify a mechanical revival, particularly with the help of the original manuals.
For collectors of rare commercial vehicles, or Mercedes enthusiasts seeking something truly different, this 170 S-V pickup offers a blend of historical significance and restoration potential. Its rarity, condition, and completeness make it a compelling candidate for either a faithful restoration or a preserved patina project. Would you restore it to showroom condition or keep its vintage work-truck charm intact?
It’s a very interesting ute, but for the asking price, you could probably have a very nice running/driving Hudson Terraplane or Studebaker Coupe Express with a good title.
Always loving a Hudson Big Boy…
Looks like something out of “The Sound of Music” the nuns took the wires off of. I happen to have a friend, yeah, me, a friend,, that lives in Taos, not a bad place, not Colomarado though. The diesel, robust isn’t the correct word, but saying not made for speed is right on. With about 40 HP. it will do 0-60( if lucky) in an astonishing 39.8 sec. and the 1/4 mile, not sure, timers only went to 15 minutes then,kidding, about 25.8 sec and downright dangerous for todays roads. Now an update of some kind would be so cool, but that, my friends, would take a heap of ambition. How something like this got to NM is anyone’s guess.
Howard just made the case….that it needs an LS. Didn’t see that coming. I kid! But seriously, a 3rd gen hemi would be pretty cool
This one would be right up my alley if I were in the market, and if it was closer to 20K in this condition. With 190SL’s bringing 25-35K in project form, I think the ask is just too much. That aside, I’d do a driver level restoration and enjoy my upcoming retirement playing with it.
Great find.
There were no factory-produced 170 S-V or S-D utes (pickup trucks). Any 170 S-V or S-D with a pickup bed would have been a custom conversion.
You’re either looking for a classic Mercedes or looking for something else. Apples and oranges really don’t compare. This pickup was likely a dealer support truck in Australia. I think the price is within reason.
These vehicles were available in Australia commercially. There was a spectacular restored one sold recently. They were on display at the Melbourne Motor Show in 1953, the Argus newspaper had an article on one on 18 November, 1953. I have seen a photo of a similar looking vehicle except that it had a “red cross” van instead of the ute.
The one sold in Australia recently had a body by Leug.
I just found this one listed on BAT back in 2017 for 40K. Same pictures, same owner. In that listing, it’s referenced that it was for sale 3-4 years prior as well. These pictures are pretty old….
I thought this looked familiar, but couldn’t place it. Good job to you.
Rare doesn’t always mean valuable. And the steering wheel’s on the wrong side. Good luck with the sale!
Maybe this is a nothing burger but, I’m having trouble wrapping my head around something being rare because it became valuable over time. To me, an item is rare only if it was produced in very limited quantities or only survived in very limited quantities. Granted the value of such items may increase over time if there is sufficient demand but I don’t see such items becoming rare because the value increased. As the value increases the obtainability is reduced because of the reduced number of folks willing or able to spend the amount necessary to purchase such items, but, there are still the same number of items available.
I would go 15k tops.
It reminds me of the dog man’s van on Hogans Heroes. Well anyway I hope it finds a good home. Dog or no dog.
God Bless America
I was going to make the same comment. Schnitzer’s dogs
Looks like a challenge but not impossible. Not likely to see another one like it at the local show-n-shine, even in Germany. That little washing machine motor was actually quite popular in a variety of applications; it sure won’t be a powerhouse. In fact you’ll almost need a push just to get rolling on a downhill slope with a tailwind.
Parts for the engine are fairly easy to come by although far from cheap. An engine rebuild would be straightforward. But you’ll need to be careful with the fuel system.
Four tiny plungers not much bigger in diameter than a pencil lead. Could be varnished solid. Pumping elements that you’ll need some brake cleaner and some brass punches to get loosened up. And don’t stop there; you’ll need to do the same stuff with the injectors because the nozzles will likely gummed up as well.
And to top it all off, you have a diaphragm in the governor that might need attention. It’s made of soft leather and after 70 years it might rather stay in hibernation. When that diaphragm goes, the main spring will shove the rack all the way forward to max. I’ve been told that those little pisants can hit 8K, which is about 2K after it threw a rod out the side.
Had I the means, the time, and right now, the facility, to take this project on, I might be tempted.
$45K – LOL :-)
Old doesn’t mean valuable. I’m old and according to my spouse I’m worthless
Or priceless?
Rare ( OR old) does not mean valuable, of course. This has been proven many times over. Classic car values are determined by multiple factors and rarity is only one of them.
This is almost as cool as the Hudson. ALMOST! If a more reasonable price. (Way more reasonable) I would be tempted to install a more recent Mercedes diesel engine and manual transmission. Then make it a tribute vehicle as a Mercedes Factory LaCarrera service support vehicle. I also notice CV joint boots in the spares pile. Independent rear suspension?
Ok ,I was once accused by my boss as NOT thinking outside the box, but thinking outside the universe! Maybe he was right? ( I did make him lots of money!)
This is the third time this has been on here with the same pics. Once in 2021 and again in 2023. Price is down to 45k now, it was 70k at one point.
I remember seeing a similar vehicle at Universal Studios Hollywood in the early 1970’s – it was with several other WW2 vehicles in an area they used for filming Mission Impossible scenes – maybe someone drove it home to Taos for a long weekend and it wouldn’t start for the return to California. Then again, I might have seen this when someone showed me pictures of Area 51 in Nevada – they used it when conducting nuclear bomb tests. It isn’t worth $45K and obviously wasn’t worth $70K. Collectible car prices are down if you believe the recent auction results. Sadly a generational shift is underway, and the younger people today are not interested in older cars.
The younger generation probably don’t know how to drive something this old, or how to stop it. Few people would know how to mantain older vehicles!