One of the harder lessons about classic car ownership is not everything that is vintage or rare is necessarily valuable. We all fantasize about the epic barn find we discover, but can sometimes have those daydreams tempered by realizing the vehicle in the forgotten barn isn’t that desirable. Fortunately, this means you can have the thrill of a barn find on the cheap. Cars like this W180-series Mercedes-Benz 220S may look like they’re worth $25,000 or more but they’re actually quite affordable, and this one is listed here on Facebook Marketplace for $5,000 where the seller wonders if it would make a good rat rod.
Personally, that’s a question I can’t answer as I’m too much of a preservation guy. I just have a hard time imagining making a car like this that has survived all these years into a rat rod, given it seems reasonably close to being put back into road-going use in its current form. However, given the increasing popularity of restomods as a way of taking classic models and making them more usable over the long run, it’s not the worst idea, especially in terms of a model like this that will never be particularly valuable. That being said, it’s amazing to see how nice this interior is still despite what I presume to be years’ worth of inactivity.
The plate mount on the rear end catches my eye as a possible indication this was a European-market model, perhaps brought over by a service member or by an early adopter of the overseas delivery program. The seller tells us in the listing that rust is minimal, which is surprising for a vintage car of any make or model that resides in Michigan. Sure, the paint is far from perfect, but I wouldn’t bother painting a model like this unless you’ve just always wanted to own a 220S; it’s a tough car to justify that level of investment in. But again, if you just want a vintage European car on the cheap, you can live with the cosmetic flaws and otherwise just focus on padding the deferred maintenance budget.
The back seat is in the same sort of condition as the front buckets, which is to say “surprisingly nice.” The seller reports that the engine and transmission need servicing as they currently don’t work/run. The 220S should be powered by a 2.2L inline-six making a respectable 105 horsepower thanks to the use of twin carburetors. The drivetrain is not exotic and should come back to life with relative ease, and as long as you’re prepared for a leisurely driving experience, waking up that long-dormant engine will be as enjoyable as seeing if the old-school paint will come back to life with some polishing. Would you make this a rat rod or keep it as-is? Thanks to Barn Finds reader Jim A. for the find.
Good heavens, I hope not. The Germans have a word for it, Rattenstange, and doesn’t really equate to our rat rods. More like BMWs and such. Be a disgrace to these fine cars. I read, German cars retain the most original parts network, and I bet parts for these are abundant,,just not here. With todays shipping, in 6 to 8 months, you’ll have that distributor cap. Kidding, of course, but I would have no issues, getting this going, and just drive the dang thing. Be a classy, dependable ride, if I had to actually go anywhere, that is.
Totally agree. Such a joy to gracefully aged European car traveling down the road. Hopefully an enthusiast decides to preserve and maintain this beauty.
Lots of memories here for me- my first car, purchased in 1973 for $95, looked just like this, especially the upholstery. Mine was a 4 cylinder 180A “taxi” model.
Rat rod =The last modification of a car before it goes to the junkyard; and only liked by the person who rodded it.
I think there’s a significant difference between fixing this thing up mechanically and driving it as it is or converting it into a rat rod.
The interior is nice, and the body seems solid, even if the old lacquer paint is tired. I could see sanding the surface rust down and spot shooting the imperfections with a semi-gloss black while I sorted out the little necessities.
I’d replace the trunk lock promptly, then deal with the pitted chrome and fix what I could at my leisure. I think this Benz would make for a classy beater.
Rat Rod it. The rat part is already done. It just needs a engine/transmission swap with a little more balls than a 2.2 liter lawnmower motor. I think a Ford big block and AOD would help get it out of it’s own way.
Who “rat rods” a 4 door Mercedes?
Mostly other rats…
Folks who don’t enjoy getting rear ended by literally everything else on the road.
No way would I want to “rat rod” a car like this. I’d restore as much as I can while driving it.
I used to own one early 80s. Brilliant, I still miss it !
Hope it’s kept as is. A tasteful restoration over time would not break the bank. Providing the drive train isn’t shot. Hope the right person gets it
These were a working man’s Mercedes in Europe. It may be a bit ratty, but definitely not rat rod material. As the author said, it’s a good car for anyone whose been wanting a 220S Benz.
Is this a Hydrac car?
Do not rat rod this car. Dumping a heavy, high-hp V8 into it would not only destroy its character but would be dangerous. The drum brakes and softish suspension won’t be up to the power, nor will the 13″ wheels and skinny tires. I restored a ’59 220SE sedan, very similar except with mechanical fuel injection, and it was fine to drive in today’s traffic, not hard to find parts, and just elegant fun to drive.
Take a ratty car and make a rat rod out of it? I hope that this old Merc avoids that fate. It deserves to be back on the road again in the form that MB intended. And anyway its not that ratty. I think it’d make a worthwhile project especially if the seller is willing to bargain.
Pontons are always a good buy for classic maniacs.
Unless to minor technical shortcomings the W 128 are solid
and easy to drive small family cars. More demanded today
by collectors thus with the semi direct fuel injection Mercedes
begun an evolution of safety fuel economy and driveability.
You can steer it easily with flat front tires.
Most interesting of all 128 models are the only 1974 SE
models built followed from the 219, the small body with the
larger engine. And all this cars dont need a power steering
the worm gear (sry my translator dont knows the exact
term for it) steers light and just precise.
From what I can see, this should be considered a candidate for a good driver, not a messed up rat rod. I’m curious about really needs to be done about the drive train and brakes. My Dad and I rebuilt a 58 S that had totaled a deer and with parts from an abandoned 220S Hydrak, we made a nice driver. However the engine and cooling system must be maintained as overheating will result in a blown head gasket. The engine in good tune allows you to keep up with city traffic, but long stints with heat soaking over 65 are best avoided. Mine had a cold weather package with doubled up heater boxes that I would turn on in the summer to get needed cooling. Good to read parts are still available. Lots of needed Ate brake and Bosch electrical parts are hopefully still available, especially with the Hydrak. Is the car still available?
What will likely make the difference of the car being rodded or restored, will be how rotted the underside is. These cars attracted tin worms like crazy, especially around salt and moisture.
Spare parts that are the same as the 180 and 190 examples are mostly available, but can be a bit expensive. Parts that are 220s only are getting hard to find.
Not too many car enthusiasts are looking for a bone stock 1957 Benz 220S, so whoever ponies up with the funds to buy and modify it, can do whatever they want. Kounts Customs appraised a similar model Benz that had been modified so buyer should do whatever they want.