Too Far Gone? 1959 Mercedes Ponton Pair

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This listing for a pair of Mercedes-Benz 220 cars, otherwise known as Pontons, in coupe and convertible form. The seller acknowledges the pair represents an extremely ambitious restoration, but may also be eyeing an export market customer by referencing how easily these Mercedes corpses can be prepared for overseas travel. Find the pair of project Pontons here on eBay with a $12,000 Buy-It-Now and the cabriolet pictured here. 

Are you even shocked anymore by what shows up on eBay? The coupe at least has the good fortune of having a fixed roof that helps maintain some structural rigidity; the convertible, not to much. Both cars are at rollers, which will make shipping easier, but I’d be nervous trusting a pair of projects so fragile to the care of workers responsible for ocean transport. Other Benzes in the background suggest the seller has an affinity for the brand.

The interiors don’t hold any prizes, no bonanza of parts that could justify ignoring the wrecked bodies for a minute. The fact is, someone is likely just buying the chassis numbers or VIN plates or what have you to bring a car back to life with the proper identifiers still attached. I can’t see any other reason for rescuing these two, especially considering they aren’t so desirable that common sense can be tossed aside.

There’s little else besides these straps and pure, unadulterated hope keeping these bodies together, further complicating their safe arrival via ocean transport. Amazingly, both cars retain clear titles and photos show the remains of two engines. While I doubt we’ll ever see these Pontons in road-going fashion ever again, maybe one of you sees a possible path towards resurrection that escapes me at the moment.

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Comments

  1. Howard A Howard AMember

    Thanks, Jeff. Great to start the day with a good hearty laugh. Good heavens, how could a magnificent car, two, in fact, end up like this? Here is what the convertible USED to look like,
    https://www.flickr.com/photos/rexgray/4609065253
    And the coupe, which seems to be so rare, I can’t find many pictures of them,
    http://www.pbase.com/noyphoto/image/140596043
    IDK, I mean anybody with a shred of sense, wouldn’t dare let these cars turn into this, they weren’t old Chevy’s, for crying out loud. I’m sure, to a collector, the parts are more than worth it, but just the fact these cars, and again, not one, but TWO, to look like this, just makes me wonder, who is out there?

    Like 8
    • Jeff LaveryAuthor

      No kidding. They are beautiful cars. How someone can stare at it over the course of 40, 50 years watching it wither away escapes me.

      Like 6
    • Al

      Oh the challenge!
      Which German Kar do I get to pick.
      This Mercedes………………………or a
      Porsche 356 as in https://barnfinds.com/rusty-bathtub-1959-porsche-356/.

      This is a critical choice, hmmmmmmmmmmmm.

      Like 13
  2. Arthell64

    Ran and drove when parked,

    Like 4
  3. Patrick D.

    “Too far gone” was 30 years ago…

    Like 15
  4. Nsuracer

    Did somebody drain a pond?

    Like 15
    • Beatnik Bedouin

      Yeah, this guy and his girlfriend, Nsuracer… ;-)

      Like 8
      • leiniedude leiniedudeMember

        Hi Beatnik, ironic with your post. She died Sunday at 92. One of my favorite movies. R.I.P. Julie Adams. I am not going to comment on the cars, I think Howard summed it up. https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-47115139

        Like 4
      • Beatnik Bedouin

        I am sadly aware of Julie Adam’s passing, leiniedude. It’s one of the reasons I used the image.

        I’ve had a copy of ‘Creature from the Black Lagoon’ on DVD for years. The pas de deux swimming scene remains a motion picture classic.

        Like 3
  5. 8banger Dave MikaMember

    What was that VW bus that was dispatched to the sea by that hotel? It seems to have fared better than this one…

    Like 3
  6. sir mike

    Shipping would be easy.Just take off the bad parts and put the rest in a garbage bag…..sorry

    Like 7
    • jcs

      Try a sandwich baggie.

      Like 4
  7. Derek

    Twelve large? Get tae…

    Like 1
  8. Mike

    Seller says you can e-mail him for more pictures. Um, that’s ok. We have enough thank you…

    Like 7
  9. Kenneth Carney

    Hi Mike! Sorry to hear about Julie Adams. Seems like I’ve seen her in
    a few other films other than what they
    mentioned in the post. As for these
    two hulks, turn ’em into street rods or
    make EVs out of them. And yes, I just
    completed my submissions before
    Dinner. Hopefully, I’ll hear something
    from Josh or Jesse soon. Oh hey!!
    I forgot to put my name on the
    submission for the ’08 PT Cruiser!!
    Just got a little nervous I guess.

    Like 4
    • leiniedude leiniedudeMember

      LOL Ken! You have to have a byline! Sad news, my sil went to Hospiscare yesterday. I do not know much about Hospiscare, but I believe it is the curse of death. I will be at Cape Coral soon. I will send you an Email. I will take the Silver bird down there. Then thinking about buying a rig down there and drive back to Wisco. With some luck we can get together. Take care and best of luck, Mike.

      Like 1
      • Howard A Howard AMember

        Hi Mike, sorry to hear about the SIL. Usually, the last stop. Whatcha’ lookin’ for in the Sunshine State? I thought of going there, (78 and sunny) but it’s just too far. One of these days, I’m going to post my home phone, and we can exchange emails ( don’t feel comfortable doing that here, but the phone # I can always change) I hear you’re getting whalloped again with 12-18 inch snow, then more bitter cold,,, ah, I miss the Badger, I bet snowmobilers are in heaven,,,I really miss that. Better put the Jeep battery on charge,, :)

        Like 1
      • leiniedude leiniedudeMember

        Thanks Howard, Ya sleds out in – 0 degrees. Looking for a rig thats RUST FREE ! LOL. Got the old Willys started, but now the blower fan only works on low. Always something. The people on the snow machines are probably warmer with all that new tech gear! Take care, Mike.

        Like 1
  10. Martin

    Mercedes are appliances in Europe, just like Chevrolet’s are here. They rusted away because no one ever attached any value to them.

    Like 5
  11. mark Passarelli

    I have a set of doors…

    Like 3
    • john

      Hi Mark,do you really have a set of coupe doors mate?

      Like 0
  12. Ralph

    They should be easy to export, just fold them up and they will fit in a shoe box……

    Like 3
  13. Husky

    Had it been a Mopar…

    Like 0
  14. Keith

    Wow! really? A cargo strap holding it together?

    Like 1
  15. JBP

    What a bad joke. Only parts and papers. 12,000$ is robbery at best. If they where mine i cut them up, and selleng the parts, for what they are. This is the never ending fantasy. Imo.

    Like 1
  16. Dovi65

    $12k for a pair of VIN’s. I’m not sure which is higher, the seller, or the asking prices.

    Like 4
  17. TSB

    I think you spelled it wrong in the title. Should say “pontoon”.

    Like 0
  18. Keith

    It this rusted junk was a rusted Porsche or VW Bus the sky would be the limit on the asking price! Just saying?

    Like 1
  19. Keith

    .

    Like 1
  20. John

    Perhaps a typo? Overseas Transfer? I believe they meant under sea. How can we follow this t see if someone actually bids?

    Like 1
  21. Duaney

    Yes, too far gone

    Like 2
  22. Bubba5

    I don’t see any “cars” ….

    Like 1
  23. Paul

    Come on guys it’s not too bad, my Ford Pinto had much more rust then these cars…and the Pinto was only a few years old at the time!
    I had to park the car with 40,000 miles when it quit running…it disappeared into the ground even the windshield had rust stains on it.
    I now used what’s left for rust colored yard mulch.
    $12000 will buy you lots of mulch!

    Like 0
  24. Karl

    This would be the perfect application for that new tilt bet truck with the drag winch, drag this junk up and off to the scrap yard. You always knew that tilt bed truck was going to be a great investment!

    Like 2
  25. Don

    Those had to be buried in a swamp somewhere. Did they find Jimmy Hoffas body in one?

    Like 1
  26. Del

    Joke of the week.

    Is that a condom hanging on the dash ?

    Like 0

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