While not particularly photogenic, the African fintail wagon's engine is coming along. After sitting idle since about 1997, we figured we'd reseal the engine, rebuild the carbs, install new side covers and gaskets and fit a new water pump among other sundry updates. Burlingame Motors is handling resurrecting the cool RHD wagon.

Our Cars
A Euro SEC and nice 190SL arrive

With Pebble Beach week fast approaching, our projects have been progressively put aside while the more…um…’significant’ cars of the more…um…’substantial’ clients are attended to. However, progress is being made on most fronts although for a guy like me who is perpetually in a hurry to play with new toys, it seems glacial.

Our long term 250SE coupe project – purchased – 5/21/2011 – is drawing to a close. As I mentioned in the article on the Forest Grove Concours in Oregon, the elegant and highly prepared 250SE 5-spd coupe proved itself during the 1,600+ mile trip north. It’s quite the tour and event car with effortless high speed touring capabilities combined with extraordinary comfort.

Advertisement

An 'ANTIK' indeed. Our elegant 111 coupe is fitted with a rare Mercedes 5-spd gearbox and a factory sunroof. The interior fairly glows with fresh leather and Pebble Beach quality wood from Madera Concepts. Our list of technical improvements is a mile long. It's now ready for a new owner to enjoy.

African Universal Fintail Wagon

Not much to report here aside from parts being ordered, carbs done, engine resealed and new water pump fitted. The plan is to make the car a runner – and stopper – by August 16 so I can subject myself to ridicule and laughter while touring the Monterey peninsula during the area’s epic classic car week. Barring any major catastrophe, I should make it. I’m scheduled to attend the Legends of the Autobahn Friday morning so keep an eye out for the tatty fin.

Our cool 230S Universal wagon hasn't moved an inch since arriving some weeks ago. The engine is being attended to and will likely re-join the rolling chassis in a week or so. I use 'rolling' loosely as the rear brakes are currently frozen solid. With some luck the rare fintail will make it to Augusts' glorious Monterey week.

Single owner 300SEL 6.3

This call came in last week and I was able to run up to the Napa wine country and purchase a lovely, unmolested and single owner 6.3. The specification is certainly desirable: Our new 109 sedan is finished in Dark Olive green (291), trimmed with tan leather and features burlwood and a factory sunroof. The handbook packet is complete with massive service history and over $4k recently spent on brakes and shocks. And it has been fitted with cruise control. We’ll massage the cosmetics and take care of some technical loose ends in the hope of providing an entry level 6.3. Oh, and it still has its original black and yellow license plates. It’s a snorting brute and will be my backup wheels for Monterey in case the African fintail wagon is a no show.

Our new 6.3 has been living a relaxed life in the California wine country with only occasional use in recent years. The only reason this dark olive sedan reached the market is the devoted original owner passed away. We'll treat the car as a survivor and sympathetically prepare it accordingly.

1960 190SL: Hiding in storage

I’d no sooner arrived back in my office from Oregon after the Forest Grove Concours than an email popped up offering a 190SL for sale…in Oregon. So, I headed back up to the lush Pacific Northwest but this time via plane rather than my 250SE coupe. When the mini-storage door rolled up, I was greeted by a largely unmolested fire engine red, two-top 190SL. While it hadn’t run in some years, the overall package was attractive and aside from some rear body panel repairs, the car was extremely sound with excellent hood and door fit and partially original interior. It’s now at Burlingame Motors being re-commissioned and we hope to have it running in a week or so.

Seeing the light of day after some years in storage, this very solid 1960 190SL is now in Burlingame and will soon run. The owner simply did not have the energy or funds to attend to the car's needs and wisely chose to sell rather than allow the car to deteriorate further.

Young Classic: 1984 Euro 500SEC

Consistent with our coverage and enthusiasm for the emerging ‘Young Classics’ we’ve been on the lookout for an acceptable 126 coupe. Our ideal candidate was a Euro 5 liter SEC which are certainly rare being ‘grey market’ cars that were never originally destined for the US. After some months of casual searching we found a suitable car sitting on a generic consignment lot in San Rafael, CA. It took a few months for the seller to accept our offer and I’m happy to report the car is essentially done.

This 75k mile blue green 500SEC is a nice find being a single owner car imported new to California. Our typically precise inspection revealed no calamities, full handbooks, an original unused spare, undisturbed door, fender and deck lid hinge bolts and some nice options. Orthopedic seats and heated seats add some extra appeal. However, the preparation process has been extensive as chasing the loose ends on an ’80s era 126 coupe requires commitment. The result is a quick, silky smooth collectible coupe suitable for every day use as well as MBCA events. It’s available and can be viewed in this listing.

Our Euro 500SEC is quite a smooth and muscular cruiser and has been nicely reconditioned. Restored correct alloys on new tires are a welcome relief from the ugly Centra wheels fitted when we acquired the car. It was a nice find with only 75k miles on the clock.

We’re working on acquiring additional interesting Mercedes-Benz and are actively seeking others. If you know of an interesting car for sale, don’t hesitate to contact me @650-343-7980. We pay referral commissions for any car purchased and welcome interesting offerings.

Roy Spencer, editor MercedesHeritage.com
Photography from MercedesHeritage.com

____________________________

Please comment on this article below.