1971 Mercedes Benz 220 - BEST OF THE CLEAN, ORIGINAL 70'S SEDANS

1971

Mercedes Benz

220 Sedan

VIN: 11501012061200

By the fall of 2001 Mrs. “D” knew it was time to upgrade the stereo in her beloved vintage 220 sedan. She’d purchased “Gustav” years before and couldn’t bear the thought of Sunday afternoon cruises around Salem, Oregon without classical music. The local Car Toys rep suggested a low-profile security CD/AM-FM that kept the classic dash profile intact and the upgrade was made! She would continue to enjoy “Gustave” for many more years.

Living in a smaller town like Salem has its advantages. Neighbors still get to know and care for one another. There’s often someone just waiting in the wings to own a classic car and in early 2014 that happened. Mrs. Thompson’s family took delivery of “Gustave” and over the next six years put over $10,000 into the Mercedes (we have receipts to document all parts & work done). While it was occasionally started to keep fluids and the battery up, the car was rarely driven during that period. Last Fall “Gustav” made the trip 175 miles north to my warehouse, where he now resides.

It’s now time for the Mercedes to move on to the next permanent caretaker. What you see here in my pics is a remarkably nice, original (except for paint) gasoline-powered four-cylinder sedan. If you have questions or would like to inspect the car before the auction ends, please call to set a meeting time at my Auburn, WA warehouse. My name is Mark and my direct number is (206) 914-1173.

CONDITION:

Little has been changed since Mrs. Thompson bought the Benz all those years ago. The odometer reads 14,983 (I have no way to know what the actual miles are as it is a five-digit counter). It’s likely turned over at least once.

My un-retouched photos do tell the story. The exterior is in remarkably good condition. Because a good quality respray has been applied to the factory color, the solid dark green paint holds quite a shine. A quick glance and you’ll see all the glass is good with the exception of a bullseye/crack in the upper passenger’s side windshield, above the sight line. Turn the key; allow a few seconds for turn-over and the bullet-proof carbureted inline four cylinder starts every time, even when cold. The floor-mounted automatic shifts well into and between all gears. I’ve made no attempt to update the remarkably decent stock engine compartment and trunk. Rust? Please, this Mercedes hates body rust and you’ll be hard pressed to find anything here to worry about. Yes, the Northwest is famous for rain, but our winter roads are rarely salted. At most we’ll only have one or two days of light snow a year. Everyone panics and just stays home. Climb over, under and throughout this car – I’m convinced you’ll come up smiling. I have found a solid past repair done along one edge of the interior trunk floor.

Please look again at the interior pictures. You’ll find all the original factory oxford white MBTex seat vinyl, both front and back, is in excellent condition. No tears, puntures or wear-through spots on either the seat bases or the backrest bolsters. Also, no disintegrating seat underlayment as typically found on vintage Mercedes. The factory headliner is intact but has some shrinkage around the rear window. I’m quite impressed with the condition of the dash gauges. They seem almost as clear and bright as the day this rig left Stuttgart five decades ago! Like most European vehicles of the day, it came with manual crank windows. The factory carpets have been upgraded and are effectively new. Below is a list of major repairs/replacements done in the last few years, all with included receipts:

· Engine : new main bearings and piston rings, front crank & rear main seals, valve cover gasket, coolant fan clutch & hoses.

· New engine and transmission mounts

· Carburetor removed and rebuilt

· Electronic ignition system installed along with a new coil

· Front brakes replaced; new brake lines installed.

· New upper control arm bushings, tie rod ends, drag link and sway bar bushings

· Mufflers replaced

The wheels are all straight and true. Each is wrapped with excellent 205/75R14 touring radials. All four tires have at least 90% remaining tread with even wear. In addition to the positives, I always point out any issues I’ve encountered: While I have had the right rear door open, it’s become difficult to do so. Also. the heater system is complete, but the blower fan doesn’t come on. The dash clock is intermittant.We did a complete tune-up within the last twenty-five miles including new electronic ignition, sparkplugs, plug wires, distributor cap & rotor, motor oil and filter. I recommend having a vintage Benz mechanic look over the rig before using it as a daily driver as further carb adjustment could be needed.

PLEASE BID WITH CONFIDENCE and know that you are purchasing a very nice car from a respected Ebay seller. I want you to be happy with your purchase (and with me) and that’s the main goal! Please don’t be upset by a missed flaw or some unforeseen problem! No vintage vehicle is ever perfect.

Because of the amount of money involved in buying a vehicle, I require that new Ebay members with a feedback history of five or fewer transactions call or email before placing a bid. If we don’t have this initial contact, your bid may be cancelled. As I’ve outlined above, the phone number to talk directly to me is 206/914-1173. Please feel free to call any time during the auction. My name is MARK. You’re welcome and encouraged to come by my Auburn, WA warehouse to inspect & drive the Mercedes. You might also make an offer as many of my vehicles sell to smart “early bird” collectors that call and work out a deal prior to the auction’s end. I always reserve the right to sell during this period.

A Few Additional Terms and Conditions:

The entire purchase price is due by cash (in-person only), a wire transfer or other certified funds within seven days of the auction closing. I can accept credit/debit cards but will need to first send an invoice from our card processor and ask that the 3.25% fee charged by them be added. Please remember you are bidding to buy, and I fully expect the winning bidder to fulfill their Ebay contract! You’re not bidding to hold or then come inspect and test-drive the vehicle later -- You’re more than welcome to do this before the auction ends.

If you decide to have the Mercedes shipped home, there are numerous vehicle transportcompanies to choose from. While the delivery company chosen is the responsibility of the BUYER, I ship vehicles regularly and have access to the nationwide Central Dispatch system. I can check to see what typical shipping costs have been to your area recently and then post a transport offer for the Benz at a fair price. We usually then have a shipper lined up within a few days. The buyer pays the transporter COD when they arrive with the vehicle. No upfront deposit or other hassles.

Thecar can be stored free of charge at my location for up to two weeks after the auction ends assuming full payment has been received. After that period storage is $20 per day. This 220 is being sold as-is, where-is, with no warranty expressed or implied. All information described above is based on the observed condition when thelisting was placed. I've done my very best to accurately describe the vehicle and encourage bidders to contact me with questions before bidding.