After seeing the Corvairamino the other day, I was just thinking about trotting out my shots of a Benzamino. But runningonfumes also just posted this one at the cohort, so I’ll let him go first. This is a W114/115, but since the identifying alpha-numeric code is not on the rear, it’s a guess what’s under the hood. A diesel somehow seems most appropriate.
Since it has the narrow radiator grille, we know it’s one of the earlier versions of that long-running series (1968-1976).
It appears to be a well-made conversion. Now that I see that oversize exhaust, I’m wondering about its power plant. Maybe it has a Banks kit, and makes 650hp?
It seems to have a functional tailgate, which is always a big plus in my book for conversions like this.
The mismatched liscense plates seem to me like a good way to get familiar with every cop in the neighborhood.
I agree about the tailgate, so many conversions lack that feature.
The rear plate is a collector vehicle plate, which you only get one of, so technically it doesn’t need the front plate. That front plate is a “truck” rather than a car plate. The problem with that collector plate besides having restrictions on driving (shows, club meetings, occasional pleasure) it also means that it can’t legally “carry a load”. That’s why I haven’t gotten one for my Scouts as I still use them to carry stuff other than passengers and tow things.
Seems like putting a collector plate on a truck would completely defeat the purpose of having a truck.
In California, a commercial plate is mandatory on any truck with an open bed. Which has come in handy for me a few times when the only available parking space was a loading zone. But I could do without the $252 annual registration bill.
We have it good in kansas, $26 a year with no restrictions on any vehicle over 35 years old. Even farm trucks can get the antique plates.
Years ago we could get by with parking in a loading zone with a “truck” plate, and I knew a couple of people that licesned their cars that way to take advantage of that rule. Unfortunately they closed that loop hole and now you need a “loading” permit that requires an application and proof of the need. .
One plus to our collector and horseless carraige plates is you only have to buy them once.
Is it wrong that I don’t get the whole “___-amino” thing? Most are horribly executed and this just seems like a waste of a perfectly good Benz.
You’re not alone. There are plenty of miscellaneous and mediocre cars from this era that are fair game for people to experiment with. Don’t mess with the classics.
Fegh. It’s a mass-produced car. With almost 2 million built, there’s no particular shortage of them in any condition and configuration if you want one. There’s more than 30 on ebay right now.
I guess this makes me strange but I like the looks of the corvair better. This probably has a lot better function for a couple reasons. Tailgate, as mentioned above and I expect the floor of the bed is lower.
I would take either one.
I like the Corvamino in principle, but the B-pillar area on this one is better resolved. They both suffer from having the shorter doors from the 4-door sedan. I’d prefer to have this one, just for the greater functionality.
So, what’s the perfect donor car for conversion to a pickup? I think I’d go with a 64 Electra/Wildcat coupe:
I agree that would be perfect for making into an -amino.
Light years better than “El Oldsmopile!”
https://www.curbsideclassic.com/curbside-classics-american/cc-capsule-1981-el-oldsmopile/
Yikes! O_o At least this “El Cutlass” is more beautiful
http://s723.beta.photobucket.com/user/satanic-mechanic/media/MikesElCamino-CutlassPictures079.jpg.html
Bravo Stephane! I think I’ve found the next resident for my MM dream car garage!
Years ago I used to regularly see a 68-8 Skymino near where I live now.
Seen a few old Benzs cut down into utes there was a nice one I saw in a wrecking yard in Hobart very well done tailgate n all great car except for the huge smack in the front
So this is what a Subaru Brat looks like when it’s all grown up. Like. Cut-em-up!
Interesting, also some folks made some “El BMW”
http://www.autospies.com/news/BMW-M5-UTE-Australian-made-El-Camino-35815/
http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2010/11/bmw-330i-coupe-revived-from-brink.html
Not bad at all, but I could do without the flying-buttress sail panels. The curve looks so out of place on an otherwise angular design.
My favorite example of this type of conversion would be the fellow who did a completely “stock” Edsel Ranchero:
http://machine-whisperer.com/personal/EdRan.htm
The buttresses probably provide some much-needed structural reinforcement though. And they help keep the cab area from looking too much like a pinhead, by providing a bit of visual mass and easing the transition from cab to bed.
Look again. That car isn’t as “angular” as you think. It’s all gentle curves.
No Banks kit, but Karl Middelhauve (and the original designer Paul Bracq) built a 600-based, turbocharged “El Benzo.”
http://www.mbgrand600.com/Page80.html
These – well actually W124, W126, W140 and W210 – are somewhat common in Denmark. There were also quite a few Porsche 928 conversions made – and Camaros. The reason was that there were lower taxes on trucks than vans. A car for personal use is taxed between 120 and 180 percent based on fuel economy. Vans are taxed less and in the nineties trucks even less. Our tax system is not always incredibly brilliant.
There where some Mercedes Diesel Pickups made in Argentina:
http://www.cocheargentino.com.ar/m/mercedes_pickup.htm
And a picture: