Merry Christmas or whatever it is that you’re celebrating right now. If you’re reading this around the time it will be posted, it’s 26°C (77°F) and there is not a single cloud in the sky to ruin the Christmas tan I’m working on. I understand that’s not the usual weather one associates with yuletide cheer, but you work with what you can. And anyway if I suddenly want to feel cool I just have to look at this Mercedes which somehow has found its way to my local Hyundai dealership.
I can imagine I’m not alone in wanting to have a little bit of snow of snow for Christmastime. The image of men in extremely large coats, snowball fights, snowmen and cars sliding all over the place because they don’t have winter tires has been ingrained in all of us that don’t really get “Winter” climate. Even after people that actually have been in a snowy season and tells us it’s mostly inconvenient and we are better off having mild weather all the time we’d still be glad to have a little personal experience with snow. At least for the brief period between it falling and every system in the city failing.
One part of the country that almost always looks like a barren winter wasteland are my local automotive classified ads. Page upon page of the same four million variants of RAV4,CR-V, Sportage, Corolla and everything else that’s unexciting now but will make great CC material in some years’ time. So imagine my surprise when these, a genuine bona-fide Heckflosse in what seems to be showroom condition comes right out of nowhere to liven things up a bit.
Not to bring anyone down in this time of merriment and spending time with the people you care about the most, but I don’t think that the story of this merc has been terribly happy lately. As with any car of this age that has terms like “Showroom condition” used to describe it, it was probably still on it’s original owner. I won’t try and speculate what happened to end what had to be a very strong bond between them, but the fact that it ended up on a Hyundai dealer leads me to believe that something like that Tucson behind it and to its left will be taking its place in the family garage.
Here’s the interior. Just as immaculate as the exterior. The listing says that this particular 230S is even fitted with air-conditioning and power steering. Do you really need anything more? Okay, a Stereo with MP3 compatibility would be a nice touch, but unless you could get a new Becker Mexico it would completely spoil the dashboard. The price is set a very reasonable L.220,000 (Around $11,000). Would it be too much to ask to find it parked near my tree with a pretty red bow like on those cheesy Lexus commercials? I promise I’ll be a very good boy and I’ll rent a garage to keep it safe and away from the nasty influence of U.V rays. Look at the poor thing, who knows what the next owner is bound to do to it?
Beautiful!!! I didn’t know these were built all the way to 1969. I thought they stopped the 200 series mid 1960s.
Feliz Navidad!!!
Actually, this can’t be a 1969, as W111 sedan production ended in January of 1968. Let’s call it a 1967.
The listing swears it’s a 1969 model. Considering how often Mercedes sell around here it’s most definitely a leftover model first registered in ’69.
Beautiful looking Mercedes-Benz. I’ve always liked these Heckflosse Mercedes-Benz.
So “tweedy professor with a fin fancy” looking. The smallish wheels add a touch of utilitarian appeal. Doesn’t even need a photochop to imagine it finless, which from where we are now, it doesn’t need to be.
Looks nice , it even has the better ,European head lamps .
Don’t wait for Santa ~ you grind the price don ($11K is silly) and save it ! .
This one should have twin Solex carbys on it .
-Nate
Nice cars those a school friends parents had one in dark red it was nice to ride in compared to our Holden another friends parents had a 190D which was as sloow as but still rode ok its very hilly where I come from and a diesel Benz can rarely maintain 50mph on the highway downhill is ok but anything else they struggle and that one had a freshly rebuilt engine.
Merry Christmas. Happy Hanukkah. Happy New Year. 🙂
And a joyus Festivus for the rest of us.
Buy it and cherish it! Good fintails are almost a thing of the past these days and are rarely available. All mechanical parts still seem to be availabe (I have a w 111 coupe and never have issues getting service parts at perfectly reasonable prices) but the panels and fittings are expensive – but this one seems to have everything present and correct. If that were for sale here in Australalia it would be over $20k for sure – and if as good as it looks, worth every cent.
Fintails are fantastic cars to drive – no screeching power that is for sure, but ride and handling 20 years ahead of everything else. Build quality is amazing – there won’t be any rattles or squeaks (unless the front end/ suspension needs a grease – some 20 nipples!) and these cars – and possibly the 108’s that followed them – in my view represent a high point in quality of materials and construction that was not equalled before nor since.
Have a really Merry Christmas – and many Happy New Years – in your new Fintail!
I’d buy a Heckflosse Diesel if one were in driveable condition, and parts were readily available.
Please please buy this car.
If only I could.
Save this jewell from the budget shoppers O Wise One and the Old Car Gods may reward thee with with stylish and reliable transport, personal fulfilment, the admiration and respect of all, and possession of an appreciating asset.
Or perhaps not.
It’s a magical time of year, try it and let us all know how things work out. Good luck!
The model that M-B “made their legend on”.
The four speed manuals are rare as hen’s teeth in the US, usually only seen on non S Diesels. Want want want!
Such a big, imposing face on such a humble, little car……..!
Anyone else see 1960-’62 Rambler Classic in the windshield shape?
Yes, as well as rear side styling resembling a `59 or `60 Rambler Ambassador.
Hey, a fintail! Love these things…I’ve only seen one recently, at a local import repair specialist. Looked like a good driver so I hope it was only in for maintenance or for some minor surgery!
They really are dashing-looking machines, and are prime examples of “tasteful chrome”. Also, those taillights! Those headlights! That grille! That dash! Details, details, details galore.
Superb!
One the cars that built the modern Mercedes!
I’ve always found the Mercedes-Benz Heckflosse to be the best looking of the Mercedes-Benz cars.