In the present day’s Good Value or No Cube 220S has been styled to appear like a classic rally racer. Its perposely-patina’d roof even has a whimsical “Higher Late Than By no means” painted in Spanish for an additional little bit of aptitude. Let’s see if the value tag set by the vendor is a win or a complete DNF.
With its T-tops and five-speed, yesterday’s 1992 Chevy Camaro RS had among the proper bits of package we prefer to see. Nonetheless, a less-desirable 305 V8, a considerably beat-down presentation, and plenty of miles meant our “Break Glass In Case Of F-Physique” emergency mullet went unused. A $6,000 asking worth sealed the Camaro’s destiny, coming in at a 61 p.c No Cube loss.
Thursday’s Camaro’s age and use might have been evident within the put on and tear it exhibited, nevertheless it couldn’t be in any approach described as ratty. Then again, in the present day’s 1965 Mercedes-Benz 220S ‘Heckflosse,’ has been purposefully curated to look semi-ratty in its reimagining as a rally racing rat rod.
In accordance with the advert, this W111 sedan was initially imported from Germany—therefore the speedo studying in km/h—and lived a lot of its life in sunny Malibu, California. In 1968, it made a trek to Mexico for the Olympic video games and nonetheless has the ‘turista’ window sticker and Mexico key fob from that journey.
In later years, it was despatched to a store for some repairs, the place it stayed for nearly three many years after the proprietor handed away and the property apparently forgot in regards to the automobile. When the store closed, the Benz was offered together with different automobiles as a part of the close-out and was later purchased by the current proprietor from the person who made that deal.
It has since been changed into an homage rally racer, with a rigorously crafted patina and a few period-correct livery, lights, and wheels. The inside has additionally been given new seating and door upholstery, and the automobile has undergone an in depth mechanical refresh—main brake parts, suspension bits, and different ancillary updates—to make it a dependable every day driver for the present proprietor.
Whereas this automobile might not have an actual rally pedigree, the mannequin’s historical past does imply the homage isn’t completely out of left subject. Launched in August 1959, the W111 Heckflosse, or Fintail, succeeded the W180 ‘Ponton’ collection as Mercedes’ major cash maker. Over-engineered and very stout, the W111 proved the proper instrument for rally racing shenanigans, with automobiles successful in Monte Carlo, Finland, Cape City, and elsewhere over time.
Powering this 220S is a 2195cc SOHC straight six fitted with twin Solex carburetors. That’s good for 110 (gross) horsepower, a large bump from the single-carb engine’s 95. These horses are routed by a three-speed computerized to the automobile’s oddball half-swing axle rear finish.
No, it’s not going to be fast (sixty takes about 16 seconds to achieve) or quick total, nevertheless it ought to show fairly enjoyable nonetheless.
Per the vendor, the automobile may use a carb tune and suffers from highway rot within the outer wall of the entrance fender, however is in any other case stable and succesful. It sports activities new-ish tires on later aluminum wheels and has an accurate mileage studying of 114,000, though the odometer solely reveals 14k of that because it lacks ample barrels for the true studying. The title is clear, and the automobile comes with a price ticket of $10,000.
Admittedly, this Mercedes’ look can be much more attention-grabbing if it had an precise racing historical past to again it up slightly than a narrative about as soon as taking a visit to Mexico. Folks have a tendency to understand authenticity over artificiality, however then there’s at all times a extra important price in the true deal over any homage. You’d pay much more to see a Led Zeppelin reunion than a Kashmir cowl band, proper?
With that in thoughts, what’s your tackle this rally homage 220S and that $10,000 asking? Does that appear truthful, given the work that has gone into the automobile and its current situation? Or is that this only a faker with an much more faux expectation of worth?
You determine!
Los Angeles, California, Craigslist, or go right here if the advert disappears.
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