At $7,500, Would You Go Low and Gradual In This ’73 Mercedes 220D?

As a result of local weather change is seemingly melting icecaps at an ever extra prodigious fee, even glacial ablation is now in all probability sooner than at the moment’s Good Worth or No Cube Mercedes 220D will ever be. Let’s see if its worth will nonetheless make quick work of a sale.

Effectively, it needed to be over eventually, and with yesterday’s $11,995 1990 VW Vanagon GL, our quick run of Good Worth wins is, for the second, at an finish. Though Kind 2 costs have been nuts the previous decade or so, few of you had been down with that form of loopy discuss. That resulted within the Vanagon’s denouement manifested within the type of a 65 p.c No Cube loss.

Mayhaps at the moment we’ll be again on the upswing.

To search out out if that’s the case, let’s have a gander at this clean-title 1973 Mercedes-Benz 220D. It’s so cute that I simply can’t assist however smile at it.

Mercedes internally coded this physique fashion the W115, introducing it in 1968 to exchange the “Fintail” W110. In contrast to its predecessor’s considerably flamboyant styling, these featured stately and easy traces overseen by legendary Mercedes designer Paul Bracq.

For a way of the place this mannequin matches in Mercedes’ lineup, contemplate it to be the E-Class earlier than all of us began calling the mid-sized fashions the E-Class. This one options the Euro-market headlamps, which do look rather a lot higher than the U.S.-demanded sealed beams and transfer the flip indicators from the underside to the highest of the housing.

Beneath the Bracq bodywork lies a revamped suspension that traded the prior swing axle rear for a completely impartial setup, semi-trailing arms, and a set pumpkin. Mercedes selected to suit the road with numerous 4 and six-cylinder fuel engines, in addition to 4 and five-cylinder diesels.

This one has the two.2 liter OM615 diesel 4, which on this mannequin makes—now, don’t you chuckle—60 horsepower and 93 lb-ft of torque, each internet numbers. Even backed up by Mercedes’ four-speed handbook as is supplied right here, that makes for some leisurely motoring. Which means must you select to use the automobile for financial institution robberies or different nefarious actions it would solely be capable of handle Al Cowlings/OJ fashion of chases, not Bonnie and Clyde.

Maybe to make up for that efficiency hit, somebody has determined to provide this 220D a little bit of styling pleasure by means of dropping it on its suspension. With the dullness of the Harvest Beige paint, a number of strategically positioned dings, and a few rust creeping up on one of many wheel arches, it additionally has a bit of rat-roddiness added to its bad-boy look. It might not impress the valets on the nation membership, however then it wouldn’t look misplaced lazing into Vehicles & Espresso or simply out cruising to select up some avenue tacos.

The cabin appears to be like to be an pleasant place to do both. The ruddy pink upholstery appears to be like to be MBTex and appears to be in surprisingly good form. So too do the molded sprint cap and the door playing cards. This isn’t a high-end mannequin so there’s nary a splinter of wooden to be discovered, however there are vent wings within the entrance doorways and people fantastic outsized seize handles over every door that makes up for that.

The temporary description within the advert notes that the automobile “begins straightforward” and wears model new tires and changed axles though the vendor spells the latter like they’ve been out cloning Weapons and Roses singers. The mileage is proven as 75,798, nonetheless, the automobile has a five-barrel odometer so maybe that’s gone ‘around the horn not less than as soon as.

If the mileage reads true, there ought to be loads of poop left on this previous experience. Mercedes’ diesel engines are well-known for his or her longevity and fuss-free operation simply so long as filters are modified and valve clearances are commonly set. So too is the corporate’s MBTex upholstery, which is preferable in most cases to leather-based.

It is a enjoyable throwback that ought to catch a number of eyes driving round and never be too pricey to maintain and preserve. What would possibly that moderately be price?

The vendor appears to assume it’s price $7,500. Do you agree? Or, does that worth imply this gradual Benz isn’t going to promote very quick?

You determine!

San Diego, California, Craiglist, or go right here if the advert disappears.

H/T to Don R. for the hookup!

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