5k: Desperately Seeking Horsepower: 1967 Mercedes-Benz 200D Heckflosse W110
The W110 Heckflosse (German for fintail) was a 4-cylinder powered sedan built in Germany between 1961 and 1968. It was the baby-brother to the higher end W111 that later morphed into the modern S-Class, but the W110 has its own set of fans today, mostly people who appreciate it for its simplicity and economy. It’s even more economical when equipped with a manual transmission. Find this 1967 Mercedes-Benz 200D Heckflosse for sale in Ventura, CA for $5,500 via craigslist.
The W110 chassis was built back when Mercedes-Benz put together quality automobiles…geologically slow, but still built like a tank. The prevalence of old Mercs driving around southern California today is testament to their build quality, engineering and usability.
The engine under the hood is the OM621, a 2.0 liter naturally aspirated diesel 4-banger rated at 55 hp and 60 ft-lbs of torque. Sub Beetle power levels in a 3500 lb
car equal 0-60 mph…in….wait for it…wait some more…29 seconds. Top
speed was a laughable 81 mph.
A manual transmission will get you excited until you remember the lump of pig iron under the hood that make about as much power as a modern Mercedes does at idle speeds, but at least you won’t be saddled with an abominably slow car AND no stick shift.
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I've been trying to convince the wife to let me buy this exact car. My mechanic has one he lets me putt around town in it while he's putting his kids through college wrenching on the 911. All I have to say is that I've never had so much fun going so slow. Despite its size it rides very smooth, like a much larger car.
Unfortunately, it also handles like a much larger car. And it is very, very slow. For those of you familiar with the Sepulveda pass on the 405 in Los Angeles, all I can say is pray for traffic, otherwise you're going 25mph flat out up the grade with 18-wheelers blasting by you. That's if your by yourself on a cool day.
You're. My apologies.
Wish I was in the market for a car, this would fit the bill, low entry and a nice putting car for tooling around in. The slowness doesn't bother me too much, as I wouldn't be doing long trips in it, just mostly flat terrain around town.
I believe that a 4BT transplant would make this lovely-looking Mercedes into a fine gentleman tourer.
Just an update, this exact car has been re-listed by some flipper for twice the price just down the street from my house:
losangeles.craigslist.org/wst/ctd/4080040773.html
Trying to get one like it running again. Any suggestions for parts in Minnesota?