El Benzamino: 1981 Mercedes-Benz 300SD Camino

Once upon a time this was a perfectly sensible W116-era Mercedes diesel sedan, and then someone looked at it and thought, “Yes, but what if it were an El Camino?” The result is this silver, long-roof-adjacent oddity powered by the famously indestructible OM617 diesel and transformed into a pickup in the most earnest, neighbor-built way possible. It’s rough around the edges, very much a project, and currently more “idea” than daily driver, but it’s exactly the sort of strange, charming, and deeply unrepeatable machine that invites either light recommissioning or a full send rebuild with something outrageous under the hood. LS-Camino-Benz? Find this 1981 Mercedes-Benz 300SD Camino offered for $11,500 in Philadelphia, PA via facecamino book. Tip from Cory.

From the seller:

1981 Mercedes-Benz 300 sd Custome Conversion
$11,500
Listed a week ago in Philadelphia, PA
About this vehicle
Driven 275,000 miles
Automatic transmission
Exterior color: Silver · Interior color:
Fuel type: Diesel
Seller’s description
El Benzo
280 SE Diesel that underwent a conversion to become this beautiful creature you see here today. This is a project vehicle. I acquired it from neighbors who have owned it for a very long time. I did get it running, but that was a few months ago. Haven’t touched it since. Just don’t have the capacity for a project. While you could put a little time and money into it and run it as is, it could be an exceptional car (think amg 55 engine and trans, body and interior refresh…).

Although not my preference, I am open to trades (trade, trade + cash, trade and I add cash… but not looking for a project or high mileage vehicle). Open to other interesting non- vehicle trades too.

See a better way to drive something El Camino? tips@dailyturismo.com