The W110 Heckflosse (Fintail) was built from 1961-1968 as the
affordable 4-cylinder option from Mercedes-Benz and is instantly
recognizable from its 50's throwback tailfins and single headlights with vestigial pontoon styling up front. With an automatic transmission, the W110 will be excruciatingly
slow car in today's traffic, but it exudes a charm, charisma and
tank-like solidity that is unmatched by the cookie-cutter crap that is squeezed from the sphincters of today's automobile factories. Find this 1965 Mercedes Benz 190C Heckflosse offered for $3,600 near Portland, OR via craigslist. Another great tip from the tipper only known as FuelTruck. 
Another Mercedes so soon? It has been a heavy Mercedes-Benz week on these pages, but as all of the DT writers have owned/driven the Teutonic titans over the years it seems to make sense. You won't be able to get your drift on or nail apexes in a W110, but you will savor the miles and look down your nose at everyone else. The 1.9 liter inline-4 is good for 90 horsepower, or enough to get you down the street without being rear-ended by folks in mobility scooters.
This may not be the cheapest Heckflosse available on the market (rusty basket case W110s go for next to nothing), but it appears to be cosmetically acceptable from the outside and run/drive...what else can you expect from a sub $4k car (that isn't a Beetle!) from the mid sixties. Even at a condition 4 (Daily Driver), Hagerty pegs this car closer to a $6-7k value, so as long as there isn't any hidden rust or impending mechanical doom, this looks like a deal.
See a better BBS basket weave equipped classic? tips@dailyturismo.com
It's +turbo time. Break out the TIG welder and the grinder; we're going to be here a while. I think we could manage 150hp!
ReplyDeletePaint the center of the wheels black and you would be golden!
ReplyDelete^^i see what you did there
Deletehmm... i don't actually see what he did there
Delete"the cookie-cutter crap that is squeezed from the sphincters of today's automobile factories."
ReplyDeleteAmen ! You guys should be in charge of explaining the Affordable Care Act! The people might understand, brevity being the soul of wit.
Meanwhilw back in Heckflosseland...I had a '67 200 with 3 on the tree if memory serves me correctly. Beautiful maroon. I have to have a steel sunroof version and maybe a 220 s or 230. In any event there is nothing lke that speedometer or the Teutonic simplicity and order of the Heckers.
Challenge accepted.
DeleteThe Affordable Care Act (aka Obamacare) as explained by the Daily Turismo.
Republican Version: The best money spent on sick people's healthcare comes from healthy people.
Democrat Version: Go to a doctor for a few pennies before that thing on your neck requires a multi-thousand dollar ER trip.
Libertarian Version: Can't we just go back to the 1800's when everybody had the common courtesy to just go out and die in the woods when they got a cold?
Greenpeace Version: Will this cover injuries sustained from whaling ship harpoons?
Trekkie Version: If we just took two years of medicare & military-industrial complex budget and spent it on research we'd have a damn Medical Tricorder by now and could instantly diagnose and heal all illnesses. Oh. Medical insurance...I'm on my mom's plan until I turn 30 next year.
In the DT tradition I believe in using this old body every day. While it has some squeaks and groans it still beats what I'd have to pay for a new one. I just cover myself for the basics. I think of it as an extended service contract! Ironically, I'm the oldest contributor here, but I'm the only one with onboard electronics and I can even be monitored remotely and adjusted on the fly!
DeleteThese are great looking cars. Those "80's" BMW wheels don't do it any justice.
ReplyDelete