In the present day’s Good Worth or No Cube Mercedes could also be a future traditional that is merely under-appreciated now. Let’s examine if this stately sedan is priced for that risk, or simply for the right here and now.
In Michael Crichton’s 1973 movie, “Westworld,” wealthy folks pay huge bucks to remain at an amusement park the place they put on uncomfortable garments, sleep in uncomfortable beds, and drink heat booze. That is all to allow them to get rowdy with the robotic solid. Naturally, issues go pear-shaped in fast order when the robots get fed up and determine to “eat the wealthy.”
The 1984 Toyota Land Cruiser FJ60 we checked out yesterday provided the same throw-back thrill to an easier time. Nevertheless, it is extremely unlikely that the Toyota—being a Toyota—would ever endanger its occupants. At $26,000, our candidate was admittedly extra for the elite than the egalitarian, an element that did not sit nicely with the 68% of you who voted it down in a ‘No Cube’ loss. A brand new proprietor apparently disagreed, nevertheless, because the Land Cruiser advert was pulled earlier than we may end our voting.
Bric-a Bracq
Whereas Toyota has lengthy held a status for high quality and sturdiness, it isn’t alone on that pedestal. Effectively, a minimum of at one time it wasn’t. Daimler-Benz was as soon as additionally revered for its engineering and stable construct high quality. In the present day, not a lot, however this 1972 Mercedes-Benz 250 2.8, it is simple to see what as soon as was.
That is an instance of Mercedes’ mid-sized saloons of the late Sixties and early Seventies. In the present day, a comparable mannequin could be the E 450, although market place and an inline-six-cylinder engine below the hood are the place the similarities begin and finish.
Launched in 1968, the W115/114 fashions changed the sooner baroque-styled ‘Fintail W110 with impeccably clear Paul Bracq-penned strains in each four-door and pillarless coupe physique kinds. Out there energy crops included a sequence of 4 and six-cylinder fuel engines, in addition to four-cylinder, and the world’s first manufacturing five-cylinder diesel motors. Transmission selections have been all four-speeds, in both handbook or automated codecs.
Smaller means larger
Apparently, Mercedes’ inside coding for the fashions appears intuitively backwards because the higher-number fashions (W115) point out the four-cylinder-powered editions, whereas the lower-numbered (W114) one denotes the six-pot vehicles. You retain being loopy, Mercedes!
This automotive’s 2.8 six-cylinder makes it a W114, and the top-of-the-line version for this mannequin yr. The M130 SOHC straight six traces its roots again to the 1951 220, and on this mannequin yr was shared throughout the Mercedes lineup, most notably, below the hood of the Pagoda-roof 280 SL
Right here, with (new) twin Solex carbs, the mill makes 130 horsepower and 160 pound-feet of torque, adequate for zero to sixty sprints in about 11 seconds. That is matched to a normal Mercedes four-speed automated, and comes with (non-working) A/C, energy steering and brakes, and impartial suspension throughout. In accordance with the vendor, that is solely pushed this 250 to a complete of 113,000 miles. Since certainly one of these fashions is on report for a exceptional 2.9 million miles, this one’s solely getting began.
Drive it wherever
The vendor additionally claims the automotive is dependable sufficient to drive throughout state strains. It is going to look pretty fetching when doing so, too. Whereas painted in a considerably institutional “Classicweiss”, the mannequin’s timeless design nonetheless impresses immediately. There are some indicators of age, together with denting within the brightwork alongside the perimeters and a bubble of rust simply above it on the left rear nook. Additionally, the sidemarker lamp lenses within the again have gone from purple to sickly pink. On the plus facet, it has fantastic color-matched full wheel covers and nonetheless seems to have all its trim intact.
Within the cabin, issues are simply as good. The true wooden on the dashboard reveals some crazing in its shiny topcoat, including some extra character. The MBTex upholstery has held up splendidly, as one would anticipate. Different nice surprises right here embody opening vent home windows (maybe making up for the lifeless R12 AC) and the automotive’s authentic Becker Europa MU AM/FM stereo. Per the vendor, the automotive’s upkeep guide, with service information courting again to the Seventies, shall be included within the sale. The title is clear, and as it is a pre-1975 automotive, it’s unshackled from smog testing in states that comply with California’s lead on emissions.
In it for the lengthy haul
The rationale given for the automotive being up for grabs is the vendor’s declare that they merely haven’t any time to take pleasure in it. No relaxation for the depraved, as they are saying. For a brand new proprietor to take pleasure in this tidy and stately previous Mercedes traditional, the one factor wanted is to provide you with the $8,500 requested for its buy. That alternate lightens the checking account, however, in return, will get a automotive that can almost certainly be pleasurable (besides on actually sizzling days) for years, if not many years, to return.
However is {that a} truthful deal? What do you say? Is $8,500 an affordable value for this Mercedes as it’s introduced in its advert? The vendor warns that the worth is agency. You’ll have to decide how agency your resolve is in both supporting or denying that demand.
You determine!
Good Worth or No Cube:
Fresno, California, Craigslist, or go right here if the advert disappears.
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