Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

3amigos · Joined: 14 Apr 2009 Posts: 16 Location: Canterbury, Kent UK

She was found rotting in undergrowth in a junk yard next to my freinds land.
He did a deal today with the owner and we pulled it round into his workshop to get to work stripping it down ready for restoration!

Its in suprisingly good condition considering its been sat in brambles for years, and on initial inspection only needs 2 tiny bits of welding on the NS seal! Even got her started with a fresh battery and a glug of petrol in the carb chamber!

After the brambles had been cleared

Interior is in really good condition

Then pulled her out of the corner, and into our yard

Gave her a wash

And where we will be doing the work, a nice heated workshop Smile

We spent yesterday afternooon stripping the interior, and the floors 99% rot free, only needed a small repair in the boot floor (drain hole rusted out)

Comments welcome Smile

We dont know a great deal about the car as of yet, as it was a spur of the moment purchase, so if anyone has any knowlodge on classic Mercs, please fill us in!

47p2 · Joined: 24 Nov 2007 Posts: 2009 Location: Glasgow

What a great find and worthy of a restoration. Parts should still be readily available although at a cost. The 190 was the smallest engined base model in the Fintail range

The 4 door Heckflosse (Fintail) models were produced from 1959 until 1968, these are also called W110, W111 and W112 by Mercedes-Benz. They were known as the 190, 190D, 220, 220S, 220SE, 300 SE and 300SE LWB (Long Wheel Base), after 1965 they were replaced by the 200, 200D, 230 and 230S. The 220 SE was replaced by the 250SE (W108), the 300 SE and SE LWB by the new W108 and W109 300 models.

The 2 door models were produced from 1961 until 1971, these are also called W111 and W112 by Mercedes-Benz. They were known as the 220SE, 250SE, 300 SE, 280SE and 280SE 3,5 Coupé and Convertible. Mercedes didn't really had a suitable successor for the 2 door models, although you might mention the SLC models as successor of the 2 door models..

Why the name Heckflosse ?
You might have heard that some cars are known under a nickname. Well, the name Heckflosse, or Fintail in English speaking countries, is just a nickname given to this type of Mercedes. Because these cars show American influences, in this case the little 'fins' on the back wings (though in comparison with the ones found on the Americans these fins are barely noticeable), people started calling them Heckflossen. It must be said that the name is not officialy given by Mercedes-Benz. The word Heckflosse is simply the German translation of the word Fintail, 'Heck' means 'tail' and 'flosse' means 'fin'

The 2 door models can't really deserve the nickname Heckflosse because the Coupés and Convertibles lack the prominent 'fins' on the rear but they do share some mechanical elements with their 4 door sedan brothers and sisters
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Rick · Site Admin Joined: 27 Apr 2005 Posts: 22437 Location: UK

What a great find, and the condition beneath the moss looks very encouraging. Look forward to following the rebuild Smile

Rick
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3amigos · Joined: 14 Apr 2009 Posts: 16 Location: Canterbury, Kent UK

Thanks guys, glad you like it!

Regarding the other models, the guy who sold us this one also has the diesel version (190d) although the bodywork is in a lot worse state than this one.

We are considering purchasing the second car for parts (has really good bumpers etc) but we are toying with the idea of using this shell to restore the diesel model, as these are apparently rarer, and for the fact it will be more economical.

Unsure what the best route to take is?

Rick · Site Admin Joined: 27 Apr 2005 Posts: 22437 Location: UK

if it was mine I'd keep it original (plus I'm no fan of old oil burners anyway Wink

), the spare chrome bits on the other one would be handy to get though, as I expect M-B charge plenty for new items!

R
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3amigos · Joined: 14 Apr 2009 Posts: 16 Location: Canterbury, Kent UK

Thats what im thinking Smile

It seems as though a replacement rear bumper is the best part of £800, so the amount the guys asking for the whole car is more than worth it!

And im sure we could sell the engine and any other unwanted parts to fund this car.

One option we were looking into was to do a modern resto, should we having real problems sourcing parts like brakes etc. Maybe using slightly more modern parts to make the car a more usuable classic. Again though, this will detract from its originality so we will most likely end keeping to the origanal parts.

RotaryBri · Joined: 20 Dec 2007 Posts: 465 Location: Warwick

I noticed an old Mercedes Minibus in the background. That model, used to be a Tempo before Mercedes took them over, was a nice vehicle. They are quite rare these days. A friend has a pick up version to take his tractors to shows.
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peppiB · Posted: Tue Apr 14, 2009 3:42 pm Post subject:

Nice looking motor and considering where it has been is remarkably sound. Not surprised it started - Merc engines are almost indestructable. Once when an RAC man was out to another of my cars he saw my 87 Merc and commented that it was made in the days when engineers and not accountants designed cars. Yours fits into the same category. Enjoy the restoration and look forward to seeing more pics as it progresses.

3amigos · Joined: 14 Apr 2009 Posts: 16 Location: Canterbury, Kent UK

3amigos · Joined: 14 Apr 2009 Posts: 16 Location: Canterbury, Kent UK

While I remember, can anyone shed any light on the position of the indicators, and why they are on the wings apposed to being under the headlights?

47p2 · Joined: 24 Nov 2007 Posts: 2009 Location: Glasgow

There should be a combined side lamp and indicator under the headlamp. The indicators on the wings were side repeaters as far as I remember
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3amigos · Joined: 14 Apr 2009 Posts: 16 Location: Canterbury, Kent UK

emmerson · Joined: 30 Sep 2008 Posts: 1268 Location: South East Wales

I had one of these in the seventies, and the indicators were like yours, on the wing. The sidelights were in the headlights. Mine was a striaght six with fuel injection, very advanced for 1965. Gear lever like a thick knitting needle, as I recall.

emmerson · Joined: 30 Sep 2008 Posts: 1268 Location: South East Wales

Just noticed that yours is a column gear change. Mine was on the floor.

Penman · Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 4755 Location: Swindon, Wilts.

Hi
Just a thought, I can't see any amber lights to the rear either.
If it has red rear indicators that could point to it being an import from somewhere with RHD and red rear indicators.

I'm sure that there is some statute about front indicators being at the front once semaphores disappeared.

What about front marker lights?
Are they inside the headlamps?
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