Any Mercedes guys here?

[pureaudio]

I sort of married into this 1961 Mercedes 180E, it was my wife's first car. I don't know a lot about it other than its a 4 speed on the column. I can't find much about it anywhere online either. My question is, does anyone here know the value on these things? I want to get rid of it as I have no desire to keep it whatsoever. Any info would be great, even pointing me to a forum where I can ask this same question. Pics of course included.

John.

[dirk2602]

Pontons have somewhat of a following. Here is the site that give's give quite a bit of information: http://www.mbzponton.org/. To be honest, the 4-door models have little monetary value, everybody likes them but nobody wants them. If you just want to get rid of the car, list her on ebay. If the car is running and not in too bad shape, you may get a few K's, perhaps 10 if the car is very nice. I am trying to sell a very nicely restored and rust free '58 MB 219 (which has a 6 cylinder engine) and I am asking $15K and have had no inquiries.

[HBChris]

John, I have a `60 190b, looks like you have a 180c assumming it is gas. Without seeing the engine or interior (does it run?) it might be worth $2K. Looks like your car needs some work. The ponton site mentioned has a Yahoo Group, search for ponton. Join and post away, great group of folks who can answer questions.

[dirk2602]

1958 MB 219

[HBChris]

Dirk,

Thought I recognized your post on the Ponton group. Beautiful 219 but it will be tough to get your asking price I think. People don't appreciate the 219 or 180/190 as much as the 220 which is a shame.

[dirk2602]

Dirk,

Thought I recognized your post on the Ponton group. Beautiful 219 but it will be tough to get your asking price I think. People don't appreciate the 219 or 180/190 as much as the 220 which is a shame.

Hi CHris - I agree it's not going to be easy, but it doesn't hurt trying and I am in no rush whatsoever. As a matter of fact, my daughters want me to keep the car until they get married, but that is (hopefully) quite a few years down the road. The 220 is of course more luxurious and has more chrome and wood and a stronger engine. At the time the 219 was the Mercedes for those who wanted more engine and more space than what the 180/190 offered but couldn't afford the 220 or did want to show off what they could afford.

[pureaudio]

Your cars look to be much much nicer than mine. It ran a couple years ago but it just ended up sitting because nobody in the family wanted it. My father in law had the interior redone in red vinyl, which was really cool. It has sat to long though, the interior actually has burn marks in it from Redding's nice toasty hot summers and the rear window shattered last year.

I guess I'll clean it up a bit this weekend and then make a post on the Yahoo group. If someone handed me $500, they would have themselves a '61 Mercedes at this point.

[Armond]

we had one of those when I was growing up in Manila. How is the body? any rust issues? what's the condition of the engine? does it have a clean title? I love those cars.

[c.d.iesel]

unfortunatly - the pontoons never held any resale value -

and the only thing in your favor now is it's AGE, and cuteness.

Try lising it in the Mercedes-Benz owners club - which has an improved

glossy member magazine - and good cars for sale classified section

Of course you'll nedd to join the club.

Missing a back window?, not running? known rusty areas?

miles? and the huge list of other areas and their real

conditions?.

Like I said - the only value might be building with

a tiny group of Mercedes-Benz 'pontoon' fans - as the model never had

resale values - just sentimental value

You also need to have in running, driving condition so you can drive

it to local car shows and present iti for sale where car nutts gather.

Your exposure will be great and you may be surprised - but having it

lay sick is depressing.

Good luck with it. C.D. (20 years with M-B way back when)

[pureaudio]

we had one of those when I was growing up in Manila. How is the body? any rust issues? what's the condition of the engine? does it have a clean title? I love those cars.

I've had so many people come up to me to talk about one they had growing up. It is an attention grabber and people seem to love it. I just have to much on my plate to do anything with it. Rust doesn't seem to bad but I really haven't looked to hard. Trunk is intact and nothing stands out to me. Engine ran fine 2 years ago when everyone in the family stopped wanting to drive it. Since I have the title, it was hauled to my house and it sits. It is a clean title and actually registered up to date, not a non-op. Black plate CA car to boot!

I plan to stick it on Craigslist but if that doesn't work out I will go with your advice C.D...except the driving it to shows part. I don't even have time to drive to BMW shows right now. I know there is someone out there who will appreciate this car more than me, just have to find them. I would even trade it for 2002 parts, hint hint wink wink...anyone?