Cheap Wheels? 1961 Mercedes-Benz 190
In the 1950s/early 1960s, the 190 was the more “pedestrian” automobile built by Mercedes-Benz and often served as a taxi on its home turf. More than 440,000 copies were assembled, so they were seen all over Europe and here in the U.S. as well. This 1961 edition looks to have been sitting for a while and the engine turns, though the starter is shot. It’s the epitome of “cheap wheels” as all the seller is asking is $500 OBO. Located near Bellingham, Washington, this would-be project is available here on craigslist. Better hurry – and thanks for the tip, Seth Johns!
The 180 and 190 Series of M-B looked a lot like the bigger cars that the company sold, like the 220 which rode on a longer wheelbase. These autos were powered by inline-4 engines (I think they built both gasoline and diesel versions). The 190 first appeared in 1957 and was produced through 1962. The cars changed little over the years, so it’s hard to pick out a particular model year in a line-up unless you’re a Mercedes expert.
Not much is known about the seller’s car. It resides behind a bright blue house and may have been running before the starter gave out. It could be fairly complete, and if you could get it running again, you might have an inexpensive old car to tool around in. But I hesitate to use the word “cheap” and Mercedes together because anyone that I’ve known who had one was always pouring money into it. But would you take a gamble for $500 (or less)?
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Comments
There’s nothing more expensive than a cheap Mercedes!
Maybe a free boat?
Lets not forget a free timeshare.
It depends on the country you live in, here we use Mercedes as taxis, parts are cheap.
But running cars like a classic Chevrolet or Buick is pretty expensive over here.
I don’t know why it’s jacked up in back but if it was by me I’d throw 500 at it.That’s not much over scrap. Get it running.Be cool to tinker with.The worst thing that could happen is you part it out if something major was bad.Looks purdy good at least the glass as the ad states.I ain’t no Benz guy but it’s a steal.
It looks like it has been in storage long term. The only clue to that is the air cleaner is missing.
The top picture, I thought this car looked “sad”. It wasn’t the best looking car, even back then.
I’m very interested in purchasing this vehicle.
Do’nt want to see it destroyed
I like to rescue it.
(510)672-2073
Homer Turner.
Check out the latest episode of YouTube channel Restored where father and son pick up a black 190B for just $1600 and make it run after 50 years in a barn. This is the URL, copy it and put it together without the space yourself since I can’t post a link here:
youtu. be/GkwwWRjM5Pw
A worthy partrs car at least as it makes no economic sense to restore but if a guy is restoring a 190SL and needs a head, or a crankshaft, $500 may seem cheap.
Send it to the guy on Craigslist…You understand that the owner isn’t the one posting it here?
There is a happy medium between “scrap” and “restore”. Looks worth checking out.