W111 220SEb Cabrio with 4-speed

[lowpad]

This popped up on my auction feed.  If I had room for this, I’d certainly be interested as they are such beautiful cars, but I wanted to share in case anyone would be interested.  On the other hand the 4-speed is probably a necessity given the 220’s performance level.  I have no involvement with this auction.  https://www.invaluable.com/auction-lot/1964-mercedes-benz-220seb-2-door-cabriolet-ADF4FE88D6

[Firechief-fla]

Auction description:

Description
****1964 MERCEDES BENZ 220SEb 2-DOOR CABRIOLET.
VIN A-111.023-10-047821, odometer reading 92494, 6-cylinder 2195cc/134hp with a 4 speed manual transmission. Clear Ohio title.The car is finished in black with red interior. The body is solid with good chrome work and appears to be original. The dash is in excellent condition with no cracks. The car has its original Becker radio together with the original handbook and a purchase receipt from 1965 given to, we believe, the second owner, when he bought the car from a Colorado Porsche/VW specialist. This model of Mercedes is highly sought after and is an appreciating asset. Only 2729 220SEb cabriolets were made between 1961 and 1965, when production ended.

Sold for: $43,000.00 plus $2,500 commission

Date of sale: December 13, 2019

[Vander]

Comission was 25% = $53,750

[ja17]

This was a very nice original car. It just left my shop and the new owner drove it straight home 150 miles with no problems. This was an "unwelded" car. Never any rust or rust repairs and never any panels replaced. The original red leather was factory and still nice with just some factory stitching failing on the passenger seat. Original wool carpets were very nice. It had a brand new fuel tank, exhaust, everything worked. In addition it had a spare brand new Bosch electric fuel pump in the trunk (still in the box). The biggest flaw was an un-original vinyl soft top. It was a very good deal even for a 220.

[lowpad]

Joe,

Thanks for sharing!  Had I had garage space, I would have been a bidder.  I thought that the car was very well bought, especially given the condition.  But I would like to know -- can it even get out of its own way?  It's many pounds heavier than a 230SL with a less-powerful engine.  I know it's not a sports car, but is it frustrating to drive?

Lowell

[wjsvb]

I had several of these back in the day (sixties-seventies) when they were sort of cheap and sort of common.  A 65 220SE Cab from a Dr whose Great Dane had eaten the back seat, a 62 220S blue and white HT cobbled together by a guy whose main job was cobbling together Hertz rentacars, a 220S Ponton HT that was smushed in the back by an uninsured jerk, and more.  They were fun, never a problem in Philadelphia traffic, dead reliable, parts available but not as available as they are today.  Helped to own a furrin car wrecking yard.  My sickness continues to this day!  Jon