Author Topic: MB Ute  (Read 4303 times)

Garry

  • Full Member
  • Platinum
  • ******
  • Australia, Victoria, Kyneton
  • Posts: 5169
  • Audit Committee
MB Ute
« on: February 08, 2020, 09:53:38 »
A Mercedes workshop gathering this morning and a sausage sizzle.  A few nice and also different cars.
Garry Marks
Melbourne/ Kyneton, Brisbane. Australia
1969 MB 280SL 5 speed RHD SOLD.
1965 MB 230SL Auto RHD Lt Blue 334G, Top 350H, 213 Leather, Tourist Delivery.
1972 MB 280CE Auto RHD 906G Blue Grey
2005 MB A200.
2006 MB B200
2019 Izuzu DMax 4x4 with Slide-on camper.
2022 Volvo XC40 Twin Electric

MikeSimon

  • Full Member
  • Platinum
  • ******
  • USA, OH, North Royalton
  • Posts: 2392
Re: MB Ute
« Reply #1 on: February 08, 2020, 15:46:28 »
O.K. this may not be politically correct...but after a Ford Ranchero and the Chevrolet El Camino, it looks like we also had a Mercedes Çiftlik…... :P
1970/71 280SL Automatic
Sandy Beige
Parchment Leather
Power Steering
Automatic
Hardtop
Heated Tinted Rear Window
German specs
3rd owner

Hugh

  • Regular
  • **
  • Canada, Ontario, London
  • Posts: 52
  • Former Pagoda SL Group Board Member
Re: MB Ute
« Reply #2 on: February 08, 2020, 16:23:58 »
Garry I looked below your name to see if you had that silver MB 300SL Gullwing listed as a new purchase of yours? They might get too hot to drive in the summer in Australia. I see your are getting the all electric Volvo SUV. That is a good for the environment and balance out the bit of gas the Pagoda uses...
1967 Mercedes 250SL
1988 Ferrari Testarossa
1930 Ford Model A coupe
2011 Mercedes e350 sedan

Montreal V8

  • Guest
Re: MB Ute
« Reply #3 on: February 08, 2020, 18:49:02 »
  Must say the MB Ute looks to be well executed, the lines nicely harmonious. Have owned my current el Camino since '94, having previously owned an earlier one, and two Rancheros. As a teenager in NZ I was smitten with Utes, coveting Holdens  and (the very rare ) Zephyr 6 s.   As an impecunious apprentice, however,  I only ever rose to a humble Standard 10 pickup.

Garry

  • Full Member
  • Platinum
  • ******
  • Australia, Victoria, Kyneton
  • Posts: 5169
  • Audit Committee
Re: MB Ute
« Reply #4 on: February 08, 2020, 22:02:40 »
Hugh,


There was a 300sl with a hard top in the workshop having an engine rebuild as well that i really coveted but unfortunately my pension does not cover the running cost let alone the purchase. I wish.......


As for an electric Volvo, well i am over 70 and they said you are allowed a Volvo with a hat on the back shelf when you reached that age and given i am building a Passivhaus that is all electric including solar panels and battery’s i thought it is time...


Sad but true........
Garry Marks
Melbourne/ Kyneton, Brisbane. Australia
1969 MB 280SL 5 speed RHD SOLD.
1965 MB 230SL Auto RHD Lt Blue 334G, Top 350H, 213 Leather, Tourist Delivery.
1972 MB 280CE Auto RHD 906G Blue Grey
2005 MB A200.
2006 MB B200
2019 Izuzu DMax 4x4 with Slide-on camper.
2022 Volvo XC40 Twin Electric

mdsalemi

  • Pagoda SL Board
  • Platinum
  • ******
  • USA, NC, Davidson
  • Posts: 6653
Re: MB Ute
« Reply #5 on: February 12, 2020, 00:33:03 »
One must remember that Paul Bracq designed a Ute based upon a 600. He actually designed two of them and both were built by Karl Middlhauve.  One is called El Benzo, the other Benzomino.

https://www.mbgrand600.com/
« Last Edit: February 12, 2020, 00:37:05 by mdsalemi »
Michael Salemi
Davidson, North Carolina (Charlotte Area) USA
1969 280SL (USA-Spec)
Signal Red 568G w/Black Leather (Restored)
2023 Ford Maverick Lariat Hybrid "Area 51"
2022 Ford Escape Hybrid
2023 Ford Escape Hybrid

Montreal V8

  • Guest
Re: MB Ute
« Reply #6 on: February 13, 2020, 18:29:24 »
Oh boy, where can I buy one of those ? Certainly outclasses the humble Holden or the rare Zephyr 6, or even my treasured '87 el Camino.

MikeSimon

  • Full Member
  • Platinum
  • ******
  • USA, OH, North Royalton
  • Posts: 2392
Re: MB Ute
« Reply #7 on: February 13, 2020, 20:23:08 »
Watching MotorTrend TV and all these shops cutting up and rewelding cars, it would be an easy task to do for one of these guys. You just have to have deep pockets.
« Last Edit: February 13, 2020, 21:03:08 by MikeSimon »
1970/71 280SL Automatic
Sandy Beige
Parchment Leather
Power Steering
Automatic
Hardtop
Heated Tinted Rear Window
German specs
3rd owner

mdsalemi

  • Pagoda SL Board
  • Platinum
  • ******
  • USA, NC, Davidson
  • Posts: 6653
Re: MB Ute
« Reply #8 on: February 17, 2020, 20:03:13 »
Oh boy, where can I buy one of those ? Certainly outclasses the humble Holden or the rare Zephyr 6, or even my treasured '87 el Camino.

I believe that Karl Middlehauve would sell either or both, El Benzo or Benozmino at the right price. As these were done a number of years ago, nobody has met his price I guess.
Michael Salemi
Davidson, North Carolina (Charlotte Area) USA
1969 280SL (USA-Spec)
Signal Red 568G w/Black Leather (Restored)
2023 Ford Maverick Lariat Hybrid "Area 51"
2022 Ford Escape Hybrid
2023 Ford Escape Hybrid

PSB

  • Inactive
  • Senior
  • ***
  • Portugal, Lisbon, Estoril
  • Posts: 126
Re: MB Ute
« Reply #9 on: February 17, 2020, 23:18:52 »
A friend of mine working in the UAE sent me an amateur iPhone video he shot a year ago of a Mercedes Collection belonging to a local prince ... Around 100 MB and one was an SL pick up conversion very similar to the one in your photo....

Jonny B

  • Pagoda SL Board
  • Platinum
  • ******
  • USA, CA, San Marcos
  • Posts: 4108
Re: MB Ute
« Reply #10 on: February 17, 2020, 23:30:30 »
Well, you finally made me go look at the Middlehauve site. Interesting stuff. I was more than surprised to see a SWB 600 with a six speed manual transmission!
Jonny B
1967 250 SL Auto, DB 568
1970 280 SL Auto, DB 904
1966 Morris Mini Minor

Montreal V8

  • Guest
Re: MB Ute
« Reply #11 on: February 18, 2020, 04:48:30 »
   Well, not only did I look the site up, I've had the temerity to ask the price of the Silver/Blue, awaiting the reply - I suspect it's an "If you have to ask sir, you can't afford it" situation.

mdsalemi

  • Pagoda SL Board
  • Platinum
  • ******
  • USA, NC, Davidson
  • Posts: 6653
Re: MB Ute
« Reply #12 on: February 18, 2020, 11:44:10 »
Well good luck on getting a price...

My assessment of that guy is that he is what one might call a “piece of work.”

Some years ago we were looking for a 600 for the Concours Of America at St. John’s, for a special class of Mercedes-Benz. We could not seem to find any locally...

So we invited Karl.  He agreed to come but then put all these kinds of conditions on his appearance including the event paying for his driving the cars as well as putting him and his wife in the hotel etc. The Concours simply does not do this for any invitee. This Concours like others are all charity events and they don’t pay for people to come.

I believe at one time many years ago Karl might have been a very reasonable person to deal with but I suspect now he has an over inflated idea of pretty much everything which is why so many things he has for sale have remained unsold for years...

While we never did get a 600 for this particular show, the following year Dan Caron brought one. The year after that we found another from Guy Lewis in Florida, and later our friend the dealer in Toledo bought one and has brought it to the show.

One MBCA member who is a former national president commented to me once that the reason why the 600 is so large is so that you can bring your mechanic with you...Because you will need him! He should know because he owned one once!!
Michael Salemi
Davidson, North Carolina (Charlotte Area) USA
1969 280SL (USA-Spec)
Signal Red 568G w/Black Leather (Restored)
2023 Ford Maverick Lariat Hybrid "Area 51"
2022 Ford Escape Hybrid
2023 Ford Escape Hybrid

Vander

  • Full Member
  • Silver
  • ****
  • USA, OH, Columbus
  • Posts: 347
Re: MB Ute
« Reply #13 on: February 18, 2020, 16:39:04 »
Mike,

I agree with you. If you do get a price, I don't think it's one even a Saudi prince would pay. I know Karl is extremely knowledgable on the 600's, but I don't think we will ever see him sell any cars due to the fact he is so out of touch with the market, or as you said over inflated idea (greed).

I have been following the 600 market closely as I own a low mileage swb example. It would be interesting to see what some of his modified creations would do, but that is a day we will have to wait to see.
1969 280SL

Montreal V8

  • Guest
Re: MB Ute
« Reply #14 on: February 18, 2020, 18:19:33 »
   Surprisingly enough I had a reply this morning. Suffice it to say I shall continue to cherish my fully loaded, mostly original "87 el Camino. Reluctant to publish price, unless it is felt to be ethically OK.

Vander

  • Full Member
  • Silver
  • ****
  • USA, OH, Columbus
  • Posts: 347
Re: MB Ute
« Reply #15 on: February 18, 2020, 18:27:41 »
I say post it. Maybe someone will read this thread, be interested and Karl will get a sale out of it.
1969 280SL