Author Topic: W111’s and others put together in Australia i the 50’s and 60’s  (Read 2325 times)

Garry

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Saw this interesting bit of history for W 11x fans and others on Mercedes Benz builds outside Germany.  This is the list of production built in Melbourne Australia.
« Last Edit: September 12, 2020, 11:07:58 by Garry »
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

ja17

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Re: W111’s and others put together in Australia i the 50’s and 60’s
« Reply #1 on: September 12, 2020, 16:09:55 »
Interesting.  Years ago 1980, I read that Mercedes-Benz had a small assembly line in Mexico, (late 1950s). Mostly sedans were assembled from parts shipped from Germany. Most interesting some rare collector models 190SLs, some 300 cabs etc. and one 300SL roadster were actually assembled there. Being young and adventurous back then, a friend and myself headed to Mexico City in quest of the lost and forgotten treasure. After two weeks of poking searching around we actually found the man who had all the parts left over from the original Mercedes-Benz assembly line in the attic of his warehouse. I remember first viewing all the shinny new chrome parts in the dimly lit warehouse. Bundles of new 300SL rocker chrome, new 300 cabrolet chrome landau hinges, sets of new ponton cab. trim still in natural brass, crates and shelves full of new extinct parts. We made a deal and shipped back five large crates of rare parts with us on the airplane.
« Last Edit: September 12, 2020, 19:00:43 by ja17 »
Joe Alexander
Blacklick, Ohio
1969 Dark Olive 280SL
2002 ML55 AMG (tow vehicle)
2002 SLK32 AMG (350 hp)
1982 300TD Wagon turbo 4spd.
1963 404 Mercedes Unimog (Swedish Army)
1989 flu419 Mercedes Unimog (US Army)
1998 E430
1974 450SLC Rally
1965 220SE Finback

wwheeler

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Re: W111’s and others put together in Australia i the 50’s and 60’s
« Reply #2 on: September 12, 2020, 16:49:04 »
Wow, that is interesting. I am especially surprised that W128 220SE cars were built there. I would assume this was a sedan and not the coupe or cab. Those two doors were mostly hand built and would be surprised they would farm that out for such meager production numbers. Amazing.

Joe, unbelievable story. Who knew!   
Wallace
Texas
'68 280SE W111 coupe
'60 220SE W128 coupe
'70 Plymouth Roadrunner 440+6

Garry

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Re: W111’s and others put together in Australia i the 50’s and 60’s
« Reply #3 on: September 13, 2020, 07:08:10 »
No coupes or cabriolet we’re assembled in Melbourne,  All those models were imported.


Garry
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

stickandrudderman

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Re: W111’s and others put together in Australia i the 50’s and 60’s
« Reply #4 on: September 21, 2020, 18:16:34 »
Presumably this is to avoid import duty. "Built in Australia".
I visited a small museum in New Zealand las t year where I learned that there were similar arrangements there.

cfm65@me.com

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Re: W111’s and others put together in Australia i the 50’s and 60’s
« Reply #5 on: September 21, 2020, 19:38:37 »
Hi Guys,
It might be of interest to the group, Mercedes have been assembling cars in South Africa for the past 71 years. I believe, presently, most of the RHD C class cars are assembled in South Africa and shipped all over the right hand drive world.
I don’t think any of the Cabrios or Sls were ever assembled here.
Regards
Chris
28 Ford Model A Pickup
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mclewis

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Re: W111’s and others put together in Australia i the 50’s and 60’s
« Reply #6 on: September 21, 2020, 21:53:47 »
My wife’s LHD 2020 C300 was built in South Africa.
Marc Lewis
1968 280SL 728H/728H, 248, 746
2020 C300
2021 E450 All Terrain