1965 Mercedes Benz 250 SL

[Rolf]

Saw this on Ebay. What an unbelievable find and a very rare one, right.   :x

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Mercedes-Benz-250-SL-VERY-RARE-230-SL-W-302-V-8-ENGINE-GARAGED-FLORIDA-CAR_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ6315QQihZ003QQitemZ130135169550QQrdZ1

Rolf
1966 230SL Auto
1992 300D
1991 FLHS

[mbzse]

quote:Originally posted by Rolf

Saw this on Ebay. What an unbelievable find and a very rare one.

I particularly enjoyed the line: "Mercedes 230SL upgraded with Ford parts" That's a keeper!

/Hans in Sweden

[Raymond]

With the 5-litre Ford V-8, MSD ignition, and big aluminum radiator, the tempermental FI pump, starting problems, and overheating would be gone.  It probably gets better gas mileage, runs on regular, and I'd guess 0-60 in about 7-1/2 seconds, if you could keep the rear tires hooked up.  I'd hope it has a Ford transmission.  Parts and dependability would be non-issues. But brakes would need an upgrade.

Probably a hoot to drive, but, you wouldn't have the joy of that quest for the elusive, smooth-running, Mercedes Zen.

Ray
'68 280SL 4-spd Coupe

[Rolf]

I just would like to know if that is the same hood on all the pictures.

Rolf
1966 230SL Auto
1992 300D
1991 FLHS

[Benz Dr.]

That would be the biggest POS there is. I had one of these conversions come into my place once and I wasn't impressed. They had to cut a big chunk out of the sub frame to clear the oil pan for the much larger V8 engine. They used a 340 mopar engine.

Good way to get yourself killed....

Dan Caron's
 SL Barn
benzbarn@ebtech.net
 slbarn.mbz.org
  1 877 661 6061

[glennard]

Interesting VIN?!?! - Makes mine/ours PPP-Passe Pagoda Pasticcio.

[harleydan]

It is interesting that the hood also had vents  :mrgreen: .

Maybe one of those Rolls Royces in the background has a Chrysler engine  

Danny

[psmith]

Did you see that the wheels are red behind the repo hubcaps?

Pete S.

[glennard]

Did come out/going into the 'container shipping box' with the Corvair?  Heard the owner had a problem with the CSV, so he just replaced the whole engine to solve his 'starting' situation.

[Jonny B]

I am going to have to check my MB Special Options book to see if I can find the correct code number for this one!

Jonny B
1967 250SL Auto

[mdsalemi]

While we love to pan these conversions, and these comments here are from one of this forum's staunch advocates of originality, keep in mind that history has been kind (kinder then we are!   ) to conversions using Ford engines, including the one noted here on the 250SL!

Back in the early 1960's, of course, to make a nice-sounding story, Carroll Shelby strolled into the Glass House (for the unanointed: Ford World Headquarters) in Dearborn with a Ford V8 under one arm, and an AC Bristol in tow; the resultant conglomeration of course eventually yielding the famed series of Shelby/AC Cobras.  In case you've been under a rock, this car has yielded far more replicas then originals ever existed.  All powered by Ford.  Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery!

Around the same time, the anemic and also-ran Sunbeam Alpine received a factory conversion and short-lived fame as the Tiger--arguably one of the nicer "sleeper" cars of all time.  This was available with the 260 and 289 to the best of my recollection (Mk. I and Mk. II)and today enjoys quite a following.  It might have lasted even longer had Chrysler not purchased Sunbeam's parent.  You could not sell a Chrysler product with a Ford engine in it!  I've always wanted a Tiger, and it's on my short list of cars to own someday...

Lastly, the stunningly beautiful (IMHO) Triumph Stag, while equipped with a [horrendous[:0]] Triumph V8 engine has actually benefitted from shade-tree mechanic's conversions using the aforementioned Ford V8 as well as European Ford V6 Essex engines.  While we value an "original" MB 2.3, 2.5 or 2.8 engine, many collectors will shy away from a Stag with an original engine because the original was so bad.  I'm told by a Stag owner that the problems were eventually corrected--but many an engine had already been removed by the time the Triumph guys got around to fixing the issues.

Of course the theme here is obvious: a British car "rescued" with Ford "Iron"...of course the 250SL needs no such rescue...but IF one were to want another engine in the W113...there's certainly an historical precedent in choosing a Ford!

Michael Salemi
1969 280SL
Signal Red 568G w/Black Leather (Restored)
President, International Stars Section
Mercedes-Benz Club of America

[Joe]

A friend in college bought a TVR Griffith. It was delivered to him in the midwest by a driver from the dealer on Long Island who then flew home. The cars were built engineless in England and fitted at the U.S. dealer with a Ford 289. God, what a car! The local police followed him all the time, and he amassed the tickets, which he could easily afford. This was before the "points" system, so a ticket simply meant you donated some cash.
Once I saw him in the local auto repair shop, and he said his starter had gone out. The engine had to be pulled to replace the starter.
Not a well-designed sports car, but about the closest one could get to a carnival ride on city streets.
Joe

[enochbell]

It's not really the 289 that bothers me, it's the tacky execution.  If the conversion was done with the same reckless hand that did the interior of the car then this could be as difficult to keep on the pavement as it is to look at.

g

'64 230sl, fully sorted out...ooops, spoke too soon

[mdsalemi]

I think reckless is pretty strong--the interior looks like the interior of an awful lot of 113's I've seen, including s large number on eBay!  It's just not up to Concours quality and shows some signs of stretch.

I've seen that red and some piping on other W113's for sale, must have been the thing to do some years ago.

Don't you like the nice matching of the red wheel color to the interior color??

And I'd probably be a bit frightened with an unproven V8 in a little roadster with a swing-axle.  If Dr. Benz is scared, you can be I would be too.

Michael Salemi
1969 280SL
Signal Red 568G w/Black Leather (Restored)
President, International Stars Section
Mercedes-Benz Club of America

[Douglas]

Forget the engine. Forget the interior. This is the world's only 1965 250 SL!

Douglas Kim
New York
USA

[Rolf]

Douglas, I was waiting for someone to comment on that. In some of the pictures the hood has louvers and in others it doesn't? Same hood?

Rolf
1966 230SL Auto
1992 300D
1991 FLHS

[mdsalemi]

If you read in detail, you'll see that there are actually several places where it is called a 230SL.  I simply assumed since 230SL was mentioned here that the 250SL was simply a typo--albeit one repeated more then once.

Michael Salemi
1969 280SL
Signal Red 568G w/Black Leather (Restored)
President, International Stars Section
Mercedes-Benz Club of America

[TheEngineer]

Last year, at a local car show, I saw this 1953 190SL: It has a eight cylinder DOHC Lexus 400LS engine,Datsun 5-speed transmission and 3.69 280 PosiTraction rear end. The owner, Don Harmon,says the car is very powerful and gets 20MPG. He got first place in the Foreign Car category.

Download Attachment: Don Harmon 190SL.JPG
48.91 KB

[Chad]

Amazing. An iconic mistake. Some people are truly hateful to the old cars.

1967 230SL