Hepco Mercedes luggage

[Schwabishvisitor]

So I need to start by saying I am not a Pagoda owner, but picked up a medium sized piece of luggage advertised as vintage Mercedes. I purchased it to give to my father when I returned from Germany for his 190sl. It appears that it not for his car and now I need to figure out if it’s worth shipping back to the states and selling, or if I should try and sell it here. It doesn’t look special as it is made of brown fake leather, but as a car enthusiast I expect it has some value beyond what I see to the right person. It is not in pristine condition as it has a water stain on the cloth liner inside and is missing a brass colored foot button. I would appreciate some guidance in value and maybe a if someone knows where I could find a buyer in Germany if it doesn’t make sense to ship it to the US.

[mBdrvr]

Please post a picture

[Schwabishvisitor]

Here are a couple of pictures. I'm not at home so I had my wife snap a couple photos. They don't show the bottom where the missing foot is, and the water stain on the inside doesn't show up well in the photo. I will be able to take better pictures on Friday if it helps.

[Schwabishvisitor]

Second picture

[thelews]

That looks like the real deal and is worth money.  You are correct that it is not for the 190 SL, correct style starting in 1959, but the 190 SL ones were ivory with saddle corners and straps.  A full 7 piece set of 190 SL Hepco luggage, if you could find it, could be worth 20-30K, I'd guess. 

Depending on the size of this piece, which is correct for a 113, I'd guess several hundred to over $1000.  Put it on Ebay and see how high the bids go.

[Schwabishvisitor]

Thank you for the feedback. I will look to sell it on eBay as suggested.  I will update this thread when It goes up on eBay for those interested.

[Dave H]

A set of 4 came up on e bay way back in 2012 and sold for $6600.
They were in very poor condition but raised massive bidding interest.
See the link below.
I have also heard of someone who paid a lot more than this as they are unobtanium.
A set has been on sale on e bay for ages from palm beach classics for $8500 but these are not correct for our cars.
Advertise with pictures  on e bay and with the correct wording and title as the guy did in 2012 and you will get top money for it.
good luck, let us know when its on and I will put a bid in.

https://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=16984.0

[Schwabishvisitor]

So I have now listed it: https://www.ebay.com/itm/323322303452

$1 opening bid, no reserve.  Enjoy and have fun bidding.  And of course you can ask me questions here or on ebay.

[Bonnyboy]

check your listing - it says the luggage is located in South Lyon, Michigan, United States.   If it actually in Germany you are going to be eating the postage to send it to the states.  It just quoted me $8.00 to ship it to Washington State. 

You can change listing before anyone bids.

[Schwabishvisitor]

Hi Bonnyboy.  I appreciate the feedback.  The suitcase is in Stuttgart Germany sitting next to me right now.  The listing gives South Lyon MI as this is my address Stateside.  I tried to make notice in the text that the shipping calculator is incorrect and that actual shipping would be calculated after the auction ended.  Maybe I can change the location.  Ill try.

[uptheorg]

That's a good posting you have there on eBay.

I have had a lot of success selling there and would recommend NOT posting a reserve that is too low in the beginning. If you think the piece is worth $4,000, make that your reserve. Run the ad for months if you have to. The kind of item you have is one that, if a person wants it, he will pay whatever he has to in order to get it. Be patient and you will get the top dollar. Alternatively, post it as a buy-it-now at the price you think it is worth. Then be patient!

I would put this one on The Samba as well -- lots of old German car parts are sold there too.