1959 Mercedes Benz 190d Ponton Sedan

1959 Mercedes Benz 190d Ponton Sedan

After 11 years of ownership, am letting this beautiful car go. This car belonged to Elbert Hatfield in Ohio (yes, e said he was a descendant of the Hatfield and McCoys); he must have had it in a barn on his property for years, s when I got it, he pan was rusted underneath and the upholstery was pretty worn out. It showed 60,000 miles on the odometer but doesn’t have a place for another number, o it could easily have been 160,000.

After I bought it in 2004, had the engine rebuilt and a new steel pan put on the entire underbody. I had custom seat covers made for it but left the upholstery underneath in case someone wants to restore it to original. It has only required general maintenance since then, ut just this October I bought a new battery for it, ad the mastery cylinder rebuilt and replaced the brake lines. It runs beautifully, as lots of pick-up, t shifts very easily and the brakes are excellent. The starting bid is less than half of what I have in the car—the steel underbody alone was $4,000.

I believe it was professionally repainted before I bought it from the man selling it for Mr. Hatfield; there is a small chip or scratch here and there but as you can see, t looks beautiful. The bumpers and other chrome have little rust bumps and small dents, nd there is a crack in the rear taillight. The headliner is in good shape except where mice must have spent the winter (holes under each visor—you can see in extra photos I can send). There is one place inside the right passenger inner panel that is rusted (see additional photo), nd at some point someone strung battery wires through the car and had the battery in the trunk (battery was changed to the correct place in the engine compartment long ago, ut old wires still need removal). The original Blauplunkt radio is in place but hasn’t worked since I’ve owned it—it’s probably an electrical issue and could be something very simple, ut I never tried to have it fixed. One fuse has been replaced a few times (turn signals/gas gauge), nd I assume that’s an electrical short somewhere. Everything else on the car works just fine and I know of no other mechanical defects; the car is being sold “As Is.”

In the last 11 years, t has always been garaged when I’m not driving it, nd I don’t drive it in winter or even in the rain. The mileage is now showing at 61,330, o you can see I don’t drive it far or often. I have had it insured through American Collectors Insurance. I have the original owner’s manual (in English), chematics, ven a few ads and brochures from when it was new. All the maintenance records since I have owned it are with the car. The title is clear. Down payment of $500 is due within 48 hours; full payment to me is due within 7 days after the auction ends via Paypal or certified check.

The buyer is responsible for shipping of the vehicle. There are many companies that transport cars, few of which I have listed here that are in my general area for transporting cars either on a flatbed or enclosed carrier: Midwest Auto Transport, -800-557;-8992; Countryside Auto Transport 1-920-739-0681; Shipping-A-Car, -888-791-9148; State2State Auto Transport 1-866-881-0480. All will give free quotes. (Disclaimer: I have no personal experience with any of these so I cannot vouch for their services; I just know they have received good reviews online). Buying is responsible for insurance coverage upon vehicle transfer and for any sales tax for future vehicle registration. No returns.

I have other photos to show, o if you are interested, mail me at dianekirkland@charter.net and I will be glad to send them to you.

P.S. I did have front seat belts installed when I first got the car--they're not factory installed, ut at least the front seats have them.