The Autopian is proudly partnering with Copart, a one-source auto solution where car enthusiasts can get all kinds of cars in all kinds of conditions. Yesterday I velcro’d up my high-vis vest and dropped by a Copart yard in Van Nuys to check out a few potential project vehicles for us to use as a Pontiac Aztek replacement; this wacky Benz was definitely among the top contenders. Check it out.
One thing I don’t understand is: How does this 1966 Mercedes-Benz 230S sedan-turned-ute not have any internet history? You’d think something this wacky would have found its way online somewhere, but alas, this vehicle’s history remains a mystery. Who built it? Why? Was it in a movie? Was it an Australian missing their old ute?
I don’t know; all I know is that it’s a magnificent machine, even if a bit janky.
Let’s get straight to the good stuff: The bed! Behold!:
Doesn’t look bad, right? There are some bedside rails, a nice vinyl cover, and the bedsides look pretty great, even if the second-row door handles are still there. Actually, they allow access to a giant storage area behind the first row. Looking in that storage area reveals some…interesting craftsmanship.
From what I could tell, the builder welded a bar across the second-row door openings, about mid-height(where the windows start). There’s a seal on that bar against which the doors close. There’s some kind of bulkhead where the seatbacks once were, and there’s some kind of “lid,” which appears to be made partly of foam?
Anyway, the Benz-amino is about a 20-footer, and what’s more, it runs! (Something I was able to listen to in-person thanks to The Autopian being a Copart member).
Well, technically it just sputters, but I have faith that it would run.
The interior could use some seat covers, but actually, otherwise it’s really nice!
We’re looking for our next company car to do crazy things with. Should this be it? How much should we pay for it?
Let us know in the comments!
While I love the idea of buying this for content, who exactly is going to do the wrenching on it to generate that content?
DT was suppose to daily drive and live in the Aztek but I’ve yet to see those write-ups. He also has a WWII era Jeep to get ready for his wedding and two XJs that are supposedly to become a single overlanding rig.
SWG lives on the other side of the country and I can’t remember the last wrenching article I saw from him.
The chrome side rails remind of funeral home flower cars, although those are usually Cadillac based
Some would call that a ute conversion. I would call it ruined.
I fully support this idea and think it’s even better than the DS I found on copart (with not enough time for you to buy it). I did find one other pic of this on the internet from 7 years ago:
https://www.reddit.com/r/classiccars/comments/6ocquq/classic_mercedes_truck/
Looks like the driving lights haven’t been adjusted since.
Only 45 minutes to go and the reserve is not met. I guess you can place a bid right before the auction ends and then find out what the seller wants for it.
I think too many bad decisions have been made to continue. Personally, I’d rather start over. I like the looks of the swoopy rear glass, but it kills the utility. And keeping the rear doors is a such a bad decision that it makes me ask what other poor or lazy decisions were made.
And this is coming from a guy with a 1982 Mercedes wagon with an extremely rusty hatch area just BEGGGING to be a ute.
“Is it the new Autopian-mobile or what? Fix the cigarette lighter.”
Man, 3 on the tree, too. Inspired choice…
Definitely buy it! Of all the poorly executed ute conversions that have been done over the years this one has some really nice lines to it. There’s a lot of potential there to make it quite nice. Have to start though by getting rid of the rear door handles and either fitting solenoids to open the rear doors or just welding the seams up and making it a true two door.
You’ve got enough janky projects to finish between the Autopian staff – Mercedes’ Plymouth, DT’s CJ and overland ZJ, whatever happened to Ski Klasse (hell, just cut off this one’s roof aft of the B-pillars), that moldy-ass Buick that Gossin picked up plus his 2CV from the same person as the Plymouth (wasn’t it a 2CV). You don’t need whatever project this monstrosity is going to be
This. More unfinished projects because of the collective ADD.. it’s pretty annoying.
The Buick is running and we’ve got an update there, I think.
I say go for it, there’s so much content just laying around in that bed!
Someone elsewhere guessed flower car and that makes sense to me. IMO, it’s way cool—but of not much utility: it’s too nice & unique to beat on, and not big enough for real excursions.
I could be prejudiced because it’s petrol, not diesel, tho
Needs Subaru BRAT “fun seats”
I’d buy that for a dollar.
And probably not much more.
As long as you promise not to put a set of Truck Nachts on it.
I’ll show myself out.
When you buy it, please call it “Der Weg” which is German for “El Camino”…
I like that better than my “El Krautmino” idea.
Just say no……
You can buy it on one condition: you have to build it to take to Moab and run trails.
If we assume he needs this for the Easter Jeep Safari, then he isn’t allowed to buy it until March. Good content is always made under extreme timeline pressure.