My quest for the perfect family-friendly classic car had been a winding road. Previous attempts, like the charming Mazda 808, faced practical hurdles – in that case, a lack of rear seat belts. While modifications were possible, the pristine interior of the Mazda made me hesitant to subject it to the rigors of family life. A Ford Falcon also slipped through my fingers due to timing. But this time, I was determined to secure a classic that could handle family duties, all while sticking to a tight budget. The answer, surprisingly, came in the form of a vintage Mercedes-Benz.
This particular 220d Benz was sourced from a friend, who had acquired it as an affordable project. The car’s history was intriguing; it had been with its second owner since 1970, potentially the original purchaser based on paperwork indicating a Calgary dealership followed by a transfer to Lethbridge. Crucially, a comprehensive stack of maintenance records documented its life under this long-term ownership.
One surprising revelation from the records was an engine rebuild performed approximately 20,000 miles prior, back in 1982. No corners were cut during this overhaul, with a new cylinder head, pistons, and other components installed. The reason for such extensive work at relatively low mileage remained unclear, but the presence of these newer parts was undoubtedly a bonus. However, the maintenance history also revealed less desirable information: the car had suffered a front-end collision early in its life, resulting in the fitment of a non-original plastic grille insert.
Adding to the list of challenges, the Mercedes 220D had endured some questionable “professional” bodywork over the years. Consequently, while the underlying structure was remarkably solid, the exterior panels were plagued with rust. Armed with welding equipment and a sense of optimism, I thought, “Just how extensive could it really be?”
The purchase included a 1971 Mercedes-Benz 220D parts car, also equipped with a four-speed manual diesel engine. This donor vehicle, slightly better optioned, promised to be invaluable, offering crucial components. Superficially, the cream-colored parts car appeared to have less rust, but closer inspection revealed severe structural decay. The chassis was so compromised that venturing underneath it on jack stands felt unsafe.
Inside the parts car, I discovered what must be the most visually offensive rear seat cover ever created. Its green hue was reminiscent of artificial outdoor carpeting and offered minimal comfort. Despite the worn interior, the parts car yielded valuable rear seat belts, a gear shift lever missing from the blue car, and a useful collection of spare parts.
Before tackling the extensive bodywork, I addressed a few minor mechanical issues. A dose of white grease revived the previously seized door locks, restoring them to smooth operation. A leaky heater control valve was replaced with a functional unit from the parts car – a fortunate swap, as these valves are notoriously difficult to source new. Parts availability for the W115 Mercedes range is generally excellent, although prices can vary wildly from surprisingly affordable to breathtakingly expensive. The still-serviceable rear shocks from the parts car replaced the completely worn-out units on the blue car, dramatically improving the ride quality.
The driver’s side fender presented some of the most severe rust damage. Repair was beyond practical, but thankfully, the parts car included an aftermarket replacement fender in marginally better condition.
After considerable welding and metalwork, the replacement fender was made presentable. The passenger side fender proved salvageable with repair. Extensive welding then focused on the rocker panels and rear fenders. Poorly executed previous repairs were cut out and replaced with properly shaped and welded metal sections.
Unfortunately, the rust issues didn’t end there. The rear bumper support had corroded away, along with the lower section of the bodywork. A crude prior attempt to secure the bumper involved wedging a piece of wood into the rust hole and wiring it to the bumper. This makeshift solution was removed, and the damaged area was properly repaired, incorporating a section of trunk floor from the parts car grafted into place.
This challenging body surgery, while not concours-level perfect, was ultimately successful in restoring structural integrity.
The extensive bodywork necessitated a fresh coat of paint. Budget constraints and a desire to avoid painting door jambs on a daily driver classic led me to seek a close match to the original blue. A roll-on paint job was initially planned, but the desired shade was only available in spray cans.
Initial results with the spray paint were promising, but the finish proved less durable than hoped. In retrospect, opting for roller paint would have been a better long-term solution – a lesson learned for a future project!
With the classic 220D Benz mechanically sound and visually improved, it transitioned into daily driver duty. Our Dodge minivan was sold, my wife took over the Mazda 2, and the Benz became my sole vehicle. My favorite aspect was the commanding view from behind the wonderfully retro dashboard. Fuel economy, while never precisely measured due to speedometer inaccuracies from non-standard tires, was impressively frugal. Performance could be described as modest yet adequate. Drag racing was definitely out of the question. The extremely low first gear often surprised drivers behind me, as shifts were necessary almost immediately after entering intersections.
Enjoying my daily commutes in the vintage Benz, I decided to maximize the classic car experience. First up was an autocross event where, predictably, I finished last but thoroughly enjoyed every minute.
Next, participation in the local classic cruise event was on the agenda. Having never owned a reliably running classic before, this was a novel experience for the whole family.
The remarkably large trunk meant the Mercedes was frequently utilized like a pickup truck for various hauling tasks.
I even entered the car in a local car show. While not particularly valuable or rare, these W115 chassis Mercedes models are becoming less common, so it was warmly received.
Eventually, the time came to move on. The 220D developed a cold starting issue. After ruling out glow plugs, a potentially leaky injection pump was suspected. Although a spare pump was available from the parts car, I felt my chapter with the Mercedes had closed. The same friend who originally sold me the car was looking for an affordable classic. Being more mechanically inclined but less enthusiastic about bodywork, he was the perfect new custodian. A deal was made, and the old 220D returned to its previous home.
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