My quest for the ideal family-friendly classic car had been a journey of near misses and valuable lessons. The charm of the Mazda 808 was undeniable, yet its lack of rear seat belts presented a practical challenge for family use. Adding them felt like an intrusion on its beautifully preserved interior. Similarly, the Ford Falcon slipped through my fingers due to timing. Undeterred, I set my sights on securing a classic that could truly accommodate family life, all while keeping to a modest budget. The answer, surprisingly, came in the form of a 1970 Benz.
This particular 1970 Benz 220D entered my life through a friend, who had acquired it as an affordable project. It had been under the care of its second owner since 1970 – possibly the original purchaser, given paperwork tracing back to a Calgary dealership and then a transfer to Lethbridge. A comprehensive history of maintenance records accompanied the car, detailing its life under this long-term ownership.
A remarkable discovery within those records was the engine rebuild, performed 20,000 miles prior, dating back to 1982. No corners were cut during this overhaul, with a new head, pistons, and more installed. While the reason for such extensive work at relatively low mileage remained unclear, the presence of these refreshed components was undoubtedly a bonus. The maintenance history also revealed a less fortunate event: a front-end collision early in the car’s life, resulting in the fitment of a plastic grille insert not original to the 1970 model year.
Further inspection uncovered the legacy of less-than-skilled bodywork performed sometime later. While the outer panels bore the scars of rust, the underlying structure of the 1970 Benz remained surprisingly robust. Armed with welding equipment, I approached the project with a mix of optimism and apprehension: Just how extensive could the repairs be?
Adding to the acquisition was a 1971 Mercedes Benz 220D parts car, included in the deal. This donor vehicle, also a four-speed manual diesel, boasted a slightly higher specification level and held the promise of crucial components. Though its cream paint suggested better surface condition, the 1971 model suffered from severe structural rust – so severe that venturing underneath it while on jack stands felt unsafe.
The interior of the parts car, while showing its age, offered valuable additions for the 1970 Benz project. Rear seat belts, absent in the blue car, were a welcome find, along with a gear shift lever and a collection of miscellaneous spare parts. However, the rear seat cover was a truly unique feature – a shade of green reminiscent of artificial outdoor carpeting, offering minimal comfort.
Before tackling the extensive bodywork, a few key mechanical issues were addressed. A dose of white grease revived the previously stiff door locks to smooth operation. A leaky heater control valve in the 1970 Benz was replaced with a functional unit sourced from the parts car – a fortunate swap, as these valves are known to be scarce from Mercedes-Benz directly. Parts availability for these classic Mercedes models is generally excellent, though prices can range from surprisingly affordable to eye-wateringly expensive. The still-serviceable rear shocks from the 1971 parts car replaced the completely worn-out units on the blue 1970 Benz, dramatically improving the ride quality.
The driver’s side fender presented some of the most severe rust damage. Repair was deemed impractical, but fortunately, the parts car provided an aftermarket fender in considerably better condition.
After considerable welding and metalwork, a presentable fender was achieved. The passenger side fender proved to be salvageable with repair work. Extensive welding then focused on the rocker panels and rear fenders of the 1970 Benz. Poorly executed previous repairs were removed and replaced with properly formed metal sections.
Rust issues unfortunately extended to the rear bumper support, which had deteriorated along with the lower section of the body. A makeshift solution to keep the bumper in place involved a piece of wood wedged into the rust hole and wired to the bumper. This section was cut out and repaired, along with grafting in a sound section of trunk floor from the parts car.
This challenging bodywork, while not flawless, yielded a successful result.
The extensive bodywork necessitated a fresh coat of paint for the 1970 Benz. With no desire to repaint door jambs on a budget-friendly classic, finding a close match to the original blue was crucial. A roll-on paint job was initially planned due to budget constraints. However, the desired shade of blue was only available in spray cans.
Initial results with the spray can paint were encouraging, but the finish proved less durable than hoped. In hindsight, opting for roller paint would have been a better choice, a lesson perhaps for a future classic car project!
With mechanical systems largely sorted and the 1970 Benz looking reasonably presentable, it transitioned into daily driver duty. Our Dodge minivan was sold, my wife took over the Mazda 2, and the Benz became my primary vehicle. The vintage dashboard and commanding view were a constant source of enjoyment. Fuel economy, though never precisely measured due to speedometer inaccuracies from non-stock tires, was impressively frugal. Performance could be described as adequate, but certainly not sporty. The very short first gear often surprised other drivers, requiring quick shifts to keep pace in intersections.
Daily commutes in the classic 1970 Benz inspired a desire to maximize its enjoyment. First on the list was an auto-x event, where predictably, last place was achieved, but every moment was savored.
Next, participation in the local classic cruise event was on the agenda. Having a properly running classic car to enter was a novel experience for the whole family.
The remarkably spacious trunk of the 1970 Benz led to its frequent use as a pickup truck alternative.
The 1970 Benz even made an appearance at a local car show. While not particularly rare or valuable, these W115 chassis Mercedes are becoming less common, making it a well-received entry.
Eventually, the time with the 220D drew to a close. A cold starting issue emerged, becoming a daily annoyance. New glow plugs failed to resolve the problem, suggesting a potential issue with the injection pump. Although a spare pump was available from the parts car, it felt like the right moment to move on. The same friend who had sold me the car was seeking an affordable classic. More mechanically inclined but less inclined towards bodywork, a deal was made, and the 1970 Benz returned to its previous owner, ready for its next chapter.
[
