My quest to find a family-friendly classic car had been a mixed bag of experiences. The Mazda 808, a personal favorite, unfortunately lacked rear seat belts, making it less practical for family duties. Adding seat belts was an option, but the pristine interior made me hesitant to subject it to the wear and tear of three children. The Ford Falcon, another promising candidate, didn’t pan out due to timing issues. Undeterred, I set my sights on acquiring a proper classic for the family, this time on a tight budget. The result? A rather unexpected but delightful Mercedes-Benz.
This particular Mercedes 220D was sourced from a friend, who had initially bought it as an affordable project car. He had acquired it from the second owner, a person who had cherished it since 1970, possibly even the original purchaser. The paperwork hinted at a Calgary dealership origin, followed by a transfer to a Lethbridge area dealership. Impressively, a complete record of maintenance under this owner was included, offering a valuable glimpse into the car’s history.
A pleasant surprise within the maintenance records was the revelation that the engine had been meticulously rebuilt approximately 20,000 miles prior, back in 1982. No corners were cut during this overhaul, with the inclusion of a brand-new head and pistons. While the reason for such an extensive rebuild at relatively low mileage remained unclear, the presence of these low-mileage components was certainly a bonus. However, the records also disclosed less exciting news: the car had been involved in a front-end collision early in its life, resulting in the installation of a plastic grille insert that was not correct for the 1970 model year.
Adding to its story, the Mercedes-Benz 220d had endured some rather questionable “professional” bodywork in its later years. Consequently, while the external panels were plagued with rust, the underlying structural integrity remained surprisingly robust. Armed with welding equipment, I optimistically thought: How bad could it be?
Included in the purchase was a 1971 Mercedes-Benz 220D parts car. This too was a four-speed manual diesel model, slightly better equipped with options, promising a source of crucial components. Though its cream-colored exterior superficially appeared to have less rust, the inner structure was significantly deteriorated. In fact, the structural decay was so severe that I hesitated to venture beneath the car even when it was securely supported on jack stands.
The parts car yielded an interior feature of particular note: an exceptionally unattractive rear seat cover. Its shade of green resembled artificial outdoor carpeting and offered little in the way of comfort. While the interior was generally worn, it did provide valuable rear seat belts, a gear shift lever absent in the blue car, and a collection of useful spare parts.
Before embarking on the extensive bodywork, a few essential mechanical repairs were addressed. A simple application of white grease revitalized the previously stiff door locks, restoring them to smooth operation. A heater control valve, salvaged from the parts car, replaced a leaking unit – a fortunate swap, as these valves are known to be scarce from Mercedes-Benz directly. Parts availability for these classic Mercedes, surprisingly, is generally excellent, though prices can range from breathtakingly expensive to remarkably affordable. The still-functional rear shocks from the parts car were installed to replace 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, deemed beyond practical repair. Fortunately, the parts car offered an aftermarket replacement fender in marginally better condition.
After considerable welding and shaping, a presentable fender was achieved. The passenger side fender proved to be repairable, leading to further (and more extensive) welding work on the rocker panels and rear fenders. The shoddy previous repairs were cut away and replaced with properly formed metal.
Regrettably, the rust issues were not yet fully resolved. The rear bumper support had corroded away, along with the lower section of the bodywork. The previous makeshift solution to support the bumper involved a wooden block, large enough not to fall through the rust hole, secured with wire to the bumper. This section was cut out and repaired, along with grafting in a substantial portion of the trunk area from the donor car.
This delicate operation, while not flawless, was ultimately successful in restoring structural integrity.
Following the extensive body repairs, the Mercedes 220D was in need of a fresh coat of paint. With no desire to repaint door jambs on what was intended as a classic beater, a paint that closely matched the original color was essential. Operating on a minimal budget, a roll-on paint job was initially planned. However, the desired shade of blue was only available in spray cans.
Initial results were promising, but the rattle can paint proved less durable than hoped. In retrospect, opting for roller paint would have been a better choice, a lesson perhaps for a future classic car project!
With the Mercedes-Benz 220D mechanically sound and reasonably presentable, it transitioned into daily driver status. The Dodge minivan was sold, my wife took over the Mazda 2, and the Benz became my primary vehicle. The most captivating aspect of this vintage Mercedes was the commanding view from behind the wonderfully classic dashboard. While precise fuel consumption figures were never recorded (the speedometer was inaccurate due to non-standard tire size), it was demonstrably frugal. Performance is best described as modest yet adequate. Racing anyone was certainly out of the question. The extremely short first gear often surprised other drivers, as gear changes were typically necessary before clearing intersections.
Enjoying my daily commutes in the elderly Benz, I conceived a plan to maximize its classic car experience. First up was an auto-x event, where, predictably, I finished last but thoroughly enjoyed every moment.
Next, participation in the local classic cruise event was on the agenda. Having never owned a reliably running classic before, entering the cruise was a novel experience for the whole family.
The remarkably spacious trunk meant the Mercedes 220D was frequently employed in roles typically reserved for a pickup truck.
I even entered the car in a local car show. While not exceptionally valuable or rare, these W115 chassis Mercedes models are becoming increasingly scarce, and the 220D was warmly received.
However, all good things eventually come to an end. The 220D began exhibiting a reluctance to start from cold, a significant inconvenience for a daily driver. After replacing glow plugs failed to resolve the issue, a suspicion arose regarding a potentially leaky injection pump. Although a spare pump was available from the parts car, it felt like my chapter with the Mercedes 220D was concluding. Coincidentally, the same friend who had sold me the car was looking for an affordable classic. Being more mechanically inclined but less inclined towards bodywork, a deal was struck, and the old 220D returned to its previous owner.
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