Baby Blue: 1972 Mercedes Benz 66K Mile Sedan – SOLD!
December 13th Update – We just confirmed the private seller of this ride deleted their Craigslist ad, so we’re now able to call this one “Sold!” While this one got away, if you have your heart set on something similar, email us the details of what you’re looking for or call Rudy directly at (908)295-7330.
Original- or Second-owner selling? That is the question we often end up asking when we come across a listing saying “Only One Owner” such as this Horizon Blue over Navy MB Tex, 66K mile 1972 W114 Mercedes-Benz 250 Sedan originally listed in December 2020 on Craigslist in Langhorne, Pennsylvania with an asking price of $7,400. Researching the Collector Car Market Review Online Tool reveals the private seller has their vintage Mercedes priced between this guide’s #3 “Good” estimate of $4,800 and its #2 “Very Good” appraisal of $8,450. Similarly, the Hagerty Insurance Online Valuation Tool as a second data point confirms this private seller has his full-size W114 priced between the #4 “Fair” (Daily Driver) estimate of $5,100 and the #3 “Good” appraisal of $8,800.
Here’s the Hagerty Insurance Summary of these Mercedes from its Valuation Guide:
“Mercedes-Benz eschewed the fins of the previous W110 series with the introduction of the Paul Bracq-designed W114/115 “Strich Acht” cars in 1968. This new design was available in sedan and coupe form and rode on a newly designed chassis that consisted of a ball joint independent front suspension with unequal-length A-arms and coil-over shocks, while semi-trailing arms made up the rear. Discs all around were utilized for stopping these substantial cars. The W114 range consisted of gas I-6 engines ranging from 2.3 to 2.8 liters (230C, 250C, 280C, 250C, and 280C for coupes—an “E” suffix denotes rare fuel injection), while the W115 range consisted of gas and diesel I-4 engines of between 2.0 and 2.4 liters displacement (200/200D, 220/220D, 230.4, 240D). Starting in 1973, the W115 series also included a diesel I-5 with the 240D 3.0 and 300D cars.
Well over 1.9 million sedans and 67,000 coupes were built from 1968 to 1976 with a subtle change in styling from the windshield forward appearing in 1974 as well as 5-mph bumpers on U.S. market cars that same year. Transmission choices included four-speed manuals and automatics for all body styles except the I-5 diesel 240D and 300Ds, which were automatic only. A five-speed manual was a rare option on coupes with few making it to the U.S., and a car so equipped with equally rare fuel injection has to be one of the most desirable cars in this wide-ranging series.
The W115 and W114 series cars have been referred to as “tank-like” by their enthusiastic following due to their robust construction and reliability, and all permutations of body, engine, and transmission make this Mercedes a choice for many different drivers. Rust compromising the car’s unibody structure as well as dry rot in rubber suspension fittings and bushings are areas of concern in all Mercedes-Benzs of this era, and potential owners should pay attention to these two areas when considering a W114 or W115.”
Here’s a video of a similar vintage “stanced” 250 that is all the rage among Hipsters who enjoy driving these vintage Mercedes W114s:
Regardless of whether the seller is the original or second owner, this Mercedes 25o appears to be a well-documented and properly maintained survivor quality example. The only decision you have to make after purchase is whether to keep it original or source a pair of European-style headlights and then lower the car. Whichever path you choose, good luck with the purchase!
Here’s the seller’s description:
“1972 Mercedes-Benz 250 sedan automatic
Everything on it is all original-
Original 66,000 miles.
Price: $7.400.00
Only one owner!”
Stance or Show: what would you do with this Mercedes Survivor? Comment below and let us know!
I would DD (Daily Drive) in the spring and fall!