Mercedes-Benz - 220D - 1969

通用信息

我们 presents a remarkable unit of the legendary Mercedes-Benz 220 D W115 from 1969, belonging to the early units produced of the historic /8 (Strich-Acht) series. Launched at the end of 1967, this generation designed by the famed Paul Bracq represented a true revolution for Mercedes-Benz, introducing a completely new platform, independent rear suspension with semi-trailing arms, and a construction conceived to offer exceptional robustness and durability that would ultimately make the /8 one of the most emblematic Mercedes‑Benz models of all time.

The 2.2-liter OM615 engine with 60 horsepower in this version became one of the great benchmarks of diesel engineering of its era, decisively contributing to the legendary reputation for reliability and indestructibility that still accompanies these vehicles today. Early W115s are especially appreciated by enthusiasts and collectors, as they retain numerous details and configurations that were later changed.

This 1969 unit is especially interesting precisely because it belongs to this early production phase and preserves several of those features. Notably, the steering-column mounted gear lever and the exceptional three-seat front bench, an original configuration extraordinarily difficult to find today. It also preserves many period-specific elements, including its original interior and the restored Becker Grand Prix radio.

Thus, we are looking at a W115 very different from a conventional unit: an early series with a particularly singular configuration, a substantial investment already made, and a thorough modernization. An excellent opportunity to add a historically significant Mercedes-Benz with personality to a collection and, especially important in this auction, with a deliberately very attractive reserve price.

外观与涂装

The vehicle has been partially restored while respecting its originality as much as possible. The body has been completely repainted in its factory original color, currently presenting an elegant, clean appearance fully in line with the original aesthetics of the early W115s. No modifications intended to modernize its look have been introduced, maintaining the sober and authentic character of this late-60s Mercedes-Benz.

To complete the package, it wears new white-wall tires, perfectly in keeping with the aesthetics of high-end Mercedes sedans of the era and that especially enhance the presence of this unit.

机械部分

One of the main selling points of this vehicle is the extraordinary investment in its recovery and modernization, totaling over 20,000 euros. This amount covers the entire range of work carried out on the vehicle and not only its mechanical aspect, including interventions in mechanics, bodywork, painting, interior, and various components and elements of the car.

Mechanically, an exhaustive restoration and maintenance process has been carried out. An integral inspection and restoration of steering, suspension, brakes, transmission, and differential have been performed. Numerous components have been replaced, including silent blocks, shock absorbers, seals, brake lines, hydraulic elements, and various worn parts. The pump has also been rebuilt and many components replaced with new original parts.

The future owner thus starts from a base that has received significant investment and thorough modernization, avoiding having to tackle from scratch many of the costly tasks usually required to restore a classic car of this age. The money invested represents a particularly relevant added value, both from the standpoint of its current state and the economic effort already made on the unit.

As expected for a car manufactured in 1969, it should always be kept in mind that this is a historical vehicle over half a century old. Despite the substantial restoration and modernization, a classic car cannot be equated to a new vehicle nor considered completely free of the small maintenance, adjustment, or improvement actions that may be needed with time and use. This is precisely part of the nature and appeal of historic vehicles.

Interior

This unit preserves several of the most emblematic and currently hard-to-find elements on an early W115. Notably, the elegant gear lever mounted on the steering column, a typical feature of late-1960s Mercedes-Benz and much less common in later configurations.

Additionally, one of the most special features of this exemplar: the exceptional three-seat front bench. This original configuration, now very uncommon on the classic market, gives the vehicle an extraordinary personality and is one of the details that makes this early series particularly interesting.

The cabin also retains the pure aesthetics of the early production years by preserving its original configuration without front headrests and incorporating front seat belts as a period accessory. Much of the original upholstery remains, having been partially restored only where necessary, thus maintaining the vehicle’s authentic character.

Special mention deserves the original Becker Grand Prix radio, fully restored and functioning perfectly. This original element, in addition to adding significant historical and aesthetic value to the cabin, currently has a market value close to €1,000 in the classic car market.

Documentación

Administratively and historically, the vehicle is up-to-date and ready to drive, with its completely valid ITV inspection. It also retains its original maintenance book, a document of great interest to any collector, providing information on the unit’s history and constituting an important element of authenticity and traceability.

The preservation of original documentation together with the early configuration and the period elements that this unit retains adds significant value for buyers seeking a Mercedes-Benz classic with identity and period-specific characteristics.

Recojo

The car can be collected in the province of Seville, Spain. The vehicle must be picked up from the seller’s premises within a maximum of 7 days from the adjudication. Otherwise, a daily storage fee of €25 will be charged to the buyer at the time of collection.

Otra información

This unit combines a combination particularly hard to find today in a Mercedes-Benz W115: it belongs to the early production series, preserves original characteristics typical of the early years, incorporates the uncommon steering-column gear lever and the exceptional three-seat front bench, keeps numerous period elements, and has received investment over €20,000 in the entire vehicle.

The result is a W115 with a particularly special configuration, very far from a standard unit. Precisely the small details are what make certain exemplars particularly sought after over time, and this unit retains several of the features that identify the early /8 and which are increasingly difficult to find gathered in a single car.

Moreover, the future owner benefits from a particularly important circumstance: a large part of the economic effort and the work required to recover the vehicle has already been completed. The total investment exceeds €20,000 and covers the set of interventions carried out on the unit, from mechanics and bodywork to painting, interior and various components. Restoring an early W115 to a similar level from an unrestored unit would presumably require a very substantial investment.

Therefore, and in order to ultimately facilitate the vehicle’s adjudication, the reserve price for this auction has been reduced and deliberately set at a particularly attractive level compared with the investment made. After several previous auctions where the vehicle remained just shy of the reserve, we consider this new opportunity allows the market to access a particularly interesting unit with very competitive purchase conditions.

For a collector or enthusiast who values the early W115s, this may be a particularly interesting opportunity: an early unit, with an unusual configuration, numerous original elements, a substantial investment already made, and a reduced reserve price. Finding all these factors together in a single vehicle is not easy today.

A unit for someone who can appreciate the details that truly matter in a Mercedes-Benz classic and wants to seize the opportunity to acquire an early and unique /8 without having to bear again the significant costs of a restoration of this magnitude.