This is a very nice Mercedes-Benz W110 190C, finished in Maroon with Cream MB Tex interior. The car was subject to a bare metal repaint in 2005, and extensive restoration work carried out over a 10 year period. It features a 1897cc petrol engine, 4 speed manual column change gearbox, electronic ignition, original 13″ steel wheels with chrome and body colour hubcaps and chrome trim rings, period Becke radio, front and rear classic style inertia reel seatbelts, and a rear centre lap belt. This is the best one of these fintail examples that we have seen.
The car was supplied new in the UK in 1965, and has had 8 owners in total. Being one of the last of the Series 1 W110’s, it has the quirky wing-top indicator flashers, as well as the iconic tailfins that were unique to this model giving it instant retro appeal. Sharing the same cabin and boot space with the more expensive W111 models, the W110 is 6 inches shorter in the bonnet but still possesses the impressive front grille and flowing lines.
The previous owner undertook an extensive restoration during his 15 year ownership. Starting with a bare metal respray, he steadily worked through the car, thoroughly overhauling the structure and replacing or re-conditioning many of its key components. The front and rear bumpers were re-chromed, rear door handle re-chromed and front one renewed, front and rear window rubbers renewed, rear lights renewed, chromed headlight rings renewed, roof mouldings and gutter strips renewed, front grille re-chromed, wood on dashboard re-polished, wheels shot blasted and painted, all brake pipes renewed, main spring on rear axle renewed, exhaust manifold shot blasted, both number plate lights renewed, clutch thrust bearing renewed, drive chains to engine renewed, water pump renewed, starter and dynamo renewed, electronic ignition fitted, ignition switch renewed, speedometer cable renewed, fuel tank and furl gauges renewed, radiator renewed, four new shock absorbers fitted, rubbers on all doors renewed, boot rubbers renewed, gearbox linkages renewed, both door mirrors renewed, all rubber pipes to engine renewed, engine mountings renewed, and four new hubcaps fitted.
The vendor has had the car since 2015 and regularly attends shows around the south of England. The car always receives a lot of interest, partly due to its condition, but also due to the rarity of Fintails in the UK. The car starts easily (a new battery in 2020) and the column change gearbox feels precise and slick thanks to the new linkages. The engine has enough power to keep up with most modern traffic, and the car drives and handles superbly. The huge front and rear windscreens give excellent visibility all round and the solid Mercedes build quality is evident throughout. In fact, this model represents a milestone in car design, being one of the first to have front and rear crumple zones for improved passenger safety. In 2012, the car was driven by Sir Stirling Moss and John Surtees at a VIP event at Mercedes-Benz World, Brooklands, Surrey.
