August 2008

Via an ad I found a Mercedes-Benz 170 Va in a very poor condition, uncertain if it was restorable. A lot of rust and missing parts and the interior was almost nonexistent, there was only the front passenger seat left. Some friends told me wisely to forget the old wreck, but I decided to make a try anyway and save the old 'lady' from being cut into pieces and sold as parts, which otherwise was the likeliest destiny. This project is probably neither wise or economically, but I do not care. I like to restore old Benzes, so for me this will be both fun and worthwhile. Hopefully I will get my reward the day the old Benz rolls again under its own power, but it is probably going to take a while...

At sellers location. The old wreck is loaded onto the truck. According to the registration documents the car was first registered in January 1951 as a 170 Va. But during 1953 the car was "modified" to a 170 Vb instead, why is unknown. During the period the car was used and registered, it had a total of five different owners until January 1963 when the car was unregistered and sold as scrap to a scrap dealer. However, the car was not scrapped, and have since then probably wandered between various owners, therefore the cars history the last 45 years is unclear.

Home, with Volvo Amazon tiers fitted. The original tiers were all flat and loaded into the car. The right rear wing is placed on top of the hood. During the first winter she will be resting in an old barn, meanwhile the engine and transmission is undergoing rebuilding.

The interior, with the remains of a backseat on top of the tiers, and underneath, a glimpse of two gearboxes and some bumpers.

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