With the W 110 series, Mercedes brought a little Hollywood flair to Germany. The opulent shapes were based on American road cruisers – albeit in moderation.
The Daimler tail fin was little more than a tail flute. In addition to the lush sensuality of a Chevrolet Bel Air or a Plymouth Belvedere, the German variant looks like a wallflower. The W 110 did not drive “sex goddesses” like Jayne Mansfield or Anita Ekberg for walks in the big world, the W 110 made a name for itself as an indestructible taxi.
Performance was a minor matter. For the 190 D and 200 D versions, the term “shifting dunes” was appropriate – even then, with 55 hp, it was not possible to make a cavalier start. After 1968, the Swabian road cruiser was quickly replaced in the collective memory by the overpowering Strich-Eight, which was a forward-looking design in every respect. And in its own way interpreted the time of the 60s and 70s ingeniously. The pseudo-Hollywood look of the W 110 looked very old almost overnight. After all, the W 110 was one of the first vehicles with a reinforced passenger cell and crumple zones. Security was a top priority.Click here if you want to see the photo gallery in full width on the desktop.
Mercedes 230 successful in the USA
The Mercedes 230 was even a success in the USA, but there it was powered by the in-line six-cylinder M180, which developed 120 hp and accelerated the four-door model to up to 175 km / h. At that time the Benz cost $ 4,500. A daring price idea, because it was significantly more expensive than most US models. On the other hand, the car made in Germany had lower performance data and fewer comfort features. The affectionate US nickname was Minnie Finnie. Even today, the Swabian can easily keep up with everyday traffic in California. In the USA there was even an optional air conditioning system. In return, the instrumentation is pretty straightforward. In addition to the bar tachometer, there are also displays for temperature, tank and oil pressure – that’s it.
Good models from the W 110 series are rare on the classic market, but they are not overly expensive. A vehicle with a documented history and a reasonable technical and visual condition costs around 15,000 euros.
The six-cylinder in-line with 105 and 120 hp are more in demand than the lame diesels. Nevertheless, they are still available for less than 20,000 euros. This is a fair offer for a classic with long-distance comfort and suitability for everyday use.
Also read:
– Mercedes-Benz 770K – Hitler’s Parade-Mercedes
– Mercedes 500 K Special Roadster – the super sports car of the Nazi era
– Peugeot 504 – the spirit of the 68s from France
I am a 24-year-old writer and journalist who has been working in the news industry for the past two years. I write primarily about market news, so if you’re looking for insights into what’s going on in the stock market or economic indicators, you’ve come to the right place. I also dabble in writing articles on lifestyle trends and pop culture news.
