1952 Mercedes-Benz 170 Va

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4 - Cyl.

Manual

13606002788

Gasoline

Rare 1952 Mercedes-Benz 170Va being offered by private collector in the Houston area. This is your chance to own a piece of Mercedes history. I acquired the car in 2002 from what I was told was the second owner...the widow I purchased the car from told me her now deceased husband purchased the car in 1978 or 1979 and had it brought over to the U.S. from West Berlin (this was before the unification of East and West). Odometer indicates 94,620 km and there is a badge on the radiator grille indicating a 200,000 km award...so, my best guess is the car has close to 300K km on it. The engine starts relatively easy and there is no smoke upon start up nor when it is warmed up. It is a very comfortable car to drive except for the 45 bhp flat-head four cylinder engine...yes, it will cruise at 55 mph but I have primarily driven it around town on short trips less than 40 miles each. The car is virtually identical to the model 170V which began production in 1936, but in the typical Mercedes tradition, it was the subject of constant improvements and production was of course, interrupted during the war. 1952 was the final year of production for the 170Va. It is also interesting to note that the Mercedes factory in Stuttgart was rubble due to the effects of the war, and the Allies had given up hope of the company ever existing again. We all know the story of the VW and how the British thought it would never amount to anything.... The model 170V has been credited with saving Mercedes-Benz from oblivion as the car features a full-frame chassis (the last Mercedes to have such as they began to make the model 180 with unitized construction) with independent transverse leaf springs up front and independent coils at the rear...it really is comfortable on the road! Car has a black exterior paint job that is presentable but certainly not concours. Nothing on the car is concours but this car is a nice "driver". The interior is a combination burgundy vinyl with grey brushed-cloth inserts. Headliner is grey and is sagging a bit in the area above the back seat. It is also important to note there is at present, one functional hydraulic brake...the left front. I have purchased new brake lines from Niemoeller (of Mannheim, Germany) and they are included with the sale of the car. Also included are an original sales brochure, the owner's manual, and the comprehensive soft-bound book offered by Mercedes...it is the factory Service Manual (Publication No. S-1204-000) and has over 500 pages! In typical German thoroughness, it includes virtually every facet of repairs for the Models 170V, 170S, and 170D. Car was driven to a safe, dry, and enclosed location prior to Hurricane Ike. It is not a casualty of any flood or other catastrophe. The car has a low reserve as I simply do not have time to drive it any more and it is a shame to keep it covered in my garage. I welcome all questions and will answer such and post on e-bay. Car is, of course, being sold in "As-Is, Where-Is" condition with no warranty expressed or implied. I respectfully ask that dealers and brokers refrain from solicitations unless you are a cash buyer. Payment terms are wire transfer to my bank only. Car is available for viewing and I encourage serious buyers to visit. Please check my approval rating...I have been participating with ebay for many years and am an honest individual...I do not operate any type of automobile business. Thank you for looking.On Feb-24-11 at 18:48:47 PST, seller added the following information: Please refer to all questions from interested individuals for more information.