Photo: Sedgefield Classic Cars
The Internet is a vast and wonderful place, much like the automotive world, to be frank. But from time to time it happens to turn rather weird if you dare to venture too deep. Take this curious-looking W114/W115 Mercedes-Benz 220D as a prime example of that. Originally a sleek sedan powered by a puny 60 horsepower oil burner, this granddaddy Mercedes-Benz is now a Lexus V8-powered pickup truck.
Currently offered for sale by Sedgefield Classic Cars from the United Kingdom, this oddball of a Benz is actually located in South Africa and comes in right-hand drive guise to boot. Though it looks like it was made using a mere 45-90-45 degree geometry tool kit triangle, a disc cutter and an oxyacetylene torch, look closer and you'll see a pretty fine conversion.
Everything, from the El Camino-style profile to the bed that comes with a neat tonneau, looks like it was professionally constructed and added to the old-timer Mercedes-Benz 220D. The old school but elegant design mixed with a bit of utility isn't a bad interbreed from this author point's of view, but more of an interesting conjoint of two opposed spectrums.
While there's photo evidence of a big V8 lump from Lexus under the long bonnet of the contraption, the seller doesn't specify the donor Lexus model or the amount of ponies it churns out. Furthermore, it's also unknown what kind of automatic transmission is that, but it's natural to presume it came from the donor vehicle as well. The interior has seen better days, especially those baggy seats, but the car's cabin has that certain old Mercedes-Benz patina.
Now guess how much the seller wants for this loony piece of kit? Nope, it's way lower than that. Priced at 75,000 South African rand, that translates to roughly $6,850 at current exchange rates, which is cheap if you take into consideration the amount of work that went into this conversion. Too bad shipping cost to the United States or Europe would double its price.
Everything, from the El Camino-style profile to the bed that comes with a neat tonneau, looks like it was professionally constructed and added to the old-timer Mercedes-Benz 220D. The old school but elegant design mixed with a bit of utility isn't a bad interbreed from this author point's of view, but more of an interesting conjoint of two opposed spectrums.
While there's photo evidence of a big V8 lump from Lexus under the long bonnet of the contraption, the seller doesn't specify the donor Lexus model or the amount of ponies it churns out. Furthermore, it's also unknown what kind of automatic transmission is that, but it's natural to presume it came from the donor vehicle as well. The interior has seen better days, especially those baggy seats, but the car's cabin has that certain old Mercedes-Benz patina.
Now guess how much the seller wants for this loony piece of kit? Nope, it's way lower than that. Priced at 75,000 South African rand, that translates to roughly $6,850 at current exchange rates, which is cheap if you take into consideration the amount of work that went into this conversion. Too bad shipping cost to the United States or Europe would double its price.
Google News