Project Memoirs: Bornite’s All Red Fleet

[Mr_Bo11ox]

"The first time ever I saw your base'

[AndyW201]

 

Looking at the photo, I think I can only see two rows of chrome grille strips, if so, I say W201. I know from years of 190-fondling that they could get VERY base indeed...

[Ghosty]

If it is a 190, I hope it's not a 1.8. 

Or is it a mingebag diesel?!

[somewhatfoolish]

I want to like all this at least twice.

[Rod/b]

Coming back to 3 months or whatever ago, did you wire up a 12v? I *think* these used to have a “spare” yellow 12v live under the dash, like mk iv Escorts too.

[BorniteIdentity]

There are two things about base spec cars that you need to know. 1) They capture the very essence of the car far better than the more equipped models. These are cars YOU drive. They also capture the very essence of motoring. These are cars you DRIVE.

 

Secondly. Your piss never boils over when something stops working; something that was quite happily working just 24 hours previous.

 

I saw this car for sale on the excellent ‘Smoker Barges’ thread on PH. There’s a lovely guy on there who has a similarly low spec 190 so shared this with everyone else. Only, this one is more spartan than his. His original owner splashed on frivolities like a manual sliding roof and automatic transmission. Mine did not. He even gets ABS. I do not.

 

So what have I bought?

 

Mercedes 190.

Astral silver metallic over medium red being one option ticked.

Becker Europa 730 radio set being the other.

 

Otherwise, bone stock. 2.0 Carburettor fed, manual transmission, keep fit windows, the lot.

 

I wasn’t sure on the colour to start with but the only similar car I’ve seen for sale recently was nearly £6k.

 

With just 90k on the clock, FSH and 13 months MOT I’m delighted.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[HMC]

Wow. love it! Great find

[HMC]

I love the colour combo and the spec. The transmission tunnel pic says it all. Huge uncut slab of zebrano wood (i.e. No electric windows etc) and a manual gearstick

[Dave_Q]

Ooooft, thats a lovely looking thing.

 

Show us yer switch blanks please mister?

[SiC]

HOTTER, HOT, hot, warm, luke warm .... FREEZING COLD.

[timolloyd]

This is delightful. Is it perhaps the last proper base spec model Mercedes sold? I imagine everything after this came with electric windows

[BorniteIdentity]

This is delightful. Is it perhaps the last proper base spec model Mercedes sold? I imagine everything after this came with electric windows

89 was, AFAIK, the last year you could get the 2 litre carb model. This was superseded by the 1.8 einspritzung which developed almost exactly the same power but probably superior economy.

 

Interestingly, this is also the cheapest manufacturer fit radio you could get, but was more expensive than even the most expensive dealer fit option. It’s also been paired to a manual aerial, again cheaper.

[cort16]

5 speed is a bit ostentatious is it not? Very nice other wise

[Keymaster]

This is an ace purchase. I loved wafting around in my old W201, which was decadently specced with abs, fuel injection, autobox, mb-tex and electric everything. But looking at yours it seems to me like a clear case of less is definitely more when it comes to these things!

[Guest Hooli]

Taxilicious

[Tadhg Tiogar]

Definitely pov-spec!

[Broadsword]

The thing I love about these is that they look so solid it's as if they were carved out of granite. Also the complicated single wiper mechanism is mesmerising. I'm sold just on the wiper on these in fact. Great buy!

[Parky]

Ooh, that's very smart. Love a coloured interior

[Tadhg Tiogar]

....the complicated single wiper mechanism is mesmerising. I'm sold just on the wiper on these in fact.

The wiper mechanism is a work of art. I think it has some sort of cam arrangement so it can stretch and contract to cover the greatest possible sweep.

 

My CX is also single-wiper, but only the one pivot.

[BorniteIdentity]

Very pleased with it all told. It has given me a minor dilemma about garage space as I only have the one which currently has the Sierra within.

 

No immediate plans for the car, and certainly no ‘improvements’.

 

 

[wuvvum]

Superb.  I can feel that clunky gear shift from here.

[hairnet]

"The first time ever I saw your base'

you and that tim bloke are far too old

 

me too

 

daddy sang base

[holbeck]

+1 one for base spec. love (although I prefer the word 'pure').

 

The 190 is a thing of beauty. Not jealous at all.

[adw1977]

Very pleased with it all told. It has given me a minor dilemma about garage space as I only have the one which currently has the Sierra within.

 

 

I should think the Sierra is more likely to rust away if left outside than the Merc.

[Felly Magic]

Holy Buttery Biscuit Base Bournite.....The only way this could be any more lickable is if it was 2 tone beige

[r.welfare]

Or that flat battleship grey they did. Lovely stuff.

[Guest Hooli]

Or that flat battleship grey they did. Lovely stuff.

 

First time I saw one in that colour I asked the owner if the top coat was an optional extra...

[AndyW201]

Base spec manual with a Becker?

 

<swoons>

 

Polar opposite to my current 190 but that could have space on my drive any day!

[HillmanImp]

Continuing the 'Drum and Base' (or does it have discs front drums rear?) theme, you are the S, the U, the P the E the R, 

The S the H, the A, the R the P

The S, the H, the I, the T, the T the E, the R

 

The S, the U, the P the E the R
The S, the H, the A the R the P
The S, the H, the I, the T, the

Super, Sharp, Shite!

 

Check it, you're the fuckin' man who they mention
Blazin' the shite that they're...blazin' the shite that they're drivin'
You're the fuckin' man who they mention,
Blazin' the stuff that you're drivin'' the base on.

 

SUPER SHARP SHITTER, SUPER SHIT!

[RobT]

The original owner had good taste opting for a red interior and naff all else. Excellent purchase Mr bASeman.