1963 Mercedes Benz 190DC Fintail. Now in winter storage.

[Jim Bell]

10 minutes ago, Dyslexic Viking said:

I just had to drive to get away from the areas that get a lot of traffic this afternoon. But I have finally managed to find shade so have a break until the traffic calms down later. 

And glad you all like it will get to read through everything here now.

That's absolutely outstanding. 

[hairnet]

ohhhhhhhhhhhh..........................

 

[Dyslexic Viking]

I've driven this a bit now and know it a bit. It has starting difficulties, Cluth is a bit strange, possibly needs adjustment? There is an exhaust leak on the engine so the windows must be down all the time. And under heavy load the engine coughs, lack of fuel?

But I have to admit that I was initially terrified to drive this when it was on the motorway in heavy traffic and it didn't get any better when a Nissan cashcow almost crashed into me. So with the problems it has, it should perhaps have been picked up on a trailer instead of being driven home.

It also looks better in pictures, but it has a number of paint and bodywork defects. But this and the mechanical problems are fine as I got this cheaper because of it and I wouldn't have been able to afford it if it was perfect.

And will get more pictures taken.

[320touring]

It sounds delightful. Mechanically not much needed and the bodywork is solid but not to shiny. 

 

It is in ideal condition!

[Nullzwei]

With a bit of luck the starting and spluttering issues might be solved by a fresh set of fuel filters and cracking off an injector.

[Dyslexic Viking]

Random Merc pictures

The chrome on the rear bumper has some defects. Bellow.

The rear wheel arches is good.

The parcel shelf is wood.

But the worst part is the bottom of the passenger side front wing. After reading restorations of these, I know there is a rust trap behind there. So the archliner has to go out and I hope I don't find too many nasty surprises.

[Dyslexic Viking]

3 minutes ago, Nullzwei said:

With a bit of luck the starting and spluttering issues might be solved by a fresh set of fuel filters and cracking off an injector.

I hope so. I will also see how the lift pump is in condition. And check the glow plugs as I suspect one of them is leaking exhaust.

[PhilA]

You have indeed won today.

 

Marvellous machine. Well bought. 

[Dyslexic Viking]

More random pictures. And is so much nice details on these.

[PhilA]

I've only ever seen the outside of these. What a remarkable interior. 

I can see that safety was high in their priority list of sales. I don't think I've seen so much foam padded dash on any car from the early 60's. The little foam circle in the middle of the steering wheel is cute though.

 

Correct me if I'm wrong but is that dual sided heating controls?

[Dyslexic Viking]

And some specs on this.

4 cylinder diesel with 55 horsepower but is faster than you might think.

4 speed column gear change.

And since early 1963, it still has 1 circuit brakes with drums at the back and front without servo. It also does not have power steering.

Weight with driver is approx 1,400 kg so she is a heavy girl and is approx. 4.7 meters long.

[Dyslexic Viking]

3 minutes ago, PhilA said:

Correct me if I'm wrong but is that dual sided heating controls?

I didn't think about it until you said it now and I think it has? Because there is no other reason for this?

[Sunny Jim]

I'm sure I'm not the only one who's feeling slightly envious but who also is really pleased for you! Looking forward to seeing how you progress with this, a car like that deserves a custodian like you.

[Dyslexic Viking]

But one of the best things about this car is this folder from previous owners. Here there are receipts from repairs 30 years ago to a diploma from a classic car meeting, to old photos of the car. And best of all, the Norwegian authorities' registers only go back to 1970 in terms of owner history, but here someone has written down previous owners and there I get confirmation that this started life as a taxi, as I thought.

Above. And gamle svarten is a former owners name for the car  which roughly translates to old black.

[Dyslexic Viking]

12 minutes ago, Sunny Jim said:

I'm sure I'm not the only one who's feeling slightly envious but who also is really pleased for you! Looking forward to seeing how you progress with this, a car like that deserves a custodian like you.

Thank you. And I am honored that you think this hope I can manage to give this one the life it deserves and is entitled to. Since i'm really just the custodian for this one until the next one takes over.

[Supernaut]

1 hour ago, Dyslexic Viking said:

I just had to drive to get away from the areas that get a lot of traffic this afternoon. But I have finally managed to find shade so have a break until the traffic calms down later. 

And glad you all like it will get to read through everything here now.

Calendar material, right there.

[Low Horatio gearbox]

That is... just superb. 

I have one of these on an admittedly very long list of cars and tbh it's pretty unlikely to happen due to their rarity. So you've made a dream come true for me vicariously.

 

Running issues - I've had amazing results with just a good service and  just some general love and  fettling.    Like you will need an excuse to sit in it and go " vrom vroom, beep beep" like I do.

 

 

Absolutely bloody ace!

 

[Nullzwei]

Mercedes used the same door striker surround panel design right up until the w201 and w124. Gone by the w210 sadly.

Pity they are not still using the clap hands wiper design, always looked very classy imho.

Is MOT and / or road tax free status for historic cars a thing in Norway?

 

 

[Dyslexic Viking]

6 hours ago, motorpunk said:

Where in Norge will the car be? 

The car was in Nannestad Norway and this is the route home. And Google is as optimistic as always, I expect at least 6 hours of pure driving.

I chose this route which is longer and takes longer time because it is less hard on the car, the alternative would be the motorway almost all the way home.

I've been on break for a few hours now waiting for the traffic to calm down. And I don't think I'll drive all the way home today, so I'll spend the night somewhere along the way.

[Datsuncog]

MrsDC and I borrowed a slightly later 220 as a wedding car, so I've rather a soft spot for these...

I just love the vertical speedo, and the fins.

[Dyslexic Viking]

I'm now waiting for a tow truck as I can't get it to start and the battery is almost dead. I'm starting to wonder if the glow system is completely dead. But we'll see. If we get it to start, Than i wonder if I should try to drive all the way home tonight so I don't have to stop the engine anymore. Updates will come.

[hairnet]

ive never noticed these had vertical speedo

only one?

 

[PhilA]

18 minutes ago, hairnet said:

ive never noticed these had vertical speedo

only one?

 

Yes. Adding a second would be superfluous.

[BL Bloke]

That looks a lovely old thing, well bought. Hopefully the starting problem isn't anything too serious.  

[Dyslexic Viking]

I'm still waiting for a tow truck. If he's to late and we can't get the car started, I might have to sleep in the car tonight. 

And no one has stopped and offered to help, not even owners of classic/old cars. This is just how Norwegians are.

[Lacquer Peel]

I stopped to assist a Classic Mercedes recently, @juulargot involved too. Move to Scotland!

even without glow plugs the heat generated by turning it over should get it going. 

[Lacquer Peel]

^they were pretty stuck, no breakdown cover, similar distance to you to travel, couldn't get the car going so I let them park it at mine and drove them to the railway station for a train home. 

[Yoss]

25 minutes ago, Dyslexic Viking said:

I'm still waiting for a tow truck. If he's to late and we can't get the car started, I might have to sleep in the car tonight. 

 

I know this is no consolation at the moment but I'd happily sleep in that. 

Good luck sorting it. It's a 1960s diesel, it can't be that complicated. And you had to try and drive it home, I would have done the same. You could have had it delivered but where's the fun in that? 

[eddyramrod]

4 hours ago, Datsuncog said:

just love the vertical speedo, and the fins.

Took the words right out of my mouth!

[hairnet]

2 hours ago, PhilA said:

Yes. Adding a second would be superfluous.

thanks phil