alsancle

http://www.bonhams.com/auctions/22717/lot/235/ So how did we miss this? Dav? One of my favorite 320s and probably a one off. The Dragone brothers did a lot of work to get it to this point and it probably needs a full restoration but a great great car. A 3,405cc 3,300mm wheelbase 1938 Mercedes-Benz 320, series W142/II, it has possibly unique "Kombination Roadster" coachwork by the Mercedes-Benz coachworks at Sindelfingen responsible for the monumental Special Roadsters on 500K and 540K chassis. Its 3,300mm wheelbase in slightly longer than the standard 540K's 3,290mm. Its coachwork combines roadster features with a cabriolet A style top that folds atop the rear bodywork. The interior is appointed as a 500K or 540K would be with mother of pearl instrument panel, banjo spoke steering wheel and opening panels in the steeply raked vee windshield. Its features – Bosch headlights and fog lights, fitted luggage, recessed rear deck spare wheel and tire with a chrome cover, backup light, dashboard-mounted radio – mirror those in Mercedes-Benz's supercharged eights. It rides on steel wheels with hubcaps and blackwall tires. The hood is shorter than an eight's, appropriate for the shorter six-cylinder engine under it, but the passenger compartment sits in a more balanced position midway on the chassis giving it more subtle proportions. Its history is known only from 1948 when it was bought in Germany by an American serviceman and brought to Connecticut. Sold to another Connecticut resident in the early 50's, it was driven for a short time – there is a 1953 Connecticut safety inspection sticker on the windshield – and then tucked away until it was discovered in 2012 and acquired from the owner's estate. Since then it has been sympathetically serviced in order to retain its marvelous originality. There is some lacquer repaint on the burgundy and red body, estimated to be 65% original paint. The chrome and trim items are original and have never been off the car. Mechanically gone through to return it to running, driving condition, it has as much as possible been left in as-found condition with the faults – aged paint, deteriorated chrome, cracked upholstery, fragile top – expected of its history. The body is impressively sound and by all appearances the engine has never been out of the chassis. The starter recently failed, but is being rewound and rebuilt and will be supplied to the new owner if not ready by the date of sale. Sindelfingen-bodied Mannheim-built Mercedes-Benzes are not just rare, they are all but nonexistent. Finding one so complete, so thoroughly equipped, in open Kombination Roadster coachwork is cause for celebration among classic car collectors. This is, of course, a Classic Car Club of America Full Classic™ and one of the most significant preservation class discoveries in recent years.

If I recall correctly, a 6 banger ford truck engine.

Does the handle mechanism make it any easier? The ones I have seen just have the base that you slip under the handle to push out he clip. Those seem to work fine.

I agree you don't see too many 2 doors with the blower but 35k feels like somebody is smoking crack.

That is a great find Jason.

I would have assumed anyone over the age of 40 has seen the Great Race 10 times. Maybe under the age of 30 never heard of it.

Just about any car looks good in black (assuming it is straight!). You are both lucky. Although if the Maroon is presentable I would buff it and leave it alone.

I like the idea of putting it back in street car form. Maybe you will be able to get George to sell you my old blower. Then you really will be rocking.

830 Sportcoupé from coachbuild.com: http://www.coachbuild.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=584&t=9418&start=20

I raced in the soap box derby right next to where that picture was taken

I think there is no windshield now? Here is a picture I have that I posted to the ACD Forum along with a link: http://acdclub.org/forums/49/4283

Mark, Your detective work seems reasonable. I wish I had known this when the Jones Special was for sale and I owned that complete blower.

Well that is a tough call

Is there a number missing from the chassis number? I thought they were all 5 digits.

Jason, was yours originally black with red interior?

I agree with Jason's term "Catalog Custom". Same with the 31 Pierce Lebaron bodies (and Stutz, etc) as 6-12 of each style was built and delivered by LeBaron for installation by Pierce. Still coachbuilt but not exactly a full custom where the chassis is delivered to the body builder.

Depending on what you are looking at a marque expert may be more appropriate. If it is run of the mill car, any appraiser will take enough pictures for you.

According to the Splendid Stutz I'm not seeing any 4 digit chassis numbers. They are all 5 digit. The 29-31 M are 3001 & up for short wheel base and 40001 & up for long wheelbase. The only chassis numbers that start with an 8 are AA & BB of 27/28 but those are 5 digits also.

That is a cool car.

That may be the worst auction I have ever seen. Who takes a picture of the box that an air cleaner element comes in?

If that car is worth 10-20k I'm leaving the hobby because I have no idea what is going on. Not running in that condition *maybe* it is worth 5k because LaSalle somehow brings more money than your typical beat up mid-market 4 door sedan.

You have the same deal going on with the Pierce 12s but other than a letter somewhere on the block they are visually indistinguishable - I think. Ed Minne can tell us exactly. Of course that little letter is the first thing the Pierce guys go looking for - in fact they may be able to see it from 10 feet with the hood closed

Free would be expensive but probably 1500 would probably be about market. The problem is that if you have to rebuild that engine you are already underwater for the life of ownership.

Here is a Special Roadster in the Harrahs Collection circa 1975.

I agree with you Matt. I love it. I need to find that other Harrah catalog I have. Personally, I would rather pay 60k for this car, than 20k for the subject of this thread.