220S W-180 Ponton Southwest car

Description

1958 Mercedes 220-S Sedan Southwest carThis Mercedes was stored indoors for most of it's life. In it's early years it was garaged, then as new owners took possession it went into a carport, a garage again, out in the yard then finally in an open workshop. I have a folder of receipts, photos, docs to show where it has been and what has been done in the way of maintainance. I purchased it from an elderly man. It has spent a lot of time in the southwest. This is a 2200CC inline engine with 4 speeds on the column.Removing the carpet, pad, and wood floor panel reveals what I always wanted -solid floors. So this car escaped water runoff from rain and snow entering the cabin. No evidence of rodents.The interior is sundamaged but shows original cowhide leather seats, and door panels. The interior chrome embelishments are all still intact, instrument panel all intact, door handles, window cranks, even the dashboard trim is all there. German handcrafted beech hardwood dashboard and window trim with rear ashtrays! Headliner long gone.The exterior is sunbleached, a different hood was installed, will need body work and a windshield. Possible areas of hail damage to the roof only. There are 2 areas of concern with rust. The engine bay wall (left side) has an area the size of an adult palm that is rusted right through. And the battery tray has a small amount of rust under it. The trunk amazingly has no rust through. These are usually the first to rust out due to a failed seal. Spare tire wells still have factory paint!The car was owner by a mechanic and he outfitted it with a new exhaust including the rear muffler. Not even rusted yet. Surface rust on some areas of the undercarriage, and in the trunk but nothing to worry about. No body rot.Hella fog lights and Becker Mexico 1950's tube powered radio in the car.Back in the day this car would have outdone the engineering, and ease of driving when compared to it's American counterparts. It runs quiet and the clutch and tranny shift nicely. It has a brake booster and a locking steering wheel. Imagine that in 1958. No seat belts though.When I received the car the last time it was registered was the mid 90's. I changed the oil and canister type filter, new battery, washed out the engine bay, vacuumed the interior where the southwest wind will distribute a garden variety of dirt and dust. I checked out the rust situation and realized its a real survivor. I drained the fuel tank and rinsed it but not like it was out of the car. I wanted to get it started. New plugs went in, wires checked. Spark appeared and after priming the 2 Solex carbs it fired right up.The brakes I didnt touch, so the car is not exactly street ready. I let the engine warm up and it purred like it had just had it's tappets adjusted. I moved it effortlessly in the yard using the hand brake. So the drums are not frozen. I did not perform a compression test. There was a bit of smoke when I first started it, but I did soak for 4 the cyliders with ATF, so the smoke dissipated, It turned right over.The generator appears to work because with high rpms the battery check light turns off. Thats good.Included in the sale are receipts for service, old photos of the car, 2 key sets.I have set a buy it now price and the buyer will need to have it towed to it's new location. A $500 deposit is required with cash due upon pickup. Sold as is. Thanks for looking and feel free to ask any questions.