eBay Auction of the Day: 1953 Mercedes-Benz 170Da Diesel Rat Rod

Written By: Evan McCausland

Filed Under: Diesel, History, Mercedes-Benz, Online Auction Finds, Sedans December 22nd, 2007 6:34 PM

1953 Mercedes-Benz 170 Da

How often can you seriously utter the terms “rat rod,” “diesel” and “Mercedes-Benz” in the same sentence? When it came to this vintage Benz diesel that’s listed on eBay, some of our first reactions used some mixture of those terms.

(Click through to see more of this diminutive diesel)

Part of the W136 series of four-cylinder Benzes, the 170 Da was one of a handful of diesel variants offered. Although the Da was built between 1950 and 1952, the styling hadn’t changed much from its introduction in 1931. It certainly wasn’t anything but an economy car, what with the 1.7-liter I-4 diesel churning out only around 35 hp.

This example isn’t explicitly a rat rod, but it’s state of partial disarray and flat-back primer make it a perfect candidate for such a treatment. The front fascia, currently devoid of a front bumper, almost takes on the look of a customized ‘32 Ford, while the integrated spare tire carrier in the trunk is quite striking.

If a full restoration’s in your dreams, you’ll be happy to know that the original trim - including bumpers, seats and interior panels - do come with the car. However if this not-so-blitzen Benz were to grace our theoretical driveway, we’d lower the car slightly, add some more primer and, if anything, strip the wheels of those three-point star hubcaps. That wouldn’t get you into a Concours event anytime soon, but whoever said hot rodding was about following society’s conventions?

+ eBay: 1953 Mercedes-Benz 170 Da

Send to a friend

← Drop the Mocha, Ford Truck Driver GPS Wizardry: Nissan’s GT-R Recognizes Race Tracks, Removes Speed Limiter →

9 Comments

Ducati Minor December 22nd, 2007 10:22 PM Link

I don’t know about this particular Benz, but Mercedes’s 300Ds have undergone a renaissance in America. They are cheap to buy, very reliable, easy to repair, and roomy. There is a blossoming aftermarket modifying 300Ds to run on vegetable oil here in California. Anyone know the approximate mileage a 300D averages?

I don’t know about smog systems, but how would a diesel car running on bio-diesel or some organic oil fair with an emissions test? There wouldn’t be the level of nitrogen oxide content found in petrol diesel.

chuck goolsbee December 22nd, 2007 10:24 PM Link

I’d love to own that, but I find it hard to offer money to people who can not properly write a seller’s description. Diesle? Panals? C’mon!

–chuck
http://chuck.goolsbee.org

hwyhobo December 23rd, 2007 12:38 AM Link

Anyone who would seriously suggest stripping the original hubcaps off this car should not be allowed to get within 100 feet of it.

Joe December 23rd, 2007 1:49 AM Link

Ducati Minor - As far as NOx for diesel vs. biodiesel, results from different studies and test cycles vary some, but I think most studies indicate an increase in NOx with biodiesel. The advantage of going with the biodiesel is it’s renewable and other emissions are reduced(PM, CO2). Just Google “biodiesel NOx” for more info.

Adam December 23rd, 2007 1:54 AM Link

My sister’s ‘85 300D turbo gets about 22mpg in town, about 30 on the highway. Has 260k miles on it- original engine and transmission. While it has a great ride and handling, it’s loud (you can hear it clattering from across a parking lot) and vibrates when you’re at a stop.

My mom has a ‘95 E300, which gets 25-30 in town, 40 highway, and it has 116k miles on it. We made it up to Montreal (400mi drive) on half a tank. Much more refined than the 300D, no vibration, doesn’t smell, and you can’t even really hear it’s a diesel without being close up. The recent ones are supposed to be even better, which is good news for my mom- since she wouldn’t even consider a non-diesel.

Both cars have been very reliable. I’m sure whoever buys and fixes up this ‘53 will also find it reliable… if it can get out of its own way with just 35hp!

Ducati Minor December 23rd, 2007 6:16 PM Link

I’m quite surprised by the NOx content from a vegetative substance, Joe. I’ll take your word for it, but I find it disappointing. I know about the loudness of the 300Ds. I can hear them on the other side of a shopping plaza. Unpleasant.

Ken December 27th, 2007 6:06 PM Link

I owned a restored 1949 170S (gas) from 1971 thru 1975. Sold it ot a repair shop owner (Hosea Zardoy sp?)in the Bronx, NY GREAT CAR.

Winding Road » Archive » Artfully Painted Starliner Uses Dressmaker’s Lace January 9th, 2008 3:19 PM Link

[…] Using two unique patterns of dressmakers lace as a sort of stencil, they’ve laid down four major blocks of pattern that run the length of the car. The combination of the lacey effect in a type of robin’s egg blue, overlaid later with candy gloss and metalflake, is making for a sophisticated hot rod. […]

Winding Road » Archive » eBay Auction of the Day: 1953 Mercedes-Benz 170 Db Pickup February 15th, 2008 5:00 PM Link

[…] we found the diesel-powered 1953 Mercedes-Benz 170 Da on eBay last year, one of our editors remarked it’d be the perfect project car - if only it […]

HTML Formatting Tips

To make something bold: <strong>Text to bold</strong>
To make something italic: <em>Text to italicize</em>
To make a hyperlink: <a href="URL">Text to link</a>
To quote something previously said, you can use <blockquote>text</blockquote>

Markdown Formatting Tips (advanced)

This site also allows use of Markdown formatting in the comment section. This accomplishes the same formatting as HTML but is typically easy to use.

_your text_	→	your text
your text	→	your text
`my code`	→	`my code`
* Bulleted list * Second item	→	• Bulleted list • Second item
1. Numbered list 1. Second item	→	1. Numbered list 2. Second item
[link name](URL)	→	link name
***	→	Horizontal ruler
<http://url> <email@add.com>	→	Auto-linked
![Alt text](URL)	→	Image