Highlights

• 2.2-litre inline-six
• Top of the range, fuel-injected model
• Manual transmission
• Solid dry-state SA car
• Rare right-hand drive example

The Appeal

Built on behalf of Mercedes-Benz by C.D.A. of South Africa, this example has clearly benefited from the dry and warm environs in which it has lived. Presenting in an attractive specification, solid of body and with the range-topping fuel-injected powertrain, it makes a great case for being a very practical classic that you really could use on a daily basis.

The History and Paperwork

• Built by C.D.A. of East London, South Africa
• Believed to have been first registered in South Africa in 1965
• 21,645 miles indicated, but this is on a five-figure odometer so is more likely to be 121,645 miles
• Believed to have been a column-shift model, that has been converted to manual transmission at a later date
• Unfortunately, we know little else of the car’s history

The Interior

• Cream vinyl upholstery shows well, appearing to have been refinished at some point recently as it displays little in the way of wear or patina
• The beige carpeting looks to be in good order, again looking as if it has been renewed fairly recently
• The cream vinyl headlining appears to be taut and undamaged, as far as we can see
• We love the original period touches, such as the wide, thin-rimmed Bakelite wheel and vertical speedometer
• It would appear as if the car was originally a ‘column-shift’ model but has been converted to a standard manual transmission
• The vendor reports no faults or issues with any of the gauges or controls
• The wood veneers on the dash and doors are showing some wear and light surface cracking
• Period radio fitted
• There are fire extinguishers fitted to the passenger side of the transmission tunnel and in the boot
• The boot is generously proportioned, trimmed with beige carpeting and also containing a jack

The Exterior

• Cream paintwork, presenting in good overall condition, with some minor marks and blemishes but no significant scuffs or damage we could discern
• All of the bodywork looks to be straight and clean, with no corrosion or pronounced damage to the panels
• There is lots of brightwork, with large bumpers and over-riders fore and aft – it all looks to be nicely kept, with some gentle, natural patina adding character
• We noted that a couple of pieces of brightwork may require affixing and that one piece is missing from the off-side front lip of the bonnet
• All of the glass elements and light lenses look to be intact and undamaged, although the headlights appear to be a little cloudy
• Underneath, the car looks to be clean and straight, with a little surface corrosion in places, but nothing that would concern us
• It is riding on the correct 13-inch steel wheels, finished with polished wheel covers that feature body-coloured centres
• The wheels are dressed in a set of Maxxis MA-1 white band tyres, which look to be in fine fettle

The Mechanics

• 2,195cc naturally aspirated, fuel-injected inline-six
• Manual transmission, which appears to be a conversion
• This powertrain was rated at 120hp from the factory
• Rear-wheel drive
• The vendor reports no faults, problems or issues with the car’s mechanicals

Summary