The musings of a serial car collector, where I spend most of my free time spannering on my collection of cars. I have a broad taste in cars and the collection consists of cars that have made an impression on me at some point in my life. I have a particular liking for large sedans and Grand Tourers.
Would be interested to know what kind of premium these charged over the equivalent saloon. I am guessing that it would be 30% or more, rather than the 5 - 10% common nowadays.
@davidhayes4814 You're quite correct. I don't have the actual figures, but I read somewhere that the selling price of the Universal was 30% more than the sedan. I think this was what ultimately caused the slow sales. They sold 1000 cars in the first year, and then only another 1000 in the following three years.
@Weiseorgelspieler There were only around 2000 Universals made and very few left. There are a few in the German Mercedes Club, VDH, but they are a rare sight.
@@keystonegarage very unfortunate though that they made just a little number! The original factory design fits the car very well. The Binz models where always a little bit strange and not proportional at all. Lekker dag verder!
Ich habe dazu mal vor langer Zeit einen Retro-Test gelesen (muss aus der Auto Motor und Sport Rubrik "vor 40 Jahren" gewesen sein). Danach wurden diese Autos mit einem so hohen Aufpreis auf die Limousine verkauft, dass es für den normalen Kombikäufer kaum in Frage kam. Anscheinend war die Federung auch für hohe Beladung ausgelegt und sonst eher trampelig. In der Fahrzeugklasse war man damals als privater Käufer wohl mit den Break- oder Familiale-Versionen von Peugeot 404 oder Citroën DS oder ID besser bedient.
@notroll1279 Danke schön. Ja, ich habe irgendwo auch gelesen daß das Universal ein 30% höher Kaufpreiss gehabt hat also das normal Heckflosse. Ich habe das im video vergessen zu sagen.
@MLC... I don't know those figures, but I think there are about four currently in the country. I heard that Mercedes-Benz SA imported two 200 Universals in period to serve as cars for their field service representatives. I found one in a scrapyard north of Pretoria in 2006, and it was blue with a white roof - the corporate colours of the time. The car is now restored back to the same spec as a service vehicle, and is in a collection in the Southern Cape.
@@keystonegarage I can't recall ever seeing one of these. So your figure of 4 seems very realistic. What a beautiful car. Glad they are being restored and saved.
Excellent narration. My old man had a few fintails, our favourite was his 66 190d. Two tone, cream body and light blue roof. We picked it up in Zimbabwe. The brakes were shocking effective!
Oh, I'm sure you could - the fastest drivers always sit in the stands, or behind a phone screen. It's physics - the Mini weighs 688kg, the Merc 1550kg. A Mini will always be quicker on a short and twisty circuit like Zwartkops. Kyalami may be a different story.
According to the federal HESCHLAVVO law, it is already forbidden in Switzerland to drive combustion engines on mountain passes from 2025. In France, the SCHLABOUBVE regulates that fossil vehicles that produce fine dust are prohibited in all cities from 2025. The BABVVO in Germany will bann exhaust gas pollution from 2027 and that is what will happen in entire EU also bann of all tires and brakes because of fine dust!!!
We have an Indy America 1973, hasn't been driven for approx. 10 yrs , its been in the family since new., i need to get it restarted etc and on the road again.
Your car looks amazing considering how long it sat in that barn. Well done for bringing it back to service. I have had an Indy for over 20 years and it is a great car. You mentioned you were trying to get the choke cable working. My advise is don't bother. I never use it. The best way to start it from cold is: - turn it over a couple of cranks to prime the oil pump - pump the accelerator a few times (5-6) then turn over . - If it doesn't start then repeat the above step until it runs. Mine usually starts on the second attempt. Good luck
Thanks for the advice, Kim. I'm pretty much done with renewing the choke cable, but at least that's done now. The car is in pretty good condition. Our dry climate keeps cars in fairly good shape.
