1986 Mercedes 190e - Historically Significant Mercedes, Collectible & Rare! on 2040-cars

After years in hiding, Back on the Market and now up for Auction is:

"The Very First, 1986 Mercedes 190E  16-Valve 2.3L Cosworth Officially Imported into the United States!!"

Here is your chance to own a Piece of Mercedes history!

Well Documented, Well Maintained and now up for Auction!!

LOW RESERVE!!

This car must sell and will only sell here on this eBay Auction!

HISTORY:

This is the very first 16-valve 2.3L Cosworth Mercedes 190E (W201) imported to the US (non grey market - VIN# WDBDA34D9GF148151).

In 1986 this very car was loaned to "Car & Driver" Magazine to be tested and photographed for their March 1986 article!!

An original & intact copy of the magazine containing this Article, will be included and passed on to the buyer as it has been the tradition with this car.

This car is constantly sought after by Mercedes Enthusiast, and is the topic of discussion on numerous online Mercedes Forums.

This car was originally delivered to the Mercedes Benz Technical Training Center located in Itasca, IL. It was used as a test car wearing manufacturer's plates.

This Mercedes was first titled in January, 1987, with the president of the MB Club of Chicago as the original owner of record.

In 1993 this car was purchased by Tim Leicht, a certified Mercedes Benz master technician and owner of an import repair shop in Barrington, IL specializing in Mercedes Benz, BMW and Porsche. Although he drove a Mercedes, Tim was also the National Technical Adviser for BMW club car racing and a BMW racing instructor. While in Tim’s care, this car was modified with progressive rate Eibach springs, a custom stainless steel Time-valve exhaust, European headlights with 55/100W mains and 100W aux. lights, and the 17” Borbet wheels you see on the car today.

In 1999 Tim traded the car to Knauz Continental Autos in Lake Bluff, IL. for a 1993 400E--even trade. At that time Knauz placed a retail value on the car of $16,960.

The next owner purchased the car in June 1999. This owner also maintained the car exceptionally, with no expenses spared. He installed a new transmission, full clutch assembly, clutch damper, and rear main seal. Other repairs included new lock tumblers, a new window regulator, new door locks, new tie rods, new center link, new speedometer (factory set to reflect actual mileage), new hydraulic line for the self-leveling rear suspension, new accumulators for the sls, new timing chain, new timing chain tensioner, new guides, all new gears and sprockets that contact the timing chain (cam sprockets, distributor gear, crank gear, etc.), new a/c compressor, conversion to r134a, new fuel pump, new fuel filter, new fuel accumulator, new fuel pump relay, and new fuel injectors. The car has had new brakes installed, including ATE grooved rotors and Mintex dust-free pads.

The list of maintenance and services performed on this car, with each owner up until today, is simply too great to list here on this eBay listing.

The pedigree & history for this Mercedes is well documented, continues right up to the current owner today and will be included with the car.

CONDITION:

This Mercedes is in no way in Concours condition. It is in absolutely great condition and completely drive-able. It drives & feels exactly like it was designed to be...a 4-door sports car with the room & comfort of a sedan.

This car is currently registered in California and is driven and cared for like a classic car.

This rare & sought after car, has been very well maintained and has been very well cared for, since its' first owner.

Mostly all of the systems & switches in the car still function as they should. All of the gauges are in proper working order. The power window works, the sunroof works, wiper works, all of the lights work.

The Cosworth 2.3L Engine and the Transmission Run smoothly and delivers outstanding performance.  Factory detuned when released (as required for U.S. models), this stock engine is begging to be opened up to be able to run at her fullest potential.

Yes, It has the original stock, legendary, Cosworth engine. Enough said.

There are no major leaks, smells, shakes, rattles, squeals, or any abnormal sounds you would expect in any other car manufactured during this era.

The body is amazingly straight (consistent with the product Mercedes Benz Delivers). It has no major rust or major corrosion but it does show minor surface blemishes in various areas, to include the damage caused during "Car & Driver" Magazine Testing back in 1986.

 It wasn't until a March 2005 article while testing another Mercedes Benz, that Car & Driver publicly admitted to dinging the rear door of this Mercedes, on loan to them for testing. That damage has been left unmolested by all of the previous owners, as the original repair is still visible on the door. This damage is part of the documented history and it enhances the character of the car.

It would be like trying to completely straighten out "The Leaning Tower of Pisa".

It is part of its' history now and you simply don't mess with it, especially since the door ding is documented and mentioned in a published "Car & Driver" Magazine Article, almost 20 years later!

This car is mostly stock with the exception of a few parts which have not compromised the originality of the car, such as the wheels, radio, air intake, (which can all be swapped back for OEM parts with relative ease and at a low cost).

This car is sits on high end 17" Borbet Wheels and 215/40R17 tires to match. The stock wheels for this car along with the original spare tire, will also be included with the sale. (Five Stock Mercedes Wheels including the spare, will be included with the sale and are in great condition).

 All documents, receipts, Manuals, & any Parts I have for this car, will also be included and passed on to the next buyer, as this car's provenance is vital to the historical preservation and in maintaining the true value of this car.

This car has been driven and shows the normal wears and tears of a well cared for, 29 year old Mercedes (This car is a 1986 Mercedes, Assembled in September of 1985 per the Vin Tag).

All of the photos seen on this listing were recently taken (on Sunday, March 16, 2014).

As you can see from the photos, the Exterior and Interior of this car is in great shape and is says alot about how well all of the previous owners took pride and care of this Mercedes.

You will be hard-pressed to find a Classic Mercedes like this one, in this great condition, completely drive-able, while lightly driven (at an average of less than 5,500 miles per year), well documented from day one, and Written about in two separate "Car & Driver" Magazine Articles, with this kind of Mercedes history!!

LOW RESERVE!!

This may be your last chance to own a piece of Mercedes history at a low price!!!!

The very 1st, 16-Valve 2.3L Cosworth Mercedes 190E, imported to the United States, being Auctioned off right here!!!

I have been limited on the number pictures I was able to post on this listing however, I have additional photos of this car.

If you are serious about purchasing this Mercedes and need additional photos or information, feel free to send me your email & contact me through this listing. 

The dream was to keep this Mercedes indefinitely but, for unexpected personal reasons, she has to sell!

Please, place a bid & own this historically significant, well documented, 16-Valve 2.3L Cosworth W201 Mercedes 190E, at a great price!

DISCLOSURES:

To be fair to all of those who actually do place a bid, I am letting this listing ride on the eBay Auction block until the listing ends.

The high bidder meeting the reserve, will be the next owner of this Historically Significant Mercedes.

Please, do not send me e-mails asking "What is your "Buy-it-now " price.  I do not have a "Buy it now" price.

This Mercedes will be Auctioned off here, Low Reserve!!

If you are interested in purchasing this car, please, place your best bid.

No Refunds, No Returns, No Exchanges, No Warranties, No Trades, No Charities, No Exceptions.

I have the Title in Hand and am Not a Dealer.

I have described the vehicle to as accurately as possible to the best of my knowledge.

I have a 100% perfect feedback score and would like to keep it that way. If you have any questions, please ask.

I will post positive feedback to the buyer after a successful transaction has been completed & both parties are happy.

SHIPPING & PAYMENT:

Buyer will be responsible for determining shipping requirements, arranging shipping and paying for any shipping costs.

$500 Deposit Due via Paypal Within 24 Hours.

Balance is Due within (5) business days. Reasonable time consideration will be given for Bank Wire Transfers, especially with International Wire-Transfers.  I accept Cash, Verifiable Bank Cashier's Check or Wire Transfers for the remaining balance.

All funds must clear, before the Mercedes is released.

No Credit Cards, & No Personal Checks will be accepted.

Don't miss out on purchasing this great example of Automotive History!

This car is more than just a Mercedes, Its an Investment!!

A Rare car like this, with this type of documented history, will only appreciate in Value.

Of just over 2,000 examples, this car is the very first one imported into the U.S.

Its a great Investment and will always be re-sellable at a moments notice.

Place a bid today. Don't let this be the car that got away!

LOW RESERVE!

Thank You!