1962 Mercedes-Benz 190 ‘Fintail’ 2L Diesel Manual W110

Highlights

• Very rare RHD UK-registered diesel W110 ‘Heckflosse’
• £10,000 engine and fuel system strip-down and rebuild in November 2025
• Currrent keeper since 2018 with lots of money spent on restoration
• Older restoration in dark blue with matching MB Tex interior
• Voluntary MOT valid until September 2027 with no advisories

The Appeal

After the rather austere post-war Pontons, Friedrich Geiger’s Mercedes W110 added a touch of transatlantic flair to proceedings with its pair of distinctive rear ‘heckflosse.’ Forever after known by this name, or its English equivalent ‘Fintail,’ these remarkably enduring, ultra-reliable cars make really good family classics. Especially so when they sport this car’s RHD configuration and rare and frugal 2L diesel engine.

The car arrived in the UK in 1984 and, with the current keeper, in 2018. In the intervening years, it was repainted in the current and rather fetching blue, which matches the MB Tex interior. He tells us that he has invested heavily in the car’s improvement, including £10,000 in November 2025 to strip down and rebuild the engine and fuel system.

The car is not without its imperfections — there is a non-functional sunroof that leaks, some minor electrical niggles, and localised cosmetic corrosion — but the vendor states it is structurally and mechanically sound. The current voluntary MOT confirms this, running to September 2027 with no advisories.

Being an old diesel, it is not fast or quiet, but once warmed up it will happily cruise at 50–55 mph. It is a genuine survivor with real character, and a head-turner wherever it goes.

The vendor says:

“Mechanically sound. Engine completely professionally rebuilt ca.500 miles ago. Generally good solid condition, both mechanically and cosmetically.”

Key Information

• Mileage: 58,799 miles indicated (vendor states is replaced and total mileage is 100,000 miles)
• Country of registration: United Kingdom
• Technical inspection status: MOT valid until September 2027, no advisories; the vehicle is MOT, tax, and ULEZ exempt as a registered classic
• Technical specs: 1,988cc OM621 four-cylinder diesel (non-original fitment, replacing the factory petrol engine), 4spd manual transmission, drum brakes all round
• Paperwork: documents from the car's history, several recent MOT certificates, and all bills for work and parts during current ownership

The Detail

• Repainted in blue in 1999 (previously grey) and remains presentable with age to note
• Various blemishes picked up and highlighted by vendor in photos
• Some spare parts included as detailed below
• GRP-repaired corrosion on nearside rear wheel arch
• Correct metal repair panel is included with the car
• Some corrosion along the bottom of the nearside rear door
• Minor paint blemishes on the tops and lower front edges of both front wings
• Some minor pitting to chrome trim
• Pop-top sunroof (non-original fitment) non-functional and leaks in heavy rain
• Vendor states sunroof requires removal and restoration or Webasto fitted
• Steel wheels with matching spare in good order with body colour chrome trim
• White banded tyres recently fitted
• Blue interior with MB Tex vinyl seats, blue carpets and blue door cards
• Classic radio fitted
• Some age to note to interior highlighted in photos
• Speedometer is inaccurate despite servicing of the unit and drive cable
• Brake light switch is temporary fix requires in-line pressure switch
• Mirror fitted to driver's door with correct Mercedes-Benz unit supplied but not fitted
• No advisories on MOT

Maintenance advised by seller since purchase in 2018:

• Engine and fuel system strip-down and rebuild carried out in November 2025:
  • New piston rings
  • Timing chain
  • Cylinder head gasket
  • Injection pump phasing and timing
  • Oil pump refacing
  • Camshaft clearance adjustment
  • Broken flywheel bolt drilled out, threads chased, replaced with new

• New dynamo mounting bracket manufactured and fitted
• New water pipe manufactured; new heater matrix pipe fitted across bulkhead
• Floors, inner/outer sills, chassis repaired — vendor states car is now structurally solid
• Over £3,000 spent on structural bodywork repairs
• Custom-made stainless steel exhaust fitted
• Radiator restored and re-cored; new water pump, thermostat, and housing fitted
• New clutch master and slave cylinders fitted
• Gearbox mount replaced
• Front and rear brakes:
  • Stripped
  • Cleaned
  • Seized adjusters freed off
  • Reassembled
  • Missing nearside front brake cylinder locating bolt replaced
  • Wheel cylinders and flexible hoses replaced shortly before current ownership
  • Front/rear brake shoes (imported from Germany) included but not yet fitted
• Front steering and suspension ;
  • Greased
  • Distorted front track rod heated, straightened, and refitted
  • Wheel tracking checked and adjusted
• Clutch and brake fluid drained and replaced with fresh fluid
• Oil bath air filter removed, cleaned, and refilled with fresh oil
• Fuel tank drained and cleaned; fuel lines blown out and cleared of rust flakes
• Four new inertia reel seat belts fitted front and rear
• Four new tyres with pinstripe additions
• New heavy-duty battery fitted
• Dashboard illumination bulbs replaced; speedo drive cable cleaned and lubricated

Spares:

• Radiator grille
• Instrument binnacle
• Rear light clusters
• Door lock mechanisms
• Set of side window glass
• Assorted window seals, chrome, and other trim

Minor electrical issues:

• Radio, electric aerial, cigarette lighter, clock non-functional
• Heater blower only operates when lights are switched on

BEFORE YOU BUY

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