1938 Mercedes-Benz 170 Va (Pre-War)

Fully Restored European Classic ~ Rare Opportunity From a 200-Car Car Collection

 

This is a surviving chapter of history. This beautifully restored 1938 Mercedes-Benz 170 Va is one of those rare opportunities.

Meticulously restored by a highly respected restoration shop, this elegant pre-war Mercedes-Benz has benefitted from an extensive restoration with over $100,000 in documented restoration receipts available. The restoration, although completed approximately 20 years ago, has held together remarkably well and the car continues to present beautifully today.

Fresh from a significant 200-car collection, the current owner recently completed the Florida titling process so the vehicle can now be properly offered for sale. The car has also recently undergone professional mechanical sorting and engine fine-tuning by an experienced shop and is said to be running “charmingly.” A driving video is available for serious buyers.

World War II dealt Daimler-Benz a devastating blow. By the end of the war, much of the company’s production capability had been destroyed. Remarkably, the tooling for the pre-war 170V survived, allowing Mercedes-Benz to resume passenger car production using this durable and respected platform.

During the 1930s, the 170V became one of Mercedes-Benz’s most important and successful middle-class automobiles, admired for its engineering quality, reliability, and understated elegance. Today, surviving examples are increasingly difficult to find—especially restored cars with strong cosmetic presentation and excellent drivability.

 

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A Fascinating Piece of Mercedes-Benz History

World War II dealt Daimler-Benz a devastating blow. By the end of the war, much of the company’s production capability had been destroyed. Remarkably, the tooling for the pre-war 170V survived, allowing Mercedes-Benz to resume passenger car production using this durable and respected platform.

During the 1930s, the 170V became one of Mercedes-Benz’s most important and successful middle-class automobiles, admired for its engineering quality, reliability, and understated elegance. Today, surviving examples are increasingly difficult to find—especially restored cars with strong cosmetic presentation and excellent drivability.

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Vehicle Highlights

• Complete restoration by a reputable restoration facility
• Over $100,000 in restoration receipts available
• Recently serviced and professionally tuned
• Excellent running and driving condition
• Chassis reported to be in excellent condition
• Florida title recently obtained
• From a large private 200-car collection
• Over 40 restoration photos available
• Driving/running video available
• Exceptional presence and undeniable curb appeal

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Important Disclosure Information

This vehicle is being offered honestly and transparently.

While the restoration has held together very well and the car presents beautifully, several important factors affect collectability and pricing:

• Paint quality is very good driver/show quality, but not concours-level
• Provenance is not traceable 
• Horsepower information is missing from the data plate **
• Because of these factors, originality cannot be fully verified

For these reason, the vehicle is being offered at a substantially reduced price compared to fully documented investment-grade examples.

** the owners of the cars would remove the PS (horsepower data) in order to reduce taxes. 

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Asking Price: $75,000 call 941-716-4785 Larry 

Considering the quality restoration, drivability, rarity, and visual impact of this pre-war Mercedes-Benz, this represents a compelling opportunity for a collector seeking an elegant and usable historic automobile without the premium attached to fully documented concours examples.

Comparable market commentary and online listings for restored 1938 Mercedes-Benz 170V models often begin around the $250,000 range depending on provenance, originality, rarity, and condition.

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Photo & Video Info 

 

Showtime Shine: Last-Minute Detailing Tips for Classic Car Owners

 

What can you do the night before? How can you do a bit more detailing to get ready? After all tomorrow is the Car Show, The Cruise, or the Cars and Caffeine Event you’ve been waiting for all week. You want your car to look it’s best. 

Here are some tips: 

Let’s not wash the car, it’s already clean. 

You just need to get rid of the garage dust, smudges, and finger prints. Assuming your car has a great ceramic coat or a great wax job, lightly spray with a “quick detail spray” working in sections drying with fluffy microfiber towels. Don’t rub hard you might pick up small hard elements. 

Using microfiber towels and the detail spay wipe down the wheels, rockers and trim. 

Next grab a synthetic clay bar pad (clay bars are old school). This should remove any contaminants left in the paint. 

Then spray lightly with a ceramic sealant and buff out. I spray my wheels with the ceramic sealant just to give them that extra bling!

Don’t forget the interior. Vacuum, dust, wipe down with vinyl dressing, and pick up any loose items. 

An hour well spent, you are ready! 

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Your classic or exotic car deserves showroom-quality shine—from the comfort of your own garage.

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As an Amazon Associate

It’s great to have you here at my website enjoying the insightful  articles, the stunning car photos, and the helpful car detailing tips. 

Here’s the cool part: When you shop through my blog’s Amazon links — whether it’s for my recommendations or anything else you need — Amazon sends a small commission my way at no extra cost to you. You’ll still get the same great prices, any current discounts, and all of your usual reward points. It’s truly for you just another door so to speak to go to your online Amazon account. 

Every purchase you make through my site helps cover the costs of creating and maintaining the blog — and keeps this community rolling.

So come by, enjoy the cars, explore the gear, and if you’re planning an Amazon purchase on any sort, start from my site. It’s a small click that makes a big difference.

Thanks for the support and happy driving! 

Classic Car Dreams & Seller’s Remorse: The $125K Jaguar XKE That Got Away

1969 Jaguar XKE

 

 

 

 The Restoration Symphony: Where Grit, Grits, and Grit Shine Through

There’s a certain music to a classic car restoration shop. The steady hum of sanders, the rhythmic whirl of drills, and the lively banter between craftsmen create a melody only true gearheads can appreciate. It’s not noise—it’s harmony. It’s the sound of history being reborn.

On my latest visit to the *Olde Restoration Shop, the atmosphere was alive as ever. Four or five dedicated craftsmen surrounded bare metal shells—each destined to become a masterpiece. Among them: a ’66 Corvette, a Shelby Mustang, a ’54 Ford Pickup, and a Mercury Cougar—just a typical day in the life of vintage metal.

But what really revved things up was the ever-animated shop owner, Justin. When Justin’s in a talkative mood, you know a great classic car tale is coming—and he didn’t disappoint.

The One That Got Away: A Jaguar XKE and a Change of Heart

Years ago, a client approached Justin with a mission: help him find a rare, elusive piece for his prized classic car collection. A 1969 Jaguar XKE—the kind of beauty that completes a serious collector’s dream garage.

As luck (or fate) would have it, Justin knew of such a car. But it wasn’t for sale—not officially. It belonged to another private collector, notorious for hoarding rather than parting with his treasures.

Still, Justin figured it couldn’t hurt to ask. At a local car show, he casually inquired if the Jag might be up for grabs. Instead of the expected “none of my cars are for sale,” the collector surprised him:

“Yes, if the price is right. $125,000. Cash only.”

Without hesitation, the buyer wired the full amount—sight unseen. The deal was done… or so it seemed.

Pickup Day Turns Into a Plot Twist

Justin scheduled transport, hired a professional enclosed carrier, and set out to retrieve the Jag. The location? Less a garage, more a private classic car museum—home to over 150 immaculately maintained vintage cars in climate-controlled perfection.

Upon arrival, the driver and Justin were treated to a full tour. Even though Justin had been here before, the driver was wide-eyed, soaking in the elegance of a life’s work in chrome and curves.

Finally, they reached “the car.” But something felt… off.

The seller appeared tense, fidgety—struggling with the idea of letting go. As they discussed the safest way to extract the Jag from its pristine parking spot, the seller suddenly snapped.

“Get out! Get out! Just get out!” he screamed, his voice echoing through the polished steel sanctuary.

Stunned, Justin and the driver stepped back. The garage door slammed behind them and locked with a metallic finality.

Peeking through a side window, they saw him—the seller had climbed into the Jaguar and shut the door. He wasn’t letting it go. Not now. Maybe not ever.

Seller’s Remorse Hits Hard

Justin knocked. Then pounded. The driver waited, confused. Finally, a voice called out from inside:

“I changed my mind. Go away!”

And that was that.

Despite the buyer wiring $125,000 and the transport truck already on site, the sale was dead.

A costly lesson in classic car seller’s remorse.

In the vintage car world, deals are sealed with a handshake, but sometimes passion outweighs profit. When you’re dealing with true classics, emotions often ride shotgun.

Love Classic Cars? So Do We.

If stories like this make your motor hum, you’re in good company. At All About Detail, we’re all about the roar of a perfectly restored V8, the beauty of hand-finished chrome, and the legends behind every hood ornament.

Want more insider tales and restoration stories?

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*****

Here are a few of OUR TOP PICKS car care products available on 

Our Amazon Store 

View "how to" videos and our list of recommended car care products

Restore. Protect. Admire.

Your classic or exotic car deserves showroom-quality shine—from the comfort of your own garage.

******

As an Amazon Associate

It’s great to have you here at my website enjoying the insightful  articles, the stunning car photos, and the helpful car detailing tips. 

Here’s the cool part: When you shop through my blog’s Amazon links — whether it’s for my recommendations or anything else you need — Amazon sends a small commission my way at no extra cost to you. You’ll still get the same great prices, any current discounts, and all of your usual reward points. It’s truly for you just another door so to speak to go to your online Amazon account. 

Every purchase you make through my site helps cover the costs of creating and maintaining the blog — and keeps this community rolling.

So come by, enjoy the cars, explore the gear, and if you’re planning an Amazon purchase on any sort, start from my site. It’s a small click that makes a big difference.

Thanks for the support and happy driving!