For over a year, it played a game of hide-and-seek in my peripheral vision – a sleek, black Mercedes-Benz, its distinctive “fintail” rear hinting at a bygone era of automotive design. Like a recurring motif in a familiar melody, this classic Benz would appear momentarily, turning a corner, disappearing behind foliage, always just out of reach for a proper look, let alone a photograph. This elusive dance, happening roughly once a month, fueled my curiosity. Was it a local resident, proudly maintaining a piece of automotive history? Or was it something more mysterious, a “fintailing” phenomenon, where a car teases with fleeting glimpses, never fully revealing itself?
My quest to document interesting Mercedes models in this corner of Asia had become a personal challenge, especially with this phantom black W110. Why the coyness? Why the fleeting appearances? It felt like the automotive equivalent of a cryptic message. But the other day, the chase ended. There it was, no longer a fleeting glimpse, but parked in plain sight, ready to be admired and, finally, photographed.
The Mercedes-Benz Fintail, particularly models like the Mercedes 200, holds a special place in automotive history. Its design, often debated and sometimes misunderstood, is undeniably iconic. Enthusiasts, myself included, are drawn to its unique blend of classic Mercedes-Benz engineering and distinctive styling. Dr. Andreina’s insightful article on the Fintail’s design (Automotive & Design History: Mercedes-Benz W110/W111/W112 Fintails – Béla Barényi And The Elusive Pluckenheckflosse) is essential reading for anyone wanting to delve deeper into its aesthetic origins.
The W110, W111, and W112 series, collectively known as the Fintail generation, encompass a range of models, each with its nuances. Navigating the variations can be complex, but the wealth of online resources and factory archives makes exploring these cars a rewarding journey. Consider this article a “Heckflosse for Dummies,” a simplified guide to understanding this significant Mercedes-Benz family.
The production figures for the W110/W111/W112 family are impressive, exceeding one million units. This number excludes CKD (Completely Knocked Down) kits assembled globally, including in Thailand, highlighting the Fintail’s worldwide reach and appeal.
Initially launched as the 190 and 190 D, the 4-cylinder models evolved into the Mercedes 200 and 200 D in 1965. This update brought subtle yet noticeable changes: the removal of A-pillar turn signals, a cleaner fin design without chrome, and redesigned rear lights. Under the hood, the Mercedes 200 featured a 2-liter (1988cc) OHC 4-cylinder engine, fed by twin Solex carburetors, producing a respectable 105 hp (SAE) or 95 hp (DIN). A 4-speed manual gearbox was standard, with a 4-speed automatic available as an option, though less common in the 200 compared to its higher-end siblings. Interestingly, buyers could choose between column or floor-mounted gearshifts for both manual and automatic transmissions at no extra cost. Unfortunately, the darkened windows of our featured car concealed its interior, leaving its configuration a mystery.
While I couldn’t peek inside this particular Mercedes 200, online resources reveal the potential interior layout. The top left image in the collage offers a glimpse of what it might have resembled, albeit with a right-hand drive configuration. Classic cars in Thailand, much like aspects of Thai culture, often hold surprises beneath the surface. Beyond the automatic transmission, the 1967 W110 Mercedes 200 offered a range of factory options, including an ivory steering wheel and switchgear, heavy-duty components for demanding conditions, a searchlight, two-tone horn, various tire options (radial, whitewall, all-weather), a steel sunroof, tinted glass, radiator blind, special paint, bumper guards, heated rear screen, roof or ski rack, first-aid kit, glovebox lock and light, power steering, full MB-Tex or leather interior, a Becker radio with rear speaker and electric antenna, passenger-side door mirror, petrol tank lock, viscous fan, fire extinguisher, and even coconut floormats – a truly unique touch!
Notably absent from the options list is air conditioning. Given the tropical climate, it’s highly likely this black Mercedes 200 received an aftermarket A/C system at some point. The chrome trim around the wheel arches, while adding a touch of flair, leans slightly towards the W112 aesthetic, perhaps a touch too aspirational for the purist. However, overall, this 50-year-old Thai Fintail appears remarkably original.
While my personal preference leans towards the W111/W112 Fintails, I acknowledge the unique appeal of the more accessible Heckflosse models like the Mercedes 200. The front end design, often described as grafting the previous generation “Pontoon” face onto the Fintail body, is a point of contention for some. It can make the W110 appear taller and narrower than intended. The high-mounted, round headlamps with thick chrome surrounds, while acceptable on the initial 190/190 D in 1961, quickly began to look dated as automotive design evolved.
Despite its exterior styling being perceived as dated by some, the W110, including the Mercedes 200, was technically advanced for its time. Built with renowned Mercedes-Benz robustness, it featured a low-pivot swing axle rear suspension, a significant improvement over earlier swing-axle designs, offering enhanced handling and stability. The engine, while not a powerhouse, was famously reliable and durable. Positioned below the W111 saloons but above entry-level models, the Mercedes 200 was not an inexpensive car, representing a solid mid-range offering in the Mercedes-Benz lineup.
To understand the Mercedes 200‘s market position in its era, we can look at the competitive landscape in France in 1962. The French market provides a useful context for evaluating cars in this executive segment.
In France, the “fiscal horsepower” (CV) rating was crucial due to annual car taxes based on engine displacement. Cars exceeding 10CV (around 1800cc) faced progressively higher taxes, making larger-engined vehicles less attractive despite potentially lower purchase prices. The Mercedes 200, with its 2-liter engine, fell into the 11CV category, placing it in competition with cars like the Citroën DS 19. While the Citroën DS 19 offered advanced features and a striking design, the Mercedes 200 appealed to buyers prioritizing solidity and reliability.
For those prioritizing robustness, the Volvo Amazon (122S) was another strong contender, known for its durability and practicality. (Curbside Classic: Volvo 122S – The Cult of the Amazon)
The Mercedes 200 was a step up from the earlier 190, boasting a larger engine and refined “fintail” styling. The addition of the 230, featuring a 6-cylinder engine in the 4-cylinder body, echoed the earlier Mercedes-Benz 219 Pontoon concept. The second-generation W110s also introduced the desirable “Universal” wagon variant, built in Belgium by IMA starting in 1964. Most Universals were based on the 200 or 200 D, with some 6-cylinder versions also produced. These wagons, except for the 190 models, featured hydro-pneumatic rear suspension, also found on later W111s. The Universal wagon shared the saloon’s dimensions, with a slight 3cm height increase due to 15-inch wheels.
IMA (Importation de Moteurs et d’Automobiles), based between Antwerp and Brussels, played a significant role in producing Fintail wagons. They also manufactured a limited number of 230 S W111 wagons. Production of the Fintail Universal wagon continued until January 1969, even after the W111 saloon production ceased in Sindelfingen. IMA reportedly built 2754 Fintail Universals, including around 300 of the W111 variant. They later transitioned to producing wagon versions of the “Strich Acht” (W114/W115) and assembling Saab 99s. (1970 Mercedes-Benz 220D: Ride In Teutonic Luxury With 65 hp)
Beyond IMA’s Universal, other coachbuilders like Meisen and Binz also created custom wagon versions of the W110, including the Mercedes 200, in smaller numbers. These bespoke conversions included passenger wagons, panel vans, ambulances, and hearses, often built on professional chassis with standard or stretched wheelbases.
The “W110 Lang” limousine, offered as a 7-seater Mercedes 200 D or 230, featured a massive 338cm wheelbase. Built by Binz and sometimes referred to as Pullman, it was initially intended for export markets but became part of the European W110 range in 1967. Production numbers are estimated to be in the hundreds. These stretched limousines, while functional, are often considered the least aesthetically pleasing of the Fintail family.
Despite my reservations about the front end, the rest of the Mercedes 200 design resonates deeply. The expansive greenhouse, C-pillar vents (borrowed from the W111), spacious trunk, and, of course, the iconic fins – all contribute to its enduring appeal. Even the fins, a subject of debate for some, are, in my opinion, tastefully restrained compared to the extravagant tailfins of late-1950s American cars. When launched in 1959, the Fintail’s rear design was actually in line with European automotive trends.
The later W110 models, like this Mercedes 200, with their de-chromed fins, further enhance the design’s subtlety and, for me, desirability. My ideal Fintail would combine the 220’s front end, the 300’s engine, and the 200‘s simplified rear – in black, the only color that truly complements its formal character. Brighter hues are better suited to the sportier 2-door Fintail variants.
There’s an undeniable air of understated menace about these black Fintails. Their frequent appearances in Cold War spy films, like Funeral in Berlin and On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, solidify this association. Mercedes 200 saloons, and other Fintail models, served as getaway cars in numerous 1960s films and, likely, in real-life scenarios. Their robust construction and reliability were arguably more crucial than outright speed.
The W110 Mercedes 200 embodies the essence of a classic car: evocative, durable, familiar yet unique, produced in significant numbers and exported globally, and built to an exceptional standard. While the “Pontoon” front end might not be universally loved, the Fintail, particularly in Mercedes 200 guise, remains a highly desirable classic. For me, the base 220 and the rare 230 S wagon are particularly tempting, but the saloon’s elegant form is ultimately irresistible. And, as this elusive black example proves, it certainly knows how to lurk in style.
Related Posts:
Automotive & Design History: Mercedes-Benz W110/111/W112 Fintails – Béla Barényi And The Elusive Pluckenheckflosse, by Don Andreina
CC Outtake: 1966 Heckflosse Reporting For Duty, by Wolfgang
CC For Sale: 1967 Mercedes 230S – Not Cheap Then, Not Cheap Now, by PN
Carshow Capsule: 1966 Mercedes-Benz 230 Universal – Is This The First Mercedes Estate?, by Roger Carr
Curbside Classic: 1966 Mercedes 250SE Cabriolet (W111) – The Classiest Mercedes Of Them All?, by PN
Car Show Outtake: 1965 Mercedes-Benz 220 SE Cabriolet (W111) – Lass Die Guten Zeiten Rollen, by Johannes Deutsch
