This 1970 Mercedes-Benz 250C is an early-production North American-market W114 coupe identified by chassis sequence 000355. The car was acquired by the current owner approximately 6 years ago from a dealership in Ohio, where it had been represented as a 1971 model. After returning the car to Southern California, members of the local Mercedes-Benz community recognized it as a car previously owned and preserved by noted collector and marque enthusiast Blue Nelson. Finished in factory Black (040) over Red MB-Tex, power is provided by a naturally aspirated 2.8-liter M130 inline-six paired with a four-speed automatic transmission. Equipment includes power windows, air conditioning, a Becker Mexico cassette stereo, and four-wheel disc brakes. A custom air-suspension system was professionally installed under current ownership and is reported to have required no cutting or permanent modification to the chassis. The original springs, shocks, and related suspension components are included with the sale. The five-digit odometer currently shows approximately 4,500 miles. A California title issued in 2022 recorded 4,500 miles as actual at that time, though the seller reports that the odometer subsequently stopped operating. The seller reports driving the car approximately 20–30 miles per month while performing regular oil changes and periodic start-ups. Records from 2021 and 2022 document mechanical, electrical, braking, steering, transmission, exhaust, and glass work, and an oil service was most recently completed approximately 4 months ago. Under prior ownership, the coupe was displayed during Monterey Car Week at Legends of the Autobahn and received Mercedes-Benz Club of America Silver Star Preservation recognition. The corresponding grille badge remains installed, and the sale includes historical event photographs and an email from Blue Nelson confirming his prior association with the car, its preservation recognition, and his belief that the paint remains original. This 250C is now offered by its current owner in Huntington Beach, California with service records, historical photographs and correspondence, factory literature, 2 key sets, its original suspension components, and a clean California title in the seller’s name.
The exterior is finished in factory Black (040), which is reported to be the car’s original paint. Exterior equipment includes chrome bumpers, stacked headlights, yellow auxiliary lamps, chrome beltline and window trim, a driver-side mirror, and twin polished exhaust outlets. The W114 coupe features frameless side glass and a pillarless hardtop profile. The MBCA Silver Star Preservation badge is mounted to the grille, while a California Black Plate reading “MB 355” references the chassis sequence. Invoices indicate that the front and rear glass were replaced under current ownership. No specific body damage is reported by the seller, and the gallery shows age-related chips, marks, and finish wear consistent with a preserved original-paint car. Detailed photographs of the paint, brightwork, glass, weather seals, door openings, and lower body are included in the gallery.
The factory-style 14-inch steel wheels wear polished trim rings and black Mercedes-Benz hubcaps. Michelin Harmony tires measuring 195/70R14 are mounted on all four corners and show 2010 date codes. Braking is handled by power-assisted discs at all four corners, and records document brake-system attention and a fluid flush under current ownership. A red-painted full-size spare is housed in the trunk. The factory suspension has been replaced with a custom air-ride system installed under current ownership by Rad Rides of Huntington Beach. The system incorporates air springs along with a trunk-mounted aluminum reservoir, twin compressors, and associated air-management hardware. The seller states that the chassis was not cut or permanently modified during installation. The original coil springs, shock absorbers, rubber components, and related hardware are photographed and included, allowing the car to be returned to a stock suspension configuration.
The cabin is upholstered in Red MB-Tex (168) across the front bucket seats, rear bench, door panels, and center armrests. A black dashboard is accented with Zebrano veneer, while red-and-black patterned CocoMats are shown through the passenger compartment and trunk. Amenities include power windows, air conditioning, a locking glove compartment, front headrests, a fold-down front armrest, and individual rear armrests and ashtrays. A period Becker Mexico cassette stereo is currently installed beneath the climate controls. The factory option plate displays code 515, and the included warranty card identifies a Becker Europa MU as the radio originally supplied with the car. Additional documentation includes Becker operating literature, Mercedes-Benz owner’s manuals and service books, period maps, and original Kangol seatbelt instructions. The upholstery, dashboard, headliner, carpeting, and trim are presented as unrestored and show age-related creasing and wear visible in the gallery. All four power windows are reported to operate. The air conditioning functions, though the seller notes that its output is not as cold as that of a modern system. The Becker stereo is described as intermittent and may require future service or replacement.
The ivory two-spoke steering wheel features a chrome horn ring and fronts VDO instrumentation consisting of a 140-mph speedometer, an analog clock, and gauges for fuel level, coolant temperature, and oil pressure. The five-digit odometer shows approximately 4,500 miles. The oil-pressure gauge is also reported to require replacement or repair. A California title issued in 2022 recorded 4,500 miles as actual at that time, though the seller reports that the odometer subsequently stopped operating.
This 250C is powered by a naturally aspirated 2.8-liter M130.923 inline-six equipped with dual Zenith carburetors. Power is sent to the rear wheels through a floor-shifted four-speed automatic transmission. Records from 2021 and 2022 document work including engine-mount replacement, steering-box work, transmission resealing, brake service, a brake-fluid flush, wheel-bearing adjustment, exhaust work, and various lighting and electrical repairs. An oil service was completed approximately four months ago. The seller reports that the car starts, runs, shifts, brakes, and drives without issue and is exercised regularly.
This 250C is now offered by its current owner in Huntington Beach, California with service records, historical photographs and correspondence, factory literature, 2 key sets, its original suspension components, and a clean California title in the seller’s name.
The seller has included the following videos:
Some cars remain preserved because they never leave enthusiast circles. This 250C is more interesting because it did. Once owned and shown by noted Mercedes-Benz collector Blue Nelson, the car later surfaced at an Ohio dealership where its history, and apparently its original paint, had been mistaken for an older restoration. Only after returning to Southern California was it recognized and eventually reunited with Nelson, bringing its story full circle. There is also an interesting bit of Mercedes-Benz trivia behind the badge. Although labeled a 250C, North American examples identified by chassis code 114.023 received the larger 2.8-liter M130 inline-six rather than the 2.5-liter M114 fitted to European-market cars. Chassis sequence 000355 places this example near the beginning of 114.023 production, which commenced in July 1969. Mercedes-Benz ultimately built 10,527 examples of the pre-facelift 2.8-liter 250C. The original Black over Red specification only adds to the appeal. W114 coupes have always carried a restrained elegance, but the pillarless greenhouse and slim Paul Bracq-era lines take on a different personality in such a dramatic color combination. More importantly, this car retains the finishes and materials that reportedly earned it MBCA Silver Star Preservation recognition during Monterey Car Week. Historical photographs, the grille badge, and correspondence from Nelson give that provenance considerably more weight than the usual story passed between owners. The air suspension represents an obvious departure from that preserved specification, although it was installed with reversibility in mind. The seller reports that the chassis was never cut, and the original suspension components accompany the car. Purists can return it to factory height, while others may appreciate its current period-custom presentation. Either way, the underlying car remains an unusually early, well-documented W114 coupe with a history that would be nearly impossible to recreate.
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41 Comments
If I did not own a very nice 1992 Euro C124 300CE/24 Sportline with manual 5-speed Getrag I would jump on this beauty. What nice car.So close, thank you to everyone that bid it was a real war to the end, if you're still interested in the vehicle please reach out to the site$40,500 bid placed by @Parkgoer
$40,000 bid placed by @JBoldtimer
$39,500 bid placed by @Parkgoer
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$35,000 bid placed by @Classicdriver
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$33,000 bid placed by @KBriem
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$27,000 bid placed by @mji1984
$26,500 bid placed by @Classicdriver
$25,500 bid placed by @mji1984
$25,000 bid placed by @Classicdriver
$23,250 bid placed by @JJMako
$23,000 bid placed by @KBriem
$22,500 bid placed by @Classicdriver
$21,750 bid placed by @JJMako
$21,500 bid placed by @KBriem
It's the final countdown! Da-da-da-da, da-da-da-da-da... It's the final countdown! Good luck to everyone bidding in these final minutes!$20,000 bid placed by @Classicdriver
$19,250 bid placed by @vintage911racer
$19,000 bid placed by @Classicdriver
$17,000 bid placed by @mji1984
I have enough issues, not a buyer. This thing is cool.$15,250 bid placed by @Wjabbitt
Bidders, as we enter the final countdown, Here is why this W114 Coupe is an irreplaceable collector piece: Elite Provenance & Rarity: This is an ultra-low VIN (#0355), investment-grade time capsule. It features a mirror-like, highly reflective original paint finish, documented Blue Nelson lineage, and proudly carries the MBCA Silver Star Preservation Award from Monterey Car Week. DMV-Certified 4,500 Actual Miles: Backed by an official State of California title explicitly stamped "ACTUAL MILEAGE." Preserved Survivor Condition: The interior looks and feels like 1970. The original wood dash is completely glossy, and the seats still feel brand new with all of their factory support intact. Mechanical Perfection: It starts, stops, drives, and airs out exactly as it should. The rock-solid, completely dry undercarriage proves how well-hidden this car was most of its life. See in gallery the yellow paint marks on the differential and control arms as those are to believe to be original QC factory paint marks. There is nothing you absolutely have to do to the vehicle it is ready to jump in and start enjoying it. An Absolute One-of-One: This is without a doubt the lowest-mile, lowest-VIN, award-winning survivor with a history this prominent on the road today. Stunning Color Specification: Finished in a timeless Black over a beautiful, highly preserved Red MB-Tex interior. This is a true museum-quality survivor wrapped in a tasteful, reversible stealth build. Good luck to everyone bidding!@280merc your welcome, she is stunning and looks even better in person, the winner will be very happy with the car.Thanks Paul - It’s a beautiful car.@280merc Hi 280merc, that exact spot under the lens, what you are seeing is a tiny, isolated paint nick/blemish. It is completely consistent 56-year-old original paint survivor. The metal underneath and around the assembly is entirely solid, dry, and rust-free. Hope that clears it up, and let me know if you have any other questions!Quick Question- The driver-side front amber side-marker/turn-signal assembly, I can see what appears to be brownish discoloration/potential corrosion inside or immediately around the lens, particularly toward the center/lower portion. Is there any rust in that location?Hey everyone, Appreciate all the comments, bids, and support on the car so far. we’re down to the final stretch here. For anyone sitting on the fence, you can bid with total confidence. This car is obvious a investment-grade collector, extremely early production car—VIN #0355—showing only 4,500 actual miles on the title. Combined with the Blue Nelson provenance and the Monterey Silver Star Preservation award, original paint and interior, it's a true survivor with a fully documented history that just can't be replicated. Someone is going to end up with an absolutely amazing car tomorrow. Driving this coupe is a fun time, it has the look and it completely glides down the street like a cloud, it’s honestly more comfortable than my modern cars. It starts, runs, and stops exactly like it should. I’ll be hanging out around the computer today and tomorrow to answer any last-minute questions or help with shipping logistics, if the winner is local to the Orange County / Long Beach CA area I'll have the car driven over with a full tank of gas. Good luck to everyone@deebee87 Great question, It's the Airlift Performance 3P management system (pressure control) paired with the dual Viair compressors you see in the trunk. It works flawlessly and lets you dial in your presets right from your phone or the controller.Also, for the preservation purists out there: the entire air ride setup was specifically engineered to be 100% bolt-on and fully reversible, meaning absolutely nothing on this original chassis was cut, drilled, or butchered to install it. Car comes with its original suspension that's in amazing Condition pictures are included in gallery. let me know if you have any other questions.$15,000 bid placed by @mji1984
Is the Airlift management 3P or 3H?$13,250 bid placed by @Samalya2
$13,000 bid placed by @JJMako
@VL90 Hi @VL90! Looking at the engine bay, the system appears to still be in its original, factory configuration with the original threaded R12 charge ports, rather than the quick-disconnect adapters required for an R134a conversion.There are no modern conversion stickers or aftermarket barrier hoses present, so it’s safe to assume it remains an original R12 setupIs the AC still the original R12 or converted to R134A? Thank youWhat a machine. This is possibly the finest unrestored example of a W114 I've ever seen in person. Unearthed and expertly revived by Benz collector, enthusiast, and genius Blue Nelson, tastefully modified and painstakingly maintained by the current owner, if I were in the market for an original condition W114 in one of the most stunning color combinations offered, I would look no further than this example. Good luck to bidders and the seller.@VL90 A slightly jumping or bouncy fuel needle is a very common quirk on Mercedes-Benz models of this vintage (W114 chassis). It is usually caused by an aging instrument cluster ground or a worn spot on the resistor track inside the fuel tank sending unit, rather than a failing gauge. It doesn't affect how the car runs or drives at all. Clock is not working. The car really is a great running and driving car with a amazing look and 1 of 1 pedigree. whoever gets this car will be stoked, Thanks for your bidThe video that you have of driving the car. The fuel needle jumped a few times. Is something wrong with the guage or the sending unit, etc? Also does the clock work? Thanks.@ThrownWrench the braking system works excellent, feels very safe to drive the car stays completely straight when applying the brake. Starts and stops everytime. Thanks@PaulH714 assume the car stays straight when braking? Asking from a driving and use perspective. Thanks$12,750 bid placed by @VL90
@280merc your welcome, lmk if you have any other questions, original suspension will come with the vehicleThanks PaulThis thing is absolutely amazing, I know this car well and it checks out. Had the honor of doing the custom suspension and this thing is absolutely stellar. Someone is about to get a very nice carlast 2 days thanks for your bids Be sure to check out the email screenshot from the previous owner, Blue Nelson, already uploaded in the gallery! As a renowned classic Mercedes expert, he explicitly confirms the factory original paint, its Monterey Car Week preservation award, and gives his full stamp of approval on the air ride, calling it 'tastefully done... clean and simple, The car is a true, documented survivor.@280merc All of the factory control arm bushings, subframe mounts, and rubber boots are in healthy condition with no signs of tearing, dry rot, or stress damage. The custom air setup from Rad Rides was engineered properly so that the standard driving height mirrors stock suspension geometry. It is never driven slammed or subjected to harsh dynamic stress—it is only statically 'aired out' at parked events. I hope the photos in the gallery give you total confidence. ThanksHow are the control arm bushings? Just concerned the stress of the air suspension caused them to tear. Thanks@VL90 your welcome, have a great day and happy BiddingThanks Paul@VL90 No, the grille has never been replaced to my knowledge. It is the original unit, The chrome surround is perfectly straight, and the minor variance in the inner mesh alignment and any other minor alignment variance is simply standard, age-related wear. For clarity, this vehicle is a highly preserved original survivor rather than a restored car.Also in picture 56, the grill lines look off at the center top and bottom. Was it replaced? Thank you@VL90 Yes, there is a small flaw there that can be easily fixed. The car is 56 years old, so some age-related wear and tear is visible, but nothing is being hidden. As you can see by the rest of the undercarriage photos already in the gallery, everything underneath is exceptionally clean, solid, and dry. Overall the car is an amazing shape for its age.Hi Paul. Please address the rust at the rocker behind the driver’s front wheel. Looks like there is a hole there. Thanks$12,500 bid placed by @Playgolf
A new video has been added to the listing.@PaulH714 thanks - I’m assuming it was checked and verified and working as should. ThanksThank you everyone for the bids so far, If you are looking for a definitive classic Mercedes-Benz, this one checks every single box. It is an award-winning, showing low-mileage, true survivor in a rare color specification. Previously owned and preserved by the well-known collector Blue Nelson, chassis #000355 is highly likely the earliest W114 Coupe currently on the road.This vehicle has never been detailed—the undercarriage has never had any dry ice or deep cleaning done to it. It has aged wonderfully and stands exactly as it sits with its original paint and original interior completely intact. It features a beautifully running motor and a professionally upgraded suspension by Rad Rides in Huntington Beach CA (worth over 6k) that was carefully installed to ensure zero harm to the vehicle. It is easily reversible, and the original suspension accompanies the car in amazing shape ( pic in gallery) further backing up the low original mileage.Between its preservation awards, ultra low vin, its incredible 'lost and found' history, and Blue Nelson's stewardship, this is a very special W114. In my opinion, it is the absolute best example available with a great story attached to it. A true survivor through and through. The next owner is going to be absolutely thrilled with this car. Now that its true history has been discovered, I wouldn't be surprised if it's never offered for sale again. Happy Bidding I appreciate you all@280merc Yes sir everything turns on, Thanks for your bidDoes the heater blower and AC work? Thanks@Quadster Thanks for the comment she is a beauty! The lack of oil pressure reading is just due to a missing oil gauge line. It's a mechanical system on these classics rather than an electronic sensor. Original replacement lines are cheap (around $75) and very straightforward to thread back into place. While the shop I use won’t have an open slot to install it before the auction wraps up, I could order the part and schedule the appointment for the new owner if requested. ThanksStunning Sled in Black and Red. Always 4 o’clock but no oil pressure when it’s running.$12,250 bid placed by @280merc
@imgoodforit absolutely send me a direct message and we will schedule something for early next week. Thanks@seller, can I come see it? I'm local$12,000 bid placed by @Zk74zk74
$8,500 bid placed by @Playgolf
$8,250 bid placed by @280merc
$8,000 bid placed by @Playgolf
$7,750 bid placed by @280merc
$7,500 bid placed by @Shyk1965
$5,000 bid placed by @Purcell_1
Welcome to the auction of this exceptional 1970 Mercedes-Benz 250C. This is an original, true survivor boasting an ultra-low VIN ending in 0355. Showing just 4,500 miles on the odometer. Formerly owned by renowned classic Mercedes expert Blue Nelson, this coupe proudly won the prestigious Monterey Car Week Silver Star Preservation Award. The Ultimate CruiserCloud-Like Ride: Starts up and drives with no issues. Driving this 250C is an absolute dream—it floats down the road amazingly smooth, like you are riding on a pillow. Crowd Magnet: You can park it next to anything and it will get attention from admirers constantly ask about the "restoration," and nothing beats the joy of telling them, "No, it’s unrestored. "Story Generator: Everywhere it goes, people stop to talk. It instantly sparks nostalgic stories from people whose fathers owned one, to those remembering these iconic coupes cruising around Europe, it also has a great story of its own to share. CareUnder my ownership, this vehicle has wanted for absolutely nothing. Every single thing that needed to be done was handled promptly. To ensure the highest level of care, it was exclusively serviced by the same mechanic at the highly regarded Mercedes by Maurice shop serving the Newport CA area.While inspecting the undercarriage, you might notice what appear to be factory yellow QC paint marks on the differential and control arms. I’ve found very little research on this in English—though I did find some information in German that required translation—so I’d love to hear from the community if anyone has more insight on these markings Picture #224 differential and Picture #187 control arms Premium Reversible Air Suspension Upgrade: Features a high-end air suspension system professionally installed by industry expert Page Rad at Rad Rides (Huntington Beach, CA), known for elite-level custom builds. The installation was carefully executed to be completely reversible, with no permanent modifications or cutting to the vehicle. The original factory suspension is included in the sale.This intentional design gives the next owner total flexibility—the car is ready to cruise beautifully just as it sits, or it can easily be put back together for long-term preservation. Odometer Note: Please note that the odometer unfortunately stopped working, I noticed it was not spinning after it returning from its initial mechanic service when I first purchased the vehicle, but the condition of the vehicle speaks for its low mileage history. Shipping & Support: I am more than happy to assist with coordinating shipping to help get the car safely to its new home. I am also here to answer any questions you may have throughout the auction—please feel free to drop a comment below. Happy bidding!