Vehicle Description
Since the debut of the legendary W123 of the mid-1970s, the
mid-sized Mercedes-Benz E-Class has been synonymous with quality
and technical innovation. Both the W123 and its replacement, the
W124, set new standards for safety and achieved legendary status
for their bulletproof reliability. When the time came for the
W124's replacement in the mid-1990s, Mercedes engineers faced a
considerable challenge to redesign what was already considered one
of the best production cars in the world. During that time,
Mercedes-Benz was undergoing an image makeover of sorts.
Traditionally known for conservative design and understated luxury,
Mercedes-Benz design language grew bolder, with an increased focus
on sophisticated electronic driver aids and active safety systems.
The new W210 E-Class went on sale in 1996 and was a drastic
departure from the angular, understated W124. The bold new front
end featured vertical oval headlamps, with separate fog lamps
flanking a smaller, yet still prominent chrome grille. The overall
shape was softer, more flowing, and more distinctive, albeit
somewhat controversial among traditional, conservative-leaning
Mercedes buyers. Initially, the M104 twin-cam inline-six carried
over from the W124, but from 1997-on, the car featured the all-new
3.2-liter M112 engine, the company's first production V6. Buyers
quickly warmed to the new styling and high-tech equipment, and soon
the W210 E-Class was back at the top of the executive car segment.
This one-off 2000 E320 is one of the most extraordinary examples of
the W210 we've ever seen. This car left the factory as a standard
station wagon, but instead of heading to a showroom, it shipped
directly to Karrosserie Binz in Germany for conversion into this
incredible, one-of-a-kind four-door pickup at the behest of an
Atlanta-area Mercedes-Benz dealer. Binz is one of a select few
traditional German coachbuilders to survive into the modern era,
and they have a long tradition with Mercedes-Benz, with a portfolio
that includes estates, ambulances, hearses, with more recent work
focusing on limousines and custom tuning. Binz tapped into its wild
side for this one-off pickup creation, which the original owner
used as a promotional vehicle for his dealership. Rather than
simply lopping off the back of a wagon, Binz craftsmen went
all-out, stretching the car by 29 inches and fabricating the pickup
bed aft of the rear seats. The quality is superb, with a virtually
seamless conversion that could be mistaken as the factory's own
work. Features of the transformation include the custom bed with
tailgate, tubular stainless steel bed rails, and custom LED
lighting in the cargo box. Binz utilized the original wagon rear
window, which opens for access to the passenger compartment. The
attention to detail is extraordinary, with seamless,
factory-quality finishing on the body, interior, and undercarriage.
That sort of quality came at a cost - $49,760 to be exact - above
and beyond the price of the brand new E320 wagon donor car. The
clean Carfax report shows the E320 pickup remained in the care of
the original dealer through 2006. It was well-maintained and
serviced during that time, despite the limited mileage. Early in
2006, it went to California, where it continued to be well
maintained and used sparingly. Now showing just over 21,000 miles
from new, it is in superb condition inside and out, which is as
much a testament to the quality of the original conversion as it is
to the mileage. The non-metallic black paint is gorgeous and
finished to factory standards. The bumpers, body moldings, and sill
covers are all excellent and staggered 18-inch AMG Monobloc alloy
wheels with Michelin Pilot Sport rubber provide a bit of sporty
aggression. The cargo bed features a fully functional tailgate,
patterned stainless steel flooring, and textured bed liner for
protection. From behind the wheel, there's little to distinguish
this from a standard E320 wagon. For the rear passengers, Binz
seamlessly adapted a pair of front bucket seats, separated by a
modified center console. The original tan upholstery is in
impeccable condition, appearing virtually showroom fresh. Options
include automatic climate control, COMAND in-dash
navigation/entertainment system, and all the niceties expected of
an E-Class, including power windows, power memory seats, steering
wheel audio controls, and cruise control. The wood trim is superb,
and the dash, door panels, and carpets are in excellent condition.
The outstanding presentation continues under the hood, where the
standard M112 3.2-liter V6 is remarkably clean and looks virtually
as-new. The engine and 5-speed automatic transmission are standard
Mercedes fare, and the mechanical modifications are minimal -
limited to extending driveshaft, plumbing, wiring, and exhaust
accordingly with the stretched wheelbase. Limited mechanical
alterations ensure the car is easily serviceable with genuine
Mercedes parts. Because it utilizes the wagon platform, it features
standard self-leveling rear suspension specifically designed for
handling heavier loads. As it is under the hood, the undercarriage
is remarkably clean, and the modifications are virtually
undetectable. With striking presence and exceptional build quality,
this one-off E320 pickup would be a fantastic promotional vehicle
for a business or an eye-catching and wholly unique car for
tailgating or trips to the local nursery. Built with little regard
to cost and maintained in superb condition since new, this unique
and impressive Mercedes-Benz is sure to turn heads wherever the
next owner enjoys it. If you're a collector of classic cars and
want to buy vintage cars for your collection, contact us today and
learn more about our car consignment program. We're here to help!
Offers welcome and trades considered For additional details please
view this listing directly on our website
https://hymanltd.com/vehicles/6628-2000-mercedes-benz-e320-pickup-by-binz/