Chrysler New Yorker St. Regis, Bimota YB9 Bellaria, Volvo V60 Polestar: Mercedes’ Marketplace Madness

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Welcome back to Mercedes’ Marketplace Madness! As you know, I love picking up dirt-cheap cars, motorcycles, and campers, then telling you lovely readers about the dumb things that I do with them. I’m always looking for the next deal, but most of the time, I’m left empty-handed. At the same time, I love building a list of cars, trucks, and motorcycles that I would buy if I had the money.

Mercedes’ Marketplace Madness turns the long lists of vehicles I’d love to buy into something for you all to enjoy. Some of them are cheap and some of them are not. Some of the vehicles I find are purely window shopping for everyone other than a collector like Beau or Myron.

This week, we have a pair of rare motorcycles with two wildly different purposes, some classic American cruisers, a silly souped-up economy car and why not, even a commercial truck cosplaying as a pickup.

Here’s what I’m looking at this week!

1951 Cadillac Series 62 – $15,000

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Facebook Seller

Here’s a classic Cadillac that could be acquired for not a ton of cash. As Hagerty writes, in 1948, Cadillac released its first all-new post-World War II designs with the Series 61 and Series 62. The new cars rode on shorter wheelbases and the highlight design trait was a pair of tailfins housing the vehicle’s taillights. Fins would go on to become a defining trait of Cadillacs for the next 30 years.

The Series 62 would receive a redesign in 1950 that saw the vehicle taking on a longer and lower stance. In addition to those changes, the vehicle’s sheet metal earned graceful curves, faux air intakes on the rear quarters, and a single-piece curved windshield. A year later, the Series 62 got even more chrome.

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Facebook Seller

At least visually, this Series 62 appears to present in decent shape. Pictures in the listing show a straight and pretty clean body. Sadly, there are no undercarriage photos included. The seller says the vehicle runs and drives great. Power comes from a 331 cubic inch V8 rated at 160 HP, reaching the rear wheels through a Hydra-matic automatic.

It’s $15,000 from the seller in Smithfield, Rhode Island with 36,000 miles.

1950 Mercedes-Benz 170S A Convertible – Inquire

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Classicmobilia Limited

Here’s a stately classic Benz. The selling dealership wants you to request the price, but I’ll try to give you an idea of what these are worth. According to recent auction data, the most expensive Mercedes-Benz 170S A Cabriolet went for $257,600 while the cheapest was $53,000. Why do people pay a lot for these? I’ll let Mercedes-Benz explain:

With the [1949] 170 S, Daimler-Benz for the first time after the war introduced another top class model. The new car was presented to the public together with the 170 D in May 1949 at the technical export fair in Hannover. Like the 170 D, the new flagship of the passenger car programme was not purely a post-war construction; conceptually and stylistically the 170 S was based on the pre-war model 230 (W 153). Compared to the 170 V, the 170 S boasted a more powerful engine, an improved front axle as well as a more spacious body. Apart from the saloon, Daimler-Benz also offered a two-seated Convertible A and a four-seated Convertible B. In its day the Convertible A was considered a luxury car which satisfied the highest demands and rounded off the production programme at its upper end.

After production of the two convertibles had been phased out as early as November 1951, the 170 Sb was only available as a saloon.

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Classicmobilia Limited

 

Luxuries in these cars included a synchronized four-speed transmission, a radio, leather, and a wood-trimmed dashboard. According to the selling dealership, this example has been in the same family since the 1970s. It’s an older restoration, but the restoration has held up thanks to reportedly good care. The vehicle presents with 32,126 miles on the odometer. Inquire about the vehicle from Classicmobilia Limited in the UK.

2009 Dodge Caliber SRT4 – $8,500

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Facebook Seller

The Dodge Caliber may leave a sour taste in the mouths of car enthusiasts, but there’s one version of it that keeps me curious. Launched in early 2006, the Dodge Caliber was the marque’s replacement for the beloved Neon. Unlike the Neon, the Caliber was given an SUV-like design. From Stellantis:

The new Dodge Caliber is hitting the streets at a perfect time, as many vehicle buyers are switching to smaller vehicles that have the interior spaciousness, functionality and flexibility of sport-utility vehicles, all at a great value.Caliber offers all of these features, as well as distinctive Dodge styling.

“Consumers want the most car they can get for their money,” said Stephane Labous, Director – International Marketing and Communications. “They want an affordable car that is attractive, fuel efficient, durable and fits theiractive lifestyle. With its unique bold styling, flexible interior, innovative features and affordable price, Dodge Caliber fits the bill perfectly,” said Labous.

Dodge tried to ram the point home with a marketing campaign touting the hatch as “it’s anything but cute.” I’m not sure that worked; I got to drive a new 2008 Caliber as a teenager and I thought it was adorable. I still do think they’re adorable. What I didn’t like was the Caliber’s Jatco CVT, which to this day reminds me of the kinds of CVTs you get in cheap scooters.

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Facebook Seller

There’s a way to fix it, and it’s with the Caliber SRT4. Packed under the hood is a 2.4-liter turbo four making 285 HP and 265 lb-ft torque, and it’s punishing the front tires with help from a manual transmission. Yep, that’s nearly 300 horses in Dodge’s maligned economy car!

Now, don’t think this is a track special. Car and Driver noted heavy body roll, wallowing in cornering, and torque steer. Apparently, at 5.9 seconds to 60 mph, it was also slightly slower than a Neon SRT-4. Look, I see this thing as a silly sort of wagon that does nothing but convert your hard-earned money into smoke.

This Caliber SRT4 is somehow stock, save for the addition of a sunroof. Its owners have seemingly lovingly cared for the vehicle and aside from a couple of cosmetic issues, the car looks great. It’s $8,500 in Royal Oak, Michigan with 88,000 miles.

1994 Bimota YB9 Bellaria – $12,536

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Ruote Da Sogno s.r.l.

Bimota has long been a quirky name in the motorcycle industry. Founded in Italy in 1966 by Giuseppe Morri, Massimo Tamburini, and Valerio Bianchi, the three men were friends and partners in an HVAC business and avid motorcyclists. The name Bimota comes from the first two letters of each of their last names combined together.

Tamburini reportedly crashed his Honda CB750 Four at a race in 1972. Coming home beaten up with broken ribs, he came to the conclusion that Honda’s frame couldn’t handle the power. He built a new frame for the powertrain, cutting the CB750’s weight by 110 pounds. This motorcycle, called the HB1, planted the seeds for Bimota’s future, and in 1973, Bimota opened its first motorcycle factory.

Bimota grew from a supplier of parts to building innovative motorcycles like the Tesi, with its novel hub-center steering system. As Cycle World Magazine notes, through much of Bimota’s history, it made motorcycles with a single seat and at best, an extra pad for a passenger. They were the motorcycle equivalent of a sports car with entirely unusable rear seats. In 1990, Bimota changed that by creating the YB9 Bellaria, its first true two-seat motorcycle.

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Ruote Da Sogno s.r.l.

 

According to Cycle World Magazine, Bellaria is also its Bimota’s first motorcycle to get a real name. Bellaria (which roughly translates to “fresh air”) is a reference to the beach of the same name near Bimota’s factory near Rimini. The Bellaria also departed from Bimota’s norms with a two-tone design. We’re still not done yet, as the Bellaria also targeted a different kind of rider. Bimota was known for its track weapons, but this motorcycle was designed to be closer to a tourer. Power comes from a Yamaha FZR600 599cc inline-four and it’s making 83 HP at the wheel and the motorcycle reportedly handled well.

Apparently, Bimota made just 145 of these, meaning few riders ever saw one. Now’s your chance to experience a finely crafted Italian machine. You can snag it from Ruote Da Sogno s.r.l. in Italy for the equivalent of $12,536.

2002 International 4700 – $28,000

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Facebook Seller

 

Earlier this week, I wrote about a few examples of a time when you could buy a commercial truck with a pickup bed directly from the truck’s manufacturer. Of course, the trucks from that article were crazy expensive. If you’re looking for a truck with the same concept, but both a lot less luxurious and a lot cheaper, look for a custom build.

This pickup started life as an International 4700. Launched in 1990, the 4000 series trucks replaced its S-series predecessor. These new trucks saw a slight redesign in the form of a new, more aerodynamic hood and new interior. The 4000 series trucks are Class 5 through 7 trucks and were available with single and tandem rear axles as well as various drive configurations.

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Facebook Seller

This 2002 International 4700 is a final year model before the 4000 series was replaced by the DuraStar. Power comes from a 7.6-liter DT466E straight-six turbodiesel making 230 HP and 660 lb-ft torque. That’s backed by a seven-speed Eaton manual transmission. The bed comes from a Ram 3500, the side boxes come from a Peterbilt, and the interior got a slight makeover with a different bench seat, a custom steering wheel, and a custom stereo.

It’s $28,000 from the seller in Granby, Missouri.

2015 Volvo V60 Polestar – $34,000

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Facebook Seller

This Volvo caught my attention with its bright blue and white wheels, then reeled me in with its 5-second 60 mph acceleration time.

In 2013, Volvo unveiled a new high-performance V60. Polestar engineers took the V60 R-Design and made more than 50 changes to hot-rod the Swedish wagon. Those changes include Öhlins Dual Flow Valve shocks, Eibach coilovers, stiffer bushings, stiffer mounts, a carbon fiber front strut bar, Brembo brakes, stiffer anti-roll bars, and more.

Under the hood is a turbocharged inline-six making 345 HP and 369 lb-ft torque. That punches power to all four wheels through an automatic transmission. This example has remained stock, save for an exhaust valve controller and the wheels. The car’s stock wheels come in the sale mounted to a set of snow tires. It’s a fairly rare vehicle with roughly a few hundred making it over stateside with this engine.

MotorTrend‘s review stated “The New STI Wagon is Swedish,” and noted how the V60 Polestar’s performance numbers were pretty close to a Subaru SRX STI, but not as fun. The review concludes by saying the V60 Polestar is the wagon for someone who owns a dying STI wagon, or perhaps someone who wants an STI but doesn’t care for the “boy racer” looks.

This one is $34,000 from the seller in Dimondale, Michigan with 93,500 miles.

1955 Chrysler New Yorker St. Regis – $29,500

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Craigslist Seller

The Chrysler New Yorker enjoyed a long run. First introduced in 1938 as the New York Special before becoming the New Yorker in 1939, Chrysler kept the name alive in some way until 1996. As Hemmings writes, K.T. Keller was at the helm of Chrysler and the climate wasn’t great. The Airflow, despite its forward-thinking, was a sales flop. One series launched in response was the C-23, which matched the Imperial with its 125-inch wheelbase. These early cars were a sub-model of the Imperial and shared components with the Imperial. Some highlight features include a six-volt electrical system, illuminated speedometer, powered clock, and hydraulic brakes.

1955 was a transition year for Chrysler. The K.T. Keller designs were out and were replaced in favor of fresh designs from Virgil Exner reportedly dubbed the “Million Dollar Look.” Out of the other end were vehicles with luxurious looks. This was also the year that Imperial was launched as its own brand within Chrysler.

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Craigslist Seller

At the top of the New Yorker line was the St. Regis, a name reserved for hardtop two-tone cars. The seller of today’s St. Regis states that the car runs and drives well. Under the hood is a 331 cubic inch Hemi V8 rated at 250 HP. The seller says this car may have been owned by the musical duo Carpenters, but they’re awaiting documentation from the DMV. Regardless of who owned it, this car looks rather stellar.

It’s $29,500 from the seller in Dallas, Oregon, with 44,000 miles.

1982 Honda MB5 – $3,700

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Facebook Seller

Here’s a baby Honda that was sold for just a single year in America. Similar to the European market MB50 that was sold between 1979 and 1988, the MB5 sported a 49.5cc reed-valve 2-stroke that produced seven ravenous horses. Despite the morsel of power, Honda gave the MB5 equipment and a design matching that of a full-size motorcycle. You get a functional dashboard, a tachometer, speedometer, and a presence that feels more substantial. It reportedly impressed Cycle World, who felt the machine didn’t feel like a toy, unlike the other 50cc-class bikes out there back then.

This MB5 looks a bit cooler than usual thanks to its Pichler fairing. It also has a Corbin-style seat and a 70cc big bore kit. Stock, top speed was about 53 mph. It’s unclear how fast this modified one can go. It’s $3,700 from the seller in Marietta, Georgia, with 2,339 miles.

1958 Buick Special – $66,500

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Hemmings Seller

1958 was an interesting year at Buick. The brand advertised aircraft-inspired designs and layered on a blinding amount of chrome. As automotive historian Robert Tate writes, America’s automakers enjoyed a post-World War II boom in sales, only to see the brakes pumped on the economy come 1958. The year also saw legendary designer Harley Earl retire. New styling would arrive in 1959, but the 1958 models were pretty impressive. Buick’s lineup, which was all full-size in 1958, featured chrome and stainless steel trim from bow to stern. Oh, and that grille? You’re looking at 160 chrome squares that reportedly made front-end repairs rather difficult.

This 1958 Buick Special has been restored and is noted to have power steering, power brakes, a power top, and a Continental kit. Some original parts were spared in the restoration like the radio. Power comes from a 364 cubic inch V8 rated at 250 HP. It’s $66,500 or best offer from the seller in Strathmore, Alberta with 92,117 miles.

That’s it for this week! Thank you for reading.

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45 thoughts on “Chrysler New Yorker St. Regis, Bimota YB9 Bellaria, Volvo V60 Polestar: Mercedes’ Marketplace Madness

  1. I rented one of those Internationals in 26′ box truck flavor to move many years ago. The cab was roomy and comfortable. I cannot imagine what job one with an 8′ pickup bed, is the right tool for said job though. And $28 grand is a lot of cheddar for somebody’s home build.

    1. well its a duo band so it would make sense for their to be at least two cars. Could just be that the red/white one wasn’t owned by the carpenters but could have been like a friend of the carpenters or something?

  2. That Benz is very cool, but the Series 62 has always been aspirational for me. But only as a convertible. I’ll take mine in a deep metallic forrest green, please.

  3. “…a silly sort of wagon that does nothing but convert your hard-earned money into smoke.” Day-um if that’s not precision marketing —and I’m square in the cross-hairs. Hated the Caliber, but I guess I didn’t know these existed: if I weren’t car-poor at the moment, I’d be very interested!

    The Mercedes 170s are beautiful, and smaller than I expected. Saw one at a high-end place in Charlotte NC once (while I still had my 300TD), and found it elegant and stately while still feeling like something I could drive without feeling like a poseur.

    And that Polestar…only missing a manual to be on an aspirational list.

  4. A bunch of interesting cars and bikes today. Thanks, Mercedes. Nice job again. One though really stands out way above all the others and yet you guys aren’t talking about it? The Mercedes-Benz 170S. Are you kidding me? Who wouldn’t want that beautiful work of automotive art? Maybe you guys are skipping it over because from day 1 in was never a daily driver? I don’t know, but I know I love it. For runner up the St. Regis is cool, but they did do them in better color combos.

  5. The Chrysler is gorgeous, and, I know GM’s ’58 models aren’t everyone’s cup of tea (Harley Earl was kind of throwing things at the wall and using what stuck at that point), but I do love the Fashionaire Dynastar grille on that Buick

    1. Specifically, what Mr Earl was throwing at the wall was chrome, and lots of it.
      Agreed on the Buick … but has anyone ever successfully de-Continental-Kitted a car? These cars are so pretty, and throwing an elaborate back porch on one just seems so wrong. No accounting for taste, I know…

      1. They were really trying to outdo the ’57/’58 Chrysler Corp models by just completely overloading on the glitz, but it did kind of signal that Harley Earl was starting to reach the bottom of his bag of tricks and it was almost time for a new direction

  6. Every time I’m reminded of the Caliber SRT4, it makes me think of doing a trans swap from a diesel Compass/Patriot so you can use the AWD system to then make an AWD SRT4 Caliber…

    1. As someone who owned 3 (in series) of the caliber econobox variety, this SRT speaks to me.
      Oh, not enough to even consider buying it, but I would definitely appreciate what they managed to do with the platform.

  7. The first two just blew the rest of them out of the water. In terms of affordability, the Cadilac is more in my range, but if I sell the Caddy I own, I could probably manage the MB.

  8. That New Yorker is the Superstar of this group. I’d even drive it on rainy days, and Mondays. Think I’m done with the Carpenters puns? No, we’ve only just begun.

    …actually, I can’t think of any more right now…

  9. Wow – amazing lineup of 1950’s cars. That Mercedes is gorgeous, although I might feel a little too much like a WWII German officer driving around in it.

  10. 66 grand (closer to 49 grand in USD) seems like way too much money for what was the cheapest Buick series in 1958. If it were a Roadmaster, or a Limited…

  11. That Cadillac! That Chrysler! Even that Buick!
    Also some other… things.

    As ever, a delightful roundup. I get the sense that she’s really just shopping for herself, but Mercedes consistently brings us al interesting grab-bag to admire and pretend to consider for purchase-pursuit. For that, i salute her.

  12. MB5 hits a weird spot in most states’ motorcycle laws. Sure it’s 50cc like a moped, but since it has a true manual transmission, most states see it as a motorcycle. While it’s faster than most mopeds, it’s not faster by much, but you still have to pay (probably) higher registration fees, and (probably) higher insurance rates. And have a motorcycle endorsement. I see the MB5 as a lose-lose proposition.

  13. That MB5 is gorgeous!! I’ve seen a few but never with the full fairing.

    I remember when they came out. Some people were modding them by swapping in the engine from a Honda CR80 motocross bike. IIRC they had the same motor mounts, so the change was easy, and the CR engine had a lot more performance options. So, you could have more than 7hp in a small and really light package. 🙂

  14. I learned to ride on an MB5!! That was my very first motorcycle! I loved it! Could only ride around town, though. When Dad bought it, he said it was the last 2 stroke street bike you could buy. Not sure if that was why he bought it, or if it was even true. He also told me that the Texas town of Muleshoe was actually named after a German immigrant and was pronounced MUH-less-hoe. When I repeated that fact in Texas history class to correct the teacher’s pronunciation, I realized that perhaps everything Dad said WASN’T gospel.

    Regarding those pickups built out of heavy trucks, I ran across one years ago when I was thinking of buying a pickup. It was a home build, though. They had taken a big GM TopKick type service truck and removed the bed with all the boxes and such. Then they built a custom pickup type bed for it using a couple of regular fleetside beds. The bed was EASILY 12-13 feet long. You know how longbed, regular cab pickups can look a little awkward compared to shortbed regular cabs? Now imagine the bed is 50% longer. Also, it was that DOT Cheez Whiz orange. Not the worst color, but certainly not the best. Looked like a giant Cheeto.

    1. Yamaha did bring two strokes with cats for 83-85 I think, the RZ350, and that was the last one, but at the time of the MB5, it probably looked like the end.

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