Sixty Mercedes

Sir, You did a fine job on the Mercedes 60 article – very interesting, and splendid colour pictures. But, for the record, could you perhaps include a paragraph in the next issue that the body on my 60 is not a replica, but basically original. As purchased from Selsdon in 1953 it had a vast rear tonneau, bulbous and ugly: front nearside (not rear) entrance. It was in very poor condition and needed several hides of Connolly leather so I scrapped it, from existing platform Level (beyond which it extended for a font or more at the sides and back) upwards. The front seats (obviously re-upholstered) are original, including the passenger’s seat which still swivels forwards to allow entrance to the rear.

The original two steps up to the rear are still there, over the nearside sprocket; the bonnet, dash panel and floorboards are original; the wings renewed but on original lines and the sides of the lower part of the tonneau were replaced and the existing flat top, (or platform), was made to accommodate the three spare tyres. The fact that it now looks rather like the Jenatzy car is coincidental and was never planned! The original Mercedes front bucket seats cause this impression.

C. W. P. Hampton.