1968 Mercedes Benz 230 Fintail (LHD)

Mercedes did go rallying! As in F1, then and now, their famous three-pointed star symbolises their engineering, build and competition success as the illustrious Silver Arrows team. The Mercedes Rally Team competed and won, but almost anonymously! Their robust build and strength has allowed the three pointed star to go the distance in rallying, but European successes were overshadowed by GP and sports car triumphs.

This 1968 Mecedes Fintail has a great finishing record in HERO-ERA long distance endurance events such as the Pearl of India, the Badawi Trial to the Last Oasis and the daddy of all the endurance events, the super endurance Peking to Paris Motor Challenge. It has gone the distance and will do for you, with its sturdy chassis, reliable transmission and engine, but it will take you through the competition and long road sections in more comfort than most.

Mercedes started GP racing pre WW1 and then again in the 1930’s. After the 1955 Le Mans tragedy they withdrew from competition but resumed again in the nineties until now as all conquering F1 champions who could just win again in 2026 with their young Italian star Kimi Antonelli.

But they haven’t just been successful on track. What is little known is that they went off road and won the European Rally Championship in 1963. Mercedes enjoyed an enviable record of international success with their entry level line of midsize saloons in the mid-1960s.

From 1963 to 1965 the ‘Fintails’ were in the frontline of competition with star driver Erich Bohringer leading the charge navigated by Klaus Kaiser. Proving to be a great long distancewinner, the Mercedes triumphed on Rally Argentina for three consecutive years from 1962 to 1964. Even the great Sir Stirling Moss who won the Mille Miglia for Mercedes in 1955, rallied under the three pointed star. The 1977 London to Sydney Rally was won by a Mercedes Benz.

Today, Mercedes are still winning in historic rallying with both the saloon and sports cars.

This 1968 2.3 straight six is from Mercedes' range of "Fintail" (German: Heckflosse) models. The second series production of 200, 200D and 230 models commenced in July 1965-68, at the Sindelfingen plant.

The Arrive Drive Mercedes Benz 230 is rally prepared with a powerful 2.3 petrol straight 6 engine and 4 speed gearbox. The overall strength of the car has been enhanced by the integral roll cage complimented by all the safety features required for the regulations. It has a strong rally history on endurance events as outlined above.

In current specification it has competed in many long-distance endurance rallies, proving it’sspeed and reliability combined with the cockpit comfort required for longer events. With four doors it affords the crew easy access to the rear seats for spares or supplies without having to rifle through boxes piled on top of each other crammed behind the front seats in smaller rally cars.  

This Fintail is ideal if you’re a novice and want to start with the Novice Trial or a one dayHERO Challenge Event; ideal for long distance endurance events such as the Classic Safari,Classic Marathon or Peking to Paris, this versatile Mercedes would be the ideal choice.

• Dashboard: Features a classic vertical instrument cluster paired with rally-specific modifications, including a custom switch panel with labeled toggles (Wash, Fuel, Lights, Drive), aftermarket gauges, an exposed fuse block, and a steering wheel fitted with a spinner knob.
• Ease of Entry: Highly accessible four-door saloon configuration with tall door apertures and an upright seating position, allowing effortless entry and exit without tight roll-cage or bucket-seat obstructions.
• Comfort Factor: Built for long-distance endurance rallying, balancing a traditional upright driving position with functional driver-focused additions like quick-access control panels and steering aids for sustained control.
• On-Board Space:
• Cockpit: Spaciously proportioned with generous headroom and legroom, adapted to hold navigation equipment brackets alongside full footwell space for both driver and co-driver.
• Boot: Dominated by rally support gear, including a massive auxiliary fuel tank, heavy-duty spare coil springs, and tied-down recovery equipment, trade-offing standard luggage capacity for range and repair capability.
• Behind Seats: Retains the broad passenger compartment area of a four-door sedan, offering open, accessible space behind the front seats for stowing helmets, tool bags, and extra rally kit.