Mercedes-Benz 170 S — 1950

The car has been part of a collection of vehicles in Sorsele. The late car collector, Mr. Hedman, was a recognized motor enthusiast who restored everything from motorcycles and tractors to cars. He worked as a caretaker for the Sorsele municipality for almost 40 years and became a well-known motoring figure in the area. Bilweb Auctions has now been entrusted with selling the collection on behalf of the estate. Several of the vehicles are set up on jack stands to prevent the tires from being damaged during long-term storage. The vehicles have therefore not been able to be brought out for the photo session, and in some cases it has not been possible to document them from all angles.

We have been told the car's fantastic story by the late collector's life partner, who was present when the car was recovered from a bog in the mountain region. How it ended up there was, in short, as follows: During the 1950s and 1960s, winter roads across frozen bogs and lake ice still played a crucial role in making motor traffic and heavy transports possible in the mountain region around Sorsele. For the bogs and wetlands to bear the weight of cars and trucks, a gradual packing of the snow was required. Early in the winter, light vehicles such as snowmobiles or tracked carriers were used to compress the insulating snow and allow the frost to penetrate deep into the ground. Once the ground had frozen sufficiently, heavier tractors or plow trucks could complete the roadway.

According to the story, the Mercedes 170 was driven on one of these smaller winter roads across a bog in the late 1960s. Once the frost had begun to leave the ground, this was something of a gamble, and on this occasion luck failed the car's owner, who got stuck. The car remained where it stood and was abandoned by the owner, as the task of recovering it became too difficult and costly. In the years that followed, birch trees and brush grew up around the car. In the late 1980s, the idea was born to have the car recovered. Everyone asked considered the task both impossible and foolhardy. Mr. Hedman was fired up by the idea and devoted a great deal of time, energy, and effort to recovering the car. The recovery involved four-wheel-drive tractors, chainsaws, and a timber trailer with a crane.

Once the car had been retrieved, the major work of restoration began. Reportedly, it took over two years to complete the restoration. In 1994 the restoration was finished and the Mercedes could once again be registered in the vehicle registry. Since then, the car has been used to chauffeur as many as ten wedding couples.

This is a remote auction. The photographs were taken by an independent photographer, and information about the vehicle and its technical condition, to the extent such information has been available, has been obtained from the estate administrator. BWA has therefore not inspected the car on site at the seller's location.

• Mechanical condition

  Fully gone through during the restoration. Last driven in 2019. No attempt to start was made at the time of photography. Needs a new starter battery.

• Interior condition

  Completely restored interior with new leather upholstery that was sewn during the restoration in the 1990s. Many bridal couples have ridden in the back seat since the restoration was completed.

• Exterior condition

  Painted during the restoration, which was carried out over a period of just over two years in the early 1990s. A finely executed paint job that has held up well. Minor blemishes have appeared over the 30 years that have passed since the restoration. As far as has been reported to us by the photographer, there are no major notable flaws. Please study the photos carefully for more information about the condition.

• General condition

  Classic Mercedes 170 S that was restored from a forest wreck to a gem in the 1990s. Well cared for since then and still in good condition. Last brought out and driven in 2019.

Location: Sorsele

For viewing the vehicle, contact the inspector/case manager:

Mathias Casserlund

mathias.casserlund@bilwebauctions.se

Collection must take place before: 2026-11-25.

NOTE! Payment (deposit to our account) must be made within 5 days and before collection.