Rare 1960 Mercedes-Benz 190b Binz Kombiwagen Joins DFW Car and Toy Museum Collection

The DFW Car and Toy Museum has welcomed an exceptionally rare 1960 Mercedes-Benz 190b Binz Kombiwagen to its Ron Sturgeon Collection, representing one of just 349 examples converted by renowned German coachbuilder Binz between 1958 and 1961. This vehicle exemplifies the perfect fusion of classic Mercedes-Benz elegance with practical innovation, embodying the spirit of postwar luxury reimagined for versatility and functionality.

Finished in a distinctive Salmon (SW) hue, the 190b is powered by a robust 1.9-liter inline-four engine paired with a column-shifted four-speed manual transmission. The drivetrain, recently overhauled during refurbishment, delivers smooth and reliable performance that maintains the vehicle's original pedigree while ensuring operational excellence for museum visitors. The mechanical specifications include factory double-wishbone front suspension and single-joint rear axle suspension with coil springs, providing a composed ride characteristic of Mercedes-Benz engineering from this era, while braking is handled by four-corner drum brakes.

Inside the cabin, authenticity prevails with Tobacco MB-Tex vinyl upholstery, matching door panels, gray molded rubber floor liners, and classic woodgrain accents along the dashboard. Thoughtful details such as vent windows, polished rear door pulls, a locking glove box, and a period-correct Becker Mexico radio highlight the meticulous craftsmanship that defined Mercedes-Benz during this golden era of automotive design. The driving experience is framed by a two-spoke steering wheel with a chrome horn ring, complemented by VDO instrumentation and a 100-mph speedometer that immerse drivers in nostalgia and charm.

The true significance of the Binz conversion lies in its innovative functionality, featuring a split-opening tailgate and liftgate, a forward-folding rear bench that creates a flat extended load surface, and an enclosed storage compartment beneath the floor. These practical elements made the vehicle as useful for daily tasks as it was luxurious for transportation, representing a unique chapter in automotive history where premium brands explored utility vehicles without compromising on style or comfort.

As part of the Ron Sturgeon Collection, this 1960 Mercedes-Benz 190b Binz Kombiwagen serves as a tribute to the ingenuity of custom coachbuilding and the enduring beauty of one of Germany's most storied automotive marques. The museum, now located at 2550 McMillan Parkway in Fort Worth, offers visitors the opportunity to experience this rare automotive artifact alongside other significant vehicles and toys. More information about the museum's collections and visiting hours can be found at https://dfwcarandtoymuseum.com.

This acquisition matters to automotive enthusiasts and historians because it preserves a nearly forgotten chapter of Mercedes-Benz history where luxury met practicality through specialized coachbuilding. The vehicle represents a time when European manufacturers experimented with combining premium automotive experiences with functional designs, creating vehicles that could serve both as status symbols and workhorses. For the broader automotive community, the display of such rare vehicles helps educate new generations about the diversity of automotive history beyond mainstream production models.

The presence of this rare Kombiwagen in a public museum collection ensures that future generations can appreciate the craftsmanship and innovation that characterized postwar European automotive design. It demonstrates how luxury automakers explored new market segments and adapted to changing consumer needs while maintaining their commitment to quality and engineering excellence. The vehicle's preservation and display contribute to the understanding of automotive evolution and the important role that specialized coachbuilders played in expanding the capabilities of production vehicles.