A $1200 Mercedes with 18k miles sounds fake but this Michigan barn find is very real

A Michigan barn find has surfaced in the form of a $1,200 Mercedes rust-free classic that’s racked up only 18,000 miles since 1974.

Hidden away for nearly five decades, this time capsule remained mostly untouched, showing surprisingly little wear apart from dust, mild mold, and faded single-stage paint.

Its interior is almost entirely intact, featuring a well-preserved dashboard, carpet, door panels, and even a vintage eight-track player loaded with Johnny Cash.

The owner, stunned by the car’s condition, has begun the restoration process with a full detail and polish to bring out the shine beneath decades of storage grime.

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The car was only driven for around four years before it was parked in a Michigan barn in 1975, where it sat undisturbed for decades.

Although it was later moved outdoors, the rust-free body survived remarkably well, with solid floorboards, wheel arches, and trunk lining.

Beneath the deck lid and inside the trunk, the original condition is shockingly well-preserved, with even old items like Texaco fluid cans and classic books looking untouched by moisture.

The carpet and seats show virtually no damage, supporting the claim that the $1,200 Mercedes has only covered 18,000 miles in its lifetime.

Cleaning the vehicle began with a deep wash to remove years of barn dust, revealing the faded green paint beneath.

Thanks to its single-stage finish, the exterior responded well to polishing, restoring some of the original shine without the need for an immediate respray.

While the roof and hood have some etching from prolonged exposure, the trim and chrome still gleam after polishing.

The goal is to keep the paint and styling as original as possible, retaining the look that made this model a standout rust-free classic in its day.

Inside, the moldy steering wheel and shifter were scrubbed down, and the carpets shampooed, with excellent results.

The seats recline into the same position they were left in during the 1970s, and even the eight-track player still works.

Every part of the cabin adds to the story of the barn find, reinforcing just how little this Mercedes was used.

With the detail complete, attention now turns to the engine bay.

Under the hood, the diesel engine appears solid but requires caution.

A mouse nest and black residue in the fuel line caused the owner to delay the first start attempt.

Rather than risk damaging the 18,000-mile engine, the plan is to bring in a specialist to properly assess and revive the powertrain.

Once that’s done, the rust-free classic could be road-ready for the first time in half a century.

This $1,200 Mercedes, pulled from a Michigan barn and preserved in near-original condition, stands as a rare automotive relic.

With only 18,000 miles on the clock and almost no rust, it’s a reminder of how some cars survive time better than expected.

Whether it becomes a daily driver or a weekend showpiece, this barn find is already a standout example of vintage preservation.

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