The DFW Car & Toy Museum in Fort Worth, Texas, has added a rare 1960 Mercedes-Benz 190b Binz Kombiwagen to its Ron Sturgeon Collection, offering visitors a glimpse into a niche segment of postwar automotive coachbuilding. The Kombiwagen, one of just 349 examples converted by German firm Binz between 1958 and 1961, combines Mercedes-Benz luxury with station wagon versatility.
Finished in Salmon (SW) paint, the vehicle features a 1.9-liter inline-four engine paired with a column-shifted four-speed manual transmission. The drivetrain was recently overhauled during refurbishment, ensuring reliable performance. Underpinning the car is a factory double-wishbone front and single-joint rear axle suspension with coil springs, with braking handled by four-corner drum brakes.
The interior is upholstered in Tobacco MB-Tex vinyl, with matching door panels, gray molded rubber floor liners, and woodgrain accents on the dash. Details include vent windows, polished rear door pulls, a locking glove box, and a period-correct Becker Mexico radio. The Binz conversion adds a split-opening tailgate and liftgate, a forward-folding rear bench for a flat load floor, and an enclosed underfloor storage compartment.
The car is part of the Ron Sturgeon Collection, which includes dozens of rare and classic automobiles. Ron Sturgeon, founder of the museum, has been collecting cars for over 30 years. The museum, now located at 2550 McMillan Parkway in North Fort Worth, offers free admission and parking, and is open Tuesday through Saturday from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm. For more information, visit the museum's website at dfwcarandtoymuseum.com or the toy museum site at DFW Elite Toy Museum.
This Kombiwagen stands as a testament to the ingenuity of custom coachbuilding and the enduring appeal of Mercedes-Benz design. Its presence in the museum allows enthusiasts to appreciate a rare variant that served both as a luxury vehicle and a practical workhorse, reflecting the versatility that defined postwar European motoring.
