This 1953 Mercedes-Benz 170 Va was used in the fifth installment of the Indiana Jones series, Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny. Driven by the hero, the car was modified for stunt use and made to look like it was from the 1930s. The chassis and body were lengthened by 12 inches for stability and camera rigging, a polycarbonate windshield was installed along with a hydraulic handbrake for stunt driving, two-inch plates were welded to the chassis, and modern brakes, rear coilover shocks, and a fuel cell were installed. The black-over-brown sedan also has steel wheels, driving lights, and cam-lock belts. This W136 170 Va is now offered on dealer consignment in California with a Montana title.

The car was modified for use the movie with a lengthened chassis. The conventionally opening rear doors were lengthened, while the front “suicide” doors were retained. A polycarbonate windshield was fitted along with driving lights, and it retains trafficators and a left-side mirror. The seller notes that some of the flaws in the paintwork were the result of the car’s use in the movie set.

The car was fitted with uprated braking components including a hydraulically operated handbrake for stunt use, and modern tires were mounted on the steel wheels.

The front end has a transverse leaf spring and tube shocks, while out back are adjustable-perch coilovers augmenting the factory coil-sprung swing axle. Reinforcing plates were welded to the floors for additional support, and the car has a fabricated exhaust system with a stainless-steel muffler.

The selling dealer tells us the interior was specially upholstered for use in the movie. Cam-lock seat belts are provided both front and rear, and the control for the handbrake is mounted in the right footwell.

A fuel cell was mounted in the trunk.

The three-spoke steering wheel frames a dashboard center-mounted 120-km/h speedometer, a clock, and a combination gauge showing oil pressure and fuel level. 22k kilometers (~13,600 miles) are indicated on the cluster, though total chassis mileage is unknown.

The M136 inline-four was updated in 1950 to displace 1.8 liters, and the car retains a four-speed manual transmission.

Spare items included in the sale are displayed in the gallery.