Mercedes-Benz' W123 model, manufactured between 1976 and 1985, has earned the reputation of being bullet-proof, especially when powered by the 2.4-liter or 3.0-liter Diesel engine.
Exceptionally Nice:
1978 Mercedes-Benz 300CD
Diesel Sunroof Coupe!
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Today, decades later, there are still many 240D and 300D models running at taxi cabs all over Turkey and the Middle East, most of them with millions of miles on the clock!
W123s are not only over-engineered to last, but they are for the most part inherently simple and can be fixed anywhere in the world with mechanical tools only.
A by-product of the oil embargo of the 1970s, in August of 1977 Mercedes fitted the 3.0-liter OM-617 inline-5 Diesel engine into a luxury Coupe, something that had never been done before. The car was available to US customers from 1978 until 1981 only and the particular car offered for sale here is 1 of the 7,502 vehicles built.
VIN *12315012000844* is the 844th car manufactured. It left the assembly line in Sindelfingen, Germany, in December of 1977 and was sold on Valentine's Day, February 14, 1978 by Mercedes-Benz of Beverly Hills.
All factory books and manuals as well as the metal Certicard in their original pouch are with the car.
Also included are all three factory Data Cards. The Pre-Inventory card is so rare that we've never seen one before.
The car stayed with its original lady owner until 2022 and still carries both of its blue-and-yellow vintage license plate, irreplaceable and proof that the car was never registered outside the Golden State.
Power comes from the cast-iron OM 617 D30 engine, basically an extension of the 240D engine that had 4 cylinders of 600cm3 each. The 300D engine has 5 cylinders of 600cm3 each, for a total of 3,005cm3 -- 3 liters.
The motor has mechanical Bosch fuel injection, and delivers 80hp at 4,000rpm. Max torque of 127 lb-ft is reached at a low 2,400 rpm, allowing it to pull ahead with determination. It's as healthy as they come, runs like a champ, does not misbehave, and does not leak any fluids at all.
Since the car has never been apart, the body presents itself in outstanding original condition. Gaps and shut lines are perfect, Mercedes-Benz perfect. Doors and hoods shut with the characteristic clunk, like a bank vault. They don't make cars like this anymore, not even Mercedes-Benz.
Power-operated steel sunroof with wind deflector, made by WEBASTO to exacting MB standards and installed at the factory, adds a whole new dimension to this Coupe. Roll down the side windows completely, open the sunroof, and it almost feels like driving a convertible!
Note the absence of a right side exterior mirror.
Factory steel wheels and factory wheel covers are in very good condition.
The correctly sized 195/70-14 radial tires are brand new all around.
As a pillar-less "Hardtop Coupe" with all windows down and the sunroof open.
Perfect factory headliner, working dome lights.
Flawless door panels.
Factory dashboard is 100% crack free!
The entire interior presents itself in "as new" condition throughout.
All of the gauges work, including the clock.
Original Becker Mexico Stereo radio, rare burled walnut trim. (Most W123s had Zebrano wood veneer instead.)
Perfect factory carpeting throughout, with zero fading or damage, has been protected by floor mats, which will come with the car.
Perfect original front seats.
Seat nets are perfect.
Rear seat bench looks new.
Rear package shelf with original stereo speakers and first aid kit.
Let's move on to the trunk.
Original paint is perfectly preserved.
Factory rubber trunk mat . . . perfect.
Factory tool rool is complete.
Original -- unused -- spare and 100% rust free spare wheel well.
All plastics are flawless as well.
Undercarriage is in exceptional, original condition.
Some of the brownish factory Cosmoline wax is still present.
Even "hidden" areas are clean.
We now live in a world where cars are filled to the gills with electronics. These cars have a limited life-span which ends when one or more of the hyper-complex systems fail and repairing them becomes a lost financial proposition.
In contrast, an old Ford or Chevy pickup, a Volkswagen Beetle or Golf Mk1 Diesel, or a W123 Mercedes-Benz can live virtually forever. Parts are plentyful and can be installed without aid of the dealers' computer systems anywhere in the word.
If you appreciate simplicity and longevity in a car, this 300CD Diesel Coupe makes a lot of sense.
I personally drove a green metallic 1985 300CD as my daily for many years, and regrettably sold it to a friend when he begged me to take his money. To this day it's probably the one car I wish I had kept.
This Mercedes starts, runs, and drives without fault. It humms away on the freeway without showing any signs of stress. I've personally have driven it several hundred miles and enjoyed every single one of them.
Thank you for your interest!
Addendum:
We sold this 300CD in August of 2023 to a dealer in Germany.
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