SOLD! ~ New home: Highland Park, California
1983 MERCEDES-BENZ 300TD Station Wagon
Model W123 Turbo Diesel
163,000 Original Miles Since New
Anthracite Grey Metallic with Palomino MB-Tex
Optional Rear Facing 3rd Seat
Optional Manual Sunroof and Luggage Rack
CA Car, 3 Owners w/ Complete Maintenance History
Nearly $30,000 in Meticulous Receipts!
The 123 chassis are among the most durable, stylish, and sought after automobiles ever produced by Mercedes-Benz. This is an amazing example of one of the limited few that still remain phenomenally well preserved.
FOR 59 HIGH RESOLUTION PHOTOS Click Here!
Description: Anthracite Grey Metallic (MB paint code 172) with Palomino MB-Tex vinyl upholstery, 5-Cylinder, 3.0 liter, 123 hp, pre-chamber fuel-injection, turbo charged diesel, single overhead cam, 4-speed automatic transmission, power assisted 11″ diameter 4-wheel disc brakes, 4-wheel fully independent suspension, hydropneumatic rear axle level control, 7-passenger capacity with *optional rear-facing 3rd seat, 6 retracting three-point inertia reel saftey belts, 1 center seat lap safety belt, *optional manual sunroof, *optional luggage rack and cross bars, A/C and heat automatic climate control, power windows, 6-point central locking system (including doors, rear hatch and fuel door), power steering, cruise control, original Becker Grand Prix AM/FM cassette stereo with 4 wide range speakers and adjustable height power antenna, power adjustable right outside mirror, electrically heated rear windshield, quartz chronometer, tachometer, 3-way adjustable front bucket seats, parcel nets on front seat backrests, light alloy wheels, front center folding arm rest, front center cargo tray, halogen head lamps, halogen amber fog lamps, factory light tinted glass, 2-speed windshield wiper with 5-second interval mist control, rear windshield wiper and mist, real zebrano wood dash trim and console, 120 standard safety features (including unitized steel construction with over 4,700 weld points), combed wool carpet, driver accessible rear dome light switch, headlamp turn-off warning device, illuminated vanity mirrors, optional right and left side controlled parking light illumination, 42 cubic feet rear interior capacity, rear middle seat divide 2/3 left 1/3 right, identical full spare and tool kit, road-side trunk reflector, first-aid kit, 17.2 gallon fuel tank, 26 plus MPG, Complete maintenance history records, Owner’s Manual, Mercedes-Benz dealership stamped Maintenance Booklet, along with other original Mercedes-Benz literature. Original retail price $36,343
Exterior Condition: The Anthracite Grey Metallic exterior is stunning! It is clear and deep, not faded or oxidized, and shines like new. There are a few minor blemishes, but the overall impression is excellent. The polished aluminum trim is excellent, both the front and rear bumpers are excellent and the rubber bumper end caps are brand new. Luggage rack and rare factory cross bars are excellent. Belt molding body trim is brand new. Pirelli Cinturato P3000 tires have less than 5k miles (size, 205/70/R14) along with an identical spare and are like new. Era correct pinstripe is flawless. The original door seals, glass seals, rubber weather-stripping, etc., are in excellent condition. The grill is excellent. The headlamp housings are beautiful, as are the side markers, and all of the emblems are bright, shiny and excellent. The taillights are excellent. Original factory signature window sticker, interior stickers, interior door jam specification plate, etc. are all excellent.
NOTE: The undercarriage still has traces of the original protective cosmoline wax undercoating (see photos 49-51). This coating is a protective wax which the factory spread on top of its already 30 pounds of plasticized vinyl–a think blanket of rust protection on the underbelly and hidden cavities of the body.
NOTE: Since these photos were taken, all 4 rubber end caps to both the front and rear bumpers were been replaced with new OEM parts, and also, the tires were replaced with higher quality Pirelli tires.
Interior Condition: The interior to this wagon is excellent! The Palomino MB-Tex is in perfect, like-new condition. There are no tears, no fading, no diminished support in the padding, and virtually no wear whatsoever. The parcel nets on the front seat backrests are like new and snug against the seats. The carpet was replaced with factory OEM Mercedes-Benz material less than a year ago. The real zebrano wood dash trim is stunning, with a clear, deep and durable shine, and there are absolutely no cracks or fading. The headliner is excellent, the door panels and map pockets are excellent without any scuffs or tears. The accessory switches, knobs, buttons, etc., are all in excellent condition without any faded symbols, and they are all in proper working order. The steering wheel is firm to the grip without any twisting or slack. The original unused first-aid kit, roadside trunk reflector, tool kit, etc. are all excellent.
NOTE: Although this wagon has always been garage kept, the dashboard has several small cracks. It has been fitted with a Coverlay Dashcap, which from my experience is the best product of its kind and it looks great!…virtually unnoticeable.
Mechanical Condition: This station wagon runs absolutely excellent, and has been very well maintained since new. It has never missed a single scheduled service. Its durable 3.0 liter, 5-cylinder, turbo charged motor is efficient and strong, and gets great fuel mileage. Cold starts are instantaneous, which is validation to its low miles, and the motor, chassis and engine compartment are exceptionally clean and dry with brilliant components. The transmission shifts sure, timely, and proper. Suspension is solid and comfortable, and the steering is tight and responsive. Hydropneumatic rear level control works excellent.
NOTE:Recently the car had a major service which included, but is not limited to: completely new A/C system (nearly every component involved all the way down to a new push button unit and conversion to R134 refrigerant), mostly new front end components (i.e. tie rods, steering shock, control are bushings, other bushings, etc.), new German Boge shocks, new Perilli tires, new hydropneumatic rear accumulators, new front and rear brake pad, valve adjustment, new shifter bushings, new air filter, new fuel lines, new hydrolic suspension hoses, freshly lubricated door jams/sunroof/other hinges, tune-up, glow plugs, oil change, number one service, etc. at a cost of $6,927.
NOTE: The comprehensive maintenance and restoration records total nearly $30k.
NOTE: This car would be a perfect candidate for any alternative fuels such as biodiesel, straight vegetable oil (SVO), waste vegetable oil (WVO), etc.
Accessories Condition: All power windows function excellent. Sunroof works excellent. Central locking works excellent. Air conditioning/heater/defroster all work excellent. Becker AM/FM cassette stereo and power antenna work excellent. Instrument cluster gauges all work excellent, including; clock, odometer, tachometer, tripometer, rheostat illumination switch, oil pressure gauge, temperature gauge, fuel gauge, etc. Seats adjust smooth and proper. Glove compartment opens/closes/locks properly. One key fits front doors, rear hatch, and glove compartment (1 spare key included). Headlights work excellent, along with high beams, fog lights, brake lights, parking lights (side markers), reverse lights, both dome lights, turn signals, trunk light, license plate lights, glove compartment light, accessory switch illumination lights, instrument cluster lights, etc.
General Wear and Optional Repairs: Cruise control does not set and hold properly. The center climate vents do not blow as efficiently as the side, defrost and lower climate vents, with that said, the A/C and heat cool and warm the cabin very effectively.
History: (I have owned this car twice) The original owner purchased this wagon new from The House of Imports in Buena Park, CA in June of 1983, and sold it to the second owner in 1992. I purchased this car from the second owner in Newport Beach California in the fall of 2007, and until last year, this wagon spent its entire life in California. I sold the car via eBay in December of 2007 for $19,500 to a gentleman in Essex, Connecticut. He was a former Mercedes-Benz corporation employee and an avid MB enthusiast. He purchased the wagon at his wife’s request–after years of driving newer luxury station wagons, she decided she wanted here old 300TD back, which they had owned several of in the past. After selling this wagon to him last year, he continued to add to its amazing condition by replacing items just for his own fanatical pleasure (example; new Bosio fuel injectors, factory MB differential, completely new A/C system, new Boge shocks, etc., all validated through records). Recently, his wife decided she wanted a Prius hybrid, and so he offered me the option of purchasing the wagon back at a fair price. This is how I came upon owning it again. I flew out to Madison, CT in October and enjoyed an amazing drive through New England during Indian Summer. I have all previous owner contact information. Currently, it is parked safely in my garage awaiting its new home. *Further historical documentation upon request.