SOLD! $15,500 ~ New home, Santa Monica, California
1978 MERCEDES-BENZ 300D Diesel
Model W123 Sedan
38,000 Original Miles Since New!
Astral Silver Metallic with Blue MB-Tex
One Owner Until 2008!
California Car with Complete Documented History
FOR AN ADDITIONAL 54 HIGH RESOLUTION PHOTOS Click Here!
Description: Astral Silver Metallic exterior (MB paint code 735) with Blue MB-Tex vinyl upholstery. 5-Cylinder, 3.0 liter, pre-chamber fuel-injection, normally aspirated diesel, single overhead cam, 4-speed automatic transmission, power assisted 11″ diameter 4-wheel disc brakes, 4-wheel fully independent suspension, A/C and heat automatic climate control, 6-point central locking system (including doors, trunk, and fuel door), power steering, cruise control, original Becker Europa AM/FM stereo with 4 wide range speakers and adjustable height power antenna, electrically heated rear windshield, quartz chronometer, 3-way adjustable driver front bucket seats, parcel nets on front seat backrests, 14” alloy wheels with matching Astral Silver hubcaps, front and rear center folding arm rest, front center cargo tray, halogen head lamps, halogen fog lamps, factory light tinted glass, 2-speed windshield wiper with 5-second interval mist control, zebrano wood dash trim and console, 4 retracting 3-point inertia reel safety belts, 120 standard safety features (including unitized steel construction with over 4,700 weld points), Berber wool loop carpet, driver accessible rear dome light switch, headlamp turn-off warning device, optional right and left side controlled parking light illumination, full spare and tool kit, road-side trunk reflector, first-aid kit, 17.2 gallon fuel tank, 28 plus MPG, Owner’s Manual, Mercedes-Benz dealership stamped Maintenance Booklet, along with other original Mercedes-Benz literature.
Interior Condition: The interior to this sedan is absolutely stunning! It is nothing short of going to the Dealership in 1978 and purchasing the car brand new. The Blue MB-Tex vinyl upholstery is in perfect, like new condition. There are no rips, no tears, no fading, no diminished support in the padding, no pleats that have shifted beneath the stitching, and virtually no wear whatsoever. The parcel nets on the front seat backrests are snug against the seats. The original Berber wool loop carpet still has the factory sheen, which you only find on low mileage examples, and it is excellent, without any stains, fading, unraveling, and virtually no wear at all. Further, I have the original set of Mecedes-Benz Coco Sisal Floor Mats, which add an authentic era correct touch. The real zebrano wood dash and console trim are stunning, with a clear, deep and durable shine, and there are absolutely no cracks or fading. The headliner looks brand new, as do the sun visors. The door panels and map pockets are excellent without any cracks, scuffs or tears. The original unopened first-aid kit appears to have never been used. The instrument cluster is stunningly bright, without any faded needles or aging. The accessory switches, knobs, buttons, turn signal lever, cruise control lever, 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 roadside trunk reflector and original tool kit, jack, etc. are all in excellent condition.
NOTE: VALIDATION TO BEING GARAGE KEPT AND HAVING ASTRONOMICALLY LOW MILES IS EVIDENT IN THAT THERE ARE ABSOLUTELY NO CRACKS IN THE DASH, THE EXTERIOR POLISHED ALUMINUM TRIM HAS ABSOLUTELY NO FADING, THE ORIGINAL RUBBER WINDSHIELD GASKETS AND BUMPER SLEEVES ARE PERFECT, ORIGINAL CARPET STILL HAS FACTORY SHEEN, ORIGINAL BRAKE PEDAL PAD HAS VIRTUALLY NO WEAR, AND THERE IS NO SUN SHRINKAGE OF THE PUCKER MOLDINGS (i.e. the molded blue colored plastic that surrounds each interior window frame). All of these items are unusually flawless given the sun drenched southern California weather.
Exterior Condition: The exterior condition, specifically the paint, is going to be difficult to describe, and because of this, I am hoping to sell the car locally to someone who can see it first hand. I am not saying this to discourage any potential buyers who are out of the area, I am just letting those interested know that the paint looks different in person than in the photos. Now, with that said, I will try my best to describe its appearance. From a distance, and in certain lighting, the paint looks phenomenal. It is clear, with a deep shine, and it looks excellent. But, in other lighting (i.e. direct sunlight during mid-day), the paint shows a defect in the clear coat. The clear coat is not peeling in any way, and to the touch it is as smooth as silk, but instead, the failing clear coat is in the form of very, very fine scratches. This defect can be seen best in photo #30, on the top of the fender just above the pinstripe. Astral Silver is highly metallic, and this color, along with many other Mercedes-Benz metallic colors from this era have the same problem. In fact, Mercedes-Benz warrantied this defect for many years, although they no longer honor this given the vehicle’s age. The paint is mostly original, about 85%, although it has been repainted along the passenger side below the belt molding door trim, and in this area you do not see the clear coat problem. It was repainted when the first owner scratched it in a parking lot. There are a few very, very minor blemishes other than those, but I feel the overall impression is still excellent. In fact, to me, the patina of the original paint, even with the clear coat defect, just adds character to this car because the mileage is so astronomically low. Now, the rest of the exterior is excellent! The polished aluminum trim, which wraps all of the exterior glass and also runs along the roof rails is brilliant, without any scratches or fading, the latter being a telltale indicator that the car has always been garage kept. Both the front and rear bumpers are in excellent condition without any scratches in the chrome, and the rubber body sleeves and bumper guards are in like new condition as well. The original belt molding body trim, which lines all of the doors, fenders, quarter panels and trunk is near perfect, with absolutely no fading or scratches. The factory 14” light alloy rims and original matching Astral Silver hubcaps are in excellent condition, with only a slight patina on the 31 year old hubcaps. The Michelin tires still have 75% of their tread, the spare tire is like new and appears to have never been used, and the same goes for the original factory tool kit and jack. The trunk compartment is excellent, and also appears to have never been used. Era correct pinstripe has a slight patina, although it has not been polished through in any section, and it looks great. The original door seals, trunk seal, glass seals, rubber weather-stripping, etc., are excellent, and the original factory glass is excellent as well. The original chrome grill is excellent. The original headlamp housings are unbelievably excellent, as are the side markers, and all of the emblems are bright, shiny and excellent. The taillights are bright and flawless without scratches or fading. Original factory signature window sticker, interior stickers, interior door jam specification plate, dealership inspection signature sticker, etc. are all excellent.
NOTE: THE UNDERCARRIAGE, FUEL DOOR OPENING, FUEL LINES, ETC., STILL HAVE THE ORIGINAL RUST PROTECTIVE COSMOLINE WAX UNDERCOATING (see photos), AND THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO RUST ANYWHERE ON THE VEHICLE. This coating is a wax like material which the factory spread on top of its already 30 pounds of plasticized vinyl (i.e. a think blanket of rust protection on the underbelly and hidden cavities of the body).
Mechanical Condition: This sedan runs absolutely excellent and has been exceptionally well maintained since new. Its durable and fuel efficient 3.0 liter, 5-cylinder diesel motor is smooth and strong, and it gets an average of 28 plus MPG. Cold starts are instantaneous, which is validation to its low miles, and the motor, chassis and engine compartment are exceptionally clean and dry. The transmission shifts sure, timely, and proper. Independent suspension is solid and comfortable, and the steering is tight and responsive. Recently the car received its scheduled maintenance service, new front and rear brake pads, valve adjustment, new fuel filters, A/C service including retrofitting to receive R134 refrigerant, 40k service which included flushing all of the fluids, etc., and there are currently no pending maintenance issues.
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. Central locking works fast and proper, and one key fits front doors, trunk, and glove compartment (3 original keys included; master, spare and valet key). Cruise control sets and holds properly. Air conditioning/heater/defroster all work efficient and excellent, and blow from the proper vents respectively. Becker Europa AM/FM stereo works excellent, along with adjustable height power antenna. Instrument cluster gauges all work excellent, including; clock, odometer, tripometer, rheostat illumination switch, oil pressure gauge, temperature gauge, fuel gauge, etc. Seats adjust smooth and proper. Glove box compartment opens/closes/locks properly. 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.
History: This car was purchased on Valentine’s Day, 1978, at Downtown Los Angles Mercedes-Benz, for a Mrs. F. Pike (note the “PIKE 3″ personalized blue and yellow CA license plate in photo 50, and this is also shown on the original accompanying MB Data Plate). The car was driven somewhat regularly in the first several years, and even made a trip to Greenville, SC in April of 1979 according to the Mercedes-Benz Dealership Maintenance Booklet (i.e. 9,000 miles Lubrication Service performed by Snyder’s Auto Sales in Greenville, SC). For the past 20 years the car has only been driven about 500 miles per year, due to the owner’s limited neighborhood driving and her age. Below are some of the dates/mileage of the scheduled maintenance and lubrication services it has received, which are stamped in the Mercedes-Benz Maintenance Booklet:
- 03/20/78 658 miles Downtown L.A. Motors
- 05/30/78 2,254 miles Downtown L.A. Motors
- 04/10/79 6,015 miles Downtown L.A. Motors
- 04/26/79 8,821 miles Snyder’s Auto Sales, Greenville, SC
- 05/24/79 12,442 miles Downtown L.A. Motors
- 11/27/79 17,003 miles Downtown L.A. Motors
- 06/10/80 18,986 miles Downtown L.A. Motors
- 04/20/81 19,909 miles Downtown L.A. Motors
- 09/25/81 20,276 miles Downtown L.A. Motors
- 05/24/83 21,800 miles Downtown L.A. Motors
- 10/09/84 23,156 miles Downtown L.A. Motors
- 11/22/86 24,811 miles Ben Ghaneian Motors, Los Angeles, CA
- 03/04/88 26,316 miles Glendale German Auto, Glendale, CA
- 06/28/89 27,393 miles Glendale German Auto, Glendale, CA
- 03/20/93 30,017 miles Glendale German Auto, Glendale, CA
- 03/13/97 33,449 miles Calstar Motors, Glendale, CA
- 02/07/02 35,848 miles Calstar Motors, Glendale, CA
- 04/23/08 37,903 miles Mercedes-Benz of South Bay, Torrance, CA
- 11/17/09 38,219 miles Maurices Mercedes Service, Costa Mesa, CA
In April of 2008 the car was sold to a neighbor of the first owner, who only put several hundred miles on it during the 8 months he owned it. I purchased the car from him in November and have spent the past few months lovingly restoring the car back to its showroom-like condition. Currently it is parked safely in my garage here in Los Angeles, California awaiting its new home. *Further historical information upon request.
Price: $15,500