SOLD! $20,000 ~ New home, Sandy Valley Ranch, Nevada
1979 MERCEDES-BENZ 300TD Diesel
Model W123 Touring Diesel Wagon
139,000 Original Miles Since New!
*Rare* Colorado Beige with Bamboo MB-Tex
One Owner Since New!
California Car, No Rust, 100% Original Paint
Complete Documented History…
FOR AN ADDITIONAL 72 HIGH RESOLUTION PHOTOS Click Here!
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.
Description: Colorado Beige exterior (MB paint code 470) with Bamboo 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, hydropneumatic rear axle level control, *optional manual sunroof, *optional luggage rack and cross bars, A/C and heat automatic climate control, 6-point central locking system (including doors, trunk, rear hatch and fuel door), power steering, cruise control, original Becker Mexico AM/FM Cassette 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 stainless steel Colorado Beige hubcaps, front 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, rear windshield wiper and mist, zebrano wood dash trim and console, 4 retracting 3-point inertia reel safety belts, 1 center middle seat lap safety belt, 120 standard safety features (including unitized steel construction with over 4,700 weld points), berber wool loop carpet, rear middle seat divide 2/3 left 1/3 right, 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, 18.5 gallon fuel tank including 2.9 gallon reserve, 27 plus MPG, Owner’s Manual, Mercedes-Benz dealership stamped Maintenance Booklet, extensive auto journal/log, which includes every fueling, lubrication, repair, tires, even a trip diary, along with other original Mercedes-Benz literature. Original retail price in December of 1979, $26,086.
Exterior Condition: The Colorado Beige paint is 100% original and 100% rust free. The condition is absolutely phenomenal! It is clear and deep, not faded or oxidized, and literally shines like brand new. There are a few very, very minor blemishes, but the overall impression is astonishing. 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, 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 rear hatch is near perfect, with absolutely no fading or scratches. The factory 14” alloy steel rims and original matching Colorado Beige hubcaps are in perfect condition; I located 5 original stainless steel hubcaps, not chrome, and had them polished and painted, with a matching 5th hubcap for the spare. The Michelin 195/70/R14 tires are like new, along with the factory spare in the rear compartment. The original factory tool kit is still in its unopened plastic packaging. The era correct pinstripe is excellent, and shows only a slight patina in one or two places, given its 30 year age. The original door seals, trunk seal, glass seals, rubber weather-stripping, etc., are still soft, pliable and in excellent like new condition. The original factory glass is excellent. The original chrome 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 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).
Interior Condition: The interior to this wagon is absolutely stunning! It is nothing short of going to the Dealership in 1979 and purchasing the car brand new. The Bamboo 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, with virtually no wear at all. 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. The door panels have absolutely no stretching, ripples or tears, and the map pockets are excellent without any cracks or scuffs. 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 EXTREMELY LOW MILES FOR A WAGON 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, AND THERE IS NO SUN SHRINKAGE OF THE PUCKER MOLDINGS (i.e. the molded bamboo colored plastic that surrounds each interior window frame). All of these items are unusually flawless given the sunny California weather.
Mechanical Condition: This wagon 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 27 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, hydropneumatic rear axle level control works excellent and proper, 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, 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 (2 original keys included; master and spare). 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 Cassette 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, license plate lights, glove compartment light, accessory switch illumination lights, instrument cluster lights, etc.
History: This car was purchased on December 17, 1979 from Mission Viejo Imports, in Mission Viejo, California, by Mr. & Mrs. J. & S. Common of Costa Mesa, California. The wagon has remained in Costa Mesa ever since. I purchased the car from them back in January and have spent the past few months lovingly restoring the car back to its showroom-like condition.
NOTE: This car has the most extensive maintenance log and diary I have ever seen, and I have seen many similar to this, (i.e. every recorded fueling since new, including the odometer reading at the time of fueling, how many gallons consumed, cost of fuel, miles per gallon, etc. Also, every lubrication service, repair service, maintenance service, tires, trip diary, etc. over 100 pages in total, which includes everything that has ever happened to the wagon. INCREDIBLE!
Price: $20,000