Mercedes Motoring Mercedes-Benz restoration, back road exploration!

Diesel Sedan

1980 300D Diesel Sedan

  • RARE! Walnut Brown with Palomino MB-Tex
  • 89,000 documented miles since new
  • 100% original paint, sunroof
  • single family owned, garaged since new
  • Sold

Description: Walnut Brown exterior (MB paint code 479) with Palomino MB-Tex interior. 5-Cylinder, 3.0 liter, fuel-injected, normally aspirated diesel, single overhead cam, 4-speed automatic transmission, power assisted 4-wheel disc brakes, 4-wheel independent suspension, optional electric sunroof, A/C and heat automatic climate control, power windows, central locking, power steering, cruise control, original Becker Europa AM/FM stereo with adjustable sleeve height power antenna, additionally there is a 6-disc Mercedes-Benz cd player in the trunk and Mercedes-Benz cassette deck in dash, electrically heated rear windshield, quartz chronometer, 3-way adjustable front seats, parcel nets on front seat backrests, 14” steel wheels with matching upgraded stainless steel (not chrome) Walnut Brown hubcaps, additional set of 14” powder coated Bundt wheels, front and rear center folding arm rests, front center cargo tray, halogen head lamps, halogen amber fog lamps, 2-speed windshield wiper with 5-second mist interval control, zebrano wood dash trim, 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 (never been used) and tool kit, road-side trunk reflector, first-aid kit, Owner's Manual,  along with other original Mercedes-Benz literature.

Exterior Condition: The Walnut Brown paint is 100% original. 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 anodized aluminum glass trim, which wraps all of the exterior glass and also runs along the roof rails, etc., is brilliant and shines, free of any fading, the latter being a telltale indicator of a car that has always been garage kept. The factory 14” steel rims and original matching stainless steel Walnut Brown hubcaps are in excellent condition and were recently refinished. The Michelin 195/70/R14 tires are brand new. The original full spare tire has never been used and still has the factory marks on the rubber. The trunk compartment is excellent. Era correct pinstripe is excellent. Seals are excellent. 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 STILL HAS TRACES OF THE ORIGINAL PROTECTIVE COSMOLINE UNDERCOATING.

Interior Condition: The interior to this sedan is absolutely stunning!  It is nothing short of going to the Dealership in 1980 and purchasing the car brand new. The Palomino MB-Tex 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 is flawless, without any stains, fading, unraveling, and virtually no wear at all. The zebrano wood dash trim was recently refinished and is beautiful! It is clear and deep with a durable shine, and there are absolutely no cracks or fading. The headliner looks brand new. 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 bright and flawless, without any faded needles or aging.  The accessory switches, knobs, buttons, turn signal lever, cruise control lever, etc., are 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, original tool kit, jack, etc., are all in excellent condition.  NOTE: VALIDATION TO BEING GARAGE KEPT IS EVIDENT IN THAT THERE ARE ABSOLUTELY NO CRACKS IN THE DASH. FURTHER, THIS CAR WAS FITTED WITH TINTED WINDOWS AND SHEEPSKIN SEAT COVERS WHEN PURCHASED NEW, WHICH IS ANOTHER REASON WHY THE INTERIOR IS SO WELL PRESERVED (i.e. bright red seat belt push buttons, no fading on the MB-Tex vinyl, rear dash carpet and speaker grills are like new, etc.)

Mechanical Condition: This sedan runs absolutely excellent! It has been exceptionally well maintained since new, and has never missed a single scheduled service. Its durable and fuel efficient 3.0 liter, 5-cylinder diesel motor is smooth and strong, and it gets an average of 29MPG. 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 without any play. 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, etc. There are currently no pending maintenance issues. NOTE: THIS CAR WOULD BE A PERFECT CANDIDATE FOR ANY ALTERNATIVE FUELS, SUCH AS BIODIESEL, PURE VEGETABLE OIL, WASTE VEGETABLE OIL, ETC. 

Accessories Condition: All power windows function excellent. Electric sunroof works smooth and excellent. Central locking works fast and excellent. Cruise control sets and holds properly. Air conditioning/heater/defroster all work excellent, and blow heat and air from the proper vents respectively. Becker Europa AM/FM stereo works excellent, along with adjustable height power antenna. Instrument cluster gages all work excellent, including; clock, odometer, tripometer, rheostat illumination switch, oil pressure gage, temperature gage, fuel gage, etc. Seats adjust smooth and proper. Glove box compartment opens/closes/locks properly. One key fits front doors, trunk, and glove compartment (2 original keys including valet key). 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 light, instrument cluster lights, etc.

History: This car was purchased in the Summer of 1980 at Jim Slemmons Imports in Irvine, California. It was owned by an elderly woman until 7 years ago when she passed it onto her Son. He cared for the car equally as well as her, and most of the work was done through the local Mercedes-Benz dealer. There are over $25,000 in records and receipts from maintenance throughout the years. 

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