Manual 240D Looks Factory Fresh After 40 Years
Pastel Blue beauty with only 93,000 original miles is 240D perfection. Best of all, it’s a four-speed manual, and it’s for sale!
Everyone loves a W123 Mercedes! Unfortunately, finding them in super pristine condition is getting to be a harder and harder task. This especially rings true if you’re on the hunt for the legendary 240D. Diesel Mercedes vehicles were rode hard and put up wet for the most part. So, finding one in good shape is a rare opportunity. Finding one with low mileage? Well, that’s virtually unheard of. However, that brings us to our focal point here.
This pristine 1979 Mercedes-Benz 240D on Bring A Trailer is about as perfect as a 240D could get. It’s got everything a diesel W123 hunter could want. Well, except for a low price. The auction has three days remaining at the time of writing, and the bids have already soared to $13,750. However, once you dig into the photos, you realize that’s not a bad price for what you’re getting.
This Car Is the Textbook Definition of a Time Capsule
Based on the Bring A Trailer listing making no mention of restoration, it seems this car is all-original. However, that is almost impossible to believe based on the condition of the interior. Despite having 93,000 miles on the odometer, it looks as if nobody has ever so much as breathed inside this car. Even the steering wheel, gear shifter, and pedals look virtually untouched. That’s no small feat!
As one might expect with an auction of this caliber, all the original manufacturer’s literature is included. This includes the owner’s manual, maintenance booklet, warranty booklet, etc. Additionally, it consists of the vehicle’s complete service history and a clean Texas title. It even comes with a car cover!
This 240D Is Just as Clean Under the Hood as It Is Everywhere Else
There’s virtually no sign of aging under the hood of this W123, either. All of the plastics and rubber hoses even look as if they were installed on an assembly line yesterday.
Of course, the OM616 diesel engine found in the 240D is not known for being a speed demon. With its factory power output of 67 horsepower and 97 pound-feet of torque, you won’t be winning any drag races. According to Fuelly, though, you’ll get an average of around 27 miles per gallon. That’s pretty dang good for cruising around with this much style.
Recent maintenance to the engine should keep it running in tip-top shape, too. The seller states that in 2022 it had a valve adjustment, oil change, fuel injector cleaning, Monark fuel nozzles, water separator, fuel filter, and fuel return hoses replaced. Best yet, the service also included an overhaul of the AC compressor.
Overall, this gorgeous old 240D is one of the nicest examples we’re likely to ever see come up for sale. After all, this vehicle has only had an average of about 2,160 miles put on it per year for the last 43 years. This is absolutely a perfect driver’s car for someone who wants a collector-clean vehicle but doesn’t have to feel guilty about taking it out for a drive.
Photos: Bring A Trailer