1985 Mercedes-Benz 300 CD Turbo Diesel

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Last Year Made: 1985 Mercedes 300CD Turbodiesel Coupe - If it wasn't for the oil crisis of the 1970s, a legislative mandate forcing automakers to offer cars that drink less of the precious Black Gold would have been unlikely to pass. Consequently, the traditional American luxo-cruisers shrunk in size, becoming gutless wonders in the process. In desperation, Cadillac introduced the flawed 8-6-4 power plant, whereas Daimler-Benz dared to do something nobody was prepared for: fit a thrifty Diesel engine into a Mercedes luxury Coupe. Fast forward to 2005. All of a sudden, it's deja vu all over again! Gasoline prices have soared to dizzying heights and the fuel efficient Diesel engine, long established in Europe as the smart alternative to its gas-guzzling counterpart, is suddenly hip again. A veritable fleet of Diesel-powered cars and light trucks will be sold in the US from mid-2006 on, and home-grown Biodiesel, a renewable energy source, will not only reduce emissions dramatically, but will be more affordable than ever! Being the only turbocharged Coupe ever sold in the US by Mercedes Benz, from 1982 to 1985, the legendary 300CD Turbo Diesel is special, very special indeed, simultaneously being thrifty and luxurious, sturdy and fashionable. The car for auction here, VIN *WDBAB53A5FA199807* was manufactured in Stuttgart, Germany, in September of 1984, exactly 21 years ago. It was sold new on January 11, 1985 at MERCEDES-BENZ of BEVERLY HILLS and has remained a California resident ever since. In fact, this rare Mercedes is still registered to its original California "Sunset" license plates, which are included. Factory Owner's Manual and stamped Maintenance Booklet are included, the latter one illuminating the car's service history. After being sold at MERCEDES-BENZ of BEVERLY HILLS, the prestigious dealership maintained the car religiously until 1990, when the car was acquired by its second owner, a gentleman from Montrose, California. He, too, had the car serviced "by the book" for another five years, until it was sold to its third owner, a resident of Orange County, California. Let's have a closer look! It's no secret: the Stuttgart-built W123 Coupe is one of the safest cars on the road. It's built like a tank and features wide doors that close with the precision of a Swiss bank vault. But at the same time it's a pillar-less Hardtop that radiates timeless elegance. Bone stock, this star cruiser still walks on its factory original, date-coded, forged alloy wheels, all of which are in fabulous condition and are shod with GOODYEAR tires of the correct dimension 195/70-14. Doors and hoods align perfectly. Sporting a very distinctive factory color, Anthracite Metallic (paint code 172G), the Coupe looks stunning. The finish is a recent repaint in the original color, smooth and glossy, without any fading, dents, or dings. More important than a shiny exterior, however, is a car's structural integrity. Being a California resident since new, this car never had any rust or rust repair, ever. There's not the tiniest bubble to be found. The undercarriage presents itself virginal, with not an ounce of non-factory undercoating anywhere. It's as good as it gets! Befitting a Mercedes Coupe, this 300CD comes fully equipped. From power windows and door locks, to electric sunroof, air conditioning and cruise control, every important amenity you would expect from a modern luxury-class automobile is included. Of course, there also is an updated SONY Stereo system with 10-CD-changer. What this car doesn't have is a bunch of useless, trouble-prone, and expensive-to-repair electronics, thank goodness! 300CD's sanitary engine compartment is dominated by the final evolution of Mercedes' legendary cast-iron Diesel engine: the turbocharged, 3.0-liter, inline 5-cylinder. Boasting an abundance of torque, 50% more horsepower (120 instead of 80), and improved fuel economy, compared to the non-turbocharged variety, the big Turbo Diesel humms along happily at 80mph, achieving between 27 and 33 miles to the gallon. It's no secret: the OM617A engine has rightfully gained a reputation of being almost indestructible. Many W123 Diesels have managed to travel literally hundreds of thousands of miles without needing an engine rebuild. Finding a pampered California 300CD--like the one for auction here--has become a difficult task! Dash is original and well-preserved, apart from a few fine hairline cracks, much too small to show on a photo, as is the large steering wheel. Genuine Zebrano (zebra wood) veneer still looks nice and creates a most appreciated feeling of luxury. There's a small chip in the windshield. Power-operated steel sunroof with wind deflector, made by WEBASTO to exacting MB standards and installed at the factory, adds a whole new dimension to this Coupe. Roll down the side windows completely, open the sunroof, and it almost feels like driving a convertible! Both interior lights work and the tan factory headliner still looks immaculate. Wide, extra-comfy sofa chairs radiate the Deutsche Gemütlichkeit of the Bavarian Hofbrauhaus. There are no rips or tears; these seats are still firm! Tan-colored, high-quality velour carpeting has been protected by original Mercedes-Benz floor mats since day one and looks terrific. Though being an elegant 2+2-style Coupe, the 300CD features a retractable center armrest for the back seat, turning the car into a full five-seater, with safety belts for three in the rear. The old-world craftsmanship of the 123-series Coupe is apparent everywhere. Even after 21 years, this car's cabin looks very inviting. Are you ready for a test drive? Wait, there is one more area to inspect: the trunk. Fully carpeted, cavernous luggage compartment, large enough for several vacation suitcases plus golf bags, is as clean and tidy as the remainder of the car. Original, date-coded spare wheel, tire jack, and complete factory tool kit are present and appear to be unused. There are no signs of any rust or water damage. Everything looks as good as it gets, almost brand new! Did you notice the 10-disc CD-changer and SONY power amplifiers? Time for the long-anticipated test drive. How does the Turbo Diesel behave on the open road? Exceedingly well, we are happy to report. September 5, the day we took all of these pictures, was another mild fall day in paradise. It felt wonderful to open the sunroof and let the sunshine in while cruising down Ventura's palm-lined boulevards. The car starts easily, does not use oil, everything feels tight; there are no rattles or squeaks. Accessories like air conditioning, power windows, and power sunroof work fine. Sensibly priced, this fine motorcar is a very viable and smart alternative to the gas-guzzling heavyweights of the New Millennium. Perfectly healthy, this Diesel-sipper looks prestigious and still is thriftier than most of the pint-sized econo-boxes from Asia. Devoid of mysterious black boxes and big-brother-type control systems forced upon new car buyers, it is destined to live forever. Give it minimal attention--such as regular oil changes--and you'll have a faithful four-fendered companion for thousands and thousands of miles to come. Best of all, at the dawn of a new time, amid the re-discovery of the Diesel engine as the way of the future, the wide-spread distribution of Biodiesel being just around the corner, you'll be ahead of the game. Once gasoline costs six bucks a gallon, as it is the case in most countries already, you'll be the one laughing all the way to the filling station!