FWIW, forum member JimmyL has an early model 123 (1977?) 300D with the older, OM617.910 oil filter configuration.

Something else to consider is that in the mid 1970s in most of the world, diesel Mercedes were generally percieved as utilitarian vehicles while in the USA, they were beginning to be positioned as a luxury product, loaded with features such as remote door locks, power windows and climate control. The gorilla (pull-to-start, push-to-stop) knob is more closely associated with agricultural implements and not with a $20,000+ vehicle, targeted to the white-bread, American, key-turning, Cadillac/Lincoln crowd.

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