Was 78 the first year for the 300D. I once owned a 77 240 and love it and now I have 78 300D which I love just the same. I concur with other members of the forum that we don't buy these cars for high speed/performance but for the love and duribility of MB DIESEL.. I will say that my 78 300D NA (161k) has as much get-up and go as my 87 300D Turbo(321k).