MBDoc is right, the condenser was just used for radio suppression. During a period MB was having so much trouble with the points turning blue and fouling that they told everyone to cut the condenser wire. For years afterward I would see a customer trying to buy a condenser cause some "Fool" had cut his (bg).

I have seen many a modified system in these cars as the point triggered transistor system was very crude. MBNA made a very nice system (TRW actually made it for them). I haven't seen one in years. We have installed "Allison" optical systems on many. This is extremely valuable as the points cause the distributors to wear from their one directional loading. This affects the trigger points in the bottom of the distributor. Very expensive distributor. Installing the optical system can restore the usefulness of a distributor with shaft wobble.

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Steve Brotherton
Continental Imports
Gainesville FL
Bosch Master, ASE Master, L1
33 years MB technician