Check out the New Ride!
 

My new car, a 79 300d euro 4 speed. She runs well but looks like crap. Interior will need to be completly redone. A few rust spots but a strong runner and shifter. It has a factory rebuilt motor

So I've done some detailing of the paint and am far from finished. I'll probably have it mostly done by thursday evening. It is actually coming out pretty nice.

The car came (to me) with us lights but the white fogs were cracked and only one of the sealed beams worked. I switched them out for the US lights I took off of the 81 euro. The bezels are still a little cracked, but it still looks ok. If I can find a cheap pair of euro lights, I will grab them and put them on. I would prefer the round style for this car.

Turns out I won't be able to unbolt the bumper. The impact pushed it in and the bracket collapsed and I can't get to the bolt. I plan on leaving it on there untill I find another decent bumper and a saw will remove the current one.

As far as the pictures go, remember that car was only washed twice during its last 30,000 miles.

The motor is very dirty and all of the air filter mounts are gone! I can pick it off the intake manifold! I need to do brakes as well and will need the valves adjusted

Ok, here are the pictures from when I brought it home. She is DIRTY!
http://www.maj.com/gallery/Boardmonger/79-300d/1.jpg
http://www.maj.com/gallery/Boardmonger/79-300d/2.jpg
http://www.maj.com/gallery/Boardmonger/79-300d/3.jpg

Check out that sweet interior. I'm ready for some new seats:
http://www.maj.com/gallery/Boardmonger/79-300d/4.jpg
http://www.maj.com/gallery/Boardmonger/79-300d/5.jpg


And here is what a little deatailing can do (those are paint chips by the star :( ):
http://www.maj.com/gallery/Boardmonger/79-300d/6.jpg
http://www.maj.com/gallery/Boardmonger/79-300d/7.jpg
http://www.maj.com/gallery/Boardmonger/79-300d/8.jpg

It is amazing, on the un-detailed side you can't even see your reflection in the paint. On the other side it is pretty clear.

Once it is all done I will take photos of it besides her three brothers. Red, beige and blue. :D

I hope you guys like her. She will be a project but it will be so worth it.

Running cost so far $650
Project goal: >$1700 including purchase

How do you get those freakin euro's!? My dad and i have been hunting for a manual 300D to replace his auto 300D!

Nice find though.. looks like it has great potential!

Craigslist is an amazing resource. You have to be ready to jump on a decent car. I've been lucky and was first to see both cars I bought. If you look you will find one. They pop up 1 or so a month. About 6 months back there was a nice 300d euro (might have been a 5er) with 96000 miles, asking price was $500. It probably sold for at least 5 grand. Just keep your eyes open and don't hesitate.

on craigslist!!!!right under my nose!! man now im really mad! well if you ever decide to sell it you know who to PM;)

Yea I'm not really sure what the plan is for this car. It was posted at 11, I called at 12 and made the deposit by 3, so it was only posted for 4 hours. You gotta be fast :D

wow.. man you revitalized that paint.. tell me what did you do.. the 79 240D in my sig needs to shine again.. (well the hood is toast couple rust spots)

It won't win any trophies at car shows but that wasn't why you bought it.

But for non turbo diesel performance, this one is near as good as it gets.

The euro upholstery is worth repairing (or just slip some nice sheepskin seat covers on it) and tidy up the interior and wax it up, and you will have a nice driver.

The manual transmission will please you and give you more oomph than the automatic.

It's instantly identifiable as the euro model because of lack of "DIESEL" script on the right of the trunk lid (Don 't know why the euro W123 300Ds have it like that) and of course, the euro bumper and
trailer hitch on it.

Good save! You get bragging rights with a 123 Diesel 4 speed in the United States for sure, and a good car that it will be worth fixing up and driving.
Miles of smiles ahead for you on this one!

Only Americans don't know what D stands for.

Sixto

hmm. seeing that it has a tow-hook and socket, i wonder if it has a set of heavy duty suspension at the back.

It is actually my second euro 4 speed :D

They really are great cars. I may consider re-upholstering but it is so much easier to find a new seat. Maybe I will do that short term and look for someone that car redo the seats. I have a feeling finding the right cloth may be a bit tricky.

Anyways, I am almost done buffing out the drivers side. It isn't perfect but it is about 300 times better then before. Turns out the car was repainted and they actually did a decent job except the taping around the rear window seal. That is the only overspray. One of the previous owners cared for the car with the factory replacement engine, but for the last 4-5 years it has really been neglected.

I need a cheap front bumper!