Has anyone removed the trim from a 123? I just wonder what it would look like with smooth panels.
Trunk might be hard to open/close. That trim around the back is what I grab.

Sounds like you have a new project in the works. I bet it would look pretty sharp. I might add the piin stripping thats just above the trim if you don't have it. I think it would be pretty tough to fill the hole properly without the filler breaking out eventually

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Some trucks, such as any year of Chevy, looks good shaved. I do not think I would do it to a Benz though. I really like to keep these older cars in original condition. Original and in-tact trim is just one of the many things that add to the appearance of a well-taken care of old Benz.

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2005 Accord Hybrid (Wifes)
1995 Subaru Impreza L AWD (Snow car)
1984 GMC Sierra 1500 (Mine)
1983 300CD Best $ I ever spent. (Mine)
1984 190D (sold and glad I did)
1983 300D (sold and wished I hadn't)

To fill the hole properly would mean little or no use of a filler (bondo). It can be done with a mig welder, grinder and a two part primer (something catalyzed)

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2005 Accord Hybrid (Wifes)
1995 Subaru Impreza L AWD (Snow car)
1984 GMC Sierra 1500 (Mine)
1983 300CD Best $ I ever spent. (Mine)
1984 190D (sold and glad I did)
1983 300D (sold and wished I hadn't)

yep, weld and grind. then enjoy all the chipped paint you get from *********s in the parking lot banging their doors into your fresh green paint.

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1984 123.193 372,xxx miles, room for Seven.

1999 Dodge Durango Cummins 4BTAA 47RE 5k lb 4x4 getting 25+mpgs, room for Seven.

I picked up a beater 300D a few months back for the 617/trans. It runs and drives so well I can't bring myself to part it out.
The paint, trim is rough so I got to thinking...
There's some rust so I am not to opposed to hack it up a bit to make something interesting.
I'm thinking of pulling the bumpers in a bit, shaving the trim and mounting some 16" chrome Centras I have here. Euro bumpers and lights would be nice but that would be more than I paid for the car.
Cheap pimp.

I'd fill those trim holes with metal or hairy bondo.

The W123 is one of the only cars that the has trim that is functional.

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1979 240D- 316K miles - VGT Turbo, Intercooler, Stick Shift, Many Other Mods - Daily Driver

1982 300SD - 232K miles - Wife's Daily Driver

1986 560SL - Wife's red speed machine

Well, some day soon you will be getting a W123 that doesn't have any of the trim pieces on it. Or lights. Or bumpers. Or mirrors. Or exhaust. Or regulators. Or ignition sw. Or anything under the hood. (well, actually engine and tranny are by the garage )
It does have a pretty good front suspension, and what looks to be brand new upper control arms. Oh, and those black seats.....

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Jimmy L.
'05 Acura TL 6MT
2001 ML430 My Spare

Gone:
'95 E300 188K "Batmobile" Texas Unfriendly Black
'85 300TD 235K "The Wagon" Texas Friendly White
'80 240D 154K "China" Scar engine installed
'81 300TD 240K "Smash"
'80 240D 230K "The Squash"
'81 240D 293K"Scar" Rear ended harder than Elton John

Maybe I'd better come see what's left.

I could use a few panels if its not too rusty. And, the black interior...

I still wanna pull that motor apart just to have a look.

This weekend works for me if its not too cold.

Haven't sold my pressure washer have you?

I will give the pressure washer back, but I am gonna put it in the trunk of the 300D and have it welded shut!
I'll give you a call. Saturday if full with daughter birthday stuff, but Sunday is wide open after church.
I love the black seats in that car. Perfect arm rest also!
What do you think of this project?

http://dallas.craigslist.org/car/278570585.html

He finally put a price on it.

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Jimmy L.
'05 Acura TL 6MT
2001 ML430 My Spare

Gone:
'95 E300 188K "Batmobile" Texas Unfriendly Black
'85 300TD 235K "The Wagon" Texas Friendly White
'80 240D 154K "China" Scar engine installed
'81 300TD 240K "Smash"
'80 240D 230K "The Squash"
'81 240D 293K"Scar" Rear ended harder than Elton John

Some guy on another forum in CA removed the trim from his W123 and filled in the holes, and repainted. It made the W123 look a little sleeker, and modern, but I like the look of the trim, really shows you how the design of the W123 goes back to the 60's and was influenced by the W108/109.

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'81 MB 300SD, '82 MB 300D Turbo (sold/RIP), '04 Lincoln Town Car Ultimate

Sooner or later every car falls apart, ours does it later!
-German Narrator in a MB Promotion Film about the then brand new W123.

I wish my caddy had the round headlights.

Did you see the 115 4spd? I had a look at it. It wouldn't start however, it really didn't need to run as it could be Flintstone powered. Floors were rusted out.

Yep, me and Larry talked a few times via email, but I never went and looked at it. Just not a good time for $ outlay on another car. I need to fix the one's I have now. He sold it today.
Now if a $400 diesel rabbit popped up, well...........

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Jimmy L.
'05 Acura TL 6MT
2001 ML430 My Spare

Gone:
'95 E300 188K "Batmobile" Texas Unfriendly Black
'85 300TD 235K "The Wagon" Texas Friendly White
'80 240D 154K "China" Scar engine installed
'81 300TD 240K "Smash"
'80 240D 230K "The Squash"
'81 240D 293K"Scar" Rear ended harder than Elton John

sorry to sound stupid, but how is the trim functional?

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1983 300DT 284k miles. :-) "The Benzo"
1998 Mustang GT Custom 4.9 L engine.
1997 Dodge ram Pickup 5.9L

Protects against door dings.

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1985 CA 300D Turbo , 213K mi