Box of nostalgia for my 87 300D

[BodhiBenz1987]

Just thought I'd share my excitement over something most people wouldn't "get." ... My dad has been cleaning out his office, and called me tonight to say he'd found a box with some documents for my 1987 300D, which was originally his. Turns out it was full of goodies, including the original window sticker! Also had the data tag, invoice for purchase, delivery form from one dealer to the one my dad bought it at, salesman's card and a bunch of other neat stuff you can see in the pic. Also the receipt from it's break-in oil change. I already had a few original items, like the temporary tag, brochures and a maintenance booklet. I'm thrilled this stuff turned up ... my car's history is a large part of it's sentimental value to me. After waging battle with the parking brakes in my freezing garage all week, it's nice to have this reminder of why I do it!

[okto]

So cool! Ilse came with the Euro Delivery paperwork, but your document find is way more fun!

[vstech]

Wow! that's great! several of my vehicles came with delivery recipts, and window stickers. you being the original owner (through father...) makes that stuff PRICELESS!
no wonder you are going through all the hassle to get your car remedied the way you are!

[cjbrown]

Mine came with all the paperwork, manuals in the clear vinyl case, even the metal owner ID plate they used with an addressograph machine when you brought it in for service. All of the records are there, and the original factory brochures, not only for the 240 but all the models.

One of the more comical ones was a receipt and installation manual for the cruise control from Montgomery Ward. Appears to be a factory unit, but was mounted on a block of wood. I have since re-mounted it with a proper fitting custom metal bracket. It had been brought back in after a month as it wasn't working quite right. Every piece of paperwork pertaining to the car was included. And they showed the car had been driven about 3K miles in the last 12 years.

Speaking of that old cruise unit, when I was on my way back from Wyoming with the car I was driving along in southern Utah dreaming about what I would do with the car when I got it home. I was told the original owner could never get the cruise working right, it was the only thing on the car that didn't work. I thought I would just remove it since I didn't really need it. My legs were cramping after 875 miles of holding the throttle on to keep it up to speed. Then I was pondering how one would test the cruise unit if I could repair it, and decided you would want to get out on the hiway and engage it. So I switched it on for giggles, hit the button, and nothing. I was chuckling at my whim and then low and behold, it took over and brought the speed up and maintained it. I was blown away. And here I'd driven almost the whole trip without it!

Even the old R12 AC blows ice cold, the electric sunroof works perfectly, as does the Becker Corona AM/FM radio that was a factory option on the sticker.

[::matthew]

It's really cool that you have that stuff.

[JimmyL]

Your excitement isn't lost on us!!! That is awesome to have with a legacy vehicle like Bodhi!!! The original window sticker??? Wow!!! So much better than a "copy" from MB......

[Fulcrum525]

Ah the things that people file away and forget about

[charmalu]

That`s always exciting to find info going back when the car was new. Like digging back into ancient history.

I only have one piece of paper work on the 240D from the originals. the long form that use to be filled out when buying or ordering a new car. interesting what they cost new. 1980 240D , $19,600,00.

Cjbrown, thanks for sharing your story.

Charlie

[t walgamuth]

Cool!

[SwampYankee]

That's great, C! Now you can frame the stuff and decorate your office.

It's interesting to see how favorably the mileage estimates on a 25 yo car compare to the window stickers today.