This thread on the mbca site might shed some light on this...bet it's the car..

http://www.mbca.org/forum/e220-cdi-us-sale

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1984 300D, 228k, Light Ivory, Java MB-Tex

If you are a citizen of a European country and you move to the U.S., I believe you can bring your car and have it registered here. You have to take it back when you go ... you can't sell it ... well, at least you aren't supposed to sell it.

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1987 300D, arctic white/palomino--314,000 miles
1978 240D 4-speed, Euro Delivery, light ivory/bamboo--370,000 miles
2005 Jeep Liberty CRD Limited, light khaki/slate--140,000 miles
2018 Chevy Cruze diesel, 6-speed manual, satin steel metallic/kalahari--19,000 miles
1982 Peugeot 505 diesel, 4-speed manual, blue/blue, 130,000 miles
1995 S320, black/parchment--34,000 miles (Dad's car)

Yep, that has to be it. Dover isn't far from here and I doubt that there are two E220s in Florida.

His name sounds familiar too. I think he might have been a member here.

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Rick Miley
2014 Tesla Model S
2018 Tesla Model 3
2017 Nissan LEAF
Former MB: 99 E300, 86 190E 2.3, 87 300E, 80 240D, 82 204D Euro
Chain Elongation References

So how was a 2003 model year car imported in 1996?

Sixto
87 300D

When it's a typo, he probably meant '06.

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1984 300D, 228k, Light Ivory, Java MB-Tex

Sounds like the Florida DMV is asleep, hopefully they don't catch on. NFW is that legal.

Does FL have emissions? That might be why it sticks around without getting caught, getting that car through emissions in CT would be a nightmare.

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

In Florida vary by Jurisdiction (County).
Duval uses a Photo Optic system on the Diesel Exhaust (A Joke!).

If it's a Vehicle belonging to a Consular Officer of a Foreign Nation,it's permissible.
They Just have to take it outside the U.S. when the Officer leaves her/his U.S. Posting.

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'84 300SD sold
124.128

The DOT/EPA/Customs regs (CFR) have Nothing to do with Individual State
Registration.

In A nutshell:
It would be possible to have a car registered in a U.S.State...
WITHOUT the Necessary Importation Paperwork (AND Legalized Updates).

In other words DOT/EPA/Customs can find you in violation at any time [FOREVER]
And drag you and the Chassis into some not so nice situations.
It goes to the Crusher,and you Get Baloney Sandwiches in "Bubba's" room.
PLUS,all kinds of fines accrued for you!

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'84 300SD sold
124.128

Unless you're importing it as a business, you're highly unlikely to get jail time -- especially if you can prove that you didn't import it and bought it from someone else.

E220 is also not exactly a hot commodity, like say a Skyline, so it isn't likely to be on anyone's radar. Here's hoping that with Federal cutbacks, it'll be even further off the radar screen!