Chassis: 10801610029831
Engine: 13092010014998
272,850 miles (less than 3,000 miles on rebuilt head)
Detailed service receipts since 1974, Original warranty coupon book
2.8 Liter M130 Straight-Six
4-Speed Floor Mounted Manual Transmission
White over Cognac MB Tex upholstery
California car, Blue CA plates
Very clean, original condition
Thermo King Air Conditioning (Dealer installed, 1970)
(Not Working, not updated to R134)
Blaupunkt AM/FM Radio (Dealer installed, 1970) works fine
Original paperwork, owner’s manual, documentation
Lots of Period Sales Literature
Factory Books (Big Blue) included
Custom made half cover (roof and windows) for interior protection from sun
Original tool roll and dual carburetor balancing gage
Original ball gearshift knob and boot in box (not the stick, it broke!)
Original front seat belt harness hardware and serviceable webbing (in box)
Carefully maintained, always running, original car
Clean California title in seller’s name
Private Party Seller
Data Card
Hand written service log book covering 42 years

Most recent repairs and parts:

New Speedo Cable
New master clutch cylinder
Stick shift bushings
New water pump
Steering box rebuilt, new fluid, less than 2,400 miles
Rebuilt head, new valves, stems, seats, etc. less than 2,700 miles
Clutch slave cylinder, less than 8,800 miles
Front brake pads, brake hoses, less than 9,500 miles
Dash board heater controls (notoriously fiddly to replace) less than 13,700 miles
Rear hydro-pneumatic compensator unit, less than 18,000 miles
Rebuilt gearbox, less than 87,800 miles

This car was originally sold by Stahl Motor Company in Monterey, California to a local couple who subsequently sold it to my dad in 1976. He maintained it 42 years until his death and I inherited it. Detailed service receipts date to 1974.

The last 10 years or so the car has been driven sparingly, less than 500 miles a year since the head was rebuilt. I drove it about 400 miles since I got it. I had to replace the master clutch cylinder because pedal stuck to floor. I drove it to 4 days of the car shows in Monterey from Watsonville and on the way back on last day the speedo cable started screaming. I got a new one, only adding about 20 miles with the odometer not engaged.

The car runs great. It starts right up and, when it is warmed up, the idle speed kicks down properly. It drives, accelerates and shifts smoothly, but has an intermittent fault of being annoyingly tricky to get into reverse gear. Going into first gear and moving forward a fraction of an inch resolves this. It has apparently been doing this for several years.

There are some minor drips from the gearbox and differential. The muffler has a hole. The rubber rings on exhaust are worn out.

The car has always been garaged and, when parked outside, had the windows covered with a custom made half cover (included in sale) to protect the well-preserved interior. It has not been smoked in since at least 1976. Interior is original Cognac MB Tex, with no rips or tears, and original brown loop carpets. Fitted floor mats are in good condition.

Driver’s seatback has a small amount of the outer color worn through on the piping. The carpet is very nice throughout with one worn (but not worn through) area on the left rail of driver’s foot well. Portions of the plastic step rail trim (that are covered when doors are shut) are brittle and cracked, with large hidden portions removed on front door openings. It does not show when doors are shut. Rear door step plates are intact.

The original white paint is still shiny all over and looks very good. There are about a half dozen chips and dings altogether. The front areas surrounding the bullet turn signals have many tiny stone chips.

One spot of rust bubbling up from under the chrome trim on the right front fender, just aft of wheel well. I believe the right front fender was resprayed, possibly replaced, in the 1970’s before we got it. Otherwise, the car is virtually rust free.

Door weather seals and trunk weather seal need replacing, leaks into left rear foot well. Windshield and rear window rubber appears to be okay. Instrument light does not work.

Wood trim looks good with exception of slight blisters between gage binnacle and windshield. Two pieces of the wood window trim on the driver’s door have worn away significantly at upper rear corner.

Air conditioning: Story is that my dad removed (and lost) the drive belt in mid 1990’s rather than update from R12.

I took these pictures over the past year that I’ve had the car. I can’t seem to control the order that flickr puts them in. If there is anything you'd like to see a better shot of, just ask!
https://www.flickr.com/photos/158282070@N07/albums/72157678425693628
https://www.flickr.com/photos/158282070@N07/albums/72157678425693628/page2/

Nice looking car! I notice your photos are hosted on Flickr. A few years ago I lost my account there after using it to host photos of a vehicle for sale. Flickr's changed a bit since I was there, and the policy isn't as clearly stated as it once was. Looks like now "Pro" account holders have some leeway on "commercial activity" but would that include hosting photos of a vehicle for sale? Have a look at this:

https://www.flickr.com/help/forum/en-us/72157688094017033/

I could be raising a false alarm due to policy changes but I encourage you to check up on it for yourself. Loosing my account was disappointing. I'd hate to see it happen to someone else. And when it happens, poof, it's gone, and there is nobody to talk to about it. Your only option is to create a new account and start over.

__________________
- Greg -
1973 220D, The Prodigal Benz
1974 240D

Very nice car. 71 280S was my first Mercedes. Mine was an Auto. Still I'd be happy with the manual. You really sure you want to sell it? Been in your family a long time...

- Peter.

__________________
2021 Chevrolet Spark
Formerly...
2000 GMC Sonoma
1981 240D 4spd stick. 347000 miles. Deceased Feb 14 2021
2002 Kia Rio. Worst crap on four wheels
1981 240D 4spd stick. 389000 miles.
1984 123 200
1979 116 280S
1972 Cadillac Sedan DeVille
1971 108 280S

Thanks guys for your posts & compliments on the car.

Greg, I read the flickr link & I hope they’re ok with this one time non-professional use of the site. It’s kind of hard to tell. Imgur was a lot more explicit about it.

Peter, it’s actually very sad selling the car and the only reason is that I need the money. I can only afford to own one car & although I would love to drive the Mercedes every day, I would also hate to wear it out commuting. My drive is a horrible solid hour of crawling bumper to bumper traffic.

Don’t tempt me. This decision was painful enough!

WOW...I'm gonna play the lottery and will inform you on the results.
The desire is real

Nice!