Hello PP. I'm a long-time contributor over at BW (and long-time lurker here). I hope you don't mind an ad for my first post, but I thought someone here could be interested in this car...

For sale is a 230C pillarless-coupe. None were sold by dealers in North America. This car was delivered new in Germany.

This car has (or doesn't have) a lot of features that make it unlike most W123s sold here. It's equipped with the coveted Euro lights, but not the vacuum adjust. It has the three-piece Euro bumpers, complete burled rosewood trim, "basket weave" cloth seats, front-only speakers, manual windows, manual climate control and manual antenna. It does not have central vacuum locking or air conditioning. So simple and easy to run, it's grand.

It's still fitted with the original bundt wheels, hazard triangle and first aid kit. Except for a few easy to find trim items, it is 100% complete.

The in-dash speakers are powered by a working Becker Europa model for the US from a same-year Mercedes. All lights, the wipers, sprayer and climate control work. The vacuum seat locks work. The sunroof motor wants to open the roof (I can hear it pulling), but I haven't dug into what is holding it up- could be as simple as needing lubrication.

The body and all trim is complete and straight, save for some very small dents that you have to look for to see. The paint has a lot of life left in it. The glass is complete with no scratches or cracks. The bumpers and doors have been very discreetly reinforced for federalization, and are very straight.

I purchased this Mercedes as a long-term project. I made major progress in the driveline and interior, but have run out of time. It really runs like a top and drives nicely. Starts are easy, warm or cold, and brakes great. Power steering is smooth with no belt squeal.

Below is what's new in the last 100 miles. Everything but the fuel filter, battery and radiator are OEM and most items are from MBI in Portland. None of it was the cheap stuff.

- new fuel filter
- new fuel pump and mount gasket
- new fuel hoses
- new spark plugs
- new spark plug wires
- new distributor cap
- new rotor
- new points
- new condenser
- installed new carb kit
- valve adjustment
- tune up, including timing and carburetor adjustment
- new belts
- new shifter boot
- new front and rear brake pads
- new front brake wear sensors
- front and rear brake calipers rebuilt
- new front and rear brake hoses
- oil and filter change
- new giant battery

There is some rust, but it is available very manageable for a DIY body guy and not hiding in "impossible" places. It could be worked with for a full restoration, or it can be left alone for a great driver in the meantime.

It could be a fantastic and rare Mercedes that has great value- but I need to focus on other projects. I need to let it go, even at a loss. So, I'm not shooting for the moon on this, but passing it on to another classic MB fan. Until it sells, I will keep working on it. I plan to fix the sunroof and some other odds and ends. I also have a correct black dash that has no big cracks. As I get these done, the price will get more firm...

I have a clean Washington title in hand. The car is currently registered in Washington as 1979, but I believe it is a 1977.

More than happy to deliver the car anywhere in the PNW.

$2400

FB

(I'll post pics as soon as I get to my "real" computer)

First round of pictures.

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Second round.

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Third round.

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Fourth round.

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__________________
"Senior Luna, your sense of humor is still loco... but we love it, anyway." -rickymay ____ "Your sense of humor is still loco... " -MBeige ____ "Señor Luna, your sense of humor is quite järjetön" -Delibes

1982 300SD -- 211k, Texas car, tranny issues ____ 1979 240D 4-speed 234k -- turbo and tuned IP, third world taxi hot rod

2 Samuel 12:13: "David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.” And Nathan said to David, “The Lord also has put away your sin; you shall not die."

Nice car and color--good luck with sale

__________________
Anders

1995 E300
2015 VW TDI Sportwagen 15K
1977 240D (197K)
2002 Subaru Legacy L Wagon (115k) (Wife's)
Gone but not forgotten:
2005 Buick LeSabre
1998 C230
1984 300D
1983 240D
1981 300SD
1974 240D
1974 Fiat 124 Spider
1968 Triumph TR250

Thanks. This is my first one with this interior. I like it, too.

FB

What is the cars history previous to your purchase? .....and when did you purchase it?

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'89 260e (212K Mi.), '92 400e (208K Mi.), '92 400e (not a misprint) (146K Mi.), '95 C220, '81 240D--Sold

I found this car in a donation auction in January this year. I actually bought it sight unseen because I knew the 230C was pretty rare around here, and I could tell from the pictures the car was pretty straight and there were enough Euro goodies to make an offer reasonable- even if the rest of the car was awful. The 4 speed, bumpers, burled rosewood, lights and interior caught my eye right off the bat.

Well, I won the auction and it turned out to be a diamond in the rough. It took a little polish, but cleaned up very well. I did spend some money, and a lot of time, getting it running and driving. Nothing major, just the list above. And some elbow grease.

It was imported into Washington State, and was last registered in Vancouver, WA. I assume it has been in the state since it was imported. I have the name and contact information of the person that owned/donated it, but we have not spoken. I don't know how long he owned it.

Again, I'm pretty much passing this cool project onto the next classic MB fan. My wife tells me that I have a problem "rescuing" old Mercedes. Maybe I saved this one from the crusher... I also have an amazingly nice (sorry for bragging) 1982 300CD with a five speed, 15" bundts and French lights that is my long-term MB. And there's my classic truck. And my wife's Malibu. And my 82 300SD with the SBC. Plus some daily drivers. I need to thin the herd.

FB

PS- thanks for asking. Feel free to ask me more.

I'm reading and re-reading......but might have missed it....what was the mileage? How does the 4 speed shift? Any maintenance done to the tranny?

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'89 260e (212K Mi.), '92 400e (208K Mi.), '92 400e (not a misprint) (146K Mi.), '95 C220, '81 240D--Sold

......and did I read in your write up....no air conditioning?

__________________
'89 260e (212K Mi.), '92 400e (208K Mi.), '92 400e (not a misprint) (146K Mi.), '95 C220, '81 240D--Sold

Sorry about the omission on the mileage. I originally copied and pasted my local Craigslist ad, and of course mileage is in a separate field on CL... It has just under 162k.

The transmission is in good shape. All gears work with no skips, and the syncros work all the way up and all the way down. I have not done any diagnostics or service related to the tranny other than driving the car.

No air conditioning- that's right.

FB

Compression test results, as requested.

1: 180
2: 180
3: 175
4: 185

FB

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I have lowered the price: $1950.

FB