Well, it couldn't be any clearer that the W123 is a world-class car!


It may look tacky, but that guy definitely has some serious money!


Daily driver? You betcha!


Actually, I do not fully dislike those fog lights!

Yellow plates mean that the cars are owned by individuals, not the government (blue) or diplomats (black). Any new(ish) cars are former rental or company automobiles that were made available to the general public. I did see a black W124 used in an embassy, and an anthracite W126 300SD (Yes, American!) used as a limousine at the Hotel Nacional. It was great to see the W124 and the W126 in the settings they was designed for! Visiting Cuba is really like going back in time.

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[GONE] - 1995 Mercedes E300 Diesel - 130k miles - Smoke Silver (702) over Mushroom leather (265) - Bladder blasting, coast-to-coast work machine.

Delibes! How are you doing, good to hear from you.

In the last pic, I had trouble finding the W123...since I first focused on on the nice figure on the girl walking away in that gold/yellow hoodie.

The first one, you're spot-on about tacky.

Did you take your car down there and do you still have your trailer?

It's good to know I'd at least be a somebody somewhere.

I've loving the travelogue, Miguel!

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1980 300TD-China Blue/Blue MBTex-2nd Owner, 107K (Alt Blau) OBK #15
'06 Chevy Tahoe Z71 (for the wife & 4 kids, current mule) '03 Honda Odyssey (son #1's ride, reluctantly) '99 GMC Suburban (255K+ miles, semi-retired mule) 21' SeaRay Seville (summer escape pod)

I sold the little trailer (July 2011) and the blue 300TD (August 2012) because it was way too nice. With the money I raised, I fixed up a Khaki '81 300TD and made the necessary modifications, having a good chunk of change to sustain me for the following months. I am now in Guatemala and will soon release several articles on my experiences in this beautiful country!

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[GONE] - 1995 Mercedes E300 Diesel - 130k miles - Smoke Silver (702) over Mushroom leather (265) - Bladder blasting, coast-to-coast work machine.

I can't imagine you took the TD to Cuba. Where'd you leave it?
Great pics. I have always wanted to visit Cuba.

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You're a daisy if you do.
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84 Euro 240D 4spd. 220.5k sold
04 Honda Element AWD
1985 F150 XLT 4x4, 351W with 270k miles, hay hauler
1997 Suzuki Sidekick 4x4
1993 Toyota 4wd Pickup 226K and counting

God forbid! Too much paperwork hassle! I left it in storage in Cancún. It started effortlessly after two weeks sitting in a container. Flawless!

Cuba is a gorgeous country. Unless you want to go on the shady border of the law, visit as soon as the embargo is lifted! Soon all those old cars will be gone, and the island will –again– become a Casino.

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[GONE] - 1995 Mercedes E300 Diesel - 130k miles - Smoke Silver (702) over Mushroom leather (265) - Bladder blasting, coast-to-coast work machine.

My understanding has always been that I can obtain a visa while in Mexico and book a flight from there without issue, even on a U.S. passport. I haven't verified that though.

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You're a daisy if you do.
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84 Euro 240D 4spd. 220.5k sold
04 Honda Element AWD
1985 F150 XLT 4x4, 351W with 270k miles, hay hauler
1997 Suzuki Sidekick 4x4
1993 Toyota 4wd Pickup 226K and counting

It is no big deal.

You can fly from Canada or Cancun to Havana, on a a valid US passport but be sure the "entrada" AND "salida" Cuban passport stamps are NOT stamped into your passport.

The Cuban aduanas (customs) officials are accomodating to this protocol, and the US customs officials, when you arrive back in USA will NEVER be the wiser, looking at your passport will only see the Canadian or Mexican passport stampings as your last ones.

They will never be the wiser. Buy your cuban cigars in CANADA or MEXICO TO BE SAFE AND have the receipt with them; wrap the cigars in your dirty laundry.

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1991 560 SEC AMG, 199k <---- 300 hp 10:1 ECE euro HV ...

1995 E 420, 170k "The Red Plum" (sold)

2015 BMW 535i xdrive awd Stage 1 DINAN, 6k, <----364 hp

1967 Mercury Cougar, 49k

2013 Jaguar XF, 20k <----340 hp Supercharged, All Wheel Drive (sold)

I had no idea the embargo will be lifted...so soon....I kinda like the country just as it is....from what I've seen in the pic's and your stories...and the Cuban movies I have seen.

Oh wow I'd love to nab a mint '57 Ford Sunliner convertible, a '57 Chevy Bel Air convertible, for pennies on the dollar! hahaha


Glad to hear all is well with you, Miguel!!!

..A DONDE VAS....

Where next - Nicaragua, or belize maybe?

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1991 560 SEC AMG, 199k <---- 300 hp 10:1 ECE euro HV ...

1995 E 420, 170k "The Red Plum" (sold)

2015 BMW 535i xdrive awd Stage 1 DINAN, 6k, <----364 hp

1967 Mercury Cougar, 49k

2013 Jaguar XF, 20k <----340 hp Supercharged, All Wheel Drive (sold)

In March I will take my GMAT in Guatemala City and then zoom past El Salvador on to Costa Rica, where I will meet forum member Juanesoto!

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[GONE] - 1995 Mercedes E300 Diesel - 130k miles - Smoke Silver (702) over Mushroom leather (265) - Bladder blasting, coast-to-coast work machine.

Can't imagine any of those original cars are still mint.

I addition to the gazillion miles on each one, the parts content in each is likely greater than 50% eastern european....

Jim

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14 E250 BlueTEC black. 45k miles
95 E320 Cabriolet Emerald green 66k miles
94 E320 Cabriolet Emerald green 152k miles
85 300TD 4 spd man, euro bumpers and lights, 15" Pentas dark blue 274k miles

Of all the Mercedes that I have owned none of them bring me more joy than a W123. Personally, I believe it to be a standard that is hard to match.

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Current:
1985 300D aka Miss Margaret
1991 300SE aka Alarice
1995 SL320 aka Samantha
1997 K1500 Silverado
Past:
1999 E300 ex-wife got it and let her son ruin it
1984 190 2.3 ex-wife got it and let her son destroy a great car
1985 300D (CA version) aka Maybelline lost to deer at high speed.
1981 300D aka Madeline (went to salvage at near 400k) rusty, yet best car I ever drove
Wishlist:
McFarlan TV6 (only a few privately owned)
ReVere with Rochester engine
1917 Premier (only one left)

No kidding!

If those are real AMG wheels they are big bucks (I've only seen that style a few times!)

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1982 300GD Carmine Red (DB3535) Cabriolet Parting Out
1990 300SEL Smoke Silver (Parting out)
1991 350SDL Blackberry Metallic (481)

"The thing is Bob, its not that I'm lazy...its that I just don't care."

Its super easy.

I'd fly in from Grand Cayman since its a $225 Jetblue flight from JFK.

Grand Cayman has regular flights to Cuba, and the Cuban officials won't stamp a US passport.

So US Customers just sees a Grand Cayman entry and exit stamp.

I almost went for a couple days when I was down their in December but we missed the Monday hopper by a few hours. Since I was flying out Thursday we would have had to leave Monday and came back Wednesday, or Thursday morning.

I'd sail their with the boat this winter if I had the time.

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

My thought's exactly!!

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On some nights I still believe that a car with the fuel gauge on empty can run about fifty more miles if you have the right music very loud on the radio. - HST

1983 300SD - 305000
1984 Toyota Landcruiser - 190000
1994 GMC Jimmy - 203000

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