Going to look at the subject car. Have only owned two 123 diesels.

Can anyone tell me what to look for on these cars? One I am going to see is in very good condition, with around 100,000 miles on it.

Please the nickle tour on these cars thanks Tom

the engine will be similar to the 240 motors.

the chassis will be comptetely different with kingpins up front and swing axles in back. it is all pretty rugged though.

up front look for good operating suspension. the bushings will sieze up if they havent been greased enough. this you can see if you look at the pivot points and push the car up and down on its springs.

the biggest bugaboo is rust. they are early uni bodys and rust proofing is pretty worthless. they will rust at the whiff of moisture and the only ones rust free will have had to come from very dry places. be sure to check floor boards in front and back.

other than that they are very rugged cars and pretty easy to work on. they drive very modern so if they are in good shape they are a pleasure to drive.

good luck

tom w

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

The only really fatal irrepairable rust occurs behind the headlights. Column shift linkage bushings are prone to wear. Rear drum brake hydraulic callipres are impossible to find.

The real question is when was it last driven on a regular basis or even registered. If being pulled from storage figure the fuel tank is rusted out, kingpin suspension bolts are frozen, electrics have corroded. Also the block might be cracked if fresh anti-freeze wasnt installed each couple of years. And rings and bores are shot to hell if special care wasnt taken in reviving the car from hibernation and first starting the engine.

Its always a knee-slapper to hear about low mileage cars from the 1960s that have been in storage "just a few years." Never believe the odometer on Fintail MB's and figure its been off the road at least 20 years, probly 30 for the 200D.

Holy Grail for 110 finbodies is one with factory sunroof. And in my opinion the 190c gasoline version is better then the diesels of that era. Another weakness was injector pump bearings on the diesel and the worlds most primitive oil filter system.

Great to hear 110 finbodies making a comeback though. I like em for sheer simplicity and economy. The 190c gasoline car gets up to 25mpg and can cruise all day at 75-80, riding like its on rails with kingpin suspension. Handles exceptionally well *without* power steering. The deluxe 1966 version has variable speed wipers and heat blower, also flow through ventilation and reclining seats. Pre-66 versions had taxi cab signal lights fender mounted.

110s are amazing little sedans hilarious to own, considered cult-classics with an eccentric following all their own.