Thank you for the input. I was considering these Escorts as my winter salt sponges. Being Escorts I do not expect much from the chassis. I am a bit suprised by some of the comments about the engines. Not that I am trying to compare the Mazda to Mercedes, but I have read the the 1980's Japenese diesels were pretty good engines. Before the diesel cars of the 1980's some of them built other diesel engines. I remember a factory with Toyota fork trucks that were diesels.

Actually, these comments help me narrow down my resent desire to buy another set of wheels. I am also waiting for a call from the owner of 1958 190D. I friend of mine has a 1958 190 (gas) that is just beautiful and I have a hankering for one of those....as well as about 10 other Mercs.