It seems mine should start in first, then. Was this because the turbo cars were geared faster, so the give and take was lower highway RPM's with 1st gear starts to retain off-the-line pep?

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'82 300CD
"Pearl", the very first turbo diesel 123 coupe
Totaled 11/23/18, rebuild in progress.
'85 300TD, "Artemis".
'78 300D euro, "Ol' Red", mostly retired.
'85 300D, "Gandalf".