P.E.H.
A Euro 300D with an automatic is verboten but only because it has a automatic. I made myself one by converting a 240D to a 300D and have a turbo rear end in it. That produces a 300D that's imminently dependable, get 32 MPH on long trips, can wind up to 75 in third gear for onramp merging and has heater controls and fulltime a/c that always function. That confirmgeration allows the use of the York compressor- mine is the original '77 one. Need I say more.
In the event you're really looking for a venue where you can find more great MBZ 123s than you know what to do with, simply go to
www.recycler.com type in Mercedes 1977-1985 and try not to droll.
L.A. isn't all that far from Phoenix and if you watch the list religiously you may find deals that you can't pass up.
Ben