Saturday night my son was t-boned by a hit & run 1984 LeBaron convertible. Approx speed of oncoming car was about 40mph, the impact slammed the Benz sideways until the opposite wheel hit a tree trunk and stopped.
The back window popped out in one piece (!).

The best news, My son walked away with a little soreness and some glass in his pocket.

Ironically, we were just about to post pix to sell the car this week, but at least a friend has expressed interest in buying the engine and tranny.

We has also just put in a rebuilt axle shaft on the side that got hit.

If anyone is interested in front fenders, hood, bumper and other misc parts, please PM me.

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It is really amazing how these cars are ahead of their time. Amazing.

thanks for the best wishes, JCD--
Yeah, take a look at the middle photo. The lower door hinge took a lot of force but didn't bend or break.

Not only that, the doors open and close normally on the passenger side of the car.

the B-pillar did move about 4" inward, but showed no signs of breaking or buckling. These are truly tough cars!

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Nate Stanley
(Currently Benzless)
1985 F-250 6.9l 170K
2009 SCION XB 36.5K
2003 LS430 78K
2012 Kubota B 2320

If you don't mind, I'd like to save the pictures and show a few people why this is one of the reasons to buy an old mercedes. thanks!

a friend of mine hit a telephone pole at 40mph head on at the right headlight assembly and walked away with only seat belt rash.

just well built cars

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1980 500SE/AMG Euro
1981 500SEL Euro
1982 380SEL
1983 300TD
1983 500SEC/AMG Euro
1984 500SEC
1984 300TD Euro
1986 190E 2.3-16
1986 190E 2.3
1987 300D
1997 C36 AMG
2003 C320T 4matic

past: 1969 280SE 4.5 | 1978 240D | 1978 300D | 1981 300SD | 1981 300SD | 1982 300CD | 1983 300CD | 1983 300SD | 1983 380SEC | 1984 300D | 1984 300D | 1984 300TD | 1984 500SEL | 1984 300SD | 1985 300D | 1986 300E | 1986 560SEL | 1986 560SEL/Carat | 1987 560SEC | 1991 300D 2.5 | 2006 R350

Be my guest, it's great advertising.....

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Nate Stanley
(Currently Benzless)
1985 F-250 6.9l 170K
2009 SCION XB 36.5K
2003 LS430 78K
2012 Kubota B 2320

Does it run and drive?

Just joking / Glad to hear your son is fine
look for the La Barron down the street there is no way it could have gone far.

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1984 300D / The only Benz I have

Completed weekend projects

1. R/R front crankshaft seal
2. R/R nearly the whole vacuum system
3. Converted to WVO www.greasemachine.com
4. Upgraded to electric power locks
5. Upgraded and rewired stereo/amp/speakers
6. Installed 2.88 differential

Hit and run. So the 84 LeBaron drove away. Even if it only made it a little way that's even more amazing.

I'm glad the MB did it's job.

Sixto
95 S420
87 300SDL

Yeah, that was my question. After doing that to a W123, the perpetrator drove away? That is amazing. Jim

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Own:
1986 Euro 190E 2.3-16 (291,000 miles),
1998 E300D TurboDiesel, 231,000 miles -purchased with 45,000,
1988 300E 5-speed 252,000 miles,
1983 240D 4-speed, purchased w/136,000, now with 222,000 miles.
2009 ML320CDI Bluetec, 89,000 miles

Owned:
1971 220D (250,000 miles plus, sold to father-in-law),
1975 240D (245,000 miles - died of body rot),
1991 350SD (176,560 miles, weakest Benz I have owned),
1999 C230 Sport (45,400 miles),
1982 240D (321,000 miles, put to sleep)

damn!

glad your son is ok.

sorry about the car loss

re: the topic - case in point

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1979 Thistle Green 300D 272,xxx miles
1984 Orient Red 300 D 4 spd Euro Import - 189,xxx miles
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Lofat Productions
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i feel sad viewing these photos, i thought a white model was what i wanted, but im teally liking the red/tan combo lately. too bad i cant just swap colors!

it was so shiny too!

Thank God your son was OK,that's first.

This really speaks for the durability and solid construction of these 123 chassis,I have a couple of other testaments to their strength in the face of collisions.

One thing I fondly recall from my Fintail diesel,grease fittings on the door hinges,these still exist on 123 chassis but there are filler plugs in the place of the grease fittings.

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I bet you can walk around to the other side and both doors open and shut like new - have seen old Mercedes that were T boned and other than the obvious damage, the body was still rigid and undistorted. I can't believe the other car drove away either.

Don't let them kill you in a plastic car.