Since getting my dealer's license I pretty regularly attend the local dealer only auction here in town. Outside of the normal Cs and Es made in the last decade there really isn't many MBs that come up. Today was a great exception.

I overslept a bit and arrived late to the auction, which was already in full swing. They run 5 auctions simultaneously all in one building with 50-100 running through each lane. I made sure there wasn't anything coming up immediate, and went out to the frozen parking lot to make my rounds. With temperature in the teens quite a few auction cars don't have strong enough batteries to crank or good enough tires to hold air. In each row there's one golf cart assigned who's full time job is to jump and air up tires as the cars get close to going on the block, and these guys were working frantically. Working my way from A lane to E, I make a few stops. One is to look over a z71 Suburban that made a boisterous metallic grind when I engaged the 4 wheel drive. Another looker was very cool Olds Cutlass Coupe International edition with 80,000 original miles had a totally dead battery.

When I made my way to C lane I was stopped dead by her. A 1981 300SD with a Silver Blue metallic exterior over blue leather interior. It was just about time for it to pull up on the block, and the "jumper" was struggling to figure out the hood latches to open it. I assisted, pointing out to him the 2 latches on either side of the grill, and the hood rose with ease. He quickly hooked up his box, jumped in the car, and started cranking it without glowing. I was about to tell him to stop and point out the glow sequence, but the car fired up on the second or third revolution. Considering it had sat overnight in the teens, I found it amazing. He got out and said, "it runs like s*it," and moved on to the next car. I didn't bother responding because I barely had time to do a quick look-over and run it through the gears before the driver came to roll it up on the block.

It didn't take long for all the cylinders to fire evenly and the gray smoke out the exhaust to ease up. When she crossed the block a few dealers glanced at the information sheet hanging on the mirror, saw the 220k on her and made an about face. I was the only one that wanted it, and since it was a dealer trade in and not a wholesale they just wanted to unload.

After winning the auction I had to leave to do some other work, returning 4 hours later to pick her up. I got a ride out in one of the jumper golf carts just in case, but it wasn't necessary. After one glow she fired right up and drove flawlessly for the 15 miles of mostly highway back to my shop. The car was perfectly smooth and quiet. While the heater worked well, I noticed the car wasn't rising to full operating temperature, which I'm guessing is a stuck open thermostat. All the seat adustments work on the drivers side except forward and back, and all the adjustments on the passenger seat work except the backrest. Driver's side window is dead, the rest functional. The car tracked perfectly straight, the turbo spooling and shifting perfect. Brakes and steering were firm.

Finally in my heated building I could really do a once over with the car. With the exception of one BB size bubble on the bottom of the front fender and a little browning around the trunk seal, there was no rust on the car. Paint is burnt on the roof and hood, and it appears the trunk and rear quarters were repainted at some point. I suspected rear end damage, but couldn't find any body damage. While the trim on the lower bumper was bent, that appeared to be a low speed impact that didn't effect anything else. I've concluded that since the rear glass was replaced at some point that perhaps something fell on the rear area of the car. In the trunk is an unused spare (perfect finish and original Pirelli tire). The blue interior is worn in, but the seats are free of tears. I think it will clean up nicely.

Oil was right at the full mark, transmission fluid orangish/red with no burnt smell, coolant old but at proper level, and brake fluid a tad low. Underneath showed normal diesel leakage, though I did notice quite a bit of moisture around the front left hub, which I suspect is where the brake fluid is going. The rubber on the suspension had to have been replaced at some point, as I don't see the typical dry rotting. All 4 shocks look like they've been replaced, along with the motor mounts. Rear axle boots original but in good shape.

Considering how little time I had to look over, I feel I really lucked out with this one. I won't know how long the PO had it until I get the title, but the maintenance book fully stamped until 125k when it ran out of room. The price was certainly right, and I have a new project to tinker with, clean up and eventually sell. I'll certainly advertise here when the time comes.

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1985 500SL Euro w/ AMG bits 130k
1984 300SD Turbodiesel 192k
1980 240D Stick China 188k
2001 CLK55 AMG 101k
2007 S600 Biturbo 149k Overheated Project, IT'S ALIVE!!!

Great looking car. I am surprised that the bundts look so good. Do not think the radio is for an '81. My '81 SD has the knob and button radio. My '83 SD (I think) had the electronic radio like in yours. Maybe it was replaced/updated. The '81 SD is really a good car. That one looks like a peach.

Nice find. Before you give up on the paint I'd like to see what you get with some agressive polishing. You seen to know how to shine them up nicely, I wonder how much of the original shine could be brought back.

That must be a very early W126, the cabin temp sniffer is on the dashboard not by the dome light. IIRC that was only on cars built in 1980 or 1979. Judging by the tail lamps it hasn't seen a lot of sun and doesn't smoke a bunch.

I believe the electronic tuning radio was an option. Easy enough to see with a VIN report

-J

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1991 350SDL. 230,000 miles (new motor @ 150,000). Blown head gasket

Tesla Model 3. 205,000 miles. Been to 48 states!
Past: A fleet of VW TDIs.... including a V10,a Dieselgate Passat, and 2 ECOdiesels.
2014 Cadillac ELR
2013 Fiat 500E.

Nice. If I hadn't purchased the 84SD for my daughter a few months ago, you'd have a pm. What's a dealer have to give for something like that at an auction?
The only drawback I see is the leather seats. MB Tex seems to age better than leather.

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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

my 81 had the exact same radio as the one in this thread.

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wow looks good.

Did not know that the electronic radio was an option in 1981.

My "temp sniffer" is in the same place on the dash. Mine was delivered to RBM in Atlanta on 2-13-81 but I cannot find a build date. Thought it was stamped on something on the driver's doorframe or under the hood but just looked and cannot find anything. Where is the build date; isn't it stamped on the car someplace

Mine says made in 6/81

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1985 500SL Euro w/ AMG bits 130k
1984 300SD Turbodiesel 192k
1980 240D Stick China 188k
2001 CLK55 AMG 101k
2007 S600 Biturbo 149k Overheated Project, IT'S ALIVE!!!

Where did you find the build date on the car?

Drivers side door jam b pillar on vin plate.

I agree it had to be garaged judging from the nice chrome, plastic and wood inside but this was one Of mbs weaker colors and we know how well blue dashes and leather seats hold up. Since the leather is not torn I think it can be brought back pretty well... It has that nice old saddle feel now

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1985 500SL Euro w/ AMG bits 130k
1984 300SD Turbodiesel 192k
1980 240D Stick China 188k
2001 CLK55 AMG 101k
2007 S600 Biturbo 149k Overheated Project, IT'S ALIVE!!!

Time for a leatherique turnaround

Yep, found it. Mine is stamped 1/81. I am the original owner and still drive it every day; the Lexus stays in the garage and the wife just does not understand me.

How do you go about bringing back the leather?

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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

http://www.leatherique.com/eye_candy/aiken_sc/couple_of_rolls_royce_the_w.html

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1979 240D, 4spd manual, Power Sunroof, manual windows, 147k miles, Pastel gray/Black MB Tex.
1991 300D 2.5 - Smokes like it's on Crack!

I used Leatherique on my 77 300d with leather and was unimpressed. It didn't make much difference. Can the blue leather interior be dyed?

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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13