Resurrecting my W123

[Lambrettaman]

Back in February, my '81 300TD threw a timing chain, cracked the cam towers and cam. At that point, I didn't want to put anymore time and money into it, so I decided to sell it. A couple weeks ago, my 17 year old son asked if we could sell our 2001 Prius and use the proceeds to get the 123 back on the road (so HE could drive it) . My children are brilliant.

Thus began the journey. I found some suitable donors on Craigslist and then filled in a form on a parts finding website. That was fun. I chatted with one outfit one afternoon and then got 17 calls from them the next morning. When they told me the engine was running when it was pulled from the car, the compression was between 130 and 150psi in each cylinder. Yeah, right. A few days later I got word of a couple motors and one of them is now at the garage waiting to be put in.

It will be great to have it back on the road. It is otherwise in fabulous condition, inside and out. I hope it and the W210 wagon (gassed I'm afraid) get along.