One of the rarest of the rare Diesel 123's
 

My friend is restoring an extremely rare 123 Limo. These were factory produced, and not in large quantities. As I understand it, most were gasoline powered, and only five Turbodiesels were produced. They had 15" wheels and hubcaps. The rear quarter windows actually open, sorta like the "windwings" on an older car (well not exactly, as they are hinged in the front, not the center). This car will get a "NEW" dash, and a complete leather interior. I hope to get some photos when it is finished.....Rich

Neat! Be sure to take more pictures! Is his a turbo?

Yes

Probably has heavy sub-frame connectors in the middle to handle that long span, so don't expect fast acceleration. I would put flags on the front corners so it looks like a diplomat's car. Cop's probably wouldn't bother writing parking tickets then.

These are rare for sure. Will be a nice car when he gets through.

Every once in a while one shows up on CL, here is one listed in the Bay Area.
It`s a Euro model, small bumpers and cloth interior. Probably a 617 NA.

https://sacramento.craigslist.org/ctd/5711337898.html

THIS MODEL OF THIS MERCEDES IS 300D AND IT HAS 152,360 MILES ON A STRAIGHT 5 DIESEL ENGINE WITH AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. IT DOES RUN AND HAS A NEW BATTERY, POWER WINDOWS AND 3RD ROW SEATS. GREAT PROJECT VEHICLE.


http://images.craigslist.org/00T0T_h...v6J_50x50c.jpghttp://images.craigslist.org/00d0d_d...fR4_50x50c.jpghttp://images.craigslist.org/00000_c...JhC_50x50c.jpghttp://images.craigslist.org/01717_7...1V8_50x50c.jpghttp://images.craigslist.org/00303_l...Siw_50x50c.jpghttp://images.craigslist.org/00w0w_k...eJL_50x50c.jpghttp://images.craigslist.org/00Y0Y_9...27f_50x50c.jpghttp://images.craigslist.org/00w0w_k...eJL_50x50c.jpghttp://images.craigslist.org/00s0s_b...QLK_50x50c.jpghttp://images.craigslist.org/00t0t_7...e7K_50x50c.jpghttp://images.craigslist.org/00s0s_xGUyLWIdA_50x50c.jpghttp://images.craigslist.org/01717_7...EKs_50x50c.jpghttp://images.craigslist.org/00a0a_7...NgE_50x50c.jpghttp://images.craigslist.org/00S0S_4...XHH_50x50c.jpg

I always wanted one of those.;)

So there is a 15" hubcap.

I've seen two. If he'd photograph the other side of the car we could see the other two.

Actually, you would only see one, as one is missing on that side :).

Please also post some details of how the conversion was accomplished. RE: How the rear doors were stretched , quarter panel, floor shape.

Given the shape of the rear glass, I'd say it is a rear door from a 4 door with a 2 door skin / latch panel or even the rear of a front door.

I'd also tend to think that it is more or less a 4 door front with a 2 door rear as was common with other brands of "factory" limos rather than a 4 door stretched.

Oh yes, and I have a nice new set too! 600's, W115's with "rough road" suspension, W123's with "rough road" suspension, W123 limo's, and W123 special versions all had 15" hubcaps.

Attachment 137839

I'd say a stretched wagon door in the middle. The rear fender and quarter look like from a coupe and with a sedan roof at the rear. Trunk looks to be the same as sedan/coupe. There will be a lot of handwork hooking all that together.

The LWB 123 came as 250 (M123), 240D and 300D. I don't think they were sold new in the US but Diesels were all over Hong Kong back in the day. I've never heard of a turbodiesel but why not? Being a 123, a 617 turbo swap is practically a must! IIRC Dan Penoff had a LWB 250 in Florida.

There's also this -

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikiped..._W115_Lang.JPG

Sixto
83 300SD

I have heard they have a lot of these in the middle east with 240d motors as taxis.

There were many W114 and W115 LWB's made, but from what I understand, fewer W123's. Again, only five factory turbo diesel variant were made.