After a good 36 hour trip "Pearl" is home in Kentucky. Rode out to central Missouri on Thursday with my brother-in-law who was headed to KC to see his girlfriend, in his 228,000-mile Buick that nailed down 28 MPG.

Got to the friend's shop where I'd stashed the car about 9:30 and went to work. Carrier bearing, oil change (Schaeffer's 9000 5w40), fuel filters, and fan belts. Finished up just before midnight and got some shut-eye, hung out for a little while before leaving out at just after 11. Got a gallon of sweet tea and some Diesel Kleen from Wally World and a full tank of fuel from Sinclair, and headed through the hills toward the Mississippi. A good opportunity to get a feel for the car's handling on the hilly and curvy roads down that way, too. Passed a pretty decent looking 123 sedan in Ironton - couldn't tell if it was a 240 or 300, but the occupants gave a big wave as did I.

The car was clearly running better the further I drove and its highway prowess was impressive - the enthusiasm with which it responded to the skinny pedal once up to speed really surprised me. Filled up just East of Paducah and, though the PO had said its usual best was about 27 MPG, the math came back at 28.3. By then it was getting later than I'd planned so I gave 'er a good run up the Western KY Parkway, foot cramping a good part of the way 'cuz the cruise doesn't work, and picked up wifey at the local main street coffee shop by 9.

No repairs needed along the way, a nagging driveshaft vibration, but almost no oil consumption. I think I've got a keeper! Excited to start cleaning up, tuning up, and fixing up.

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'82 300CD
"Pearl", the very first turbo diesel 123 coupe
Totaled 11/23/18, rebuild in progress.
'85 300TD, "Artemis".
'78 300D euro, "Ol' Red", mostly retired.
'85 300D, "Gandalf".