Curious Case of a 1979 230E — Factory Code 850, Pre-Launch Build?

[ChaiR]

Hi all,

I’m trying to understand the story behind my W123 230E — and hoping someone here might have insights.

VIN: WDB12322322084837
Build Date: September/October 1979
Model: 230E (M102.980)
Transmission: 722.1 automatic
Paint: 934 – China Blue
Interior: 032 – Blue MB-Tex and cloth
Headlamps: HELLA
Country of origin: Germany

Unusual codes on the data card:
- 850 – Trial UT, Type Test/Certification
- Model designation deletion

What makes this car puzzling:
• The 230E officially launched in June 1980 — yet this car was built in late 1979 (September/ October)
• Code 850 seems linked to homologation or internal test units
• The badge delete suggests it may not have been intended for public sale

What I’m trying to figure out:
• Was this possibly a pre-production or type approval car?
• Are there any other examples of 1979-built 230Es?
• Has anyone seen Code 850 on other early W123s?

I’ve already reached out to Mercedes-Benz Classic and others, but haven’t had much luck so far.

If you’ve come across anything like this — even speculation — I’d be grateful for your thoughts.

Thanks for reading.

— Chaitanya