1980 Mercedes-Benz 200-Series

240D Sedan

Automatic

WDB12312312197438

Clear

Diesel

For sale a 1980 Mercedes Benz 240D VIN WDB12312312197438 in tobacco brown with palomino-Tex interior with 55,946 original miles. The car is original all around with 3 documented owners. I’m the 3rd owner. I have been able to establish chain of title since its production date of 06/12/1980 to my ownership through the car’s records and (CA DMV) California Department of Motor Vehicles. As you may know, Carfax history report will not work for the 1980 model year. The car was originally sold at Butt’s Imports in Santa Barbara, California to its first owner on 01/20/1981 who owned the car until fall of 2007. According to CA DMV the car was traded in at Santa Barbara Chrysler in Goleta, CA by the original owner. Then there was a dealer-to-dealer transaction and the car went to CaliforniaClassix, a reputable classic car dealer in Ventura, CA not too far away. The second owner bought the car from CaliforniaClassix on 11/21/2007 and brought it to Dallas, TX where he drove it for a couple months and then sold it to me, through eBay, on 01/26/2008. I had the car shipped back to Southern California where I’ve enjoyed it since mostly between Palm Springs, CA and West Los Angeles, CA. The car comes complete with books, records and even the original sales brochure. No cost has been spared in the maintenance and upkeep during my ownership as I am not a mechanic. However, the records do fall silent after 1983, which is indicated in the original maintenance booklet. The 1st owner did not continue to have the booklet stamped. The record comes alive again in 2007 with the second owner. I should note that the 1st owner is of Redken and Nexxus Cosmetics fame a multinational million dollar cosmetics corporation. It seems from his ownership the receipts were not transferred with the car upon trade-in. The car’s body panels are very straight and the rubber and seals are in excellent condition. In fact, I replaced the firewall, windshield, back window, sunroof, and trunk seals making the car very tight. The car exhibits no rust and no evidence of accident or body repair. If you look closely, during an inspection, you will notice the car exhibits the original manufacture markings and dots throughout. The car if fully optioned with automatic transmission, power steering, power brakes, A/C, power windows, power sunroof, power antennae, power door locks, fog lights, (cruise control-does not work), windshield washer and intermittent windshield wipers. I decided not to replace the cruise control unit because I really never have the opportunity to use it on Southern CA roads. Also, please note that the car does not have its original radio or speakers. The original radio quit and the speakers were old so I had a new Sony CD MP3 system professionally installed with Infinity speakers to fit the original specs so no cutting or add-ons. The interior is in excellent condition. The Mercedes Tex is near perfect and the carpeting shows little to no wear. The door panels are very tight and the headliner is new. The dash is in very good condition, although it does show a few hairlines. All the lights work as intended including the dimmer on the instrument display. In the trunk you’ll find the original full spare tire, jack and tools in their red sheath under the original carpet all in excellent condition. Also, I should point out which is not visible to the eye; I’ve insulated the interior of the car with a Mylar bubble insulation to improve the overall insulative quality of the interior, rattle and sound resistance. This material has been added behind the door panels under the carpeting and behind the backseat and rear sundeck as well as a layer between the headliner portions of the sunroof. Overall the interior is quiet, rattle free and in excellent unmolested and mostly original condition. The mechanics of the car are in excellent condition. I’ve made every effort to keep the car in top performance so there is no differed maintenance or pending problems or issues. The engine is peppy and operates as one would expect with only 55,946 original miles. I put new correctly fit, top-of-the-line Eclipse All Season 90k mile tires on this year, which made an already good ride great! The car absolutely swallows potholes, railroad tracks and uneven or rough roads. It is a pleasure to drive and has a very sure and stead manner about it. Once at speed, the car cruises quietly down the road with the mellow hum of the diesel. This car can be driven confidently anywhere. There are some deficiencies to note: 1. Even though the paint is very presentable, it is NOT perfect or as new. The paint is mostly original, the hood and lower rear panels have been re-sprayed at some point where checking has occurred, which is evident as you can see the checking under the re-spray. There is slight checking on the upper rear left body panel in the original paint as well as small imperfections in other areas. The paint also exhibits the beginnings of oxidation that can be seen in the right light in certain places although no discoloration. 2. As I mentioned above the cruise control does not work. And even though it’s an inexpensive fix, it was an option I would rarely use. 3. The seat belt on the right rear passenger side, at some point in time, was shut in the door and so it’s cracked, but still functions as intended. 4. The shift lever clear plastic display indicating “PRNDSL” in the center console has a small crack. 5. B-Pillar upholstered cover on the driver’s side has some nicks as pictured. 6. The fabric material that covers the rubber door surrounds has been removed as pictured. The rubber surrounds are still in place. 7. The plastic molding on the upper part of the doors surrounding the windows has been removed as pictured. 8. A few Hairlines in the dash. 9. Driver’s seat has a small third inch tear in one of the seat seams. 10. Rear right passenger automatic window is slow, but operates correctly. I am confident that any enthusiast will be tickled with this car. It is everything you would expect in an unrestored, but very well kept Mercedes 240d. I am frequently complimented on the car and am proud to pull up anywhere on any occasion. I’m straight forward so please ask questions. I encourage you to come out and see the car, drive it, and inspect it. Please note that if you should decide to have a professional shop inspection done on the car, I will require it be done at Mercedes Benz of Palm Springs at your expense as they are a trusted and well organized shop. If you wish to inspect it yourself or should you bring a qualified mechanic or someone mechanically inclined, it will be done under supervision. In anticipation of some of your questions, I’ve decided to post a FAQ. 1. Why are you selling the car? This is a great car, but it is a second car and at this point in time I really only want one car. 2. Is the car slow? Yes, the car is slow. It can keep up with traffic and will most likely make you a better driver. If you are unfamiliar with this car, please educate yourself on this car before biding. 3. Does the car get 40mpg? No, the car is estimated to get on average with mixed driving around 26mpg according to the EPA mileage figures quoted in the original sales brochure. Your driving style and speed will determine mpg. I can attest the quoted mpg is correct when driving in and around town. On the freeway, I go about 70mph as that is the speed limit here so the 30+ mpg quoted is in 1980 speed limit terms of 55mph on a very flat and even road. 4. Does the car smoke? No, the car doesn’t emit smoke. The car exhausts as the manufacturer intended. 5. Is there blow-by? No, according to my mechanic this is not an issue with such low miles. 6. Is the car a competitive show car? No, it is an excellent example of a beautiful and stylish daily driver. 7. What form of payment do you accept? Cash, Cahiers Check, Bank Transfer so long as the payment clears my account before possession is taken. In any large purchase trust and honesty are the best policy. 8. What about shipping? I will assist you with shipping as far as being here to help it on the truck, but all arrangements are your responsibility. 9. Will you take a trade? No 10. Are there warrantees or guarantees implied or given? No, I’ve described the car and answered any questions to the best of my knowledge. Please remember this is a classic 30 year old car NOT a new car. 11. What’s your reserve? I will not divulge the reserve of this auction so please don’t ask, it just takes the fun out of it. 12. So I won, what’s next? Please remember the process of discovery happens BEFORE the auction ends not after. For that reason, there will be no inspections allowed after the auction has ended, only the transaction of the sale. Please contact me immediately and we’ll work together to close the sale. A deposit will be required to move forward. This is a great car, with no stories, clean title in hand, and in excellent original condition. The reserve is low so bid to buy. Regards, Matt-