1972 Mercedes-Benz 200-Series

D Sedan

2.2 L, Diesel

Manual

115-110-10-211927

Clear

Diesel only, no WVO or BIO conversion

Offered, a 42 y/o pedestrian sedan, very reliable that confidently could be driven cross country. In a three way race with a turtle and a snail, you might finish 3rd, although the torque > 30 mph is quite substantial and easily moves at interstate speeds. I'll make a sincere effort to list the bad and the ugly. Although it does not leak underneath, upon starting cold, it does kick out exhaust smoke for < a minute. Beyond that, the smoke is barely discenible, similar to most aging diesels, and not enough to render embarassment to the operator. Although it has A/C and a clock, neither work. The heat is just o.k. provided you live below the 42˚ parallel. The speedometer and odometer work, but the cable squeaks, intermittently. Defrost works. Wipers too. Turn signals work, but must be held. No cruise control, no GPS (a Rand-McNally Road atlas is included). Built before CarFax® existed, the car was never equipped with cup holders, power windows, power seats or vacuum controlled central locking. You're required to do these manually...same with trunk lid and gas cap. It has working power steering and power brakes, but not ABS. No known accident history. The glass is original, free of chips or rainbows, but the rear window rubber was replaced....leaking had damaged the headliner above the rear window, which I'd have to say, looks like s#it. So I never look at it. We also replaced the trunk seal, yet some water leaks in during rain or car wash. This has caused minor surface rust, under the mat, on the trunk floor (noted in photograph). Rust, otherwise, is not apparent on the balance of the vehicle. The car is very solid with properly spaced door gaps, excellent sightlines and no ripples. Three or more hairline cracks on the vinyl dash are concealed under a custom dash cover. The paint, not original. The repaint was done to an average standard, nowhere near concours, but much ➹ than Earl Scheib or Sherwin-Williams. The sedan has minor celebrity ownership (think D-list or lower), unworthy of mention, that has zero effect on value. Provenance is incomplete; It resided in Florida (Daytona area) for three decades, briefly in Manhattan (NYC), Denver, and then our winters in AZ. **************************** The plus list is limited. Starts every time. MB-Tex interior, overall, in good ++ condition; seating comfortable with no sags. Most recent mechanicals; rebuilt power steering, steering box, new clutch assembly, and replacement of both upper control arms and outer tie rod assemblies. Good maintenance history, manuals; zero major needs. Cosmetically, the car is a five, maybe a ten-footer, not gorgeous enough to precipitate an erection. Handling is smooth, precise, sure, a delightful vintage drive. This is not an ultra-quiet, bland, Asian rice machine. An acquired taste, you feel the road, hear the engine at work. Intoxicating, without the necessity for cheap gin. Full disclosure: although the diesel is attractive and runs well, fair warning, they always look better in the pictures. Note, too, there is no bulleted hyperbole, none of which is factual (think Pinocchio), replete with endless strings of exclamation marks, i.e.;these cars are known to go 500,000 to a million miles or, an autobahn cruiser, last of the hand-built MBs !!!!!!!!!!!!!!or, poised to increase in value, some have been known to sell for _____ (fill in the blank)can get up to 40 mpg (the actual is a little > 25 mpg)**************************** The car can be inspected and/or driven anytime during the listing. Please call ahead, (630) 986-seven, six, six, seven, or better, e-mail, cintifax@aol.com, as this seller has impaired hearing. It is not for sale locally; available by auction format only, to U.S. or Canada, to bidders with a minimum of (5) five feedback rating, it does not have a value worthy to warrant shipment overseas. Should you intend bidding from an internet cafe in Belarus, Nigeria, the eastern Ukraine, or the 3rd world snakepit of your choice, the system will be blocked. If the listing is sabotaged with a bogus last-minute bid, which seems to happen with greater frequency on eBay, the car will be available to the last legitimate bidder. Regardless of how it ends, someone will have a very nice old Benz, for likely a modest price. If there are any questions, I'll attempt to answer them on a timely basis.