1987 Mercedes-Benz 190-Series

2.3-16 4 Door Sedan

2.3 4 cylinder

Manual

WDBDA34D6HF299630

Clear

gas

1987 Mercedes Benz 190E 2.3-16V Cosworth. Car has 38,XXX original miles, and until 2 weeks ago, was sitting in the lower portion of a barn since 1995. I purchased the vehicle from the original owners daughter. Her father was the CEO and President of his own engineering corporation and bought it brand new on 12/31/86 from Carson Pettit Mercedes for the sum of $35,244. She recalled he drove it until the winter of 1995, at which point he parked it inside, never to return to it. I have a stack of Carson Pettit invoices from 1987 to 1991, including service intervals, and several complaints he had about the car. It also includes the original purchase receipt. If requested, I will photocopy all the invoices I have and send them to you. According to the records I have, the car had a front fender put on it in 1988, with a letter written from the original owner to a Vickers Tavern in Lionville, PA. The letter states he pulled into the parking lot, and ran over a piece of railroad tie, due to a poor job of them plowing there parking lot. The railroad tie hit the fender, and he wanted there insurance to pay for the repairs. The letter even has the original polaroid pictures attached to it, of the vicious railroad tie. The last written record, on June 5th, 1991 puts the mileage at 20,323. After that he no longer took the car to Carson Pettit, because he was not satisfied with there customer service. This is where the service records end. I was told he drove it up until 1995, when he retired and moved out of the country, with intentions to import the car with him, which never happened. On to present day: Since removing the car from its tomb, the only work I have done to it is clean it up: The Interior: The seats had light mildew on them, the carpet as well. The car originally had a cover on it, which disintegrated off of it. We went through and cleaned all the leather, several times, including conditioning every piece. As you'll see from the pictures, it cleaned up very well, there is no tears present that I can see. There is some wear on the drivers seat from entering and exiting the car, I believe this can be touched up without much trouble. The carpets where steam cleaned, and vacuumed out, they came up very nice. The headliner has a few small stains, and a small hole, from what I can only assume was a mouse. The Exterior: We washed the car several times, first to get the dirt & grime off the paint, and then with soap and microfiber towels to remove anything remaining. The paint is not perfect, but shines nicely with minor imperfections. The only thing I used was a spray detailer, no compounds or buffing. There is a small ding on the roof, roughly the size of a dime, its only noticeable at certain angles. The drivers side door is missing the door cladding, I was told it fell off one day on the highway, and proceeded to be run over by a passing car. These panels are available, and I have seen several here on Ebay in the cars matching color. Drivers side headlight has a small crack in it. In several places there is a few stains/touchups. I say this because I can not tell if someone touched up imperfections, or its a stain left from the car cover that sat on it for 20 years. With the proper cleaning, it may come off, it may not. The passenger side rear door has a few very small dimples, I tried to show them in the pictures, but there so small they don't show up well. There is no bubbling or rot to be found. Mechanically: The first thing I did was turn the engine by hand, it spun freely. From there we put a jump box on the battery, and cranked the car over. With a shot of gas into the throttle body it will start and then die. I was only making sure the electrical system was in working order. Its going to need all the usual things from sitting for an extended period of time, fuel tank flushed, fuel filter, oil & coolant changed, rotors, pads, & tires. When the car was parked, I've been told there was no mechanical issues. I have had the car on a lift, and could not find any rot/rust. Everything appears straight and solid, with the exception of the exhaust. (I would recommend replacement) Both wheels on the passenger side have a ding on the lip, there's a written complaint in the invoices about them, Carson Pettits fault, apparently. Overall, its a very straight car, and a great project for an enthusiast familiar with these cars. This was 1 of several cars I purchased from the family's estate, and decided to focus on fixing one of the others. Where I am a mechanic by trade, I honestly know nothing about Mercedes, and feel that someone else would enjoy this project more then I would. These cars have started to shoot up in value, and continue to climb higher in price each year. I have a clean and clear title, as well as all the invoices that go with it. I am more then willing to answer any and all questions you may have, as I stated, I am not familiar with these cars, and have done my best to be as thorough as possible describing it. I am willing to store the car for a period of time that can be discussed with the purchaser. Payment is due upon picking the car up, or discussed at the end of sale. Buyer must contact me within 1 day after purchase or your bid will be cancelled. I can help load the car onto a transporter if it needs to be shipped.