1978 Mercedes Benz 240D 4 Speed Restoration

"TheDon" (TheDon) 06/01/2014 at 15:16 • Filed to: 240D Restoration, Mercedes Benz, Brown, Jalop Car, W123, 240D, Diesel, Ferrari

7

16

May I present to you, my latest project.

Barn/field find 1978 Mercedes Benz 240D with a 4 speed manual, manual HVAC controls, no sunroof, tobacco brown interior(I think, I need to double check), and it's brown, Topaz Brown to be exact. The guy selling it cleaned the upper part of the drivers door but it can be even better than that small patch.

Mind the missing door panel. I put it all back together, the seller had the door handle out for some reason. I only have one key for it but I suspect that it was cut from the valet key because it will not lock the glove box nor can I unlock the trunk. I need to pull the drivers door handle out and clean the tumbler out since the key wont slide all of the way in and turn.

Simple, yet elegant. I am very happy it has the original radio. If it was a Mexico life would be perfect. The dash has one small crack but other than that its perfect. The upper door trim has shriveled, but that's fairly common.

It's funny the owners manual has a page dedicated to passing maneuvers in your 240D which has at most 67 horsepower.

So I will try and post here as much as possible to share my somewhat of a restoration. If I win the lottery It will be sent to the Classic Center for a full on $$$$ restoration. I'll bring it back to life and enjoy it as it should.

AM3R > TheDon 06/01/2014 at 15:19

0

I love the interiors of W123's. I was searching for a W123 weekend car but I couldn't find any manual ones with less than 250k :(.

I hear the paint can be polished right back to it's former glory too!

TheDon > AM3R 06/01/2014 at 15:26

1

Don't worry about the miles. The guy I bought this from also has an '80 240D 4 speed he is selling.

I suspect the car had either a panel repainted or a respray since there is brown paint on some of the rubber inside of the fuel filler. Regardless it had to have been a good respray. The old single stage paints can be brought back. Autogeek has a great article on using Meguairs Mirror Glaze #7 to moisturize the paint and then using a high quality wax to seal it. I'll get to that eventually. I need to do a serious deep clean on the car, I might clay it later today after I clean the kitchen.

Agrajag > TheDon 06/01/2014 at 15:27

1

Beautiful car. Mine(1982) unfortunately has the auto but whenever that decides to fail I will replace with a manual.

Do you mind adding " w123" as an additional tag. I use that for anything related to mine.

TheDon > Agrajag 06/01/2014 at 15:42

1

Done! I had forgotten that tag.

This 240D marks my 6th Mercedes diesel

JoelA237 > TheDon 06/01/2014 at 15:42

0

Should be a fun project! I love old Mercs

AM3R > TheDon 06/01/2014 at 15:49

1

post some before/after pictures if you can.

What state is he selling it in? East coast?

Scary__goongala! > TheDon 06/01/2014 at 16:10

0

This has been sitting in a barn but the interior and exterior are still 10x better and 5 years older than that of my W123:(

TheDon > AM3R 06/01/2014 at 16:50

0

it's in GA, right off of 75 in Hahira. I'll send you a link to the photos when I'm done vacuumig

TheDon > AM3R 06/01/2014 at 16:50

0

and don't worry. I'm documenting the entire journey

AM3R > TheDon 06/01/2014 at 16:56

0

cool, thanks!

Slave2anMG > TheDon 06/01/2014 at 17:00

0

My '83 240D had a dial-type radio/tape deck, not digital. I miss that car.

TheDon > AM3R 06/03/2014 at 11:12

0

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/show…

You buy now!

AM3R > TheDon 06/03/2014 at 11:18

0

I'm really digging the red 240d! Especially the transmission :)

I wonder how much work they would need to get back to DD status.. I'm gonna get some quotes on shipping.

TheDon > AM3R 06/03/2014 at 19:33

0

doooo itttttttt. It's a great price.

AM3R > TheDon 06/03/2014 at 19:51

0

I see you've bought the brown one.

Do you know how much work the red one needs to get it running? The price is great but that plus the shipping cost could probably buy me a running example locally.... If I could find one!

TheDon > AM3R 06/04/2014 at 07:56

0

It will probably need all new fluids and filters before you crank it, a battery, drop the tank and clean it(if you can't see in it and test the fuel), fuel filters. Maybe a valve adjustment and preoil the top end.

Thats what I am doing, hopefully this weekend. But the brown car needs all new suspension and tires. I need to flush the brakes, bleed the clutch, clean the interior out better, reglue some trim, replace a seat bottom spring, etc etc etc...

Buy it, you won't find these cars this cheap anymore. I still hate myself for selling my last 240D 4 speed which was good but not as good as this one(it ran! but the interior was worn)That one was manilla beige with matching hub caps. I do hope the hub caps for the brown car are in my trunk.