W21 Models
The First Diesel Powered Automobiles
1936 260D The only apparent significant difference in the design of the first diesel automobile engine and the the OM615 engine found in the 240D is that the OM615 has an overhead cam.
My 1936 Type 260D American Sales Borchure Yes, Mercedes-Benz did make convertible diesel cars. This extremely rare document is in near new condition. It is not as rare as the 1936 Type 260D itself. It was printed in anticipation of selling the car in North America and Britain. This booklet gives the reasoning for developing the diesel automobile. I like the part about.... " on the ground, in the air, and on the water".........The tri-star is symbolic of land, air, and sea. An early sustainable energy design, suitable Diesel Fuels are "Gas Oil, Lignite Oil, Shale Oil, or purified vegetable and animal Oils". I am not at all sure that one ever made it to the US before WWII. They were probably not that popular with British either. All is forgiven, I want the 2-door cabriolet.
W115 Models
The First Modern Diesel Powered Automobile
1968 220D. First year for this model. The original owner personnaly rebuilt the engine and had the car professionally repainted. It is now in a private collection in Holland
1972 220D I like the color so this one is in the museum. The pre-glow system had short-circuited in the dash. A few of the older cars with pull-to-glow switches had burned to the ground.
1972 220D Automatic This must be the nicest looking 220D ever made. It stayed in Ohio for 34 years and dosent have one molecule of rust anywhere. It is all original except tha tthe left fron fender was replaced in 1978 at a cost of $3950, more than some new cars. It looks better than ther rest of the car, but not much. This car is now in San Francisco. If it had a sunroof and a 4-speed, it would be in my garage.
1973 220D The original owner of this car was a preacher. He apaprently drove it everywhere execpt to church on Sunday. It has a remanufactured engine. The car has been driven 357,000 miles. The combination of the white steering wheel, sunroof, and factory air conditioning, is very rare.
1976 300D They actually started selling 300Ds in the US in 1975. This one is orange. Most had electric windows, sunroof, cruise control, AC, and wood trim.
W116 Models
The First Turbocharged Diesel Automobile
1979 300SD This car came from the factory with the polished alloy wheels. If this car had a black interior it would be in my garage now. Its new owner saw it while on tour with Jon Bon Jovi and flew from New York to SFO to get it. It had 67,000 miles on it when he drove away.
1980 300SD This car was special ordered by Mario, "The Pizza King of Huntington Beach, CA". That is why you will never see one just like it. Only the European style headlights are not original. He got tired of it and bought an SUV. He had cared for the car meticulously for over 20 years. When I informed him that the dealer where he had it consigned had it sitting in the back lot covered with dirt and birdshit, he immediatly took it back and sold it to me for 1⁄3 their price. A car collector in Costa Rica bought it. He let someone drive it and they squarely hit a tree while going 50 miles per hour. The driver suffered a cracked rib. The car was reincarnated in China as 10,000 can openers. I think that the 1980 300SD is the best car ever made. This was the prettiest.
1980 300SD This is the nicest looking Light Ivory 116 diesel I have ever seen. I put it in because it has seat heaters. The switches can be seen on the console. These seaters can be lots of fun on a hot summer day if you have an unsuspecting passenger.
W123 Models
The Best Automobile Ever Made - So Far
1978 240D It seems that half of the 240Ds were painted Light Ivory. This one had 63,000 miles when it went to Pennsylvania.
European Model 1983 300D 5-Speed This car was purchased by an American working in Germany. He used it for a year there and had it shipped home to California. The engine compression tested nominal for a new engine after 207,000 miles. It is normally aspirated. The car had to modified to meet US DoT standards. The nice bright European headlight were replaced with the American type, and the doors had to have side impact crash beams installed.
1984 300TD-T If they had been making these when Jed Clampett struck oil, he could have bought one and made the move to Beverly Hills on 1⁄3 the fuel. The self leveling rear suspension is great at compensating for heavy loads. They were expensive. You could have purchased three Toyota pick-up trucks for the price of one of these wagons. They are extremely versatile and durable. Once you have had one, it is hard to go without.
1985 300TD-T This car had 27,789 miles when I found it. The last new old wagon I expect to find.
W124 Models
The First Aluminum Head Turbodiesel
1992 300 2.5 Turbo MB went through all kinds of gyrations developing the aluminum head diesel engine. The W124 models were sold in the US with a variety of 5 and six cylinder engines. Some were not turbocharged. The 2.5 liter 5 cyclinder turbo must be the best of all. By 1992 they came with seats supplied by Recaro. Black on black.
W126 Models
1982 300SD The W126 300SD has a much stiffer body than the W116 so it drives better. The OM617 5 cylinder engine nearly perfected in the 1980 300SD was used in this model until 1986.