Can the provenance of a car convince you to buy a make or model you might not otherwise consider? I will freely admit to being at least swayed by a car’s story if it’s in the general ballpark of a vehicle I was already considering buying, so if you’ve been on the hunt for a diesel Mercedes-Benz, this clean and one-family owned 1975 240D may be worth a look. Its condition certainly speaks for itself, but the fact that it has been under the stewardship of one family and also previously a European-delivery model makes it a touch more compelling than other examples. Thanks to Barn Finds reader Matt H. for the find!
The W114/W115 family of Mercedes-Benz products is one of the more attainable generations an enthusiast of average means can buy. Now, when equipped with the diesel engine – especially one paired to an automatic transmission – means you will be going everywhere quite slowly. But this is also one of the most reliable Mercedes products ever built, with cars racking up legendary mileage on the diesel powerplant. The four-cylinder non-turbo diesel will run for ages with only the most rudimentary of maintenance routines, and will live quite happily in your garage if you actually take care of it. Clearly, this 240D falls into the latter category.
Now, a W115-chassis Mercedes is going to be known for a few other things, in addition to its impressive durability, and the interior’s ability to withstand the ravages of time is a key feature. Again, if you spill coffee inside daily and leave it parked in the sun, the cockpit will not complain, but if you actually take care of it, it will look like brand new decades later – as this 240D does. The seats have been covered with sheepskin and the carpets with floor mats, all but guaranteeing both are pristine underneath. I see virtually no flaws with the door panels or interior plastics, and this provides further evidence that these one-family owners know how to look after car.
The fact that it was purchased via Mercedes’ European delivery program makes it even more interesting. When you choose this option, you can fly to Europe and drive your new Mercedes all over the countryside, making memories with it before it even sets a tire in the states. Mercedes will then manage all of the logistical hurdles of getting it home, and your new pride and joy shows up with some miles already under its tires when it comes into the local port. The fact that this 240D was clearly looked after and loved from the day it was purchased gets a big thumbs up from me, and if you dig it as much as I do, check it out here on craigslist where it’s listed for a reasonable $7,000.
If you were in the military and station in Germany you could actual purchase a car and have it shipped to the US!
Unfortunately, you didn’t get a European-spec car when you ordered European delivery, so this car has the googly-eye headlights and beefy bumpers familiar to Americans.
My Mustang was ordered through Ford’s military program and was originally delivered to a base in Switzerland. I have the original yellow “Export” window sticker. It was shipped to the US when the soldier came home, and, sadly, repossessed soon afterward.
I like certain American spec cars, I also like certain Euro spec cars. I like American style impact absorbing bumpers. I also like the headlamps.
To my knowledge, there are no U.S. bases in Switzerland, and never have been. Perhaps an embassy or consulate? Or might it have been a base in Germany instead?
and with a non-turbo 240D, you’d have plenty of time to admire the scenery in detail as you drove home…
The 240 never had the option of being turboed.
Only the 300d could be turboed
Nice find. These are as bulletproof as you can get and this could be a perfect weekend or daily driver. The auto is not optimal, but the stick really wasn’t that much better. I would be tempted to buy this for my high school kid’s first car.
Temped.
Lovely car. I’d buy one if I could find one near where I live. If only more pics were posted on Craigslist. I think most people would like to see as much of the car as possible before deciding to buy it. Given its original condition, I’d pay around the asking price of $7,000.
Buying solely by photos on an online ad is too risky – you only need to see enough photos to decide if you’re going to make the effort to go see it. Regard all photos as manipulated until proven otherwise.
Gutless, slow, stinky and smelly when starting, they don’t get the mileage you will from a modern diesel, back in the day, knowledgeable mechanics recommended 2000 mile oil changes . . . I can’t see a rational reason to buy one today, and I obviously, I will never buy another!
This is a very nice example of German quality workmanship and materials, and I really like the look of it. I’m with Car Nut Tacoma, if I lived nearby I’d take a serious look at buying it and using it as a daily driver. It doesn’t get much better in my book. And should one not be able to get diesel you can always filter cooking oil from McDonalds etc and drive down the road leaving the scent of french fries behind you like some friends in Sedona were doing a decade back with their trucks. And they got it free because the restaurants didn’t have to dispose of it that way.
By whatever means you can get fuel for your car.