Pristine 1982 Mercedes-Benz Turbo-Diesel Coupe

This 1982 Mercedes-Benz 300CD Turbo Diesel on eBay in Clermont, Florida, has 89,000 original miles and is, says the seller, a 100 percent rust-free example that’s been in a single family’s ownership since 1982. It’s hard to imagine finding a better one. There’s no reserve, and bidding is at $6,000 with lots of time left. Judging by the headlights, it might be a Euro edition, but all the coupes got rectangular headlights.

The sunroof coupe, an upscale model in the company’s portfolio at the time, was initially acquired by O.B. Stevens in Germany while he was on vacation there. “He shipped it back to California and drove the car only on weekends, always garaged it, and never drove it in any bad weather,” the vendor says. “Later on, he moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico, and took his car with him.” It remained regularly maintained, serviced, garaged, and “babied.”

When Stevens passed away, his son, Gary, inherited it, and it was shipped to Florida in 2019. Again, a garage welcomed it. The Benz was used for short cruises to keep it exercised.

The vendor happened to be passing by, saw the car, talked to Gary, and bought it. “And now it’s for sale–the first time since 1982.” The original window sticker is included, and all the books and manuals—tons of ‘em. The vendor says the car was never repainted or in an accident. It reportedly drives excellently, with a smoothly shifting transmission. Nothing leaks, nothing smokes (and nobody smoked in it), and there are no weird noises. All the lights work, and gauges take readings. The power windows are slow but work. The air conditioning blows air, but it’s not cold. The tires have 50 miles on them.

The photos make it look flawless. There is a little surface rust underneath. One blemish is noted on the passenger front fender near the turn signal marker light. A clean Florida title is on hand.

As you probably know, this is a W123 Mercedes in the lineup that reigned from 1975 to 1986. Some 2.7 million were made, and the W123 was an endlessly reliable workhorse in its native Germany, where it frequently was pressed into service as a taxi. The cheaper ones, the 240D (455,000 built) and the 230E (442,000) were the most popular.

The stylish coupe, C123, appeared on a shortened wheelbase in the spring of 1977. It was first offered that year as the 280CE with gas engine or the naturally aspirated diesel, 300CD. Then, in ’82, the 280CE was deep-sixed, and the only available engine in the remaining 300CD was the groundbreaking turbo diesel, OM617A, which first appeared in 1976. Don’t expect a barn burner–it’s more of a boulevard cruiser.

The motor offered 187 horsepower with a Garret turbocharger and Bosch injection pumps and proved legendarily long-lived. People rack up tremendous mileage in these things. These cars are beautiful but aren’t huge in the collector world, with an average 1982 value of $18,031 at Classic.com. But don’t worry about that. Since the car is so low mileage, it may be the last vehicle you ever need.