Vehicle Description
1976 Mercedes-Benz 300D Sedan
Three-box design is a broad automotive styling term describing a
coupe, sedan, notchback or hatchback where, when viewed in profile,
principal volumes are articulated into three separate compartments
or boxes: engine, passenger and cargo. Designed by Paul Bracq, a
Frenchman and noted automotive designer, this classic design would
be the standard at Mercedes-Benz for the 60's and 70's.
For consignment, a time capsule with a known history for this very
original car in 300D form right out of 1976. Originally purchased
by a young radiologist for his wife, ordered new at Carson Pettit
in Devon, PA and referred to by the wife as "Sweetie". Upon the
wife's passing in 2014 the car was left to a nephew and come 2017
with the stipulation that the wife''s lipstick laden cigarette butt
remain in the ashtray and her Kentucky Derby hat stays on the rear
parcel shelf, our consignor purchased the car and has faithfully
maintained this Benz with the help of this uncle who was a Mercedes
technician for many years. Not a hint or rust on the exterior paint
and the interior in blue is also in near perfect condition. The
factory Becker stereo unit remains installed, and a wonderful
driver with lots of miles left in her.
Exterior
Bathed in nearly all original Pastel Blue, all panels are straight,
and gaps are well minded. Only a few runs in the paint are to be
noted in the lower sections of the body. Chrome trimmings are all
good, as are the bumpers, front grille, window surrounds and side
trimmings. These models are beautiful in their designs with the
vertical headlights and signals directly below surrounded in a
chromed bezel, all within a thin side fender up front. Foglights
are on atop the black rubber trimmed chrome front bumper as well.
The lines continue rearward with the 4 doors, all closing with the
factory Mercedes-Benz thud, and moving rearward to the ribbed tail
lights on matching thin design rear quarters. Those ribs are there
for a reason...they help keep the taillights clean in dirty
conditions. Matching body color Pastel Blue wheel covers are all
around on polishedsteel wheels and are wrapped by good rubber. Just
a well preserved presentation of high quality German
engineering.
Interior
Recovered medium blue German MB-Tex and leather styled buckets are
up front, and a nice original blue leather bench is in the rear all
in near showroom condition with no dirt or smudges. The buckets
sport a central armrest which louvers up and down for convenience
and this repeats on the sprawling rear bench. The simple but
effective German design dash houses dual round gauges and a central
round clock. Just below, facing both the driver and passenger are
highly lacquered German walnut inserts, adding an air of class to
the very machine age dash. Various pulls and knobs are below, and
the original good condition steering wheel is fronting this dash.
Clean looped pile plush blue colored carpet floods the floors, and
above is a nice perforated vinyl headliner in white. In the center
within the low profile console is the gear shift for the 4-speed
automatic transmission and rocker switches for the power windows. A
shout out to the larger than life trunk with it's full sized spare
tire and traffic triangles within their original case.
Drivetrain
A 3.0 liter OM617 inline 5 cylinder diesel has been well maintained
as the consignor's uncle is a former Mercedes tech and kept things
running tip top. Overall the engine shows slight patina on the
metal surfaces but runs like a German intricate Cuckoo clock from
the same Black Forest this car was made. A Daimler Benz 4-speed
automatic transmission is on back sending power to a 3.46 geared
axle that cantake you down the road efficiently and smoothly.
Undercarriage
Just clean black rust free surfaces, all put together like a Panzer
tank, this car has seen little bad weather and a lot of in-home
garage time. Not unlike the top...all is solid and well preserved
with independentcoil spring suspension for both the front and rear.
4 wheel power disc brakes with all 4 dual piston calipers being
rebuilt and the brake system tended to bring this German skate to
an efficient and effective stop.
Drive-Ability
A turn of the key and a brief wait for the glow plugs to do their
thing and the "clacker" came tolife and I was off to the test
track. Here it was a buttoned up pleasurable drive with diesel
acceleration, smooth shifting, and easy steering. All functions
were working as they should with the exception of the clock not
keeping time, the AC blowing warm and the left rear window only
going up from the left rear door switch, but fear not as a new
window switch cluster is included with your purchase. The interior
offered up plenty of room and imagined myself on a winding road
through the German Black Forest. Ahhhhhh.
A 3owner well preserved beautifully taken care of Mercedes Benz, in
diesel format. A 4-speed for better acceleration, a stack of
paperwork and invoices and very clean overall ready for an
additional 300 thousand miles! Schnell! (well sort of...it's a
diesel!)
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 850 vehicles for sale
with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle
barn find collection is on display. This vehicle is located in our
showroom in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, conveniently located just
1-hour west of Philadelphia on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The
website is www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888)
227-0914. Please contact us anytime for more information or to come
see the vehicle in person.
