Listed for sale on ebay out of Tulsa, OK, this 1979 300TD is the first year offering of the venerable W123 station wagon is true time-capsule example sporting a rare and beautiful color combination.
Finished in Icon Gold Metallic (419) paint of Bamboo Leather (204) interior this 1979 example shows only 138,000 documented miles.
Cosmetically, this car is stunning not only in its combination but its condition. The bamboo leather looks nearly new; quite a feat for a 41-year old car.
Additionally, this car has a very well-known (and presumably documented) ownership history. According to the seller, "This 1979 300TD was purchased new at Siggi Grimm Motors in Tulsa, Oklahoma by oil baron Walter H. Helmerich III, and has lived here in Tulsa ever since. After seeing a promotional specification card featuring one in (419) Metallic Icon Gold, Mr. Helmerich ordered one in that color for his wife and former Hollywood actress turned philanthropist Peggy Dow. Every option was selected including (204) Bamboo leather (most came with MB-Tex Vinyl), (411) sliding roof, (640) light alloy (Bundt) wheels and a (518) Becker Mexico cassette stereo.
The Helmerich family drove the wagon only 54K miles over the next 15 years and subsequently traded it in on a new Cadillac for Peggy in 1994. The next owner happened to see it on the lot during that transaction and bought it then and there before the dealership had a chance to get it ready to sell. He then proceeded to baby and maintain it religiously (over $30K in service records included, a majority from the same MB specialist) over the next 26 years and 84K miles.
Earlier this year he finally decided it was time to pass it along to a new caretaker. One Sunday morning he parked it in front of his house with a FOR SALE sign on the windshield. I’ve seen this car around town for a majority of my life and always admired it, so when I happened to pass by that day I called the number immediately and we had a deal struck within the hour. He then said he had an appointment the next morning to have new tires installed and that we could meet up after. When was the last time you had new tires thrown in AFTER making a deal."
In addition to the above, the seller claims the A/C was recently serviced and a new Bosch alternator was installed. Unfortunately, a PDR repair undertaken on the passenger side fender failed and, as a result, there is cracking/delaminating paint in that area where along with the unfinished dent repair.
The biggest drawback on this car is the fact that it is a a non-turbo variant; as the 300TDT was not available in 1979. These underpowered wagons are still gorgeous, timeless and reliable, but severely underpowered as compared to modern traffic (or the turbo-diesel W123s).
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