Description
This is a super interesting 1978 Mercedes 230. It was originally purchased by the Indonesian embassy to London in 1978 as a diplomatic pool car. It was registered for the first time formally as a civilian car in 1983.
It comes factory painted in SA code 040 black (unusual for a European w123), with the lovely brown MB text interior which is in great condition. It looks every bit the embassy vehicle. It has completed just 101, 025 miles (low for a W123) with extensive history validating the mileage. I’ve been using it for a few trips to work and a couple of longer trips and it has performed flawlessly, the ride is exceptionally smooth. It hasn’t missed a beat.
All of the work listed below has been done since July 2024 and has covered 942 miles since the work was completed, so everything feels fresh. Despite not needing an MOT, I have taken the liberty of doing so as part of the recommissioning. The car is registered as an historic vehicle, so it no longer needs this.
Under my ownership I have undertaken a mechanical restoration of the car. Extensive works were completed by Mercedes specialist The MB Shop (labour totalling £3536), including:
Brembo discs all round
Brembo brake pads all round
Reconditioned Rear Callipers (from specialist reconditioners Bigg Red)
Brand new front callipers
Complete new fuel lines
New Flexi brake hoses
Complete new copper brake lines
New Bilstein Dampers all around
Complete carb rebuild including rebuild kit
Brand new Mercedes OEM carburettor flange.
Brand new 123 Bluetooth Distributor (this allows fine tuning of distributor from your phone and also allows you to disable your car remotely to prevent theft) - Costing £378.
Brand new Powerspark HT leads
New Air Filter
New Rear Suspension rubber stop
New Fuel Filter
WOSP High performance starter motor (Costing £365)
Work I have completed:
Bosch S4 008 74ah battery
Period correct Hirschmann power aerial
Retrosound Model Two Stereo with USB audio
Upgraded Rockford Fosgate R14X2 Prime 4-Inch Full Range Speakers in the original enclosures. A big improvement on the originals.
Swapped out the steel wheels for 14” Mexican hat alloys
Nankang 205/ 70R14 tyres all round. Tyres are all dated: 2823 and were supplied new in July 2024.
New Exhaust front centre and rear silencer.
Rebuilt notoriously problematic indicator relay with new electrolytic capacitors.
New Bosch Wipers
Work still needed:
- It needs a respray. I have cleaned to the best of my abilities but the paint is rough, there are various bubbles of rust and paint is coming away in places and would benefit from some attention. It looks pretty good around the windows.
- The right rear quarter needs some attention, with a few small repairs needed along with some repair needed on the rear panel around the light aperture. The arch has been repaired.
- The door bottoms have some corrosion that needs to be addressed. One door could do with being replaced. (See photos)
- The boot needs to be painted (I have the original boot which has a dent that you are welcome to have. I chose a replacement as it was cheaper and easier to fix.
- The instrument cluster needs new bulbs. I have these included, they just need to be fitted.
- The Vacuum central locking doesn’t work. The key works just fine.
- The rear right and boot waist trim is missing and is needed (widely available and not too costly).
The car comes complete with the original steel wheels (tyres are old/ shot) and chrome hubcaps with correct black centres) in addition to the Mexican Hat wheels fitted.
Viewing is welcome and encouraged. The car is located in Stroud, Gloucestershire. My plan was to give the Mercedes a full restoration. I have completed the mechanical part at considerable cost, it is now ready for the cosmetic work. Once completed, it will be an exceptional W123, one of the coolest specs around with a great backstory.
