5k: Off-Roader: 1984 Mercedes-Benz 300D
In all the years of surfing cars ads in autotrader print magazines, craigslist & ebay, I really can’t say I’ve ever quite seen a car like this. It is the ultimate amalgam of hipster chic, redneck rampage and Mexico family vacation. It is cold filtered, barrel aged and freshly ground for the ultimate Coors Light-bourbon-frappuccino. Never in the history of automotive customization has anything so totally missed the mark, hit the target and filled an unknown need. Anyway, enough with the fancy analogies, this ain’t Car & Driver…this is Daily Turismo…let’s see it. Find this 1984 Mercedes-Benz 300D offered for $5,500 in Hollywood, CA. Tip from Alex V.
The Mercedes-Benz W123 generation E-Class is one of the legendary cars of yore. Never known for being fast, the W123 was blessed with a bomb proof interior and engines that live well past the owners’ desire to keep driving. This one is equipped with the 3.0 liter inline-5 OM617 turbodiesel which would have been good for 123 horsepower and 185 ft-lbs of torque when new.
The thing that sets this 300D apart from the crowd is the seller-installed off road suspension. Finally, a fitting competitor to the AMC Eagle but without that pesky AWD system. In the seller’s own words: It looks super tough and unique but still classy.
See a better daily driver for the rural commuter? tips@dailyturismo.com
Shucks, the guy practically begged for the cockroach badge. But the car is begging for a brush guard and rally lights.
"I have invested a lot of time, energy and money into this car…"
Wish he had invested more time and energy into photographing this beast.
This car is just begging to come do battle on the streets of Chicago. I think I would add a set of all-terrain light truck tires, and an extra set of lights and a push bar just to complete the look. If this were a wagon, I'd be in serious, serious trouble…
Tony,
I agree that if this were a wagon with a few Cibies + brush guards…it would be gone. Unfortunately, sometimes the worst ads are the best deals.
EIC Vince
This is the best car ever. I think the seller doesn't want to give away all the secrets that went into it's construction so hence the vague ad. I am so glad I don't have any money to burn right now or this would have already started to ruin my life.
I would love one of these but I loath all things beige. Every single one of them that I see on the road is this same sickly hearing aid color. And if it isn't , the interior is.
Best Beruit taxi ever.
I am the owner of the above car/roach/beirut beauty. Actually taxis in Africa were my inspiration for the car.
It has been offroad in baja several times, won several drag-races, and can still drive to SF on a single tank of gas.
I'm still driving it and have not yet responded to the multitude of emails I got about it, partly because I am attached to it, and partly because there are little niggly things like window regulators that I want to address first.
To buy myself some time, I have raised the price to $8,500. If anybody wants it at that price, they are mad. You can still find the car on LA craigslist if you want to get in touch.
Thanks again,
Cameron.
So in other words, this car isn't actually for sale?
it is now certainly for sale… I have even lowered the price as I am keen to sell up and ride with my girlfriend down to south america. new paintjob and motorcycle hauler contraption and listing here: losangeles.craigslist.org/wst/cto/4471672145.html
click here for current CL listing
greetings, cameron – how about you give us a bunch more photos to post – maybe a video?
I remember seeing the listing for this on craigslist minus the trim pieces and a multi-color exterior, sweet car
I NEED to know how you got that lift on the car…