Mercedes Motoring Mercedes-Benz restoration, back road exploration!

Diesel Sedan

1981 240D Diesel Sedan

  • RARE Marine Blue with Creme MB-Tex
  • 54,000 original miles since new
  • 100% original paint, sunroof, one owner
  • fully documented history
  • this car was nothing short of astonishing!
  • new home, somewhere in California
  • Sold

Description: Marine Blue exterior (MB paint code 940) with Parchment MB-Tex interior. 4-Cylinder, 2.4 liter, 65 hp, fuel-injected, normally aspirated diesel, single overhead cam, 4-speed automatic transmission, power assisted 4-wheel disc brakes, 4-wheel independent suspension, optional manual sunroof, A/C and heat automatic climate control, power windows, central locking, power steering, cruise control, original Becker Europa AM/FM stereo with adjustable sleeve height power antenna, electrically heated rear windshield, quartz chronometer, 3-way adjustable driver side front seat, 2-way adjustable passenger side front seat, parcel nets on front seat backrests, 14” steel wheels with matching Marine Blue hubcaps, front and rear center folding arm rest, front center cargo tray, halogen head lamps, halogen amber fog lamps, 2-speed windshield wiper with 5-second mist interval control, zebrano wood dash trim, berber wool loop carpet, driver accessible rear dome light switch, headlamp turn-off warning device, optional right and left side controlled parking light illumination, full spare and tool kit, road-side trunk reflector, first-aid kit, Owner's Manual, Mercedes-Benz dealership stamped Maintenance Booklet, along with other original Mercedes-Benz literature.

Exterior Condition: The rare Marine Blue paint is 100% original and 100% rust free. The condition is absolutely phenomenal!  It is clear and deep, not faded or oxidized, and literally shines like brand new.  There are a few very, very minor blemishes, but the overall impression is astonishing. The polished aluminum trim, which wraps all of the exterior glass and also runs along the roof rails, etc, is brilliant, without any scratches or fading, the latter being a telltale indicator of a car that has always been garage kept. Both the front and rear bumpers are in excellent condition without any scratches in the chrome, and the rubber body sleeves and bumper guards are in like new condition as well. The original belt molding body trim, which lines all of the doors, fenders, quarter panels and trunk is near perfect, with absolutely no fading or scratches. The factory 14” steel rims and original matching Marine Blue hubcaps are in excellent condition, with only a slight patina on the 27 year old hubcaps. The Bridgestone 195/70/R14 tires are brand new, along with an identical spare, and the original factory tool kit is still in its unopened plastic packaging. The trunk compartment is excellent. Era correct pinstripe is flawless. The original door seals, trunk seal, glass seals, rubber weather-stripping, etc., are still soft, pliable and in excellent like new condition. The original factory glass is excellent. The original chrome grill is excellent. The headlamp housings are beautiful, as are the side markers, and all of the emblems are bright, shiny and excellent.  The taillights are bright and flawless without scratches or fading. Original factory signature window sticker, interior stickers, interior door jam specification plate, dealership inspection signature sticker, etc. are all excellent.

NOTE: THE UNDERCARRIAGE STILL HAS TRACES OF THE ORIGINAL PROTECTIVE COSMOLINE UNDERCOATING, AND THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO RUST ANYWHERE ON THE VEHICLE. Further, the car was enhanced with an additional dealership undercoating, which was an optional upgrade at the time of purchase.

Interior Condition: The interior to this sedan is absolutely stunning!  It is nothing short of going to the Dealership in 1981 and purchasing the car brand new. The Parchment MB-Tex is in perfect, like new condition.  There are no rips, no tears, no fading, no diminished support in the padding, no pleats that have shifted beneath the stitching, and virtually no wear whatsoever. The parcel nets on the front seat backrests are snug against the seats. The original berber wool loop carpet is flawless, without any stains, fading, unraveling, and virtually no wear at all. The zebrano wood dash trim is stunning! It is clear and deep with a durable shine, and there are absolutely no cracks or fading. The headliner looks brand new. The door panels and map pockets are excellent without any cracks, scuffs or tears. The original unopened first-aid kit appears to have never been used. The instrument cluster is bright and flawless, without any faded needles or aging.  The accessory switches, knobs, buttons, turn signal lever, cruise control lever, etc. are in excellent condition without any faded symbols, and they are all in proper working order. The steering wheel is firm to the grip without any twisting or slack. The roadside trunk reflector, original in-the-package unused tool kit, jack, etc. are all in excellent condition. 

NOTE: VALIDATION TO BEING GARAGE KEPT IS EVIDENT IN THAT THERE ARE ABSOLUTELY NO CRACKS IN THE DASH. FURTHER, THIS CAR WAS FITTED WITH TINTED WINDOWS AND SHEEPSKIN SEAT COVERS WHEN PURCHASED NEW, WHICH IS ANOTHER REASON WHY THE INTERIOR IS SO WELL PRESERVED (i.e. bright red seat belt push buttons, no fading on the MB-Tex vinyl, rear dash carpet and speaker grills are like new, etc.) THE TINT AND SEAT COVERS WERE ONLY RECENTLY REMOVED

Mechanical Condition: This sedan runs absolutely excellent! It has been exceptionally well maintained since new, and has never missed a single scheduled service. Its durable and fuel efficient 2.4 liter, 4-cylinder diesel motor is smooth and strong, and it gets an average of 30MPG.  Cold starts are instantaneous, which is validation to its low miles, and the motor, chassis and engine compartment are exceptionally clean and dry. The transmission shifts sure, timely, and proper.  Independent suspension is solid and comfortable, and the steering is tight and responsive without any play. Recently the car received its scheduled maintenance service, new front and rear brake pads, valve adjustment, new fuel filters, A/C service including retrofitting to receive R134 refrigerant, etc., and there are currently no pending maintenance issues.

Accessories Condition: All power windows function excellent. Manual sunroof works smooth  and excellent, and is also less problematic than the electric sunroof. Central locking works fast and excellent. Cruise control sets and holds properly. Air conditioning/heater/defroster all work excellent, and blow heat and air from the proper vents respectively. Becker Europa AM/FM stereo works excellent, along with adjustable height power antenna. Instrument cluster gages all work excellent, including; clock, odometer, tripometer, rheostat illumination switch, oil pressure gage, temperature gage, fuel gage, etc. Seats adjust smooth and proper. Glove box compartment opens/closes/locks properly. One key fits front doors, trunk, and glove compartment (2 original keys including valet key). Headlights work excellent, along with high beams, fog lights, brake lights, parking lights (side markers), reverse lights, both dome lights, turn signals, trunk light, license plate lights, glove compartment light, accessory switch illumination light, instrument cluster lights, etc.

History: This car was purchased in January of 1981, and spent the majority of its life on a large farm in Elizabeth, PA, among a small collection of other Mercedes-Benz cars.  It was religcar spent its first 4 years in prestigious Highland Park Village, in Dallas, Texas, before it was given to the mother of the first owner who lived near Tulsa, Oklahoma. She drove the car very sparingly for nearly 20 years, and cared for it exceptionally well. It was garaged from day one, and never driven in poor weather conditions. The maintenance records validate the history since new. 

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