*** Interested parties should note, this vehicle was subject to a CAT C insurance loss in 07/2014 ***
Highlights
- A running and eminently useable example of the W123 200 petrol automatic
- The car comes with a current MOT, valid until August 2023
- Very original, making it a great basis for a some improvement work
The Appeal
The W123 was a huge success for Mercedes-Benz. It went on to rack up over 2.7M units made and sold before it was replaced by the W124 in 1986. Their popularity was partly built on their high-quality, robust construction and their reliability over many hundreds of thousands of miles. So much so that many were shipped to Africa after a full life in Europe to continue to provide reliable transport in the harshest of conditions.
This example is fully roadworthy with a current MOT until later this year. It has clearly lived a life and is best considered as a good basis for further improvement and enhancement by a new owner. It could certainly be used as it is or else makes a great candidate for sympathetic improvement.
The History and Paperwork
- This W123 was produced towards the end of 1984
- Between then and September 2022 it was used by eight former keepers
- In July 2014 the car picked up a category C insurance marker
- Nothing more is known about this incident and given the car had covered 147,000 miles at that stage it could have been minor damage
- The current owner acquired the car in September 2022
- He reports that the car runs and drives
- The current MOT is further evidence of its current usability
- No paperwork detailing its earlier life is present
- The current V5 is present in the name of the owner
- The online Government MOT portal details its current MOT until August and a previous MOT history is also viewable there back to 2005
The Interior
- The interior of this W123 is familiar 1980’s Mercedes Benz fare
- The seats are finished in a tan, pinstriped fabric
- The upholstery condition is good but a little stained in places
- The seats may benefit from a deep steam clean to improve their appearance
- The driver’s seat exhibits a sizeable hole in the offside bolster
- Carpets are in a pleasing hue and appear complete and in good order
- The dashboard is in a great original condition: finished in a black on top and a light tan vinyl underneath
- The Zebrano veneer panel appears in good order
- A modern Pioneer RDS head unit is fitted
- The big VDO white on black gauges populate the binnacle and look in good order
- Headlining and door cards all appear in a good, original condition
- A factory metal sunroof is fitted
- The large boot is finished in dark grey carpet
- A full-sized spare wheel is stowed under the floor and two spare wheel trims are also in evidence here
The Exterior
- This W123 is finished in Light Ivory
- The paintwork of the car is in decent shape for its age
- It would benefit from a clean as it appears to have been standing for a while
- The bodywork looks similarly straight and solid
- The chrome of the bumpers and signature grill is in good order
- One of the front bumper end pieces is missing with the other exhibiting some damage
- The rear bumper has sustained a small dent
- The car rolls on 14" steel wheels,centred with body coloured painted and chrome hub caps
- The tyres appear a little perished and will likely need replacing
- All light lenses and cabin glass appear original and in good order
- The underside of the W123 looks in good shape for the age of the car
- There appears to be plenty of factory underseal still visible
The Mechanics
- The W123 200 is fitted with the M102 1,997cc four-cylinder petrol engine
- This is carburettor fed and originally developed 108 bhp and 125 Ib-ft of torque
- Power is fed to the rear wheels via the four-speed 4G-Tronic automatic gearbox
- The under-bonnet presentation appears highly original
- All factory data plates appear to be present
- There is some surface corrosion to metal components which could easily be improved
- The owner reports that the car runs and drives with no known faults
Summary
The W123 has become a byword for high engineering values, longevity and robustness in many parts of the world where many are still running and used regularly.
This car is a highly original example of the breed. It clearly would benefit from some care and attention and may well be significantly improved with not too much effort.
A good opportunity to secure an interesting light, rolling project car from Mercedes-Benz’s heyday.
A good opportunity to secure an interesting light, rolling project car from Mercedes-Benz’s heyday.
Notice to bidders
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