This 1976 Mercedes-Benz 300D is a two-owner example finished in Light Ivory (623) over Cognac (140) MB-Tex and has been under the care of the current owner for the past 26 years. It was originally purchased by the owner’s next-door neighbor in 1976 and purchased by the current owner in 1994. Power comes from a naturally-aspirated 3.0L diesel inline-five mated to a floor-shifted 4-speed automatic transmission. Approximately 134k miles have been added during the seller’s 26-year ownership. Recent maintenance performed at German Auto of San Luis Obispo in October 2020 consisted of an oil and filter change, both fuel filters replaced, valve adjustment, replacement of existing glow plugs with updated fast start O/E plugs, a newly flushed, bled and replaced brake system, and a repair of the turn signal and flasher relay. This W115 is offered with decades of paper service records dating back to 1976, a massive cache of additional parts (listed below), factory literature, factory workshop and repair manuals, and a clean California title in the seller’s name.  

Sheet metal wears a Light Ivory (623) finish that is reported to be 100% original and the US-market bumpers and lights are free of pitting, hazing or other visible defects. The seller reports that the car is completely free of any surface and/or undercarriage rust due to the California climate where it has consistently lived. Additionally, the car has been garage-kept its entire life. A custom car cover for this W115 is included with the sale. A highly detailed walkaround video showing up-close condition of the entire car is viewable at the bottom of the listing. 

Body rubber, weather-stripping, and chrome is described as pristine and photos of these areas are viewable in the gallery. Additional maintenance and upgrades on this example include new Bilstein shocks all around, new suspension bushings, replacement of all weather-stripping and rubber seals, new NOS radiator, new water pump, new brake calipers, new brake rotors, a new master cylinder and K&N air filter.

Factory 14” wheels wear original, color-matched hubcaps and are wrapped in Michelin tires reported to be in excellent condition. The sale includes an impressive number of original MB parts and accessories collected by the seller over the last twenty years, to be included with the car. The seller notes that full receipts for each purchased part is included as well. Photos of these OEM parts are viewable in the gallery below. 

The cabin is trimmed in Cognac (140) MB-tex with matching premium carpets and Zebrano wood. Features include central locking, working climate control system and the original Becker Europa II head unit. The dash, wood and other interior trim is reportedly free of cracks and presents well in the photos. The front seats were completely rebuilt with new Mercedes-Benz horsehair and new MB-tex vinyl seat covers. New Premium carpet mats were also installed.

The naturally-aspirated 3.0-liter OM617 diesel inline-five drives the rear wheels though a floor-shifted 4-speed automatic transmission. The car is offered with service records from new; covering periods of both the original owner and the present long-term owner. A letter from Rizzoli’s Mercedes documenting all service records from 1976-1994 was prepared for the current owner upon purchase of the car from the original owner in 1994. That letter is included with the sale.

The following is a non-exhaustive list of items included with the sale of the car:

1. 3 in-door window winding mechanisms
2. One complete new window lift assembly- MB Part No. 109 730 09 46
3. One vacuum control mechanism for door locks
4. One new speedometer cable
5. Brake hydraulic hoses Part No. 019 997 80 82
6. Driver and passenger side sun visors
7. Two new thermostats
8. Two drive line flex cushions
9. Drive line center support housing and bearing- new
10. Brake servo booster, mint
11. Front wheel bearings kits
12. Windshield washer bottle and bracket
13. Interior light assembly with lens
14. Complete set of radiator hoses
15. Complete instrument cluster
16. Complete set front and rear brake calipers
17. Set of front and rear brake rotors
18. Water pump- new
19. 7 oil filter kits with gaskets, by Hengst
20. 4 in-line fuel filters
21. 2 canister fuel filters
22. Driver and passenger side front head light assemblies, mint
23. Front fog light assemblies, mint
24. 2 engine compartment weather seals
25. One Hirst electric antenna assembly, new
26. One set of spare fuel injectors
27. One set of 4 spare hubcap/wheel covers
28. Many minor parts include door handles, knobs, seat end covers, etc.

In addition to the OEM parts listed above, the sale also includes a Custom car cover for the W115, a Mercedes-Benz factory engine/mechanical workshop manual, a Mercedes-Benz factory body and trim/cosmetic workshop manual, and a Mercedes-Benz factory service manual. The car also retains its original vinyl case containing the owner’s manual, additional factory booklets, and a condensed parts manual. The original tool kit is also present and included. Notably, a box containing all issues of the MBCA Magazine – “The Star”- is also included with the sale.

Running and walkaround videos of the interior and exterior of the car are linked and viewable below.