1983 Mercedes-Benz 300TD Turbo

This 1983 Mercedes-Benz 300TD Turbo is said to have been registered with a previous owner in Southern California for 28 years before it was acquired around 10 years ago by a professional engine builder. A subsequent refurbishment included installing a rebuilt and blueprinted 3.0-liter OM617 turbodiesel inline-five, a repaint in the factory Champagne Metallic, a refresh of the Palomino interior, a brake system overhaul, and more as outlined below.

During the car’s refurbishment, which was carried out over the course of 18 months, the body was repainted in its original Champagne Metallic (473) using PPG base and clear coats. The engine bay and underside of the hood were also refinished while the engine was removed. The hood ornament and grille were replaced, as were the windshield and its seal, and new seals were also installed for the rear window, rear hatch, front doors, and front windows. H4 headlights were fitted, and the windshield washer system was refreshed with a new bottle, pump, hoses, and nozzles.

An overhaul of the brake system included replacing the calipers, rotors, pads, and hoses. New Bilstein shocks were also installed up front, as were new wheel bearings and seals, while new sway bar links were fitted out back. A service of the rear self-leveling suspension system included replacing the nitrogen spheres, changing the fluid, and adjusting the ride height.

The interior is trimmed in Palomino MB-Tex (154) and was refreshed during the refurbishment using materials from German Auto Top in Burbank, California, that include Zebrano wood trim and a leather-stitched steering wheel. The air conditioning system was overhauled during the project, with the compressor and dryer lines replaced, and new pods and a new master valve were installed for the vacuum door locks. Under current ownership, a Bluetooth-capable Blaupunkt stereo was installed, as well.

The cargo area contains a factory-optioned rear-facing bench seat with headrests that folds out from beneath the floor.