CLFOTD: Euro W123... Yes, again!

[VadGTI]

Another one has popped up locally. 1 owner and 60k miles, apparently. Also, manual transmission. All for the price of $2,900.

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/sgv...008074330.html







Wtf is this?

[bubbagti]

Do Want

[KARMANN_20V]

Is that a 280?

[VadGTI]

Is that a 280?

Sorry, added link. Yes.

[Sir UNBANNED_GERBIL M.B.]

More retarded

[KARMANN_20V]

Sorry, added link. Yes.

Cool! Well, the headlights should have been the square units for the range topper 280 IIRC. Still looks like a clean example.

Are you buying it?

[AKADriver]

Here's what I can gather about the "Electro-NOX" device.

It was a little electronic box that would, under certain engine speeds, open up the vacuum signal to the distributor and make it an open bleed. This would lean out the fuel mixture and cause the ignition timing to retard, supposedly reducing NOx emissions. Some carbureted cars back in the '70s had junk like this from the factory, I'm pretty sure Hondas did.

Apparently the state of CA required them to be retrofitted on pre-1970 cars for a while in the late '70s. It's odd to see one on a '78 Benz, but, maybe because it's a Euro model, the state made them add it.

[Chris16vRocco]

That is a very very nice car.

[manol2]

Buy it, replace headlights!

[VadGTI]

Here's what I can gather about the "Electro-NOX" device.

It was a little electronic box that would, under certain engine speeds, open up the vacuum signal to the distributor and make it an open bleed. This would lean out the fuel mixture and cause the ignition timing to retard, supposedly reducing NOx emissions. Some carbureted cars back in the '70s had junk like this from the factory, I'm pretty sure Hondas did.

Apparently the state of CA required them to be retrofitted on pre-1970 cars for a while in the late '70s. It's odd to see one on a '78 Benz, but, maybe because it's a Euro model, the state made them add it.

Air Resource Board agenda, February 19, 1975:

http://www.arb.ca.gov/board/mi/MI021975.HTM

75-3-6 Consideration of AQP's Application forAccreditation of its Pure Power-Electro-NOX Device as an NOx Control Device for Certain 1966-70 Model-Year Class (a) Vehicles.

ITEM NO.: 75-3-6

Consideration of Air Quality Products, Inc. Application forAccreditation of its Pure Power-Electro-NOx Device as an NOxControl Device for Certain 1966-70 Model-Year Class (a) Vehicles.

RECOMMENDATION

Adopt Resolution 75-3.

SUMMARY

Air Quality Products, Inc. has applied for accreditation of its Pure Power-Electro-NOx device for 1966-70 model-year class (athrough f) vehicles. The evaluation of the complete applicationis being delayed pending completion of the applicant'saccreditation test program. Air Quality Products has requestedthat the engine size classes be evaluated as the data becomesavailable. As reported at the January 22 Board meeting, theExecutive Officer acting under the Board's authority accreditedthe Pure Power-Electro-NOx device for class (d, e and f) vehicleson January 13, 1975. This report is the staff evaluation of AirQuality Product's class (a) vehicle application for this device.The Pure Power-Electro-NOx device is a VSAD-type device with anair bleed. An electronic engine speed sensor and a solenoidvalve provide NOx control at speeds less than 57 mph bypreventing the distributor vacuum advance mechanism fromresponding to carburetor vacuum and allowing bleed air to enterthe engine. The applicants data, confirmed by ARB laboratorytests, show the device meets the accreditation procedures; thestaff recommends accreditation.

Interesting stuff... The year on the W123's label clearly says 1978.

[AKADriver]

Cool! Well, the headlights should have been the square units for the range topper 280 IIRC. Still looks like a clean example.

Back in the era before importing cars became nearly impossible, you still had to swap over certain parts, like headlights. They were probably retrofitted to US style lights by the importer, with the euro lights sold off or maybe even tossed. I'm sure back in '78 it would've been tougher to find H4s; they weren't legal in the US for passenger cars (in "HB2" form) until '92.

[nm+]

Would look good in your mom's driveway next to the m3

[A.Wilder]

how the efff is that dude selling this things refurbished for big money when they are so cheap to pick up?

[Iroczgirl]

Man, I want that thing soooooooo bad. *drools*

[MAGICGTI]

I swear it would be in my driveway if it were local

[bzcat]

I LOVE those headrest in W123. So old school

[KARMANN_20V]

Back in the era before importing cars became nearly impossible, you still had to swap over certain parts, like headlights. They were probably retrofitted to US style lights by the importer, with the euro lights sold off or maybe even tossed. I'm sure back in '78 it would've been tougher to find H4s; they weren't legal in the US for passenger cars (in "HB2" form) until '92.

The Euro bumpers threw me off. I hear you about the need to retrofit DOT approved lights on the grey market imports, however lights over bumpers makes no sense to me...

The lights do look like US/NA Spec W123 ones, the E-Code round lights were way different:

[bubbagti]

I'm really tempted to drive down tomorrow and get this car if its still available.

[VadGTI]

I'm really tempted to drive down tomorrow and get this car if its still available.

Do it, so it stops torturing me!

[Giovanni]

The ad doesn't say it is a manual and you can't see in the pics if it is.

[VadGTI]

The ad doesn't say it is a manual and you can't see in the pics if it is.

I spoke with the seller. The car has also been in CA for 20 years.

[mac dre]

Just buy an old MBZ already..

[Lwize]

For those not clicking through:

RARE 1978 MERCEDES 280E W123 EUROPEAN MODEL 1 OWNER WITH 60K MILES SUPER CLEAN RUNS GREAT A/C WORKS POWER STEERING ALL ORIGINAL COMES WITH 2 KEYS UNIQUE LOOK WITH EUROPEAN SPEC CALIFORNIA CAR ASKING $2900 Contact

I dig it, and it has cloth seats!

[kraut_pauer79]

LOVE those cloth seats, and the crazy rear reading light. Cloth seats, manual sunroof, simple A/C system, super clean, I think I'm in love. If it had power windows and cruise control I would probably hock my grandmother to go pick it up.

[Mooosman]

Do want. Badly.

[BeachZack]

Going to check out this car and this Volvo this weekend. Both seem to be in pretty good shape relative to most of the other cars their age, what do you guys think?

[VadGTI]

Going to check out this car and this Volvo this weekend. Both seem to be in pretty good shape relative to most of the other cars their age, what do you guys think?

What time? I may beat you .

Sent from my T-Mobile G2 using Tapatalk 2

[BeachZack]

What time? I may beat you .

Sent from my T-Mobile G2 using Tapatalk 2

Probably around 4am.

[two.twoliter]

Going to check out this car and this Volvo this weekend. Both seem to be in pretty good shape relative to most of the other cars their age, what do you guys think?

Will you be using this car to commute in? Gasser 123s get pretty terrible mileage (probably mid teens), while the Volvo should be more like mid twenties.

[Aonarch]

[BeachZack]

Will you be using this car to commute in? Gasser 123s get pretty terrible mileage (probably mid teens), while the Volvo should be more like mid twenties.

Very short commute to and from school and work, less than 10 miles a day about 5 days a week.

You have any experience with either car? Reliability and ease of maintenance or repair?

[om617952]

Sorry, added link. Yes.

No,it`s a 250. The 280 is a twin cam.

[VR6inAZ]

How do you own a car for over 30 years and only put 60k miles on it, unless it's always been your 3rd/4th driver or something.

[slikaznricer]

....and the crazy rear reading light. Cloth seats....

I have other uses for that light. sweet idea though. i might do this in my next car

[zaYG]

I would definitely buy this if it were local, and change out those headlights. So rad.