1980 Mercedes-Benz 250 Factory LWB
Description
This 1980 Mercedes-Benz 250 is one of 5,120 factory long-wheelbase examples built and was reportedly imported new from Germany to Texas by a collector of Mercedes limousines. The car was purchased from the first owner’s estate in 1992 by the seller, a Mercedes restoration specialist in Houston, Texas. Power is from the original 2.5-liter inline-six paired with a 4-speed automatic transmission, and recent service included an oil change and the installation of a new rear muffler. Finished in Classic White over navy blue MB Tex, this V123 is offered with a selection of spare parts, an owner’s manual, and a clear Texas title in the seller’s name.
The limousine is finished in its factory Classic White (737), and according to the seller the right quarter panel was repainted about 15 years ago to address scratches. A scratch on the driver’s side rear wheel arch is noted as well as rust at the bottom of the inner doors, with close-ups provided in the photo gallery below. An area at the back of the trunk has been treated and repainted to address rust that had started to show on the surface.
15” steel wheels wear color-matched covers and are mounted with Michelin X One tires. The long models featured a wheelbase 24.8” longer than the standard W123 sedan and came standard with a hydraulic self-leveling rear suspension. European-style headlights are retained, though US-regulation bumpers have been fitted.
The interior is trimmed in navy blue MB Tex (132) with matching loop carpet, and a new factory dash was fitted around 15 years ago. Factory options include a column-shifter, air conditioning, and central locking, and a newer Alpine radio has been installed. The VDO speedometer reads in miles per hour, and the 6-digit odometer reflects approximately 76k miles, around 66k of which have been added by the seller.
The additional space allows for seating to accommodate up to eight passengers, with a split fold-down middle row seat.
The 2.5-liter M123 inline-six breathes through a Weber downdraft carburetor that was installed in place of the original Solex unit. Maintenance during the last 26 years has been completed by the seller, and a service on October 15, 2018 included installing a new muffler, changing the oil and filter, checking and topping off fluids, cleaning the engine, and lubricating the throttle linkage.
Engine number stamping 12392012053089 is shown above and matches the number listed in the data card information.
A copy of the data card information is shown above and includes the engine number, color codes, and option codes. The first six digits of the chassis number, 123028, identify the car as a long wheelbase 250. Options include:
- 257Becker Europe Courier Radio
- 286Luggage nets on front seat backrests
- 421Automatic transmission, steering column shift
- 466Central locking system
- 502Outside rear view mirror, on the right
- 531Automatic antenna
- 542Lockable glove compartment
- 572Front seat, right, with seat height adjustment
- 580Air conditioner
- 591Heat-insulating glass, all-around, with heated rear window glass (single-sheet safety glass)
Additional photos of the underside are included in the gallery below and include details of the suspension, exhaust, and steering components. Spare parts included with the car are new left and right factory rear doors, one set of used factory headlights, and a set of interior handles for the small vent windows at the rear.
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