33k Miles, Garage Kept (covered), Immaculate, Collectors Car, 2011 Best In Texas on 2040-cars

Comps to this vehicle are located at http://mercedesmotoring.com/

1983 Mercedes 300DT

Description: Classic White exterior (MB paint code 737) with Blue Leather Interior upholstery (MB Option 252), 5-Cylinder, 3.0 liter, pre-chamber fuel-injection, 120 horsepower, turbo charged diesel, single overhead cam, 4-speed automatic transmission, power assisted 11'' diameter 4-wheel disc brakes, 4-wheel fully independent suspension, electrically operated sliding roof (MB Option 410), A/C and heat automatic climate control, 6-point central locking system (including doors, trunk, and fuel door), power steering, cruise control, original Becker Europa AM/FM cassette stereo with 4 wide range speakers and adjustable height power antenna, electrically heated rear windshield, quartz chronometer, tachometer, 3-way adjustable driver front bucket seats, parcel nets on front seat backrests, 14” light alloy wheels, front and rear center folding arm rest, front center cargo tray, halogen head lamps, halogen amber fog lamps, factory light tinted glass, 2-speed windshield wiper with 5-second interval mist control, real zebrano wood dash trim and console, 4 retracting 3-point inertia reel safety belts, 120 standard safety features (including unitized steel construction with over 4,700 weld points), Velour Carpeting, driver accessible rear dome light switch, headlamp turn-off warning device, full spare and tool kit, first-aid kit, 21.1 gallon fuel tank including reserve of 2.8 gallons, 27 MPG, Owner’s Manual, Mercedes-Benz dealership stamped Maintenance Booklet, comprehensive maintenance records since new, along with other original Mercedes-Benz literature. The original manufacturer’s suggested retail price in 1983 including factory options was $32,999.  The final negotiated purchase price for the vehicle was $28,471 by Mr. James Stafford from Stephenson Motor Co. at 4023 Oak Lawn Avenue, Dallas Texas 75219 on June 20, 1983.

Exterior Condition: The Classic white paint is in excellent condition, with a clear and deep shine, and is 100% rust free.  There are a few very minor blemishes but the overall impression is excellent. The polished aluminum trim, which wraps all of the exterior glass and also runs along the roof rails is brilliant, without scratches or fading, the latter being a telltale indicator that the car has always been garage kept. Both the front and rear bumpers are in excellent condition without any scratches in the chrome, and the rubber body sleeves and bumper guards are excellent. The original belt molding body trim, which lines all of the doors, fenders, quarter panels and trunk, is perfect, with absolutely no fading or scratches. The factory 14” Bundt style light alloy wheels are in excellent condition, The high quality tires are excellent with 75% of their tread remaining.  The spare tire has never been used, and the original factory tool kit and jack are like-new. The trunk compartment is excellent, and has rarely been used. The original pinstripe is flawless. The original door seals, trunk seal, glass seals, rubber weather-stripping, etc., are excellent, and the original factory glass is excellent as well. The original chrome grill is excellent. The original headlamp housings are excellent, as are the side markers and tail lights, and all of the emblems are bright, shiny and excellent. The original factory signature window sticker, interior stickers, interior door jam specification plate, dealership inspection signature sticker, core support stickers, emission specification stickers, coolant warning stickers, etc. are all excellent.
Note: THE UNDERCARRIAGE, FUEL DOOR OPENING, FUEL LINES, ETC. STILL HAVE THE ORIGINAL RUST PROTECTIVE COSMOLINE WAX UNDERCOATING AND THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO RUST ANYWHERE ON THE VEHICLE. This coating is a wax like material which the factory spread on top of its already 30 pounds of plasticized vinyl (i.e. a thick blanket of rust protection on the underbelly and hidden cavities of the body).

Interior Condition: The interior to this sedan is absolutely stunning! The Blue Leather upholstery is in perfect, like new condition. There are no rips, no tears, no fading, no diminished support in the padding, no pleats that have shifted beneath the stitching, and virtually no wear whatsoever. The parcel nets on the front seat backrests are snug against the seats. The original Velour carpet still has the factory sheen, which you only find on low mileage examples, and it is excellent, without any stains, fading, unraveling, and virtually no wear at all. The real zebrano wood dash and console trim are excellent, with a clear, deep and durable shine. The headliner looks excellent, as do the sun visors. The door panels and map pockets are excellent without any cracks or scuffs. The instrument cluster is stunningly bright, without any faded needles or aging. The accessory switches, knobs, buttons, turn signal lever, cruise control lever, etc. are all in excellent condition without any faded symbols, and they are all in proper working order. The steering wheel is firm to the grip without any twisting or slack. The original tool kit, jack, etc. are all in excellent condition.
Note: Ms. Stafford confirms in her letter to me dated April 17, 2010 demonstrates that the vehicle was garage kept at her home in Athens Texas.  When I purchased the car on April 3, 2010 it had 24,600 miles on it.  The vehicles very low original miles is evident and there are absolutely no cracks in the dash and the exterior polished aluminum trim has absolutely no fading; the original rubber windshield gaskets, original rubber door weather-stripping, bumper sleeves, etc. are near perfect; the original carpet still has its factory sheen; the original brake pedal pad shows virtually no wear, which is consistent for a vehicle with less than 25,000 miles. Many of these items are unusually flawless given Texas’ sun drenched weather.

Mechanical Condition: This sedan runs absolutely excellent and has been exceptionally well maintained since new. Its durable and fuel efficient 3.0 liter, 5-cylinder turbo charged diesel motor is smooth and strong, and it gets an average of 27 plus MPG. Cold starts are instantaneous, which is validation to its low miles, and the motor, chassis and engine compartment are exceptionally clean and dry. The transmission shifts sure, timely, and proper. Independent suspension is solid and comfortable, and the steering is tight and responsive. Recently, the car received its scheduled maintenance service, including an oil and filter change and transmission fluid and filter change by Classic Mercedes in Tyler. Currently, there are no pending maintenance issues.
Note: This car would be a perfect candidate for any alternative fuels, such as biodiesel, straight vegetable oil (SVO), waste vegetable oil (WVO), etc.

Accessories Condition: All power windows function fast and excellent. Central vacuum locking system works fast and proper, and one key fits front doors, trunk, and glove compartment (3 original keys included; master, spare and valet key). Cruise control sets and holds properly. Air conditioning/heater/defroster all work efficient, strong and excellent, and blow from the proper vents respectively. Becker Europa AM/FM cassette stereo works excellent, along with adjustable height power antenna. Instrument cluster gauges work excellent, including; odometer, tachometer, trip meter, rheostat illumination switch, oil pressure gauge, temperature gauge, fuel gauge, etc. Seats adjust smooth and proper. Glove box compartment opens/closes/locks properly.  Headlights work excellent, along with high beams, fog lights, brake lights, parking lights (side markers), reverse lights, both dome lights, turn signals, trunk light, license plate lights, glove compartment light, accessory switch illumination lights, instrument cluster lights, etc.

History: This car was shipped from Germany to the port of importation in Houston, Texas.  It was delivered to Stephenson Motor Co. in Dallas, TX (Currently Park Place Mercedes). It was purchased by Mr. James A. Stafford on June 6, 1983.  This was one of two new Mercedes that James and Maime purchased that day.  They could not decide whether to buy a Blue 300SD or a White 300D, so they bought both.  The 300D was Mr. Stafford’s.  He did not drive it much as he preferred to drive his Ford truck.  He was a cattleman and rancher with a Masters Degree in Agricultural Economics.  Mr. Stafford passed away in 1988 and Ms. Stafford kept it for sentimental reasons for the next 22 years out behind her home in a two car garage.  She wrote me a letter explaining why the car had so few miles and I keep it in the glove compartment.  She kept it maintained very well and had it serviced frequently at Classic Mercedes in Tyler

Below is a list of the scheduled maintenance and lubrication services the car has received which is stamped in the Mercedes-Benz Maintenance Booklet.   

 06/20/83          10 miles   Purchase date by Mr. Stafford

 08/11/83     1,225 miles   Stephenson Motor Co, Dallas TX

 02/13/85     3,284 miles   Ryan Motor Cars, Fort Worth, TX

10/27/99   23,111 miles   Classic Mercedes, Tyler TX

01/23/06   24,074 miles   Classic Mercedes, Tyler TX

08/22/07   24,344 miles   Classic Mercedes, Tyler TX

04/09/10   24,784 miles   Classic Mercedes, Tyler TX

Currently it is parked safely in my garage in Henderson, Texas.