1979 Mercedes 300 CD

Having access to a exceptionally attractive coupe that offered diesel frugality must have been a revelation to the notoriously conservative traditional diesel sedan buyers. With the CD, one could have it all, socially conscious motoring and world class style. Early CDs were not blessed with the new for 1978 turbocharged 5-cylinder diesel but soldiered on with the 77 hp non-turbo version. It wouldn’t be until 1982 that the cars received the 110 hp turbo unit.

Is the design perfect? None are and I’ve always felt the matte black stepped-in rocker treatment creates some sort of void at the base of the design. However, I can’t think of a better solution at the moment.

The 123 coupes benefit from a design that is attractive from virtually any angle, something few automobile designs can boast of. Light alloy wheels were an option but the traditional painted full cover seems to be the right look for this car.

We’ve written about 123 series values rising over the last 24 months and exceptional CDs are second only to TD wagons in the current pricing hierarchy. As I’ve mentioned before when framing values for these cars, it’s only the exceptional examples that are rewarded with strong prices. The average, wheezing 123 – whether it be a sedan, coupe or wagon – is still an ignorable automobile. Low mileage, preserved cars – survivors if you will – will attract buyers at figures in excess of $20k.