150+ Pictures In Description Unrestored S123 W123 Wagon In Excellent Condition

No Reserve 7-Day Auction

1979 Mercedes (S123) 300TD

VIN: 123190-12-010313

138K miles

(419) Icon Gold Metallic

(204) Bamboo Leather

1979 was the first year the Mercedes S123 (W123 wagon variant) was offered in the United States. John Lennon was one of the first to order one and unfortunately it would be the last car he purchased. The 123 platform is known for its bulletproof build quality and this exceptional wagon is a testament to that.

This 1979 300TD was purchased new at Siggi Grimm Motors in Tulsa, Oklahoma by oil baron Walter H. Helmerich III, and has lived here in Tulsa ever since. After seeing a promotional specification card featuring one in (419) Metallic Icon Gold, Mr. Helmerich ordered one in that color for his wife and former Hollywood actress turned philanthropist Peggy (Dow). Every option was selected including (204) Bamboo leather (most came with MB-Tex Vinyl), (411) sliding roof, (640) light alloy (Bundt) wheels and a (518) Becker Mexico cassette stereo.

The Helmerich family drove the wagon only 54K miles over the next 15 years and subsequently traded it in on a new Cadillac for Peggy in 1994. The next owner happened to see it on the lot during that transaction and bought it then and there before the dealership had a chance to get it ready to sell. He then proceeded to baby and maintain it religiously (over $30K in service records included, a majority from the same MB specialist) over the next 26 years and 84K miles. Earlier this year he finally decided it was time to pass it along to a new caretaker. One Sunday morning he parked it in front of his house with a FOR SALE sign on the windshield. I’ve seen this car around town for a majority of my life and always admired it, so when I happened to pass by that day I called the number immediately and we had a deal struck within the hour. He then said he had an appointment the next morning to have new tires installed and that we could meet up after. When was the last time you had new tires thrown in AFTER making a deal.

The car needed a few small things like all 41 year old cars do so I made an appointment with the specialist who’s worked on it for over 25 years. He serviced the A/C and installed a new Bosch alternator. The passenger side fender had a small dent (woodshop accident) so I elected to have it repaired with PDR (paintless dent removal). Unfortunately when the technician was working out the dent the paint started to crack slightly and de-laminate so he aborted the mission. As a result the area is still a little wavy but I had the small cracks touched up and they’re not very noticeable (please see pictures). Re-painted in its original shade of (419) Icon Gold approximately 15 years ago but still looks great and is very presentable.

It runs and drives wonderfully but you’ll want to leave this in the garage and take the E63 wagon if you’re in a hurry. These old diesel wagons are slow but still very fun to drive. All of the gauges and electric/vacuum power options work, even the original Becker radio and power antenna. The A/C was converted to R134a and blows cold even in the hot and humid Oklahoma summer heat. An unbelievable amount of paperwork and documentation comes with the car, including the aforementioned $30,000 in service records, original books, window sticker, promo spec card and Pirelli tire warranty card. All three original keys, tool roll and first aid kit are also included. Original spare doesn’t appear to have ever been on the ground.

Please keep in mind that this is a unrestored forty-one year old car and it’s not perfect. That being said it’s in exceptional condition and will provide many more years of enjoyment for the new owner. And the owner after that…...