Guess what I bought

[julian]

So, I'm back in a benz after 3 years. Let's see if you can guess the car.
It is a 1980 w123. The hint is "slow".
Pastel grey is excluded from the competition.

[Lance]

240D automatic.

[julian]

YES!
Bonus points for correct chassis.

[pastelgrey300D]

Pastel grey is excluded from the competition.

Ahhh bummer...

[Dweezil]

Welcome back, Julian, but the only place I can image an auto 240D being a usable thing is in Holland.

Dweezil

[tsharkey]

From a 560SEL to a 240D - Now there is the long and short of it.

Is it a commuter or toy ?

Welcome back anyways Julian.

[Bartman4800]

Welcome back, Julian, but the only place I can image an auto 240D being a usable thing is in Holland.

Dweezil

Please explain yourself?

The highway speeds in NL are actually higher than in Oz. And no one would be interested in an Auto there....


Bart

[Pete49]

Welcome back, Julian, but the only place I can image an auto 240D being a usable thing is in Holland.
Dweezil

Please explain yourself?
The highway speeds in NL are actually higher than in Oz. And no one would be interested in an Auto there....
Bart

The higher speed limit is so their speed skaters and bike riders don't got booked.

[Dweezil]

Welcome back, Julian, but the only place I can image an auto 240D being a usable thing is in Holland.

Dweezil

Please explain yourself?

The highway speeds in NL are actually higher than in Oz. And no one would be interested in an Auto there....


Bart

It's dead flat.

Dweezil

[julian]

Well it is the lang body.
Bought on the weekend with the help of pastelgrey here, who has now looked at 1 car specifically for me, and provided detailed inspection reports for 2 others.

Will have some interior re-trimmed then get some bodywork addressed as some typical rust in w123 places.

Definitely a toy.

Given that I accidentally kept all the running gear from the 560SEL I have now got to decide if it needs a 300hp V8.

Parts needed:
Bundts or 15 inch hubcaps
A roll of MB tex in matching colour

[pastelgrey300D]

I should add that I was up in the riverland the other week and made a quick detour to look at this car - was seriously considering it but decided against it due to family and other commitments.

The 560SEL running gear may be a necessity - after warming the car up I took it on a test drive and pulled over on a flat stretch of road to do a standing acceleration test - I've owned a 240D auto previously so had a rough idea of how slow it may be - but even I wasn't prepared for this - took 15 seconds for 0-60km/h and 0-100km took 50 seconds!

Julian - try these guys for the MB tex - you can request a sample but pretty sure the one you are looking for is Tabacco (163)

http://worlduph.com/samples/vinylmbzmid.htm#*

[pastelgrey300D]

Looks like SA is going to be the LWB W123 capital of Australia - one of the local club members has a 300D lang and they recently won the shannons 'motoring memories' competition with their entry:

https://www.shannons.com.au/club/motor- ... 300d-lang/

[Dweezil]

Awesome pick-up, Julian.

If it's any consolation, I saw a 240D lang outside Lord's once. Not quite highway conditions in St John's Wood, but it was going ok.

Dweezil

[tsharkey]

Looks in good order Julian - Is it to cater for the growing family ?

A W123 560SEL - Very Classy

Am sure the brains trust knows which engine arm, exhaust manifold, radiator, rear gearbox cross member and differential is needed to make that all work, and look factory . You could even get one of those fancy KE Jet replacement computers just to make sure you have more ponies for the toy.

Or ... you could leave as is , what a great ride, and pretty unique too (although apparently not so in SA).

[mathuisella]

How is it to fit in parking spaces at supermarkets ect ?

[pastelgrey300D]

It's not as long and cumbersome as you might think (only 630mm more than a standard 123), although probably not the best for parallel parking. Overall a LWB W123 is 5355mm, this is only 50mm longer than a holden crewman and about 100mm longer than a landcruiser 70 series dual cab.

I was kind of dissapointed with the legroom inside with the middle row seats folded down, it's fairly tight (I had gone to look at the car with a view to using it as a chauffeur/wedding car). Considering all the effort MB went into making a LWB version if they had just made it another 100-200mm longer overall it wouldn't be as squeezy in the rear.

Image24.jpg

[mathuisella]

do the middle seats come out or fold completely out of the way so one could have legroom in the back :D

[pastelgrey300D]

Sure do. The seat back folds down forward and then the whole seat folds up against the back of the drivers seat. If you're only taking 2-3 in the back it's very roomy!

[mathuisella]

That's awesome :D

Anyone who's 6 foot or taller i bet loves this. ( i would as i'm over 6 myself, but haven't tried it, but i soo want one )


Looks like i need a Lang, wagon and coupe to complete the collection with my sedan :P

[kimrh]

Remove those middle row seats and make a nice compact custom centre limo style drinks cabinet "to your own taste" and the rear passengers would be very happy with the acres of leg room (perfect for a wedding car)
With a 560 high comp engine & running gear it would be a sweet driver and nice surprise for any passengers

Pics from a W126 stretch limo with a more modern flair theme happening than the old way of tons of burlwood panels which always looked very bulky
They could watch the footy while being driven to the wedding - haha

[julian]

For now I think the aim is to sweeten the origins features and repair some of the wear and tear. Currently waiting for a slab for the shed, and on a side note I am totally dismayed at the professionalism of the tradespeople from this field that I’ve had around.

There are quite a few small issues that in totality make for a lot of work, and a few areas of rust repair.
Has a boot mounted AC system made by sanden as is the compressor but is not currently functioning but bridging the pressure switch activates the system so hopefully a leak somewhere is all that needs repair before new gas, valve and drier.
There is a selector shaft seal leak in the trans which isn’t a disaster but needs pan off to change.
Spheres and strut top bushings would improve the ride and I think the Lang body might ride better if these were new.
Central locking non functioning and this pleasure is one I’ll have to learn again.
She will get new nozzles and tidy up of the fuelling system.

Unfortunately I also have to work and it was bought the same week we had a new baby arrive.

[mathuisella]

Julian, is the professionalism in the concrete industry good or bad ? dismayed could go either way :P

I got the nozzles cleaned in a ultrasonic bath and well, they're reusable :O they're that good.

This is old original injectors uncleaned

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UdeRmIUI4pE


this is now old injectors cleaned note the sound difference once the air in the line is gone half way through the video.


So it is possible to clean and reuse old injectors
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a0Fbeg-X6A8

[Boyracer]

'That's wonderful, Julian.

I was only thinking over the weekend that it had been ages since I last heard of a LWB for sale, or anyone even talking about them.

Enjoy the car!

[markb]

Interesting find Julian and welcome back to the world of 123's..would be funny to park a CE next to a Lang to see proportion differences.. :whistle:

[Dweezil]

No-one's congratulated Julian on becoming a dad yet...

Dweezil

[julian]

No-one's congratulated Julian on becoming a dad yet...
Dweezil

Keep on topic thanks :dance:

Once I start tearing down I’ll post progress. I have exams in winter which will delay commencement.