Depending of the market, Mercedes-Benz W123:s can be seen differently. In the States, a W123 on the street can be a big-bumpered, biodiesel-swigging 300 D with MB-Tex seats, in Germany, perhaps a twin-cam 280 E with actual leather. Over here in Finland? 200 D with 35-year-old leopard seat covers over whatever they hide. The amazing thing about the example here is that the original owner opted for an actual color, Sahara Yellow instead of light ivory or basic refrigerator white, as those seem to be the predominant color choices for Finnish-registered 123:s.
I was really pleased to see this very Mercedes, as it’s somehow such an outstanding Finnish countryside car. Sure, there’s a little door corner rust and the mileage must be galactic, but it’s commendably straight, clean and obviously operating without duct tape MacGyvering. It’s been such a decent car for such a long time, that there’s no need to replace it with anything else for the foreseeable future.


The 200 D must be a magical daily driver. I mean, I’ve been zipping around the region in the 205 recently, and it has once had 80 hp or so, with a weight of 800kg and change. The 200 D weighs roughly double and has 60 horsepower to work with. 55, if it’s a pre-’79.
You must have a completely different attitude to throttle response and forward momentum. You can’t make demands on the spot. You probably haven’t ever considered a V8 swap in your 60-70 years of existence on this planet. Even going for a 220 D or 240 D would be frivolous.

But, sure as hell, you can tow a load of firewood if that’s what it takes.

The color-coded hubcaps complete the look perfectly, with the mudflaps the size of oven mitts. No chrome arches here, nothing boastful or tack-on. Somehow even the bodywork is the right amount of grimy. You know, fussing over detailing would be beside the point. Hosing it down on the yard sometimes will do fine, just making sure rust doesn’t take hold. And sometimes there are diesel spills, it just happens, just like the driver seat springs will inevitably let go and it will sag to the side.

When the Benz here was new, the parking spots next to it were filled with Volvo 240s, Saab 99s, Datsun 100As and Fiat 127s. The Benz stands last, and will do exactly so until the sun goes out. No hidden catch, no strings attached.
[Images: Copyright 2015 Hooniverse/Antti Kautonen]