VIN: WDB1231901F046042 Mileage: 38,000 miles


With a 3.0 liter five-cylinder engine, and a five-speed manual transmission. Equipped with the Euro style headlights featuring square glass covers, driving lights with the rear fog light required for Autobahn driving, smaller euro bumpers, and a slightly lower stance. The headlights have adjustments for leveling depending on load. Steel wheels with white hubcaps and Kumho tires dated 2021.

Exterior paint in the original Classic White, and the interior in a grey fabric only available on European cars. Equipped with central locking doors, manual windows, and sliding roof. This spec with a five-speed transmission was never offered in the US. Other rare options include third-row seating, split rear seats with three headrests, pet divider, and cargo cover. It was also ordered without A/C and radio, but with the Hirschman power antenna. Presumably for a later radio install in the States.

Please note, bidders may be subject to a bidding limit. Please review your account and contact the front office for assistance with increasing a bid limit prior to the auction. This lot subject to reserve. For this lot, payment accepted only by wire transfer. 10% buyer's premium for LLA live-online and absentee bidding. For winning bidders in NC, license plate and titling of vehicle will be obtained by Leland Little Auctions, provided all applicable fees and taxes are paid. Additional taxes may be due upon registration, depending on your state of residence.

From the Collection of a Gentleman Roanoke, Virginia.

A very documented import from Germany in 1985. The original owner was a professor from San Diego, that purchased it while working on a project in Germany in the mid 80's. It was used in Germany for less than a year before it was shipped to California. Upon arrival in the US, he promptly began the extensive process to modify it to pass EPA and DOT regulations in the States. The EPA approval came quickly, but the DOT approval never came. After many letters, and even a visit to Washington DC to obtain exemption, two years passed without approval. Finally in 1988 DOT approval was granted, and he applied for a California title and registration. He was denied because of a new gray market import law passed just six months earlier. The car sat mostly unused in the garage until the owner passed in 2021. Included is all of the interesting documentation of this gray market import and conversion to US spec. It sheds a light on the history of this practice. A "statement of facts" is included by the daughter, who states the car sat in the garage her entire life. She was born in 1986.
The second owner purchased it from the estate and titled it in the state of Maryland. He is a well-known MB enthusiast and collects rare spec models. As a friend, it was offered to the current owner before hitting the open market. How could he resist? He also collects very nice cars with interesting histories. He stated, "I lived in Germany from 1985-1988 and remember that this is how most all German spec cars were built. Cloth seats, manual windows, no A/C, sunroof, and a five-speed manual transmission."
Upon acquiring the car, a full service was performed to include; all fluids changed, valve adjustment, injection pump was re-sealed, and a new muffler was sourced from Germany and installed. The paint was ceramic coated in 2022, and approximately 2100 miles were added during current ownership. Paint readings of .12-.14mm are consistent throughout car. There is documentation of a damage claim to the shipper, but no evidence of repairs. Photo negatives documenting all of the import and conversion are included.

The following condition report, while thorough, is not exhaustive as vintage cars have inherent wear and imperfections. We welcome personal inspections.

Additions for US conformity; steel bars added inside doors for protection, additional support on bumper mounts, air pump modified, warning buzzers for lights and seatbelts, and amber side markers installed; some scratches to wheel cover edges; steel trim is faded; no apparent concerns.