Lot number | 72 |
---|---|
Hammer value | £500 |
Description | Mercedes-Benz 230E Saloon (W123) |
Registration | A869 PJL |
Year | 1984 |
Colour | Silver |
Engine size | 2,299 cc |
Chassis No. | 1232232A060155 |
Engine No. | 10298022101861 |
Documents | V5C; MOT September 2015; handbook |
Mercedes launched its W123 range to huge acclaim in 1976. The car was such an instant success that a booming black market sprang up to serve those who wanted to leap-frog the 12-month waiting list.
Fabulously well-made and with gracefully understated styling, by the time it was replaced by the W124 model in 1985, some 2.7 million had been sold, making it by far the most successful Mercedes to date. It was sold as a saloon, coupe or estate with engines ranging from 2.0 – 2.8 litres for the petrol versions and 2.4 – 3.0 litres for the diesels. More powerful fuel injected petrol engines were introduced in 1980 and the range was improved still further with the ‘facelift’ models of September 1982 onwards.
All were amazingly robust machines that were an instant hit with taxi drivers the world over, and there are many that are still in daily use in Africa that have clocked up several million kilometers.
This particular 1984 230E Saloon is powered by the 2.3-litre fuel-injected four-cylinder engine that produced 134bhp and 148lb/ft of torque, sufficient for a respectable 0-60 time of 12 seconds and a top speed of 110mph. Its first owner kept the car until 1991, the car having remained in the hands of the current registered keeper ever since.
It has now amassed some 170,000 miles and comes with its original handbook. It could benefit from some minor cosmetic tidying and will require a fresh MOT from the end of September 2015. It is being offered at no reserve so the highest bidder takes it home.