Check out this 1981 Mercedes Benz 300 Turbo Diesel Roadster. It was converted from a 380 SL - installed with a 1987 300 turbo diesel... Mercedes-Benz : 300-Series Mercedes-Benz : 300-Series - eBay (item 220943976003 end time Feb-03-12 11:09:59 PST)

(ebay Post available for another ~ 1.5 days - not my car)

If it would have been my conversion, I would have started with a better body so it would possibly last longer (body is too rusty) . Also the front end looks just a little low. Gosh do you think the engine is a tad heavier than the original one that was in the 380SL? It's probably a nice combination though.

Anyone else done a conversion like this?

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Pete Williams, President emeritus - MBCA-International Stars (Eastern Mich.) Now Wi. & Az.
1985 300D Manual 4 speed Green Hen's tooth
1979 MGB triple black Az car nice
1969 back 1/2 of MGB (Az home built trailer)
1991 Volvo 245 Wagon Nice AZ Restored Gold Brick
1983 Jeep CJ7 37,600 Miles Summer use only

Ebay listing is not there anymore.

Forum didn't like the URL. Try this - Mercedes-Benz : 300-Series Mercedes-Benz : 300-Series | eBay

That's the VIN from an 87 300D, not an 81 380SL.

Interesting AC controls. Can you turn on all modes at the same time?

Sixto
87 300D

Looks interesting. I bet the underside looks scary rusty.

Almost posted this myself! I think this is awesome. I always wanted a w113 with a period correct diesel engine. Or would this be sacrilegious? Guess if I had enough money in the first place, I wouldn't care...

I love the way the valve cover looks. I might do that on my car.

-J

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1991 350SDL. 230,000 miles (new motor @ 150,000). Blown head gasket

Tesla Model 3. 205,000 miles. Been to 48 states!
Past: A fleet of VW TDIs.... including a V10,a Dieselgate Passat, and 2 ECOdiesels.
2014 Cadillac ELR
2013 Fiat 500E.

Got one in progress... does that count?

380SL Diesel Conversion Project

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Current Stable

• 380SL (diesel)
• Corvette C5
• Manx
• Baja Bug
• F350 Powerstroke
• Auburn Boattail Speedster replica

The odometer shows 000000 miles. I guess this car has been born again.

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85 300D 75K Anthracite Grey 0-60 in 13 seconds **For Sale**
84 300D 333K Black (The Velveteen Rabbit) 0-60 in 14 seconds
00 Toyota Sienna 208K (Sold)
15 Subaru Outback 43K
11 Subaru Outback 67K
98 Ford Taurus 100K (Gertie - Was Grandma's - drove it to church and shopping - really) Daughter's car now.
30 Model A Ford 2 Door Sedan (Sold) 0-60 in . . . Never reached 60

When the listing is expired and pictures are no longer available, here are some from the ad so readers will know what is being discussed...

Attached Thumbnails

       

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Current Stable

• 380SL (diesel)
• Corvette C5
• Manx
• Baja Bug
• F350 Powerstroke
• Auburn Boattail Speedster replica

He gets more points for relocating the battery and the custom AC controls. Not to mention the vacuum gauge!

Sixto
87 300D

No doubt that there is an interesting story behind that installation. Too bad about the rust. Having become quite familiar with the R107 SL over the years I can tell you that is about 10% of the total rust that car will have hidden everywhere.

Oh, and I really like the scratched in "300 SLD" moniker on the idiot lite panel.

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Chief

1991 350SD

If those "switches" were in a straight line, he would get a point from me. I do like the valve cover.

I don't like SL's.... but kudos for the 603 and not 617

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08 R320 CDI current

Past
95 E420
87 300D Turbo 5spd
90 300TE
83 300SD
85 300TD
92 400E
85 190D

Since 107s are relatively cheap now you could buy this one with all the conversion details worked out and a nice rust free 380 with a bad cam chain and swap in the drive train.

What is the asking price?

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

The SL was one of my dream cars growing up. a 603 with a 5 speed behind it, I'm guessing thats pretty peppy.

Agree that you could buy this one and swap drivetrain to better body and have other bits left over for parts.

603's with 5spd's ARE pretty peppy

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08 R320 CDI current

Past
95 E420
87 300D Turbo 5spd
90 300TE
83 300SD
85 300TD
92 400E
85 190D