Assuming the car has a title... And it's not a scam I have a tech that can inspect and I'd be willing to take a look. Once upon a time I was a "Used Car Buyer" for a major car rental company. Sounds like it's nearby, send me a message and I'll have a look and if the car isn't a POS I'll set you up with Pacific Coast Benz. There are some shops around here to STAY AWAY from.

I think one of the local diesel nuts died, there are several of his cars for sale right now. I've probably seen the car you are talking about, the street in front of his house was littered with W123's, a fintail, a W124, a W116 but I never saw a W126.

Due to the value and age of the car there are likely various ways to get it registered out of state.

I live in Newport, my office is in Costa Mesa. I'm betting the car is on Orange Ave in Newport...

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1981 240D Four on the floor, Orient Red over Parchment, bought with 154,000 but it's a daily driver and up to 180,000 miles, mostly original paint and all original interior.