Im not really going into the who how where when- its a long story
This is the intake manifold rumored to be from the 203 MPH 1978 record
cI I I-III testing car.
One of the 4 drivers from the 78 testing season -an italian freelance race driver, Donzi Modiano working for benz in 76 and again in 1978-- had it "appropriated" out of a special works developement center called Sindelfingen in the early 1980's by a friend of his working there.
After a long odyssey-- it came into my hands.
It is the only one like it.
$750.00

I can't imagine anyone here would pay that much for it but it certainly has some historical value. You should consider talking to Mercedes about it.

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http://superturbodiesel.com/images/sig.04.10.jpg
1995 E420 Schwarz
1995 E300 Weiss
#1987 300D Sturmmachine
#1991 300D Nearly Perfect
#1994 E320 Cabriolet
#1995 E320 Touring
#1985 300D Sedan
OBK #42

Given the backstory, MB might still consider the manifold their property.

Jim

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14 E250 BlueTEC black. 45k miles
95 E320 Cabriolet Emerald green 66k miles
94 E320 Cabriolet Emerald green 152k miles
85 300TD 4 spd man, euro bumpers and lights, 15" Pentas dark blue 274k miles

Nahh- I think ill pass on that idea. This is a pic of the goofy looking orange car

Mercedes Benz OM617 Prototype Intake Manifold C1 1 1 lll 1978 203 MPH Race Car | eBay