CAR:
RHD UK Registered 1984 300D Automatic Sedan with MB Tex Tan Interior, Golden Beige Exterior, Self Leveling suspension, Electric Fan, Oil Sump guard, Sunroof and Air Conditioning. Remarkably, the car has no rust anywhere despite having spent all its life in the UK
HISTORY
When I asked the previous owner about the history of the car, I was told that it was originally special ordered in 1984 for the President of India, Mira Gandhi before she died.
I didn't understand who he was referring to as India never had a President named Mira Gandhi . . .and then it clicked. The car was ordered for the Prime Minister of India, Indira Gandhi who was assassinated in 1984, just after the car was built. The administration cancelled the order and it never left Europe for India, going instead to the 1st owner, who cared for it for next 20 years.
When you look at the date of registration and the ultra rare factory options that would better equip the car for India, the story matches up. I even wrote a letter to the car's 2nd owner, the 1st owners mechanic, who corroborated the exact same story.
Then, I acquired the car's data sheet:
Sales designation: 300D
Order number: 0 4 825 00269
the 4 means it was Ordered in 1984
825 means the car was ordered in India
It was the 269th car ordered in India in 1984
Paint code 473 - Champagne Metallic
Interior code 154 - Dattel (Date in German) MB Tex and listed as Light Brown in English in the global non US/Canadian market brochures. Sometimes called Palomino in the US market.
Engine number - 617912 22 158652
Transmission number - 722405 02 080433
365 - Removal costs for code 668 which is 10 liters of fuel and mode of packing VE II (relates to shipping car for export over ocean)
366 - Unknown code
410 - Electric Sliding roof (sunroof)
420 - Automatic transmission floor shift
467 - Central locking system and instruments with English lettering (MPH speedo)
486 - Self-Leveling suspension and undershields (skid plates)
505 - Outside rear view mirror, Left, Electrically adjustable (R.H.D.)
512 - Radio Becker Europa Cassette Vollstereo LMKU Typ 664
531 - Automatic Antenna
542 - Lockable glove compartment
570 - Folding armrest front
586 - Behr air conditioner, and electric window lifters (front and rear doors)
592 - Green heat insulating glass all round, Rear window laminated safety glass and heated. Windshield tinted strip
613 - Asymmetrical head lamps for Left Hand Traffic
674 - High capacity battery, tropical version
812 - Rear speakers
835 - Coir mats (Coco floor mats)
Lamps: Bosch
This is all the info that was available in the EPC. There are a few more details a Mercedes classic center can provide in the complete data card for your car like the exact delivery date, what brand tires it came with, and what that unknown code is. What is really interesting that it was ordered in India but also then to remove the costs to prep the car for ocean shipment. After it was ordered they didn't want Mercedes to ship the car to India"
The order was cancelled because Prime Minister Gandhi was assassinated before she could take delivery. Unbelievably, the story fits.
I'm working with Mercedes to establish that yet another prominent global leader patronized their vehicles.
Last edited by GTO : 5th October 2016 at 11:45.
Reason: Moving one of your posts here :)
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