I had to shed a tear when I saw this car. Beautiful...just beautiful.

1979 Mercedes-Benz 220D "Taxi"

Any self-respecting '123 enthusiast will note that the 220D was an extremely rare car- only 56,738 were made compared to nearly 330,000 200D's, 450,000 240D's etc. This is a German-spec taxi version from the late '70s. Under the hood, a 60-hp 2.2-l 4-cylinder engine mated to a 4-speed automatic: standard taxi package although the automatic was optional. Beautiful. I love the W123. Hands down the best MB ever made.



















I see a lot of W123's around here. But I never see a 220D or a 250!

I love the W123 and this particular car is rare of course, but it doesn't quite do it for me. I never liked the twin circular headlights and the colour-matching wheels. I actually don't like that wheel style on any Mercedes.

Latter (1982) W123's got rectangular headlights (with the exception of the 280 and 280E / 280TE and the coupes which had those from the beginning). I prefer the circular lights seen here because that's the W123 I saw growing up. And I love those hubcaps. I think I know the ones you prefer (like on the 450SEL 6.9 right?), but those don't look too good on the W123 IMO. Those 14" rims are "too sporty" and looking at the W123, you can't help see an elegant car with almost no sporting potentials.

I saw the circular lights growing up as well since I lived in Canada. Those circulars were on the W116 as well with the massive US-style fender.

The hubcap generally fitted on the 6.9 is the style I prefer on the W123, W116 and W126. I like that silver wire-style wheel design.

Did you know that those rims were designed with "cooling" in mind? The design enabled air to flow in and cool the brakes. MB innovation.

No, I didn't know they were designed to cool the brakes. You really are an expert on these old Mercedes Benz, cawimmer.

I did not know that either! One thing I'll definitely commend the 123 for was it's superb brakes, they almost completely make up for the underwelming acceleration most of the 123s have.

On the opposite side of the spectrum, instead of taxis here's a racing Carlsson 123 Coupe. - ONLY REGISTERED AND ACTIVATED USERS CAN SEE ALL LINKS - CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

I subscribe to Mercedes-Benz Classic and Mercedes Enthusiast. Mercedes-Benz Classic is an internal MB magazine and they usually feature vast technological articles on older MB's. That's where I learn these things.

I highly recommend both these magazines. Mercedes-Benz Classic is in German, but I believe an English version is also available (not sure though). Mercedes Enthusiast is a UK magazine and very well-written as well as informative. And they love the W123 and have connections to the best W123 experts in the UK. Two guys dedicated to preserving the "best saloon car of the 20th century".

I agree. During my testdrive of a rusty W123 200D with 60-hp, I could feel the brakes were as solid as the day the car left the factory. Funny video too BTW!

I think I'll pick up a Mercedes Enthusiast subscription. I'm checking Mirbach regularly for a 6.9 or any W116 model. The sublime 300SL Gullwing Roberto posted a thread on is already sold. No surprise there. It was in gorgeous shape. I'm hoping to find an armoured model to purchase.

Bum-Man, the video you posted is fantastic. The car was a 280 Coupe modified by Carlsson. Correct? Shouldn't it have the rectangular headlamps? I guess they must have been changed.