It’s working. Better sell it
There comes a time when you have to say goodbye. For me it’s both to Classic Cars and my W123. I’m now working for CC’S sister title Modern Classics and sadly it’s time for YYB 350S to move on.
The last time the car was in these pages was way back in June 2016, showing ignition problems. Happily the Accuspark electronic ignition kit worked a charm and the W123 rewarded me with a summer’s worth of fantastic classic motoring.
Yes, that’s right – it behaved impeccably wherever I took it. It brushed off a 350-mile round trip to a friend’s wedding with ease, dealing with the permanent car park that is the Birmingham stretch of the M6 with aplomb. It may not be an autobahn annihilator like others in the Mercedes range, but it sat at 70mph and 2mph (Birmingham again) for long periods without trouble. It’s fair to say my relationship with this car has been strained at times, but it was finally showing the hallmarks of positive W123 ownership; steady, solid driving with excellent waft-ability.
The only issue is that I’ve started to hanker after something sportier… a six-cylinder Italian with far too much horsepower driving the (apparently) wrong wheels and a reputation for wayward handling – I’ll leave it up to you to guess. Oh, and it has poor reliability and high parts costs. All the things the W123 isn’t, then.
But I do feel genuine sadness at the thought of letting my W123 go. The early stages of my relationship with my now wife involved this car (no, not that), and each time I get behind the wheel of YYB 350S I remember the good times and question my decision (selling, not marrying). The W123 is as calming and relaxing as a weekend retreat – and it doesn’t come with annoying pan-pipe music. If I had a double garage it’s likely the Mercedes would stay.
So it’s with a heavy heart that it goes, and if you allow me to get my sales pitch set up, it’s one of the first 2500 W123 230Cs made, with a recently restored body that’s in great condition. It’s had an extensive undersealing treatment from Rustbuster too. The price? £7000, and I’ll even throw in some spares and new window rubbers. Drop me an email: nathan.chadwick@bauermedia.co.uk.