1976-’85 Mercedes-Benz W123

Enough Mercedes-Benz W123s were around in their decade of manufacture that plenty of people have memories of them, stoking the fires of nostalgia for current buyers. These cars were also built to last, and so plenty remain out there today. After a period of low values, and a generational shift that suggested not everything built after 1972 is worthless, sales have picked up on these in the last five years. To wit: A W123 of any body style, with fewer than 100,000 miles, is regularly cracking the $20,000 barrier on , with exceptional examples reaching toward $30,000. Diesel cultists embrace these cars as if they’re long-lost children. Stick shift models will always command a premium for both the fun factor and their rarity. Coupes and wagons are harder to find than sedans, and each body style has its fans. Combine these factors — stick, coupe or wagon, diesel