The DFW Car & Toy Museum has added a 1981 Mercedes-Benz 240D to the Ron Sturgeon Collection, showcasing a vehicle that epitomizes the engineering endurance and understated luxury of the W123 chassis series. This diesel sedan, powered by a 2.4-liter OM616 inline-four engine producing 67 horsepower and 97 lb-ft of torque, is paired with a four-speed automatic transmission and disc brakes on all four corners, a combination that earned the 240D a reputation for outlasting most competitors on the road.
Inside, the vehicle features durable Sienna MB-Tex upholstery, front bucket seats, a rear bench, and minimalist 1980s comforts, including hand-crank windows, a heater, and a locking glove box. The analog gauge cluster includes a 100-mph speedometer, coolant temperature, oil pressure, and fuel level indicators, along with an analog clock and an aftermarket stereo. According to documentation, the speedometer was replaced in 1996 at approximately 50,000 miles, and the replacement odometer now reads 61,000 miles, reflecting the car's long journey.
Ron Sturgeon, founder of the DFW Car & Toy Museum, emphasized the vehicle's significance: 'The 240D may not scream luxury, but it defines it in terms of quality, dependability, and understated confidence. It's the kind of car you grow to admire not just for what it is—but for how long it lasts.' This addition is part of the museum's expanding collection of over 200 classic vehicles and 3,000 vintage toys and collectibles, now housed at a 150,000-square-foot facility in North Fort Worth.
The museum, located at 2550 McMillan Parkway, Fort Worth, TX 76137, offers free parking and admission, and is open Tuesday through Saturday from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm. For more information, visit the museum's website at dfwcarandtoymuseum.com or the original toy museum site at DFW Elite Toy Museum.
