I’m not going to go into great detail regarding my junkyard find 1986 Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.3-16 Cosworth project; I’ve been withholding updates as we do have some great news to share but I’m waiting until I can do a proper video to accompany it. Meanwhile, this 1984 190E 2.3-16 Cosworth will have to tide you over, and it looks like a worthwhile project. It’s a genuine gray-market example, which means it comes with a few extra horses under the hood than the U.S.-spec car, along with the European market headlights and rear headrests. This one is cosmetically challenged but the seller claims he’s spent money in all the right places. Find the Mercedes here on craigslist for $12,000 in the San Francisco Bay Area.

This has evidently been a long-time California resident, as the desirable “sunset” license plates seem to indicate. The Cosworth Mercedes came with a unique body kit including the rear spoiler, side skirts, rear bumper skirt, front air dam, and additional cladding on the lower front fenders. The seller’s car has lost its clear coat finish, so it’s not exactly pretty – and that sun damage extends to the interior as well. The European-market cars also came with the rear turn signal lenses in full amber, as opposed to the U.S. market cars that had red and amber in the turn signal area. A small detail, but it’s helpful in confirming this 190E as a true European-market example.

The backseat comes with rear headrests, which were not offered on the U.S. models and are a desirable upgrade for cars sold new in the states. The top of the rear seatback is a common weak point in these cars, especially if the car spent any time parked outdoors. The interiors of the Cosworth vehicles were a full Recaro setup, with powered buckets in front and two contours seating areas in the back – no three-passenger seating across the rear of one of these. The trouble is the Cosworth interiors are specific in a few other ways as well, so as I’ve learned, you have to keep your eyes open for spares whenever possible. For instance, this car has a broken vent trim piece next to the gauge cluster, which incredibly, is specific to the Cosworth and hard to come by.

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But the good news is here – unlike my car – the next owner is starting with a rust-free example that runs and drives and appears to have been well-maintained if the seller’s words are to be believed. The listing claims that the seller just did “….all the large reliability preventative maintenance,” but then mentions it will still need an oil change and possibly belts at some point. I’d definitely need some insight as to what this means, as it could be anything from the self-leveling suspension pump to a head gasket and timing chain, to who knows what else. The bottom line, the price is fair but I’d allow for some negotiation due to the paint condition and interior work needed.