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I once drove my '76 300D for more than a week with no electricity whatsoever. No generator, no battery. Hill started it or borrowed a fresh battery when I needed to start it and let it run until I was done with it.

Electricity was strictly optional on those cars.

Up until around 89 (I think) you could have even tow started it! The instructions are even in the manual. They are incredible machines.

1983 Mercedes Diesel has electronic fuel injection and ABS.

ABS yes, but it’s a Bosch mechanical pump. There’s a reason for the manual stop lever on it! There is an “electronic diesel system” that feeds into the ALDA system, but the car will run without ALDA. I don’t think the 300D had EDS though.

If there is ever a nuclear apocalypse, the giant mutant cockroaches that survive will be driving around in style in 80’s diesel Mercs.