The recent floods that killed more than 220 people near Valencia, Spain, also caused billions of dollars in property damage. Numerous cars, trucks, and motorcycles were ruined beyond repair by the torrential rain, including hundreds of vehicles that ended up wrecked in multi-car pile-ups, but a classic Mercedes-Benz 300D proved just how tough the W123 chassis<\/a> is by driving out of a flooded parking garage under its own power.<\/p>\n Iv\u00e1n\u00a0Felisi Rubio left his green 300D in an underground parking garage in Algemes\u00ed, a small town located about 45 minutes south of Valencia. Speaking to Spanish newspaper El Mundo<\/em><\/a>, he explained that the parking garage was completely flooded. \u201cThe street was a meter and a half deep in water; imagine what the garage was like,\u201d he said. He couldn\u2019t go check on his car until emergency services drained most of the water.<\/p>\n Get the latest car news, reviews, and features.<\/p>\n By signing up you agree to our Terms of Service<\/a> and Privacy Policy.<\/a><\/p>\n He found himself face to face with every collector\u2019s worst nightmare: his classic car looked totaled. The roof panel was covered in mud, which suggests the car was fully submerged, the interior was a mess, and water also got into the engine. While most folks would have called their insurance company, Rubio headed to an auto parts store. After all, the W123 300D is no ordinary classic: it\u2019s one of the toughest cars ever built.<\/p>\n \u201cThe only thing I did was change the battery, drain the water from the engine, and check the oil. It started right away,\u201d he told El Mundo<\/em>.<\/p>\n It helps that there\u2019s not a lot to go wrong on a classic Mercedes, especially one that\u2019s powered by a diesel engine. Both headlights illuminated the way out of the parking garage as the naturally-aspirated 3.0-liter straight-five\u2019s low rumble triumphantly echoed off the walls, and the wipers slowly cleared mud off the windshield as a middle finger to the flood waters that tried to drown the car. Even the brakes appeared to work.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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