1973 450SL - 22,000 miles, very original, garaged Texas car

1973 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class Additional Info:

Mileage is real – verified by known history, service records from 1993-today, and hand-written log by the second owner. This car was always garaged and always loved. I have a book with all documentation (see pics).

I just spent $12,527 on everything the car needed to be excellent again:

• new fluids throughout
• new drivebelts
• suspension (shocks front and rear, upper and lower control arms, bushings, lower ball joints)
• brakes (master cylinder, all rotors, all pads, hoses, sensors)
• steering (new gearbox, center drag link, tie rods, steering stabilizer, idler arm)
• ignition (coil wire, spark plugs, points, timing redone)
• new battery and cables
• cold start solenoid
• injection system (new valve cover gaskets, rocker arms, valve adjustment, cam lube kits, remove/clean injectors, new sleeves and seals, new injector hoses)
• updated fuel hoses throughout chassis
• 12 oz of R12 to get the AC cold and verified with a detector that there aren’t any leaks in the climate system
• plus $800 on Vredestein tires (Michelins are no longer available in 14”) and an alignment
• The above work is quality MB parts or aftermarket similar – no skimping on cheap parts – by my Mercedes-only mechanic for the past 35 years. Have all documentation (see pics below).

· Overall

A very original 45-year old car and only 22,000 miles – original paint, original interior, original hard and soft top. No rust issues (see pics). Very well treated and loved – it shows everywhere you look. Paint has some nicks and dents from living in a garage; interior is like new and still smells of leather. Everything works like new (clock, radio, windows, AC, heater, all switches) except the glovebox light. Runs and drives very well - but it should after all I’ve done. Drives straight with hands off the steering wheel, very fast for its weight (no emissions/catalytic converters on the 1973), stops quickly and without wander. Never smokes at any time or under any conditions. AC very cold. An honest, well-cared for R107 SL.

Exterior

Original Maple Yellow paint which is a pastel yellow. No accidents, no signs of accidents, no paintwork. No rust. Always a Georgia or a Texas car. Always garaged. Overall, paint very shiny and thick (see paint meter readings). Chrome is very shiny and scratchless. Rubber is 45-years old, but somehow still soft and pliable. Original painted hubcaps – look excellent. Soft top raises and lowers without issues. Downsides: Has some garage dents and nicks in paint which have been touched up by previous owner (see pics). Soft top is also original, and it shows – has some canvas patches (from previous owner – probably from the top being down all its life), has some blemishes/creases in the plastic windows, a crack in the passenger-side quarter window, and the color is sunburned a yellowish. One hubcap has some scratches in the yellow paint. Windshield has scratches from 45- years of wiper blades.

Interior

Amazing that this is 45-years old. The interior is clearly this car’s best feature. Seats look new; dash looks new; gauges look new; everything works. Radio and power antenna work; sound is crappy like it’s also from 1973 – but no crackling in the speakers so it’s as good as 45-years old can get! Horsehair in the driver’s seat deteriorating some, but seats still firm. Headliner looks new. No stains or water damage. The interior of this car is more akin to my old 1969 Porsche 911 than to a “modern” 1989 560SL. Seatbelts have a lap belt and a shoulder belt that are separate; if not secured when in Drive or Reverse, the seat belt light still comes on with a buzzer (see video). AC is cold; very cold on the highway. Heater is hot – too hot if you let it get that way. No noises in the AC blower motor. No rattles, no squeaks while driving. Door slams solid like an old Mercedes. Downsides: The horsehair deterioration in the driver seat, and the glovebox light not working.

Mechanical

When I buy an old car, the money gets spent on brakes, steering, and suspension because it makes the car feel tight and worthy of a good drive. The engine starts quickly when cold, no smoke (light grey or otherwise), no hard starts. Runs tight and quick – no hiccups or hesitations. A blast to drive at 80 mph – it’s the car’s comfort zone. Downsides: Has a minor leak at rear main seal (see pic of the cardboard) that amounts to a single drip after a hot drive; no other leaks. Very solid car and damn fun to drive – especially quickly. Mechanically needs nothing – ready to go. Could use a new soft top if buyer ever plans on using a top, but on the other hand, cars are only original once and this on is low-miles, incredibly original, and ready to be driven with no more work necessary.

Reserve is low and reasonable.