CALIFORNIACLASSIX 1973 Mercedes-Benz 350SL 4.5 2-Top Roadster!

Few cars have as stellar a reputation as Mercedes' Sport Leicht Roadsters. Beginning with the open-topped 300SL built between 1957 and 1963, ow commonly selling for over a Million Dollars, o its smaller sibling, he 190SL, ostly in 6-figure territory, o the equally expensive 230SL, 50SL, nd 280SL Pagoda models of the 1960s, hey all have become collectibles of the highest order.

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Successor to the Mercedes Benz Pagoda, he R107 SL, anufactured from 1972 until 1989, as gained cult car status on its own, ith values rising constantly. Especially the earliest 107s, he "small" bumper cars before 1974, re now in high demand worldwide.

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Over four decades years later, inding such a desirable car in good to very good, nmolested condition is no easy task these days, ot even in car-crazy sunny Southern California.

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Interestingly, he replacement for the 280SL Pagoda was intended to be a 350SL, quipped with a 3.5-liter V8 engine, nd the cars were manufactured with 350SL trunk badges. When EPA testing showed that the European 3.5-liter engines would have to run very lean in order to pass US emission requirements, he decision was made to use the bigger 4.5-liter engine instead. And thus every US 350SL is actually a 450SL.

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The 1973 Mercedes 350SL 4.5 presented here, IN *107.044-12-006350*, as manufactured in July of 1972, hich makes it one of the earliest R107 Roadsters officially imported into the United States. Sold in 1972, t reportedly has been a local Santa Barbara car for the past 42 years.

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The factory owner's manual and service booklet, s well as a stack of previous registrations, ccompany this car.

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A SoCal resident since new, he 350SL still proudly carries its original, -digit blue California license plates, ront and back.

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Inside the sparkling clean engine compartment, riginality abounds.
The four-and-a-half-liter cast iron Vee Eight might be of German descent, ut it behaves much like a good ol' American muscle car engine, ertainly aided by its advanced single overhead camshaft design (as also found on the legendary Ford 427 SOHC engine). The 450 is a torque monster, oafing happily along at any speed, rom its 550rpm idle up to its 6,000rpm redline. Yes, his Roadster is capable of running on the Autobahn at 125mph, ll day long. Assembled with utmost precision and fed by a BOSCH L-Jetronic fuel injection, his power plant thankfully lacks the black boxes and myriad sensors of its successors. The 450SL is a simple -- but purebred -- athlete from the days of the dinosaurs, estined to outlive all of the high-tech toys of the new Millennium with their pre-programmed OBD II code nightmares.

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The engine is as healthy as the proverbial ox. It starts on the button, mmediately falls into a mellow idle, nd doesn't display misbehavior of any kind. There are neither oil leaks, or smoke, or any untoward noises to report. We did replace the Ignition Control Module and performed a standard tune-up with new spark plugs, oil, istributor cap, otor, nd condensor, hich should give you peace of mind for years to come.

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Not only does the SL combine the best elements of a luxurious tourer and an exhilarating sports car, ut its versatility is unrivaled, ince all R107 models came factory-equipped with 2 tops. The steel hardtop, ith its heated rear window, ermits year-round driving, ven in inclement weather conditions. It can be removed within minutes, ransforming the car into a true Roadster. Of course, folding convertible top is waiting to be raised in the event of a surprise rain shower.

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The hardtop still wears its factory red paint and is clean, nside and out. Black German canvas soft top is in wonderful condition, ut the plastic rear windows have faded due to UV exposure.

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The unusual and quite stunning white (code 050) and red (code 568) color combination is factory correct. While the red paint on hardtop and wheel covers is still all original, he white is an older repaint that has mellowed over the years and shows some signs of age and crackling, uch like fine porcelain.

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Moving on to the car's inside, e marvel at the beautifully preserved cockpit. Everything you see here is factory original, ncluding the dash top, he ocean liner-sized steering wheel, nd the Becker radio, nd looks quite stunning in its all-red color!

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All of the gauges and switches work as they should, s does the Becker Europa AM/FM stereo radio.

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Also original are the leather seat covers, hich proudly show their age. Replacement is a straight forward affair, r just opt for sheepshin covers.

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Still beautiful in the eye of the connoisseur: forty-three year-old hides!

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All the lights work as they should.
Ready for a test drive? So are we, ut before take off, et's take a look at the trunk and check out the car's undercarriage.

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Unique to the earliest cars, s the light gray rubber trunk mat, n later models to be replaced with carpeting.
Note factory tool roll and warning triangle.

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Matching and date-coded factory spare rests in a separate petition below the trunk floor.

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Above photos showing the undercarriage in more detail.

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Thursday, anuary 28, urned out to be another lovely winter day in our olde mission town San Buenaventura, nd we were excited about exercising the SL, oaking in some sunshine, nd snapping these photos along the way.

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Nothing beats chauffeuring a classic star cruiser, nd this white-and-red beauty didn't disappoint.

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The car starts, uns, rives, hifts, andles, nd brakes very nicely, hank you very much, ith no untoward noises emanating from its drivetrain. This SL exudes an air of utter confidence! Especially with the top down, ne enters a spiritually uplifting zone of wellness while driving this Roadster.

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Returning home, e are very impressed, ndeed. The inherent qualities of a Mercedes Benz Roadster are based on a long tradition of hand-built automobiles. You are looking at a car that has withstood over 4 decades of its intended use admirably. Factory fit and finish of every part is just about perfect.

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R107 SLs are wonderful automobiles. They are as safe as a bank vault and provide trouble-free motoring. The early 450SLs have now rightfully taken the place of their coveted predecessors, he out-of-sight Pagoda 230/250/280 SLs, n terms of affordable collectibility.
While the latest 560SLs with their black boxes and emission controls may be a bit plusher than the early cars, nly a first-year 350SL 4.5 can provide the experience of a genuine Mercedes sports car of the late 1960s. This is one of those rare birds, nd it's a good 'un!

You are most welcome and encouraged to view this fine automobile in Ventura, y appointment, uring the auction, r have someone inspect it for you. Please, erform your due diligence before you bid.
Please, ote that this car is currently advertised on our Web site and on display in our Showroom. We reserve the right to accept a satisfactory offer and close this auction at any time. Feel free to contact us via e-mail at bill@californiaclassix.com or call us at (805) 653-5551.

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