CALIFORNIACLASSIX Museum-Quality 1974 Mercedes 450SL 2-Top Roadster {99 PIX}

Description for Mercedes-Benz SL-Class 1974

An Out-of-this-world 1974 Mercedes 450SL Roadster. now for auction on eBay! Museum Quality Garage Find: 1974 Mercedes-Benz 450SL Roadster! Few cars have as stellar a reputation as Mercedes' Sport Leicht Roadsters. Beginning with the open-topped 300SL built between 1957 and 1963. now commonly selling for over a Million Dollars. to its smaller sibling. the 190SL. mostly in 6-figure territory. to the equally expensive 230SL. 250SL. and 280SL Pagoda models of the 1960s. they all have become collectibles of the highest order. Click on the above image for an XXL-sized view (a separate browser window will open) Successor to the Mercedes Benz Pagoda. the R107 SL. manufactured from 1971 until 1989. has gained cult car status on its own. with values for prime examples rising sharply. Click on the above image for an XXL-sized view (a separate browser window will open) The first SL Roadster equipped with a V8 engine. the R107 features a truly timeless design and holds the place of honor as the most successful convertible ever built by the Daimler Benz factory. Since a Quarter Century has passed since the last R107 SL left the Stuttgart factory. finding one that has been stored in a climate controlled garage all its life. driven sparingly. and has always been treated like a favorite child feels like winning the lottery. Click on any of the above images for a full-size view The 1974 Mercedes 450SL featured here. VIN *10704412017594*. is such a rare gem. Built in October of 1973. it has been driven a mere 44. 00 miles in 41 years. Featuring original paint and interior. as well as the original vintage California blue-and-gold license plates. front and back. we confidently label it to be in museum condition. Click on any of the above images for a full-size view Purchased in the spring of 1974 at Phil Smart. Inc. of Seattle. Wash. by Mr. R. T. Perry. a successful realtor. as a gift to his wife. Ann. the car was subsequently shipped to the owners' second home in Santa Barbara. Calif. . where it resided in the posh Hope Ranch enclave all its life. Mrs. Perry also had a Mercedes sedan at her disposal and used the SL only infrequently after 1977. In 1995. she stopped driving altogether but did not have the heart to sell the SL during her lifetime. She passed at the age of 90 earlier this year. and the heirs finally released her treasured automobile. The original maintenance booklet. shown above. confirms the car's history with the appropriate service entries (in Santa Barbara. the car was looked after by Butt's Buick. the local M-B franchise before it became Cutter Motors in the 1980s). The original title. dated 4/26/1974 and the factory data card. confirming the car's specification and all-important numbers. are also included. Let's inspect the car now thoroughly. starting with the undercarriage. As one would expect. there are no signs of corrosion or damage on this low-mileage SL; as a matter of fact. all factory finishes appear to be intact and "as delivered. " Note: the missing fuel pump cover will be included with the car; the pump was replaced during recommissioning. Click on the image to the left for an XXL-sized view (a separate browser window will open) Click on any of the above images for a full-size view The above images show the undercarriage in more detail. Fabulous! Click on the above image for an XXL-sized view (a separate browser window will open) Inside the sparkling clean engine compartment. originality abounds. The four-and-a-half-liter cast iron Vee Eight might be of German descent. but it behaves much like a good ol' American muscle car engine. certainly aided by its advanced single overhead camshaft design (as also found on the legendary Ford 427 SOHC engine). The 450 is a torque monster. loafing happily along at any speed. from its 550rpm idle up to its 6. 00rpm redline. Yes. this Roadster is capable of running on the Autobahn at 125mph. all day long. Assembled with utmost precision and fed by a BOSCH L-Jetronic fuel injection. this 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. destined to outlive all of the high-tech toys of the new Millennium with their pre-programmed OBD II code nightmares. Click on any of the above images for a full-size view This car's matching numbers engine is as healthy as can be; after the almost 20-year hibernation. reknowned Muller & Goss of Santa Barbara recently recommissioned the car. making sure it runs like a Swiss watch. Click on any of the above images for a full-size view Engine compartment details. showing areas commonly dirty and neglected. Incredibly perhaps. this is all factory original paint! Click on the above image for an XXL-sized view (a separate browser window will open) Not only does the SL combine the best elements of a luxurious tourer and an exhilarating sports car. but its versatility is unrivalled. since all R107 models came factory-equipped with 2 tops. The steel hardtop. with its heated rear window. permits year-round driving. even in inclement weather conditions. It can be removed within minutes. transforming the car into a true Roadster. Of course. a folding convertible top is waiting to be raised in the event of a surprise rain shower. Click on any of the above images for a full-size view Hardtop is super clean. inside and out. Black German canvas soft top is in wonderful condition. without any tears or rips. Plastic rear windows are clear. Click on any of the above images for a full-size view "Like new" is the only appropriate expression to describe the top storage compartment and soft top mechanism. Even the 41 year-old soft foam blocks (on the inside of the aluminum lid) that protect the canvas are still present! Click on the above image for an XXL-sized view (a separate browser window will open) The original steel wheels with stainless hubcaps featuring matching painted centers wear vintage Michelin 185-14 tires - pure unobtainium for at least two decades! Click on the above image for an XXL-sized view (a separate browser window will open) SL's coachwork remained virtually unchanged during its long production run. The early cars were prone to rust issues; this fine. Southern California resident shows not the tiniest bubble. anywhere. Click on the above image for an XXL-sized view (a separate browser window will open) Maple Yellow (Ahorngelb). factory code 606. is a rare and desirable period color. Difficult to show correctly on a computer screen. it is a far cry from the pale beige often seen on the R107; instead. it is a rich. light yellow hue. a typical 1970s choice that elicits excited comments wherever we take the car. Factory finish has remained in wonderful condition. with no rock chips. scrapes. dents or scratches that would cause even a fussy collector sleepless nights. Click on the above image for an XXL-sized view (a separate browser window will open) Moving on to the car's inside. we marvel at the immaculately preserved cockpit. Here's where it would get costly. were you attempting to restore a lesser car to a "brand new" appearance. This gorgeous reference example's interior still does look new! Click on the above image for an XXL-sized view (a separate browser window will open) Neither the black steering wheel nor the finely detailed instruments display any signs of aging or wear. Click on any of the above images for a full-size view Original. working BECKER Europa stereo resides inside the immaculately preserved. console. which is free of any hairline splits. The early R107 cars did not yet feature the wooden console trim. We actually prefer this simpler. cleaner looking layout. Note knob for the optional cruise control on center console. Click on the above image for an XXL-sized view (a separate browser window will open) Comfy bucket seats are trimmed in the wear-resistant MB-Tex and remain in splendid original condition; there is a little chafing on the outer driver's side piping (see picture). however. there are no rips. tears. stains. or other discernible signs of use. This SL was carefully garaged all its life and it shows. especially here. since sun damage to the interior is the bane of most California cars. Click on the above image for an XXL-sized view (a separate browser window will open) This photo looks like it might be lifted from a factory brochure. circa 1973 - rest assured. it is a pic of the actual car for sale. taken in 2014! Check out the beautiful original carpeting and intact sun visors. Click on the above image for an XXL-sized view (a separate browser window will open) All the lights work as they should. Ready for a test drive? So are we. but before take off. let's take a look at the trunk. Click on the above image for an XXL-sized view (a separate browser window will open) Original. light gray rubber trunk mat. tool roll. and warning triangle. Again. museum quality presentation wherever we look. Click on any of the above images for a full-size view Original -- and unused -- spare mit 185-14 PHOENIX tire. Not a speck of rust in the spare tire well. Click on any of the above images for a full-size view Reference quality trunk floor. Factory paint is not black. by the way. but tiefdunkelgrau ("deep dark gray"). Click on the above image for an XXL-sized view (a separate browser window will open) Saturday. November 29. turned out to be another lovely autumn day in our olde mission town San Buenaventura. and we were excited about exercising the 450SL. Click on the above image for an XXL-sized view (a separate browser window will open) Nothing beats chauffeuring a low-mileage original classic. and Ann's SL didn't disappoint. Click on the above image for an XXL-sized view (a separate browser window will open) The car starts. runs. drives. shifts. handles. and brakes very nicely. thank you very much. with no untoward noises emanating from its drivetrain. This SL exudes an air of utter confidence! Especially with the top down. one enters a spiritually uplifting zone of wellness while driving this Roadster. Click on the above image for an XXL-sized view (a separate browser window will open) Returning home. we are very impressed. indeed. 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 barely aged in 41 years. Factory fit and finish of every part is just about perfect. Click on the above image for an XXL-sized view (a separate browser window will open) 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. the out-of-sight Pagoda 230/250/280 SLs. in terms of affordable collectibility. Knowledgeable collectors advise that it is always the smartest decision to buy the best example you can find of a given model. This ultra-low mileage. Maple Yellow 450SL is a benchmark specimen that's going to be impossible to duplicate. We're certain you'll agree that it is truly of museum quality! TERMS OF THIS SALE By bidding in this auction. you declare that you have read and accept the Terms of this Sale as outlined below. If you have any questions. please ask them before you bid. After the auction has ended. the sale is final. Please. only bid on this car if you are serious about owning it and have the necessary funds readily available! We require a $1. 00 deposit to be paid via PayPal within 24 hours of the end of the auction and the balance to be paid via bank wire transfer (or in cash) within 5 business days. unless other arrangements have been agreed upon during the auction. The car comes with a clear California Certificate of Title. It is smog exempt and sold "as is. where is" with no warranty stated or implied. License plates shown for photographic purposes only. You fully understand that you are not bidding on an "option to buy" this vehicle. You bid to own! There are no contingencies. We ship worldwide. For more information about Californiaclassix. please click on the link below: About Auction Presentation. Image Hosting. & Copyright © 1999-2014 by Californiaclassix. com™. All Rights Reserved. Californiaclassix. com™ is a Registered Trademark. In compliance with eBay's Rules and Regulations. no part of this presentation may be reproduced without written permission of the author. 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