1973 Mercedes-Benz 450SL Roadster

Three-box design is a broad automotive styling term describing a coup, sedan, notchback or hatchback where, when viewed in profile, principal volumes are articulated into three separate compartments or boxes: engine, passenger and cargo. Designed by Paul Bracq, a Frenchman and noted automotive designer, this classic design would be the standard at Mercedes Benz for the 60's and 70's.

For consignment, a classic sports car from the mid-1970's and sporting the moniker Mercedes-Benz. This 450SL was well taken care of and it shows, serviced by an independent Mercedes-Benz shop for both our consignor and the previous owner. The mid '70's brought plenty of over engineered cars that were built like panzer tanks, and this one can be driven around, and doing so a bit sportingly. Lovingly maintained and restored with a folder of receipts and documentation translates to glckliches Autofahren!!!

Exterior
A soft top, an open air tourer, and a hardtop currently attached, which matches the rest of the Signal Red straight steel panels, show well minded gaps all around. Chrome is excellent, and all badging is looking good and original, but in all the right places. Nice brite work in the form of the iconic tri-pointed star centered grille, window surrounds, the last year for the European bumpers on North American destined cars, and a chromed spear running along the beltline, as well as 2 trim pieces which run along the hardtop, give the car a solid and expensive look. Standard vented Mercedes Benz wheels are on all 4 corners and are wrapped in blackwall rubber. Glatter roter Stahl

Interior
Opening and closing the solid doors on this car yields the sought-after thud sound upon the close. No other manufacturer can achieve this, and what makes it unique to Mercedes Benz, is the quality and thickness of the steel they use in these cars. Looking inside we are met with plenty of leather coverings on the bucket seats, door panels, and all presenting nicely, no cracks or tears, in a striking black. That same black is covering the floors and rear compartment in nicely preserved carpet. Black rubber floor mats are above the black carpet and are definitely keeping it in clean condition. Power windows, air conditioning, power steering and power brakes are noted. The dash, fronted by the original steering wheel, is excellent and very clean. A Blaupunkt AM/FM/Cassette radio sits in its factory designated position and works well. A new headliner is attached to the underside of the hardtop and is bild perfekt!

Drivetrain
A restored well maintained 4.5 Liter V8 engine graces the engine bay, which shows in as good of condition as the exterior. A 3-speed automatic is attached to the back of the V8 and sends power back to a 3.07 geared rear axle. Over $4,300 was spent on maintenance and repairs under the hood. New gaskets, a tune up, valve adjustment, belts and hoses along with a recored radiator and new alternator. Zuverlssig und sauber!!!

Undercarriage
As noted with the topside, well cared for, with virtually no surface rust save for the exhaust pipes that come from the engine. However, the remainder where the undercoating has peeled away there is some heavy surface rust. A structurally sound frame with clean floor pans and surfaces underneath. Independent coil spring suspension along with power disc brakes are seen on all 4 corners. Wir haben ein sehr schnes 450 SL Paket.

Drive-Ability
Of course, this piece of German engineering fired right up, and handled our test track with ease. Great acceleration, great handling, and solid braking. All mechanicals were operable with the exception of the windshield wipers only working in position 3 and the turn signal stalk must be held to keep the signals actuating. Ein guter Fahrer und Kreuzer!

1979 never looked so good with this classic. Definitely one of the stars in the house of this make and model, in excellent overall condition, no fading, no excessive dirt, no wear on the seats, it is simply amazing. Tons of service records to pour through on this car, and it will quickly explain why it is really that good...actually Ausgezeichnet!

VIN DECODE
10704412009034
107-SL Series
044-450 Roadster
12-Left Hand Drive Automatic
009034-Sequential Unit Number

Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special interest automobile showroom, featuring over 600 vehicles for sale with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle barn find collection is on display.
This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914. Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.