1974 Mercedes Benz 450 SEL EXC Survivor! Very Low miles!Calif car!!!No Reserve!!

Up for auction is this beautiful 1974 Mercedes Benz 450 SEL. The 450sel was the flagship of the Mercedes Benz line in 1974 and 1974 was the only year the 450 SEL was named car of the year. Looking at this very well preserved example. it is easy to see why. For a large. heavy car. this car drives beautifully. Even at almost 40 years old. it is quick. responsive. and surprisingly agile as it shows no problem holding it's own amongst contemporary cars. This car still feels very solid with doors that close like a bank vault and not the slightest rattle or creak as it goes over railroad tracks. This example is finished in MBZ factory color 'dark red' and has had only one re-paint since new. It shows extremely well. The body is laser straight. The chrome is likewise in very nice condition. The car has been fitted with true knock off wire wheels. which means that in order to secure the wheels to the car. a special lead topped hammer (stored in the trunk) must be used to hammer the spinners on or off to remove the wheels. And there are 5 of these wire beauties! They are also in superior condition showing none of the usual rust that accumulates on the higher mileage cars. The dark red exterior is complimented very nicely by the Cognac interior which feature the original leather seating. Overall. the leather has held up well to be almost 40 years old. There are. of course. a few flaws to be reported most notably where the sun has produced a few small tears at the top of the back seat adjacent to the rear package shelf and creasing and some cracking are also on the drivers seat. which shows the most wear. predictably. But the leather is still very supple and has that wonderful old Mercedes smell each time you enter the car. I did cannibalize another 450SEL witht he same color interior and bought a pair of front seat cushions. The passenger one has already been installed but not the drivers side. Hence. the car will come with the extra seat cushion ready to install on the drivers side. The dash does have several cracks. Headliner is almost perfect and so are door panels. Aftermarket mats protect the original carpet well. Almost everything works instrumentation wise. All gauges and even the clock. although it needs frequent re-sets to keep accurate time. Working A/C! This car has the optional electric sliding sunroof and it glides open and closed with one touch of the button. The original Becker radio was apparently removed and replaced with a Blaupunkt cassette model that was featured equipment on the Porsche and Ferarri models of the day. It works well. including cassette! Everything works as it should with the exception of the cruise control. which may work fine. I just have not tested it. Original blue and gold California plate car and there is no rust on this car. Orignal key and books present. this low mile (78. 600+/-) beauty needs nothing other than to be enjoyed. It is regrettably being offered for sale. Please ask any and all questions prior to bidding. All sales are final and sold as is. where is.  

On May-14-13 at 23:24:05 PDT. seller added the following information:

The true knock off wire wheels on this car. all 5 of them. are stamped "Zenith Wire Wheel company" "Campbell. alifornia. "

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