chance to buy '71 Mercedes 450

[Joe Mondello]

Hmm as I recall, these puppies get 9 mpg and have to be filled up every 180 miles or so. Never particularly reliable when new (we had to lemon law one), expensive as all get out to fix but lots of fun to cruise around in.

The SLC is the less desirable one with the tiny back seat, so the price sounds a tad high. 70,000 miles in 36 years? What's that down the driveway and back every day?

IIRC the first American models of the 450 were 1972 models tagged as 350SL until MB supplied a replacement badge, 1971 would likely be an import model without the emissions controls(?)

Fun to drive at 125 mph though! (I only did that twice)

 

[ernstk]

Mercedes 107

Mercedes 107

The 107 series as it was known, came out in 1971 and for a time ran in parallel with the previous 113 'Pagoda' series. The 450 SL and SLC were produced from 1971. The SLC was effectively a stretched version of the SL and had 2 small seats in the back. It also had the slightly unusual louvres fitted to the small side windows at the rear.

Regards
Ernst

 

[ChrisPlatt]

Price a brake job before you buy.

Chris

 

[vrgard]

Hey Roland, don't worry, no SmA impression taken and believe me, I'm no expert on this subject myself. Thanks for the info you posted but I do believe Joe is right. The 450SL was not brought into the US until 1972 and was badged as a 350SL. So, consistent with my recollection, we didn't start seeing badged 450SLs until, I believe, 1973 here in the US. Of course, with your German background, you probably had the pleasure of seeing the European model as early as 1971 (although you would have been rather young then to have been noticing such things). This website provides a bit more of the details: http://www.edmunds.com/mercedesbenz/slclass/history.html

As for me, I personally prefer the earlier 230/250/280 "Pagoda" SL models. And if one wants a 1970's model coupe, I would prefer to have the one I drove for 10 years which was a 1972 250C. A two-door coupe that had a full back seat. Oh, and it had a sunroof that seemed to go on forever. I still miss that car.

-Randy

 

[mw_uio]

Frank, price out insurance before you buy. I would take the 10K and put some in Apple before the release of the Iphone, as Apple´s stock will still be climbing higher thus some easy money to be made.

MArk
Quito, Ec

 

[raid]

I have a MB 450 SL

I have a MB 450 SL

70,000 miles, California car, no rust, no bondo, but repainted

$10,000Cdn or $5,000 + my 1976 BMW R90/6

Any enthusiasts here with advice?

Frank,

I have 1977 MB 450SL. It will be your last big buy for a while due to the very high cost to maintain such a car. Donot forget that while "your" car is from 1971, any spare parts you will buy today will be at the rate of today's brand new high end luxury MB sports cars.

Now let's move on to the enjoyable parts of owning such a car.
1. I managed to find an insurer for collectible cars who covers my MB fully for a fee of $100 per year. This is unbeatable for USA insurance fees.

2. Driving such a car can be very special if the car is in good condition. It is a joy to drive the MB 450SL. The car is one of most elegant and most classy car around. When the MB engineers designed it, they openly aimed at getting the best sport car in the world. When I was much younger I read in a German car magazine a match-up between the MB 450SL and the Jagual XJS (12 cylinders). The MB slighlty outedged the Jaguar.

3. You can always resell the car after one year of fun for little loss.

4. Have a mechanic knowledgeable in such cars (and there many of them around) check for a good fee everything in the car before you buy it. Check how much oil it burns and check out all 8 cylinders if they are intact.

5. Check if the car is rain proof. I am not joking.

6. Check EVERYWHERE for covered up rust.

7. Good luck. 🙂


Raid

 

[raid]

Frank,

the 450 SL is the convertible.
the 450 SLC is the coupe with sun roof.

compared to what they are selling for in Los Angeles, 10 K US is way too much.
the SLC's are harder to sell than the SL's
and sell for less

check out autotrader.com


Stephen

Stephen,

You are right here; the SLC is the coupe that drives like a SL but has more room in the back for additional passengers. There were fewer cars made as SLC than as SL. I have the SL.

Raid

 

[raid]

Wait a second, Frank. Are you sure about which model of Mercedes is being offered? The SL model was a six cylinder 280 in 1971. The eight cylinder 450 came out a couple of years later as I recall.

-Randy

Randy,

The 450SL came out first in 1971. A person I know has that model car. It was a transition year to the 450SL, he tells me. Parts of the engine are from 1971.
The worst SL model is the SL380. It has a single timing chain whereas the other SL models have a double timing chain. Many 380SL had to be repaired for broken timing chain(not belt),

Also, the SL380 switched from an iron block engine to an aluminum engine. You cannot "bore" it larger as with the iron block 450SLengine.

The 280SL is now worth more than the 450SL.

Raid

 

[raid]

Started in 71, Randy, see http://www.conceptcarz.com/vehicle/z10912/Mercedes-Benz_450 SL/default.aspx



Don't mean to be a SmA.

Roland.

Roland,

The "350" was actually a "450" but labeled for European [?] market that way.

Raid

 

[raid]

Hmm as I recall, these puppies get 9 mpg and have to be filled up every 180 miles or so. Never particularly reliable when new (we had to lemon law one), expensive as all get out to fix but lots of fun to cruise around in.

The SLC is the less desirable one with the tiny back seat, so the price sounds a tad high. 70,000 miles in 36 years? What's that down the driveway and back every day?

IIRC the first American models of the 450 were 1972 models tagged as 350SL until MB supplied a replacement badge, 1971 would likely be an import model without the emissions controls(?)

Fun to drive at 125 mph though! (I only did that twice)

Joe: The 450SLC has larger backseats than the 450SL. My 450SL has 71,000 miles on its engine [original]. A lot of garaging ...



Raid

 

[gb hill]

70,000 miles on a newly overhauled engine is better than a 70,000 mile engine and trans that has been driven very little. Just take in consideration the engine and trans, (esp. if it's automatic) is 36 years old. Oil seals become dried out and brittle. I have several friends who are Mercedes Benz mechanics and I have yet to here of one that likes the gasoline engines. The deisels are the best in the world but the gas engines, so so. The biggest gripe though is parts. I don't know about Canada but here in U.S. they aren't the cheapest to work on. Back in early 80's I lived in Atlanta. Drove for a wrecker co. doing AAA tows. The most towed car was a Mercedes. Made good money at it because the owners would specify a rollback therefore charge more. After saying all this I do like Mercedes alot. I just turned down a 84 300dL. Wanted $4300. Too much. I think the guy is asking too much for the car. Unless it's something you really desire, I'd pass.

 

[Nando]

Frank,

This month's "Old Autos" paper has a 1986 560SL in the classifieds in Wardsville, ON. Texas car, 122k miles, grey, new convertible top, hardtop. Asking price is $12,500. Similar look, newer car but more miles.

 

[FrankS]

Exorbitantly expensive to maintain. You mentioned having to scrape funds together to buy. Unless you are a mechanic with a parts car available, or are a very well heeled individual, proceed with caution. A high maintenance mistress might be easier on your system that this car.

Thanks for the alternate idea! 🙂

Thanks all for your thoughts. Probably too rich for my blood. I was thinking of it as a shared interest/bond builder with my son.

 

[sepiareverb]

Thanks for the alternate idea! 🙂...

Beat me to it Frank

 

[Rod Fung]

I owned a 71 '350 SL; it was a grey market car with the cool European bumpers brought into the US. The 450 SL entered the US market in 72; having an emission controlled 4.5 litter engine and the ugly huge bumpers.

I traded a 1948 MGTC for my SL (thinking back I wish I kept my TC)

If the car comes with hardtop recruit a friend to help you take it on and off to make sure of fit. Also check the soft-top for tears as well. If it has A/C that is a pretty big plus (at least in the US).

Typically even well taken care of SL's will need new exhaust pipes, which are stainless and very expensive. The older SL's also tend to have small gas leaks and be sure to look around on the under carriage carefully and smell for gas.

The SL's are really great cars and are extremely solid. For investment purposes I would say that the early 350 and 450SL as well as the last 560sl's will be starting to turn-around and go up in price (much like the earlier 230-280SL's). All two-door Merc's eventually become collector items. 10K sounds about right and if it's a solid car you will not loose money down the road.

 

[raid]

Rod: This is good to know. My wife wants me to sell our 1977 MB 450SL. The A/C compressor works and the air is cold, but the blower control is erratic. The 1977 model had the first climate control unit ever in a MB.

Raid