chance to buy '71 Mercedes 450

[FrankS]

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?

 

[darkkavenger]

Would that be the lovely "classic" coupé ? i.e. 450 SL ? I'm not skilled about Mercedes but it is a lovely car with a nice character. I still see some of them in Monte-Carlo 🙂

 

[FrankS]

Yes, a coupe with sunroof. 🙂

 

[amateriat]

Oh, dear. Nice car, but so is your Bimmer (minus two wheels, which I regard a plus). Shame to give it up!


- Barrett

 

[ferider]

Nice car. Don't worry about gas prices when you drive it ...

Like Leicas it's all about condition, Frank.

Roland.

 

[FrankS]

Barrett, I've got another! 🙂

Roland, it's a big V8!

 

[SteveM(PA)]

I still see quite a few daily drivers around here...must be durable and fixable. V8 in that, right? I love the look and the aura of that particular model. It says classic hollywood/miami to me.
I'd also love a classic Merc...but I'd like a 240/300D so I can run veggie 🙂

 

[xayraa33]

get the car, but keep the BMW motorcycle Frank.

 

[amateriat]

Barrett, I've got another! 🙂

Roland, it's a big V8!

(In lousy British accent) Oh, well, then! 😀

If you get it, easy on the accelerator. It doesn't suck gas like a Hummer or Excursion/Expedition, but it does get thirsty as the RPMs climb. A nice Merc, though.

And, if I ever throw a leg over something with an engine in it again, that vintage of R-series BMWs is at the top of my shortlist. Truly civilized performance that doesn't break the bank, at least long-term. (Vicarious fantasies of a Triumph Speed Triple have thankfully abated.)


- Barrett

 

[FrankS]

REALLY can't swing keeping the bike and getting the car - no $10,000 extra sitting around! I might be able to scrape up 5K if I also sell a few cameras. I figure the R90 is worth almost $5000. I've got another bike, an R100/7. I'm not sure I want to give up mororcycles completely yet.

 

[FrankS]

My wife's not too keen on the idea, but my 12 year old son said he'd pitch in!

 

[amateriat]

My wife's not too keen on the idea, but my 12 year old son said he'd pitch in!

Oh, these young enablers. Has he told Mom yet? 😉


- Barrett

 

[amateriat]

Take the sunroof back, pedal to the metal and feel the wind in the hair. Almost like riding a bike😀 .

Yeah, but lane-splitting in a 450 totally bites...


- Barrett

 

[Charlie]

Frank,

Does it rain much where you live? My experience with old Mercedes is that the trunks always take on water. Be prepare to bail it out after a downpour and get used to a damp, musty smell.

If you have a garage or live in a dry climate, then it probably won't matter.

Regards,

Charlie

 

[rover]

My wife's not too keen on the idea, but my 12 year old son said he'd pitch in!

The men have to stick together!!!!😎

 

[CameraQuest]

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

 

[Steve Bellayr]

Old convertibles always leak.

 

[ferider]

Roland, it's a big V8!

Nothing wrong with that 🙂 Did I ever show you my number plate ?

Cheers,

Roland.

 

[vrgard]

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

 

[ferider]

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

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

The Mercedes-Benz 450 SL was produced from 1971 through 1980. During its production lifespan, 66298 examples were created. The 350 and 450 SL were built as replacements for the 230, 250, and 280 SL model range. Under the hood was an eight-cylinder, OHC engine capable to car the car to a top speed of over 120 mph and sprint from zero-to-sixty in just over ten seconds. The 450 SL had the larger 4520 cc eight-cylinder engine while the 350 SL was powered by a 3499 cc unit.

Don't mean to be a SmA.

Roland.