1974 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class

Convertible

4.5 L 8

Automatic

10704412018936

Clear

Gasoline

AN INTERNATIONAL ICON All-Original 1974 Mercedes - Benz 450SL. Desert Beige, Bamboo Tobacco interior, with dark brown soft-top and hard top. 273,000 original miles. Running and Registered. This is a much-loved family treasure. It is all-original, carefully maintained and professionally driven. Always a Southern car - purchased new in Blacksburg, Virginia and lived there until we brought it to Charlottesville, Virginia about six months ago. Currently tagged in Virginia through August, 2016. Has been driven weekly and everything works well as original. Not a perfect show queen, but truly a solid vehicle and still in very nice condition overall. An opportunity for the collector or aficionado. Our family does not want to sell it! We purchased it as a dream car with the intent to drive it gently while we restored it. But, another family project has dropped in our laps, and we cant do both at once...and we don't want this great car to waist away while it waits its turn! The details: OVERALL Incredibly solid, very little rust, not modified from factory original in any way. Garaged all of its life Never wrecked, always kept clean and polished Comes with owners manual - and the option of premium car cover, new factory spec carpet set and new Haartz factory spec soft convertible top set (see below) INTERIOR Seats in good shape - no tears or trouble. Great color! Dash very nice - only three cracks and nothing troubling Carpet is original and is worn out. Needs replacement (see below) Glass and trim are very good. Headliner for hard top is like new! (and yes, we have original wrench for hardtop) All gauges working perfectly. Everything works! * A/C compressor is in place and looks good - has not been charged * Heat and Defrost warm and effective * Wipers good * Seats, power windows, mirrors, cruise control all working as original * Radio and premium speakers are brand new - Retro Sound with custom facia for vintage Mercedes with Alpine Speakers. Sounds really good * Interior and dash lights working great * Original sun visors still here. EXTERIOR Car has always been garaged - so it is truly clean, rust-free, and straight. Never wrecked, gently and professionally driven and maintained. Desert Beige paint is good - was re-sprayed about 10 years ago and its still solid. Slight toning on a couple of panels but a good detail would make it pop again. Chocolate Brown hard top is also entirely original. Again, a good wax would bring it back to excellent. Chrome and trim are very nice - shiny and straight - no damage. All badges in place and crisp. Very minor rust under left rear taillight - otherwise is wonderfully rust free outside and underneath. Original wheels in terrific shape. Tires are 70%+ - a nice set with lots of wear left. Full-size spare and a fifth wheel - rock solid. Lights, fog lights, etc. all working well. Soft-top has been removed in prep for replacement - frame and joints/connections are perfect. (See below) DRIVETRAIN Transmission is rock solid and perfect. Fluid has been changed religiously Engine is entirely original - starts and runs smoothly. Does not overheat, keeps up with modern traffic well. Does not burn oil, and - amazingly - does not leave spots. Good oil pressure, good cooling, good power. But, it does makes low-end noise at certain RPM in second and third gear, indicating it may be ready for a timing chain or other work. We are advised that the engine will need work if the car continues to be used regularly. So, an opportunity drive it gently now or to restore it. So...here's the value opportunity...we have a premium car cover ($99), a new factory replacement carpet set ($399), and a new Haartz German soft-top set ($399). A winning bid of $2,600 or more gets all these included. My husband and I are antiques dealers in the Virginia Piedmont - Charlottesville, Culpeper, Orange and environs. We love the SL, and used it in both business and family events with great success. This was a dream car for my wife, and it's a good one. WE ARE NOT EAGER TO SELL IT! But, we're hoping a collector or enthusiast will see our SL as an opportunity to ensure a truly original Mercedes stays that way. That's a more honorable fate than fading away in our driveway. Winning buyer will make a $500 non-refundable deposit via PayPal within 48 hours of auction close. Balance due with seven days of auction close, via cash or cashier's check. We welcome questions of any kind. Car may be seen outside Charlottesville, Virginia - email for an appointment. Glad to have a phone chat as well - email to set a time for a call. Many thanks for looking. Happy New Year. Reply