1972 Mercedes-Benz 200-Series

280SEL 4.5 Sedan

Automatic

280SEL006706

Gasoline

If you've been following our auction on this car you'll recall that the tires were described as 'fair' but as we continued to drive the car the time has come to relist with brand new tires on all four corners. The newly installed tires are whitewalls exactly like the photos. Also, International Bidders are now invited to participate in this auction. Arabian gray (color code 124): Somewhat rare, an important color to preserve as 1972 was the only year this color was offered. We chose the twin overhead cam 4.5 liter V-8 engine over the 6 cylinder because as Automobile magazine puts it; this car can hold its own in modern day traffic conditions. Strong-running, smooth shifting drive train; the engine and power steering each drip a little oil but not even a tiny bit from the transmission. Engine never smokes... ever. About one minute after cold start-up it has some indecision about fast or slow idle and goes back and forth between. Then in another minute it settles down into it's nice smooth rumble. The resonator (second muffler) needs replaced; but how do you replace the resonator and still keep that rumbling V-8 sound? Your call. The air conditioner is missing it's drive belt and I've never investigated whether it works or not. Heater and defrost levers are broken. You see from the photos that the one repaint, which I was told is circa 1999, making it around eleven year old, is in really nice condition and still looks wet when it's clean and waxed. Wood trim is in fair to good condition The wood bow under the windshield had separation at the ends and they've been trimmed and the edges stained and refinished to match. One small repair in the middle of the drivers seat is the only sign of wear in the MB-tex upholstery. Not even any scratches in any of the door panels. Of course, the all-important floor shifter with the chrome bezel (gone to black plastic in 1973) is present and shining bright. The original 11 piece carpet set is in very good condition, the most wear being on the front passenger side. The black 4-piece carpeted floor mats appear to be custom made for this car from... who knows when, but they're in great shape and look really nice. All the glass is in great shape. Back passenger power windows go up and down with the switches. Front driver and passenger windows go up and down with the switches and a little help. Speedometer works but the odometer doesn't so true mileage is unknown. Here's a weird one: the clock keeps perfect time... The car has the usual 40 year wear that's typical of a very well cared for ride of this age. A small ding in the trim on the passenger side rear corner and a couple of paint chips, on the drivers side front and rear fenders, are small but they are three of the most noticeable flaws on the exterior. There's a photo of each... look closely. Also, there are two places where there are dings, typically caused by a person who still drove their beautiful car after they had reached an age that they should have quit driving altogether, to wit: The rear bumper took the punishment for doing it's job and is slightly pushed in at the center but the body behind it is still straight. There are a couple of good shopping cart dings in the driver side door but the paint isn't scratched at all. I don't know a good body man but I'm pretty sure they could be worked out or suctioned out without cracking the paint. Calif. registration current through April 2011 with the modern, white and blue, 7-letter/digit plates. I also have the original Calif. blue and gold vanity (personalized) plates from the early 70's included with the car. They're in pretty good shape and the car could be re-registered in California with them if desired. The original owners named the car “POSSOM”. Possible reasons for them giving the car that name and putting it on the license plates shall be left wide open to private interpretation. Included in the sale is a set of five (5) rare, well-used, '70s vintage Zenith wire wheels with the Mercedes adapters and lugs to mount on the brake rotor hubs but no knock-off spinners which would be required to mount these wheels because they are true wire knock-off wheels. If you win this auction and want the wire wheels they'll be in the trunk on delivery of the car with the old tires removed. Some documented history on this car: Always a California car, originally shipped to the Simonson Mercedes dealership in Santa Monica. Purchased from the original owner in the early 70's by a retired naval officer and his wife and they owned it and drove it for about the next 35 years. They lived in Fallbrook till the mid-90's when he passed and then she moved to Fresno. She sold it to a friend of hers in '08 and we bought it from him. I have a one inch thick stack of paperwork and manuals in the original Mercedes embossed pouch. It will be in the glovebox on delivery of the car. $500 paypal deposit due within 24 hours; balance should be cash in person or U.S. Postal Service money order only. No personal or certified checks, wire or bank transfers. I can help with shipping; free for a little effort and a fee if it's much more than a little. We reserve the right to end the auction early. To all false bidders, scammers, criminal game-players, individuals who don't own the user id's they bid with, and all you other etceteras... God will punish you. I just report you to Ebay to try and get my fees reversed. Please note that we only accept cash in person or United States Postal Service money orders for final payment after the paypal deposit. We are simply not sophisticated enough for exotic transactions and payment methods. I have opened up the auction to international bidders but those bidders would need to have someone here in the States to help complete the transaction. Therefore, I'm willing to help with any shipping destinations to anywhere as long as all the payment criteria has been met prior to shipping or transfer of vehicle.On Jun-07-10 at 07:55:26 PDT, seller added the following information:Installed a new yellow top battery over the weekend.