1978 Mercedes-Benz S-Class

Sedan

4.5L V8

Automatic

11603312077779

Clear

Gasoline

This very clean '78 Mercedes 450 SEL has been well cared for over the years, and drives excellent, as you might expect for a W116 with only 121k miles. It eats up highway miles like a freight train, and runs smoothly and quietly. Starts up strong and idles great, shifts through all gears smoothly. No abnormal engine noises. It doesn't burn oil. Absolutely no leaks. The body is very straight, and is completely rust free inside and out. This is an original Southern California car, and has been here since new. There are some door dings here and there, and a couple dings in the hood that I tried to show in the photographs. The paint is very old and has age cracking, but it still shines bright and looks very good for a daily driver. There's been some paint touchup for scratches and nicks over the years. The headlamps have been converted to Bosch Euro-spec units. The chrome and stainless trim is in excellent condition overall. Two of the hubcaps have scuffed/faded paint but it is not too apparent. The dated but desirable Uniroyal Tiger Paw tires have 90% life left and are wearing evenly. The interior is in excellent condition overall. All door panels are intact with no cracks, fading or tears. Headliner is in similar condition. The seats have been reupholstered in velour cloth similar to that available in Euro-spec cars. The seating is soft and comfortable in all weather, and particularly great for long road trips. There is a small section of carpet that covers the vertical panel under the back seat which has gone missing. The rear parcel shelf carpeting is new. There is one crack in the center of the dash. All of the zebrano wood on the dashboard (including the ashtray) is in excellent condition with no cracks or chips. However the wood trim around the shifter on the center console has the typical sun exposure cracks. All four front seat adjustment handles are brand new. Trunk lining is all intact (including rubber mat and carpet) and the jack and tools are present. Original first aid kit is intact and complete. Many parts have been recently replaced, including (but not limited to): Alternator, all four shocks, oil & filter, air filter, external fuel pump & filter, rear muffler & tailpipe, radiator expansion tank & cap, transmission shifter bushings. The rare/expensive and troublesome Mercedes flasher relay has been replaced with a modern electronic unit. What is great on the car: Almost everything works! Everything in the instrument cluster (including odometer, tachometer, and all other lights/gauges) are working perfectly. Sunroof works great. Central locking system works perfectly, even after the car has been sitting for over a week! All four windows work, though the front passenger window track is starting to slip as it goes up sometimes. The ride quality is excellent, and there's almost no windnoise at freeway speeds. The original Becker Mexico works wonderfully, and the sound quality is as it should be. It has a "cutting edge" (for 1978) cassette deck, but I don't have any more tapes to tell you if it works. What it needs: A/C does not hold a charge, but it is intact and complete. Compressor is good. The steering gear (like most of these old Mercedes) has worn and it should get rebuilt/replaced eventually, but it tracks great on the road anyway. The power antenna motor has finally quit. The car will need front brakes in about 1500 miles; there are new pads in the trunk. This car is a fantastic daily driver with lots of power and curb appeal, but not so nice that you need to worry about where you park it--which is why we have enjoyed it so much. Hoping to get it to a good home where someone can take it from 8/10ths to complete. I can assist as necessary in working with transporters. Thanks for looking.