1979 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class

- Low mileage R107 Survivor Car - Convertible

4.5L V8

Automatic

10704412054451

Clear

Gasoline

1979 Mercedes 450SL 62K original miles, 2 owners All original paint and interior Rare English Red over Bamboo Up for bids is this very original Mercedes 450SL.  This car was sold new in Palm Springs California to an Oregon resident who had a 2nd home there.  It was brought back to Portland in 1984 and the next year was traded in on a new model at Don Rasmussen Mercedes.  The second owner bought the car at that dealership with 50K miles on it and paid $28,500 at that time.  He drove it sparingly over the next 30 years, the car now only has 62K miles on it, service stamps confirm these miles.  The car wears all original paint and is super original everywhere you look.  Ordered in the rare color of English Red, it features an equally rare interior color - Bamboo.  The combination is beautiful and definitely sets it apart from most of the R107's out on the road today.   Click to enlarge any of the photos below, a link to a gallery of all the enlarged photos is available at the bottom of the page. The car is wearing all original paint (Englischrot, code DB504) and it still shows extremely well.  I have been all over this car and have not detected any areas with rust, paint touch ups, or signs of bodywork.  The paint finish is extremely nice for being 35 years old, it's obvious that this car was garaged.  You'll find a few tiny paint chips here and there but overall the car looks outstanding.  Paint finish is still smooth and glossy, panel fit is perfect.  The tires are new with about 150 miles on them, the wheels are all in excellent condition with no curb rash. Bumpers show good chrome, the rubber trim is in good shape as well.  There's one small ding at the top of the rear bumper on the driver's side, visible in the 2nd photo below. All of the factory decals and ID plates are still present. The grill is in great shape with no damage, all 4 headlights are the original GE units from new. All of the lights and lenses still look like new. The glass is all original, including the windshield, all of it in terrific condition.  The original Bosch wiper blade holders are still present, you'd be surprised to see how much Mercedes charges for these. The trunk carpet shows a little wear.  The trunk carries its full size spare, jacking equipment and factory tool kit. The soft top is original to the car but unfortunately shows a repair on the passenger side.  It still fits well and has good weatherstripping but cosmetically is not up to the same standards as the rest of the car.  The soft top storage compartment is dry and rust free, with original perimeter weatherstripping that is holding up great.  There is no damage around the compartment cover or deck lid, oftentimes the case with these cars due to mishandling of the hardtop. Comparing the first 2 photos above and below shows the complexity of  English Red.  Depending on lighting conditions it ranges from a true orange to a rich red.  The hardtop also features original paint and is flawless. The hardtop's weatherstripping is all in great shape.  The headliner is perfect.  Some SL hardtops had a tendency to rust near the bottom, not the case here. The MB-Tex interior is all original but looks like new.  The seats are in fantastic shape, showing absolutely no wear.  The car comes with the factory floor mats, they're in great shape but I removed them for the photos to show how nice the carpet is underneath.  Also included but not shown in a fitted car cover for this SL. There's a couple of inoperative items on this car.  The fuel gauge is not working and the climate control is not delivering heat.  The fan and plenum movements all operate correctly.  Power windows work, lights, wipers, horn, signals, etc all work as they should.  With the exception of the fuel indicator, all of the gauges operate correctly and show good consistent readings.  The clock works and keeps good time.  The classic Blaupunkt cassette stereo has good sound and the power antenna works in tandem with it.  Ashtray and lighter are unused. Excellent switchgear throughout.  Clean footwells.  There's no substitute for a low mile car. Unmarked door panels with no heat warping.   The dash pad has zero cracks and looks like new.  Rear compartment is clean.  All of the car's weatherstripping is original and still in great condition. The car comes with a full set of factory literature and manuals, as well as the 1985 dealership paperwork from Don Rasmussen (America's oldest MB dealer). The car runs and drives just as well as it looks - excellent.  It starts at the flick of the key and runs strongly, offering plenty of power with no smoke and no noise.  It idles smoothly, shifts flawlessly, brakes well and runs down the road with a nice tight suspension.  This car is excellent on the road. Clean engine bay with lots of original details throughout. Perfect undercarriage with zero rust issues, still carrying its original factory exhaust that's in good operating condition.  This is how you want a R107 undercarriage to look. Click here for a gallery of all of the enlarged images. About the reserve price: Out of fairness to all bidders the reserve is held in confidence, please just bid at the level that you're comfortable paying.  This auction ends Monday December 22nd at 10AM Pacific Time , 12 Noon Central , 1 PM Eastern, 6 PM GMT . About Payment: I will contact the winning bidder via email within 3 hours of auction completion.  I would like a $500 deposit via paypal within 24 hours.  Balance is due (bank check or bank wire transfer only) within 7 calendar days of auction end. The car will be securely garaged until pickup. About this auction: This auction process is a legally binding contract into which you enter when you click "confirm" on your bid.   Please have finances in order before you decide to bid and please ask all questions before you decide to bid.   Basically, please only bid if you are ready to purchase this car.  Car is sold as-is with no warranties express or implied. The license plate is not included.  Any disputes regarding the sale of this vehicle shall be resolved through binding arbitration exclusively in Multnomah County, Oregon under applicable state laws.  By bidding you agree to these terms. About me: Please check my feedback, I take customer satisfaction very seriously and am a licensed, bonded and insured dealer in the State of Oregon.  I own this car outright and the pictures were taken last week.  Clean and clear title dated from 1985.   You and/or your representative are welcome and encouraged to inspect the car in person before the close of auction. I can be reached at 503-891-7702 between the hours of 9-5.  Previously sold inventory is available to view at www.cascadiaclassic.com Post Auction details: The transport cost is the responsiblity of the winning bidder, although I'll be happy to help with logistics.  I have a wholesale account with a shipping dispatch service and can help you find a reasonable rate. Overseas bidders may contact any of these international shippers for a quote: Schumacher Cargo CFR / Rinkens California Shipping Thanks for looking!