This 1980 Mercedes-Benz 450SL was sold new by Precision MotorCars Mercedes-Benz in Tampa, FL on December 5, 1979 and has spent time in Florida, Texas, and California since new. Finished in English Red (504) over Palomino Leather (234), power is provided by a 4.5L V8 engine paired with a three-speed automatic transmission. Additional features include a paint-matched removable hardtop, folding black soft top, automatic antenna, Bosch fog lights, original Becker head unit, air conditioning, cruise control, electric front windows, central locks, and OEM 14” bundt wheels. A stamped service booklet is included in the sale along with complete factory literature. Extensive service in preparation for the sale included an updated climate control servo unit, cruise control module, rebuilt steering box, spark plugs/connectors, new tires, new shocks, engine and transmission mounts, timing chain and tensioners, electronic climate control update, sway bar links, and more. This 450SL shows 70k miles and is offered by the selling dealer with 3 keys, partial service records, the owner's manual, and a clean Florida title.
The body is finished in English Red (504) and wears North American spec bumpers, headlamps, and tail lamps. The seller notes the body and paint to be in excellent condition with detailed photos in the gallery. The brightwork is complete along with glass and trim. Exterior features include a matching removable hardtop, a folding black soft top, automatic antenna, fog lights, and chrome mirror caps. Photos of the car with the top down, soft top up, and hardtop mounted are provided.
The OEM 14” bundt wheels are wrapped in new Hankook Kinergy ST tires measuring 205/70 all around with 2023 date codes. Original painted center caps are installed and no blemishes are noted on the wheels. A matching spare is included in the trunk. New shocks and sway bar links have been recently installed.
The cabin is finished in Palomino Leather (234) and accented by Zebrano veneer on the dash and center console. Amenities include an original Becker Europa II head unit, air conditioning, cruise control, electric front windows, power locks, and a heated rear windowpane for the hardtop. The interior has been fully restored under previous ownership and detailed photos of the cabin can be seen in the gallery.
The four-spoke steering wheel frames VDO instrumentation with an 85-mph speedometer, a 7k-rpm tachometer, and an analog clock. Additional auxiliary gauges include fuel level, oil pressure, and coolant temperature. The six-digit analog odometer indicates 70k original miles.
The fuel-injected 4.5L SOHC V8 originally made 180 horsepower for the US market with power routed to the rear wheels via a three-speed automatic transmission. The service booklet shows 5 entries from 17,671 miles on 6/7/83 through 23,363 miles on 9/11/84. Extensive service in preparation for the sale included an updated climate control servo unit, cruise control module, rebuilt steering box, spark plugs/connectors, new tires, new shocks, engine and transmission mounts, a new exhaust, timing chain and tensioners, electronic climate control update, and sway bar links.
This 450SL shows 70k miles and is offered by the selling dealer with 3 keys, partial service records, the owner's manual, and a clean Florida title.
A detailed video of the car has been provided by the seller below.
The R107 is one of Mercedes’ best known and longest living chassis designs. Introduced for the 1972 model year, the R107 was in continuous production for 17 years until 1989 when the last 560SL was produced. While the R107 underwent several powertrain changes and minor cosmetic updates, the platform remained largely unchanged throughout the run making it one of the most iconic MBs of all time. These long nose roadsters elicit immediate nostalgic reactions and offer tremendous driving enjoyment compared to their successors. This specific example is one of the best looking 450SL's we've seen and seems to be a perfect candidate for a weekend driver or recreational show-goer. The car has been fully sorted in preparation for the sale and extensive service included a new timing chain and tensioners. Given the extrodinarily nice condition, recent service, and rare English Red paint on this R107, it looks like a home run to us.
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13 Comments
Thanks to all for the support here. Understandably, the car needs to generate a higher price. If you're interested, contact my friends at The MB Market and they'll try to work something out.$17,000 bid placed by @samuels_f
$16,500 bid placed by @EversMB
$16,000 bid placed by @samuels_f
$15,750 bid placed by @EversMB
$15,500 bid placed by @samuels_f
We've now covered the cost of reconditioning. Now have to pay for the car!$15,000 bid placed by @Hendrixhands
$14,750 bid placed by @samuels_f
$14,500 bid placed by @EversMB
$14,000 bid placed by @samuels_f
$13,250 bid placed by @Hendrixhands
Negligible. I'll check again before the car goes to its new owner.@seller do you know of anything that doesn't work either mechanically or in the instrument panel or lights and switches?I should mention this is not your average or even above average 450SL. Typically these cars are NEVER finished and always have items that don't function. And many subtle cosmetic items are ignored. This car deserved to be dialed in and to that end I made sure the following improvement were made: new tires - restored alloy wheels - new lug bolts - steering box replacement - shifter bushings - new rear muffler new window switches - restored console wood - spark plugs and connectors - cruise control module - new windshield - undated AC servo unit and electronic upgrade kit - side window channel slides - and more. $14k spent! It's a turn key end of series 450SL. You buy it and can immediately enjoy it.$13,000 bid placed by @Mkte
$12,750 bid placed by @Hendrixhands
$12,500 bid placed by @EversMB
When someone says that a person wrote the book on a particular subject, it’s usually just a compliment… In this case, Roy actually did write the book! There is no better person to buy an MB classic from than Roy Spenser… So if he says this is a great car, you can take that to the bank! Good luck to the new buyer… I’m sure you’ll truly enjoy this car! 😁👍Last day to acquire this brilliant 450SL. Be sure to look at all the images carefully. The car presents itself beautifully and will be a hit at any cars and coffee and/or MB Club event. We worked extremely hard reconditioning the car properly and it pays to review the service orders. Massive money spent. This SL will be sold as is with no warranty implied or otherwise. The new owner will receive all the documents shown in the auction. A California buyer will pay appropriate sales tax and license fees. Bidders should refresh their browsers regularly to see the most up to date bids. And for those new to the live auction process, any bid in the last 2 minutes of the auction resets the auction clock to 2 minutes. Good luck to all.$11,750 bid placed by @Hendrixhands
@mayart Thanks for the note. There has been paintwork over the years to keep it looking excellent. Regarding reliability please look at the repair orders reflecting the enormous preparation we competed. The car is absolutely ready for touring. AC blows cold as well. Hope this helps@seller is the paint all original or have any of the body panels been painted? Also is the car mechanically reliable enough to be driven about 400 miles to southern California? Dos the AC blow nice cold air?$11,500 bid placed by @JR63
$11,111 bid placed by @LAman
$10,249 bid placed by @JR63
$9,999 bid placed by @LAman
A video of the car has been added to the listing.$7,250 bid placed by @JR63
$7,000 bid placed by @Hendrixhands
VikingCat Thanks for the note. Should be able to get a video together in the next 24 hours.Will there be any videos of the car running? Maybe a short drive video.$6,000 bid placed by @LAman
$5,000 bid placed by @Hendrixhands
Beautiful car, good luck.$4,500 bid placed by @LAman