This 1978 Mercedes-Benz 450SEL was purchased by the current owner in 2010 and shows current registration in New Jersey. Finished in Astral Silver Metallic (735) over a Black Leather (201) interior, power comes from a 4.5L V8 paired with a three-speed automatic transmission. Equipment includes a power sliding sunroof, automatic climate control, cruise control, a power antenna, power windows, and rear headrests. Recent service for the car includes a transmission service, oil service, brake service including pads, hoses, and fluids, an ignition service including plugs and resistor, a new fuel accumulator and breather hose, a coolant service and pressure test, a new steering coupler and flush, a new rheostat, new antenna, new hood pad, and new dashboard lights in the cabin. This 450SEL shows 51k miles and is offered by the seller in New Jersey with factory literature, the original data card, four keys, recent service records, and a clean New Jersey title.
This long-wheelbase example is finished in Astral Silver Metallic (735) paint with original brightwork around the windows, at the beltline, and on the bumpers. The seller notes the car received a complete repaint under previous ownership. Exterior features include European headlamps, lower fog lamps, a new power antenna, and dual side view mirrors. Detailed photos of the exterior are viewable in the gallery below.
Original 14” aluminum Bundt wheels are mounted with Michelin tires measuring 205/70 at all four corners and showing 2014 date codes. A full-size spare is included in the trunk.
The interior is trimmed in Black Leather (201) across the seats, headrests, door cards, and armrest. Zebrano veneer accents the dashboard and center console. Interior equipment includes power windows, automatic climate control, a Becker head unit, rear headrests, and a factory-optioned power sunroof. Detailed photos of the cabin, carpet, and perforated headliner can be seen in the gallery. The seller notes the A/C servo will need to be replaced and the system charged. The door locks are operational but will lose vaccum pressure slowly.
The original steering wheel frames factory instrumentation including a 160-mph speedometer, a 7k-rpm tachometer, and an analog odometer showing 51k miles. Additional gauges include coolant temperature, oil level, and fuel level. An analog clock is set within the tachometer.
The original 4.5L M117 V8 is paired with a three-speed automatic transmission and rated at 180 horsepower and 220 lb-ft of torque when new. Recent service for the car includes a transmission service, oil service, brake service including pads, hoses, and fluids, an ignition service including plugs and resistor, a new fuel accumulator and breather hose, a coolant service and pressure test, a new steering coupler and flush, a new rheostat, new antenna, new hood pad, and new dashboard lights in the cabin.
This 450SEL shows 51k miles and is offered by the seller in New Jersey with factory literature, the original data card, four keys, recent service records, and a clean New Jersey title.
The seller has included the following videos:
Open Transit:
Enclosed Transit:
The winning bidder will receive an email with the quote and option to proceed with shipping.
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15 Comments
$7,500 bid placed by @FLtum
$7,000 bid placed by @Ontherocks
$6,750 bid placed by @FLtum
$6,500 bid placed by @Ontherocks
$6,000 bid placed by @FLtum
$5,750 bid placed by @Ontherocks
@JayB1 I will take your request under advisement! Thank you.
$5,500 bid placed by @ProdigalPetrolHead
@greenerwg Good afternoon. The servo would cost about $600 or so. Labor, depending on who does it could be $1-2k. All depends on how the rest of the system is functioning (compressor, receiver dryer, lines, etc.). What I can truthfully tell you is that 2 years ago when I drove it in the summer, I put a can of 134a in it and used the manual bypass valve I installed and I had cold ac. That tells me that there’s probably a slow leak in the system but the compressor worked. This servo system in the early 123s and the 116s was always problematic. They used the same system in Chryslers of the same vintage. When it works, it works well but because of its complexity, when it doesn’t work, it’s a process to sort out.
$5,000 bid placed by @FLtum
Hello, Air condition is not working?
$4,000 bid placed by @Everyclassic909
I would love to discuss the Mercedes with you if you don’t reach your goal. I’m totally in the market of a late 450, one that I can restore back to specs without breaking the bank. Please let me know if goals are not met.
$3,750 bid placed by @B578
What do you estimate the cost to be for the AC fix?
$3,500 bid placed by @greenerwg
Good day. There was a question about documentation. To support the mileage. The car was purchased at an auto auction in Atlantic City NJ in February 2012. I saw the car at the auction and made a deal before it hit the auction block. I never inspected the odometer when I first saw the car. Previous owner and I spoke on the phone as he was not present at the auction. He had owned the car for 28 years. As seen in the documents, the tag was listed as 49,000 miles. After settling with the auction house, I had the car shipped to my home. While being shipped, I had the title FedEx to me and I went on 3/3/2012 and titled and registered it. Title reflects what I was told, 49,000 miles. Upon arrival of the car, odometer read less than 49,000 miles. First service invoice in 5/2012 shows 48,645. Subsequent invoices display the miles going up; not by much as not driven much. From 2016 through 2021 I retained a private mechanic to handle care for all my cars here at home; hence no records. The car was not driven much from 2021-2024; taking for short drives, changing oil annually and storing in the winter. As mentioned, in 2024 I had an issue with the car not starting, and took it for service to Classic Workshop, near my home. Also at that time, I noticed odometer was sticking and clicking and asked Jaime (owner of shop) to address the odometer as we as the dash lights and rheostat. I advised him to advance the odometer to 51,500 which I feel reflects what the mileage is at this time. Document trail is posted now. Also one think I forgot to mention was that the trunk “ cardboard floor” is missing. Not sure what happened to it. All I have is the rubber mat. I am trying to source one but. I guarantees. Thanks!
$3,250 bid placed by @Ontherocks
@Roland Good afternoon. The car is driven only in nice weather between April and November and is stored in the winter months. I fill the tank and add a stabilizer to the fuel and place on a battery tender. Has always proven to work and the car would fire up every spring with no issue. This year we had a warm spell over the winter and I ran many of the cars. However, this one only cranked and cranked and wouldn’t turn over. Had it towed to Classic Workshop for Jaime to go over the car for the non-start and any other issues present. While there he went through all the systems, changed all the fluids and now the car starts, idles and runs well. Haven’t any other fuel issues…as of now.
Noting the new fuel accumulator, what was the problem this sought to address, and has it been resolved? Any remaining fuel distribution problems or symptoms like rough idle, uneven acceleration, or the like?
$3,000 bid placed by @PV88
@dean_Laumbach Thanks so much Dean for the kind words. As you stated, I am a true enthusiast and I do very much so believe in transparency. It’s my intention to make sure the buyer has all the info, asks as many questions as necessary and I encourage pre-purchase inspections. Thanks again for weighing in; means a lot! C.
An additional video has been added to the listing along with underside photos to the gallery.
I have known this seller for many years, and he is a passionate Mercedes-Benz enthusiast. If you are looking to buy a nice W116 with an accurate description and representation, do not look any further than this listing. Just watch the walk around video !!! I recently got a number of cars into my shop that were sold on various online auction websites, and I can tell you without reservation that this level of honesty is not the norm in this world we live in. A lot of sellers are very elusive about accurately describing a vehicle's condition, and this is the perfect example of how to represent a car factually. The new owner will be getting a nice w116 and EXACTLY as described !!! Best of luck !!! Dean
$2,500 bid placed by @Bankrep40
$1,000 bid placed by @JCLT
Undercarriage photos Monday when I get the car to the lift. Documents also Monday. Thanks for your interest.
$250 bid placed by @Ranger902
Hi. I will post what I have to substantiate the mileage and I also have under carriage photos I will post tomorrow as well. Thanks for your inquiries.
Can you post records that. confirm milage?
Under carriage photos would go a long way to maximize the bids on this one. $100 bill and a visit to any auto shop in your area would easily pay for itself.