1980 Mercedes-Benz 450SL

Long-Term Ownership, Highly-Preserved R107 with Clean California History

SOLD
$11,361
ENDED ON
12/14/2021 04:50PM EST
SOLD
$11,361
Bid & Comment

1980 Mercedes-Benz 450SL

Long-Term Ownership, Highly-Preserved R107 with Clean California History

SOLD
$11,361
ENDED ON
12/14/2021 04:50PM EST
SOLD
$11,361
Bid & Comment

Quick Facts

Location:

Corona Del Mar, CA
  • Auction lot: 1198
  • Seller: DougForde
  • VIN: WDB10704412061360
  • Chassis: R107
  • Odometer: 137,485
  • Title Status: Clean California
  • Exterior color: Classic White (737)
  • Interior color: Brazil (133) MB-Tex
  • Drivetrain: RWD
  • Transmission: Automatic
  • Seller: Private
  • 4.5L V8
  • Outstanding Condition
  • Long-term Ownership
This 1980 Mercedes-Benz 450SL is finished in Classic White (737) over Brazil (133) MB-Tex interior and powered by a 4.5-liter V8 paired with a three-speed automatic. The car has been under current ownership for 11 years, driven with occasional consistency and stored in a climate-controlled garage when not in use. This R107 SL shows 137k miles and features a repaint in its original Classic White color. Features included electric front windows, automatic climate control, Tempomat Cruise Control, and a chocolate brown soft top. The brake pads and rotors along with new tires have been replaced under current ownership and the car underwent an oil/fluid service in preparation for sale. This roadster comes with a matching hardtop, hardtop stand, four keys, the factory tool kit, manufacturer's literature, and a clean California title in the seller’s name.
auction image
The car is finished in its original color of Classic White (737) and has been repainted with a very high quality respray prior to the seller’s acquisition. Detailed photos of the paint condition are viewable in the gallery. There is no indication of other bodywork and the car has no history of accidents or other damage. Features include fog lights, chrome mirror caps, a painted removable hardtop, and a chocolate brown soft top. The soft top has remained unused under the seller's tenure and has a rip along the driver's side edge. Close-ups of the wheel arches, rocker panels and wheel wells are highlighted in the gallery below. The hardtop is pictured separately at the end of the gallery. 
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The car retains US-market lighting and bumpers, and is fitted with OEM chrome 14” bundt wheels and BF Goodyear radial tires measuring 225/60 all around.
auction image
The cabin is finished in Brazil (133) MB-Tex with matching carpets and trim. A set of 450SL branded mats are included with the sale. Zebrano trim on the dash, console, shifter, and door panels presents exquisitely with no cracks or delamination. This example features matching wood trim on the steering wheel as an aftermarket addition. Features included electric front windows, automatic climate control, and Tempomat Cruise Control. An upgraded Mercedes-Benz OEM head unit from a later model replaces the original Becker Europa in the dash and aftermarket speakers are viewable in the rear cabin storage area. The seller states the blower motor only operates with the defroster on and only blows cold. 
auction image
The four-spoke steering wheel frames VDO instrumentation including a 160-mph speedometer, a 7k-rpm tachometer, and an analog clock. Additional auxilary guages include fuel level, oil pressure, and coolant temperature. The six-digit analog odometer now shows 137k miles.
auction image
The fuel-injected 4.5L SOHC V8 originally made 180 horsepower for the US market. Power is routed to the rear wheels via a three-speed automatic transmission. Additional underside photos can be seen in the gallery along with those showing hardtop removal tools and an OEM tool roll.
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The car is currently located in Costa Mesa, CA and offered with a matching hardtop, hardtop stand, four keys, factory tool kit, manufacturer's literature, and a clean California title in the seller’s name.
auction image

A walk around video of the car including exterior, interior, engine bay, and underbody has been added below. 

The MB Market Insights

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 for a very reasonable price. While prices for low-mile 560sl examples have skyrocketed in recent years, the 380SL & 450SL variants have remained comparatively affordable while offering virtually all of the ownership enjoyment of their larger displacement brethren. This specific example benefits from a long-term ownership history by a fellow enthusiast. Notably, the condition of this 450SL is nearly investment-grade. While the car has 137k miles, condition would make you think it was sub 40k. The interior surfaces and wood are free from the typical wear and tear these cars often acquire with time and the exterior is equally as impressive with no blemishes. If you’re looking for a collector MB in collector-grade condition that you can actually enjoy, this surely is the ticket. 

Photo Gallery

+44

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1980 Mercedes-Benz 450SL

Place Bid

SOLD
$11,361 by lillof
ENDED ON
12/14/2021 04:50PM EST
BID HISTORY
7
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14 Comments

Posted as:
December 14th, 2021 at 4:48pm EST

$11,361 bid placed by @lillof

December 14th, 2021 at 11:07am EST
Have seen this car in person and shows like it’s a 20k mile car. Someone will be very happy
December 11th, 2021 at 4:49pm EST
DougForde (2)
Seller
0
@Komikdeil  I've never had the soft top up until now, only top down or hardtop on. I found the soft top does have a rip above the drive side and should be replaced. Pictures have been added to show what I'm referring to. Thank you
December 11th, 2021 at 4:48pm EST
DougForde (2)
Seller
0
@Horsepwr4me I tried testing out the heat and ac but could only get the blower to work when defroster was on. With that on, the car blows cold air.
December 11th, 2021 at 4:44pm EST
DougForde (2)
Seller
1
@Horsepwr4me I was able to add some pictures and a video as well to show soft top, underbody, and heater servo.
December 10th, 2021 at 1:51am EST
DougForde (2)
Seller
0
@Horsepwr4me I will take a pictures of the heater servo unit and also get some of the soft top and underbody. The underbody is clean. I haven't ever used the soft top but will find out. 

I'm not aware of the welded brackets recall campaign so if it was done it was before my ownership. I'll retest the heat and air but everything has been in working order while I've owned it.
December 9th, 2021 at 1:51pm EST

$11,111 bid placed by @harry19

December 7th, 2021 at 9:57pm EST
Will you post some underside photos?
December 7th, 2021 at 9:54pm EST
Has the subframe been reinforced with the welded brackets recall campaign?
December 7th, 2021 at 9:51pm EST
Does the heater temperature change with the change in temperature on the thumbwheel? Does airflow change through the vents ie cold air through center vents?
December 7th, 2021 at 9:08pm EST
The heater servo unit is on right side of engine compartment in front of firewall just below height of top of right fender
December 7th, 2021 at 5:14pm EST
Hello
How is the condition of soft top?? I didn’t see any of the pictures… if you don’t mind can you take some??? Thank you
December 7th, 2021 at 11:44am EST
DougForde (2)
Seller
1
@Horsepwr4me Sorry for the delayed response! I'm not certain if the servo unit has been replaced before but do not recall changing it under my ownership. I'm not sure where to find that to take pictures, if it's easily accessible I can try my best. Thank you
December 4th, 2021 at 1:45pm EST

$4,250 bid placed by @Toddatty

December 4th, 2021 at 6:10am EST

$3,750 bid placed by @Cwcanady

December 3rd, 2021 at 11:48pm EST

$3,500 bid placed by @Toddatty

December 3rd, 2021 at 10:08pm EST

$2,230 bid placed by @Newlife

December 3rd, 2021 at 8:03pm EST
Is the heater servo unit stock or improved unit with aluminum body or something else? Can you post some pictures of it ?
December 3rd, 2021 at 5:56pm EST
Beautiful! This is one to watch
December 3rd, 2021 at 5:55pm EST

$1,980 bid placed by @mblove

December 3rd, 2021 at 4:36pm EST
Stunning!

Quick Facts

Location:

Corona Del Mar, CA
  • Auction lot: 1198
  • Seller: DougForde
  • VIN: WDB10704412061360
  • Chassis: R107
  • Odometer: 137,485
  • Title Status: Clean California
  • Exterior color: Classic White (737)
  • Interior color: Brazil (133) MB-Tex
  • Drivetrain: RWD
  • Transmission: Automatic
  • Seller: Private
  • 4.5L V8
  • Outstanding Condition
  • Long-term Ownership

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