This 1980 Mercedes-Benz 450SL was purchased by the current owner two years ago and is now showing registration in Florida with just over 83k miles on the odometer. Finished in Signal Red (568) over Palomino Leather (234) interior, power is provided by a 4.5L V8 engine paired with a three-speed automatic transmission. Recent service includes an oil change, new center steering link, an alignment, and an air/fuel tune up in preparation for the sale. Features include a new folding brown soft top, power antenna, fog lights, Becker Mexico Cassette radio, air conditioning, Tempomat Cruise Control, electric front windows, power locks, and 14” Bundt alloy wheels. This 450SL shows just over 83k miles on the odometer and is now offered by the seller with factory literature, a new fabric soft top, original tool roll, manufacturer’s literature, pouch for top keys, and a clean Florida title.
The body is finished in Signal Red (568) and wears North American spec bumpers, headlamps, and tail lamps. The brightwork appears to be complete along with all original glass and trim. Exterior features include a folding brown soft top that was recently replaced which matches the original color, a power antenna, fog lights, and chrome mirror caps. Pictures of the car with the top down and soft top up are provided in the gallery. There are small rock chips from normal use highlighted in the gallery. The seller also showed a small spot of paint lifting near the rocker panel. Options are as follows:
The 14” optional alloy Bundt wheels are wrapped in Toyo Extensa A/S tires measuring 205/75 all around with 2018 date codes. Four wheel ATE disc brakes clamp at each corner. Newer center caps have been installed and an alignment was performed in March 2025 with the installation of a new center steering link. A full-size spare Bundt wheel is located in the trunk along with the original tool roll.
The cabin is finished in Palomino Leather (234) and accented by zebrano wood and polished metal bezeling on the dash and console. Amenities include a Becker Mexico Cassette radio, air conditioning, Tempomat Cruise Control, electric front windows, power locks, and a spare alloy wheel in the trunk with an original tool kit included. The palomino carpets show in good condition with little UV damage and no water intrusion stains. The seats show some wear on the dye on the upper outside seatbacks. The trunk appears in great condition with no carpet warping from moisture or corrosion.
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 just over 83k miles from new. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration pushed legislation in 1979 to limit the top speed of speedometers for North American market cars to emphasize the 55-mph highway speed limit during the fuel crisis. In reality, the top speed of a 1980 450SL is 135-mph, not 85-mph.
The fuel-injected 4.5L SOHC M117 V8 originally made 180 horsepower and 220 foot-pounds of torque for the US market with power routed to the rear wheels via a three-speed 722 automatic transmission. An oil change was performed in March 2025 along with a new center steering link and an alignment. A fuel/air mixture tune-up was also performed which included a new injection valve and new control unit. A receipt for the work is included in the gallery which also notes some drops of transmission fluid at the back and a top off performed.
The Carfax report shows a service report in Indianapolis in 2003 and then a dealer service at Mercedes-Benz of Sarasota, Florida in 2018 with a clean Carfax report and no accidents. The car is currently located in Windermere, Florida and is offered with factory literature, a new fabric soft top, original tool roll, manufacturer’s literature, pouch for top keys, and a clean Florida title.
A walk around and start up video of the car are provided below.
The 450SL is such a bargain in the R107 world. You still get the buttery smooth and torquey M117 V8 but pay half of what it costs to get into a rough 560SL. The 722.0 three-speed transmissions are tough as nails and never really need to be split open like the 722.3 on later model SL variants. Plus the shifts can barely be felt. This is the model to buy if you want sublime ride quality and to waft around on bad roads. The 14” Bundt wheels, like on this example, weigh next to nothing and with a 75 aspect sidewall, hitting a lane reflector, missing bits of pavement, or even pedestrians will barely be transmitted to the driver. Okay we're not so sure on the last one so maybe avoid pedestrians. Signal Red is Magma Red of the Mercedes Golden Years. This was the show off color of the ‘80s and if you had a Signal 450SL in 1980, you were the boss, so move outta the way!
Open Transit:
Enclosed Transit:
The winning bidder will receive an email with the quote and option to proceed with shipping.
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3 Comments
$7,250 bid placed by @waybomb
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$6,750 bid placed by @waybomb
$6,250 bid placed by @Wildeman
$6,000 bid placed by @waybomb
$5,750 bid placed by @w204mg
$5,500 bid placed by @LC762
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$5,000 bid placed by @Hendrixhands
$4,750 bid placed by @w204mg
$4,500 bid placed by @LC762
$4,250 bid placed by @Astamper
$4,000 bid placed by @LC762
$3,250 bid placed by @Doc2
$3,000 bid placed by @LC762
@ToniBetoni I am not sure about the upgrade but I can confirm the AC works, thanks!$2,250 bid placed by @ToniBetoni
Has the air conditioner been updated from R12 to R134, and is it working properly?$2,000 bid placed by @Hendrixhands
Very attractive car! Love seeing owners retain bundts.