1978 Mercedes-Benz 450SL Roadster

1978 Mercedes Benz 450SL Roadster  For consignment, a high performance German Panzer tank built for longevity 1978 Mercedes-Benz 450SL  Roadster.  This car started out life in...

1978 Mercedes Benz 450SL Roadster 

For consignment, a high performance German Panzer tank built for longevity 1978 Mercedes-Benz 450SL  Roadster.  This car started out life in Arizona, Then to New Mexico then came east where our consignor fixed a few issues due to the car sitting for 7 years in a garage.  He took meticulous care of it while in his possession.  It is essentially 3 cars, a hardtop, convertible top and convertible top down car so you can enjoy year round driving.

Exterior
Bathed in Light Ivory, (warm cream if you will), the straight steel panels are showing well minded gaps all around.  This car presents with no rust and the paint is looking in good condition. Chrome is nice and non-pitted with bumpers having some rubber surrounds and black rubber crash add ons in front and rear. All badging is looking good and original, and in all the right places.  Nice brite work in the form of the iconic tri-pointed star centered grille, window surrounds, and a black spear running along the side midline, as well as shiny trimmings which run between the metal of the cream/ivory hardtop, giving the car a solid and expensive look.  15-inch  Mercedes factory wheels give this Autobahn cruiser a great look, ready to conquer the high speeds as the world whips by.  Noted are the fog lights on the front, wrap around bumpers with black trim on front and rear with the black on the wrap around part.  A brown canvas convertible top moves up and down easily, and is a nice option to use especially with the upcoming warmer weather just around the corner. 

Interior
Opening and closing the solid doors on this car yields the sought-after thud sound upon performing this action.  No other manufacturer can achieve this, and what makes it unique to Mercedes Benz, is the quality and thickness of the steel they use in these cars.  Looking inside, we are met with plenty of saddle and tan MB Tex coverings on the lightly worn bucket seats, door panels dash top and front.  All these surfaces presenting nicely and show years of loving care in this warm environment with its sorority look.  The same saddle tan is covering the floors and rear trunk/storage compartment in nicely preserved clean carpet.  Power windows, air conditioning, power steering and power brakes are noted.  The dash, fronted by the original black steering wheel, is excellent and very clean. For the dash front a central black slightly upward curved panel has a trio of round gauges.  More rounds are in for the eyeball AC vents.  This SL uses some walnut accenting with the central dash descent, and center console, where an aftermarket JVC radio with AM/FM/Cassette capabilities is installed,  Just below is a climate control panel with buttons for adjustments.  On the console is the shifter and window toggles and hazard light button.  A leather covered armrest is between the seats.  A clean carpeted storage area is behind the buckets and a nice saddle top covering hides it so that you would not even know its there.

Drivetrain
An original 4.5 Liter V8 engine graces the engine bay, which shows like new, with just slight patina but very clean in appearance..  Supple hoses and wiring are shoehorned into this wonderful looking engine bay.  Bosch Jetronic EFI is on.  A 3-speed automatic is attached to the back of the V8 and shifts smoothly. 3.07 is the rear axle designation. 

Undercarriage
As noted with the topside, well cared for, no surface rust, even on the usual suspects, with the stainless steel exhaust piping nice and shiny, and mufflers now blackened.  A structurally sound frame with clean floor pans and surfaces underneath, and we have a very nice 450 SL which includes independent coil springs and power disc braking all around.  In typical MB style all surfaces are smooth and covered for an aero effect on this undercarriage.

Drive-Ability
This beautiful 4.5 fired right up and on the test track it is a thriller.  GREAT acceleration, good handling and looking smooth all this German sport luxury.  Braking is solid and there are a few functions that will need some attention including the AC which is in-op, the heater blower works only in defrost and does not blow heat as the core has been disconnected, turn signals flash very fast and the power antenna does not fully retract.  Also, both lock switches are frozen.

New Mercedes Benz sports cars are nice with their bells and whistles, but lately, a return to the classic look from this German Manufacturer is becoming more desirable.  It is probably harkening back to an era when the cars were all steel, no plastic, and weighed a ton.  Sporty with luxury, great lines with class, this iconic Mercedes sports car convertible/hardtop sedan 2 seater is yours for the taking here at Classic Auto Mall.  Let's just say you could have a ton of fun with this German Classic!

10704412047715

107-Model 107
044-450 SL
1-LHD
2-Automatic Transmission
047715-Sequential Unit Number

Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special interest automobile showroom, featuring over 850 vehicles for sale with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle barn find collection is on display.  This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914. Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.