1973 Mercedes-Benz 450SL

Over the past few weeks, we’ve covered pretty much the range of SL products from the awesome 300SL Roadster Andrew found through yesterday’s Mineral Green R129 500SL. When it comes to the R107 model, the second longest production cycle for Mercedes-Benz (only outdone by the stone-age G), generally we spend most of our time looking at the more prevalent and popular 560 models. Seemingly synonymous with the 1980s, Signal Red SLs are often flanked by black and white models. But let’s not forget that the R107 was a child of the 1970s, and when you head back to the beginning of the production cycle the colors become fittingly bell-bottomed. Suddenly, the red, black and whites are replaced by cream, browns, and greens – and while the colors can really date the chassis, occasionally they look pretty spectacular. Such is the case with today’s unique U.S. specification 450SL from 1973, only the second year of R107 production. Presented in DB-860 Green with green MB Tex and dash, the only thing missing is Carly Simon’s “You’re so vain” playing in the background:

CLICK FOR DETAILS: 1973 Mercedes-Benz 450SL on eBay

Year: 1973
Model: 450SL
Engine: 4.5 liter V8
Transmission: 3-speed automatic
Mileage: 90,080 mi
Price: $12,450 Buy It Now

HERE IS YOUR CHANCE TO OWN THE RARE AND MOST SOUGHT AFTER 1973 MERCEDES BENZ 450SL. 1973 WAS THE FIRST YEAR OF THE MORE POWERFUL 450SL WITH ITS 4.5 LITRE V8 ENGINE. IT WAS ALSO THE LAST YEAR OF THE MERCEDES BENZ 450SL TO HAVE THE SMALL AND HIGHLY DESIRABLE EURO BUMPERS. THE LATER CARS HAD BIGGER, AWKWARD LOOKING BUMPERS. THESE EARLY PRODUCTION STYLE CARS ARE GETTING RARER AND GAINING VALUE VERY QUICKLY. THIS CAR IS PAINTED A RARE AND UNIQUE ORIGINAL GREEN COLOR. THIS 450SL COMES WITH A COLOR MATCHING HARTOP IN GREAT CONDITION. THE ORIGINAL HUBCAPS ARE ALSO COLOR MATCHED TO THE CAR. THE CONVERTIBLE SOFT TOP IS IN EXCELLENT SHAPE. THE POWERFUL AND SMOOTH V8 ENGINE RUNS GREAT. THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTS FLAWLESSLY WITH NO ISSUES. BECAUSE THE CAR HAS ALWAYS BEEN STORED INSIDE, THE PAINT IS IN VERY GOOD CONDITION AND THE CAR LOOKS GREAT WITH THE SMALL EURO BUMPERS. THERE ARE NO DENTS IN THE BODY OF THE CAR. IMPORTANTLY, THE CAR HAS NO RUST HOLES IN THE BODY PANELS OR THE UNDERSIDE. ALL GAUGES AND THE ORIGINAL RADIO WORK WELL. THE INTERIOR IS IN GOOD CONDITION WITH THE ONLY ISSUE BEING A SMALL CRACK IN THE DASH. MECHANICALLY THE CAR IS VERY GOOD CONDITION WITH THE EXCECPTION OF THE MUFFLER, WHICH NEEDS TO BE REPAIRED OR REPLACED. THIS CAR HAS LOW ORIGINAL MILES AT ONLY 90,080. THE CAR HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED OVER THE YEARS AND PROFESSIONALLY SERVICED BY VINTAGE SPORTS CARS IN PLAINFIELD, NH.

HAGERTY LISTS THIS CAR AT $25,200 IN GOOD CONDITION AND NADA GUIDES LISTS AVERAGE RETAIL AS $20,100. THESE CARS ARE APPRECIATING AND ARE UNLIKELY TO STOP DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE 250/280SL PAGODAS PRICES ARE MASSIVELY INCREASING. THIS CAR IS PRICED WELL BELOW BOOK AT ONLY $12,250 OR BEST OFFER.

DON’T MISS YOUR CHANCE TO BUY A GREAT INVESTMENT CAR FOR SUCH A LOW PRICE!

Terms of Sale:

Buyer must be 18 years of age or older.
Buyer may arrange an independent inspection of the vehicle prior to purchase. All costs and arrangements for such inspections are the responsibility of the buyer. All inspections are to be performed at, or near, the location of the car.
Buyer must send within 24 hours of email agreement (or close of bidding) to seller a deposit in the amount of $500 by Paypal or bank wire transfer. The deposit is non-refundable. The balance due shall be sent to the seller within 5 business by bank wire transfer.
All shipping arrangements, charges and insurance are buyer’s responsibility. Seller will not be responsible in any way for claims arising from transportation or shipping damage.
Buyer is responsible for any and all applicable state, county, city taxes and fees, as well as, title and registration fees in the state that the vehicle will be registered.
It is the responsibility of the buyer to have satisfied themself completely as to the condition and value of the vehicle and to purchase based upon that judgment solely.
This vehicle is being sold AS IS and WHERE IS. There are no guarantees or warranties given by the seller, express or implied, and the sale is final. The seller shall not be responsible for any incorrect description or statements nor any issues related to authenticity, repairs, faults or defects in the vehicle.

While the early U.S. spec 450SLs have a pretty sizeable power advantage over the replacement 380SL that came out in 1982, they still were rated under 200 horsepower thanks to emissions equipment and low compression. Comparatively, the lighter inline-6 models available in Europe were able to match the output of the U.S. V8 and channeled a bit of the popular W113, while the R107 seemed a bit lazy. But helping desirability of the 1972 and 1973 models is the lack of the additional foot of U.S. mandated bumpers which so often overshadow the model’s looks, and at least in my eyes these models look a bit more classic wearing the hubcap trims rather than Bundt alloys. While the all-green everything is probably the most dated aspect of this example, again I think it works in a Kitschy, cliche laden way. No one will think this car is from the 1980s, but then, it’s not. In the 1990s, my father snapped up a 1971 Pagoda in green that needed some work to be right, but it was a time when they weren’t very valuable in the marketplace. When I look at this car, I’m forced to think it’s the same thing – it’s not perfect, but at less than $12,500 it looks like a lot of classic SL for short money.

-Carter