73 450 Sl - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

meltedpanda · #1 11-12-2007, 11:56 AM

Someone stop me please!!!.

I don't need another, This is a looker

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=290180601536&fromMakeTrack=true&ssPageName=VIP:Watchlink:middle:us

ctaylor738 · #2 11-12-2007, 10:24 PM

But who can spot the three problems?

benz fanatic · #3 11-12-2007, 10:25 PM

Yes meltedpanda the car is beautiful. I wish my 71 was that clean! No reserve amazes me but it's already over 8 g's. Green has never been my color for a sports car but I would be happy to own this one. Benz Fanatic

benz fanatic · #4 11-12-2007, 10:32 PM

All right, now you got me going over it again! The red wire under the hood does not look kosher. Should this year have the blue coil? My trunk has no carpet (71) when did that start? Andy

meltedpanda · #5 11-13-2007, 05:11 PM

dont know but I would like a set for mine ( carpet that is)
Also the door pockets, mine are missing.
Mine has the blue cable

GaryF · #6 11-14-2007, 12:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ctaylor738

But who can spot the three problems?

My guess is: The radio mast should be at the back, the air temp sensor on the air filter looks like its missing and the overspray on the VIN plate ?

ctaylor738 · #7 11-14-2007, 03:36 PM

I think the radio antenna is right if it's power.

My three -

New style replacement oil filler cap
The mysterious red wire in the engine compartment
Non-original wiper assembly replacements (black, not silver)

Is the panel missing from right trunk side where jack and tools are stored?

Engr693 · #8 11-14-2007, 11:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ctaylor738

But who can spot the three problems?

1. It's green

2. It's green

3. It's green

.
.
Seriously:
Antenna is correct, my 73 is the same
VIN plate IS painted is correct, it is supposed to be painted same color as car
Car has been painted recently

That emission control tag info is not for a 1973 model. Thus it was added post-paint. It references 1975 emission control standard. What's with the
W116 model reference on the tag? Probably put the same tag in a 450SEL.

Gurunutkins · #9 11-15-2007, 12:48 AM

OK the "red wire" is the tensioner bar to the alternator and is not supposed to be red, the radiator has an oil cooler on the rhs (as you look at the pic) which is indicative of a 1973 350sl euro engine the M116 rather than the US M117 engine but the oil cap is right for a 1973.

come on Chuck give us the 3 deliberate mistakes

bwostosh · #10 11-15-2007, 10:05 AM

I just looked and my 1972 has
antenna on drivers side front,
oil cooler on passenger side
Brass radiator overflow tank
10704310007720 3.5 4speed
Euro roll-up windows manual heat control
The pictures posted are tiny
too fuzzy to see details,
I hope the new owner has no uh-o's
I would be careful about pre-inspecting this car.
Here in San Diego these cars are littering the streets,
they are even parking them outside in my neighborhood.

My friend bought 92k miles 560SL, perfect, for $12k

GaryF · #11 11-16-2007, 09:28 AM

They must have the antenna in a different place on US cars, I have a '73 euro with the power antenna on the rear.

meltedpanda · #12 11-16-2007, 10:21 AM

my power antenna is on the front driver fender and is US 72-3

meltedpanda · #13 11-16-2007, 04:14 PM

looks like it is going to bring 12000 +

smack · #14 11-17-2007, 05:53 PM

I have a '73. Antenna is correct, painted vin tag is correct, carpeting in trunk is aftermarket. There was no cover on the right side of trunk, just the pit. The Emissions tag was added after a repaint. There was one on the 73, but the wording was different. The radiator overflow is from a later model. Original was rectangular in shape. See that it went for $14k. Lucky seller.

KSLucas · #15 11-19-2007, 12:14 AM

I have a '73 450SL as well, SN 9793, with a cream white exterior and a black leather interior. The antenna on the EBay car is in the same location as mine, front left. A key is required to pull the antenna mast up when fully retracted.

I put $17k into car last year in a "partial" restoration. The car was my parents, so there is much sentimental value attached; way more than the car is worth. One upgrade I made that makes all the driving difference in the world is a seat upgrade to the 560SL style. This car won't be a classic, so I make improvements that make the car enjoyable to drive. The former seats were about as appealing to sit in as a bean bag. $2K later and what a comfortable, form-fitting joy to sit in. The center arm rest came with the seats, which I found in a junked '89 560SL, and makes a huge difference in comfort.

I did not replace the door side-pockets as they always seemed to be junk collectors, and in the way when exiting the car when in tight spaces where the door couldn't be opened fully. I think the door has a cleaner look without them.

I replaced the steering gearbox, power steering pump, shocks, bushings, motor and transmission mounts, lenses, heater core, hood pad, weather stripping, switches, hoses, and passenger floorboard, and all the interior leather pieces. I used a dash cover, which is so form fitting no one has spotted it yet, and carpeted the trunk. I put in sound deadner to make the car quieter with the top up or down. There was an annoying whine that came through the rear shelf area, but no more. I did some of the work myself as I was tired of hearing manana.

My mom, this was her daily driver from 1973 until 1999, and then my dad drove it until 2004, thinks it drives and feels better now than it did in its younger days.

There are 216K miles on the engine and transmission. It starts on the turn of the key every time. The stereo I added, which includes four speakers, two in the dash panel and two in the rear shelf, along with a power amplifier make top down driving a real treat.

New soft top adds the final touch. Night driving has been improved by adding Hella bulbs and lenses. To dress it up I added original Mercedes chrome bundt style wheels.

I was looking for a car in good condition on EBay during my restoration work hoping to find one at a good price. One thing I noticed is that this car does not command as high a price as one would think it would. I almost bought a 450SL in Florida for the engine and transmission alone, figuring I could sell the other parts and come out even on the deal. I slept on the concept too long and missed getting the car. Next time though!

All in all, fun to drive, great to look at, and a great feeling knowing that I'm going to drive this car for a very long time!