1977 450SL ???
 

Good Evening,

I'm a big fan of the 124--don't usually spend time here in the SL zone.

Recently, I received a call from a charitable organization that I'm involved with, the organization has been offered a 1977 450SL (donation) that supposedly runs and drives but needs lots of work. I have not seen the car so I can't really comment on its condition. Any idea on what such a car might be worth, or what common problems it might have? (yea, I know, not much information...) Also, any suggestions on how they might approach selling it if they decide to accept the donation?

I'll post more information and maybe a picture or two if I get a chance to look at the car.

Thanks in advance for any comments.

J. M. van Swaay

Beware of greeks bearing gifts.
 

I have a 1980 450 so what I can tell you may or may not be an issue.

I had fairly good luck with the wiring but not with the extensive vacuum system. Heat and age are the enemy of the rubber connectors in the vacuum system and the lines can get brittle from engine heat over time.

A 30 year old car is not going to be without its minor and possibly major issues.

Look at the stance of the car, does the front end look as if it is sinking?

Best case scenario is bushings worst case there could be significant damage to the front end.

Look at all the places where road salt can damage the lower panels.

Look closely at all the trim where salt and moisture can get trapped next to the body.

Look at the paint on the front fenders directly above the headlights are there bubbles in the paint?

Does the engine smoke?

Does the transmission shift smoothly?

Is there any significant rust?

If you can get the car on a lift, inspect the entire underside of the vehicle. Start at the rear of the car and with an awl or very thin punch look for places where the undercoating looks out of shape or bubbled.

Probe through the undercoating and if the awl or punch doesn't meet resistance, you probably are biting off an awful lot to chew. Work your way toward the front and make note of everything you find.

Check the condition of the exhaust pipes, mufflers, and catalytic converter.

Also look for significant wet oily/greasy build up near the rear seal on the engine and front of the transmission.

Will it need a rear seal?

Look at the drive shaft and rear end. Is it leaking any where? Will it likely need restoration or replacement?

Again there are the basics of trouble shooting, and then there are specifics with the 107's.

I remember reading somewhere that the catalytic converter on these cars migrated from a location under the hood to a placement further back.

I cant remember the last year it was under the engine compartment...

I want to say 75/76 but I could be wrong.

Has the car ever been wrecked? It wouldn't hurt to get a car fax report.

And last but not least is there a significant amount of reusable parts on the vehicle?

As a PARTS CAR I have seen these go for as much as $3500 to $4500 to a private buyer and as little as $75.00 to a salvage yard.

It really boils down to what you are trying to get for the car.

I would like to see pictures of the car, or better still would be a video with sound of the car running, hood up, shot of the guages and odometer, shot of the exhaust. That would give us all a better chance at determining a rough value.

Feel free to email me from here on my profile if you have any more questions.

Steve

Steve, thank you very much for the informative post. It looks like I might have a chance to look at this car tomorrow--if so, I'll try to post some pictures.

Thanks again for all the information.

J. M. van Swaay

Had a chance to look at this car today--overall condition is pretty rough. We all know that anything can be restored but I think this car is a rather unlikely restoration candidate. I have attached a few pictures, I have more if anyone is interested.

I think this cars value is likely to be greatest if it is used as a parts car. With that in mind, does anyone have a guesstimate of what it might be worth. If there is some interest, I might be willing to pull a few higher dollar lower labor parts, but there would have to be significant value to the receiving charitable organization.

Any comments or suggestions on how to maximize value to the charitable organization would be appreciated.

Pictures to follow in the next post.

J. M. van Swaay

Light assemblies in all 4 corners appear undamaged, mirrors undamaged, seats recently reupholstered, some body panels may be usable.....

3 more...

I see...
 

Well now you at least know what it is you are working with.

I could use the rear bumper (complete assembly, rubber and all)

A few of the interior panels (under dash a/c panels and fuse box cover)

I like the idea of a set of steel rims and trim rings? Are they full hub cap or a center cap and ring?

and where are you located?

Shipping may be prohibitive...

I'll email you a phone number to call me

I'd suggest selling the car complete on eBay.

Expect to get somewhere between $400 - 1000 for it.

Since you didn't say if it ran, might trend toward the lower number.

jim

Update:

Today I received an email from the charitable organization--it appears they are going to accept this car as a donation. They plan to sell it and use the proceeds to fund their operations. I have offered to help with the sale. I will probably need to move this car in the next few days. The current owner reports that he was able to start the car, and that it ran long enough to move it out of the garage. After that, he was unable to start it again. From what little I have read on this forum, this sounds like a fuel distributer problem. I'm a pretty handy mechanic, but have little knowledge of this engine. Are there a few simple things I might try to get this car running? It sure would be easier if I could drive it to the sale location as opposed to flatbedding or towing......

Thanks,

J. M. van Swaay