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!