"The Mercedes Buyer's Guide" by Frank Barrett has a good section on the 450SL that discusses its evolution. Like wine, some years were better than others.

"The Star" (MBCA rag) seems to always have some cars that sound pretty nice. Hemmings and www.traderonline.com also have them.

I personally would (a) make sure that everything works, because it is expensive to fix, and (b) pay more for a premium car.

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Chuck Taylor
Falls Church VA
'66 200, '66 230SL, '96 SL500. Sold: '81 380SL, '86 300E, '72 250C, '95 C220, 3 '84 280SL's '90 420SEL, '72 280SE, '73 280C, '78 280SE, '70 280SL, '77 450SL, '85 380SL, '87 560SL, '85 380SL, '72 350SL, '96 S500 Coupe