My husband was driving my beautiful 1980 450SL (my dream car which I got for my 60th b-day--a long wait, but well worth it) and was just leaving a shopping center ready to pull onto a main thoroughfare when smoke began to pour out from under the hood. Within a few minutes an angel carrying a fire extinguisher jumped from a bus and put the fire out. Fire engines arrived and they took care of the smoldering mess. It was towed to a repair place and the insurance company called it a total loss, that is, it would cost more to fix it than it's worth (to them).

We checked various prices on the web and got these from NADA:
Low: $11,950
Av: $19,500
High: $28,100

We think its condition was excellent: 114,000 miles; garaged; no major problems; totally repainted before I bought it 5 years ago; 2 tops both in excellent condition; ran like a dream before last week when it went up in smoke. Its previous owner was a Mercedes mechanic from Germany and replaced everything that was not up to par. He even repainted it fire-engine red (including inside the trunk and under the hood) for me because I was recovering from a bout with breast cancer and this was the car I had to have before I died. Well, I didn't die, and I've loved every minute I've had the car.

The insurance company offered $7,300. I feel I could sell the parts for more than that. I love this car.

I read on this forum how someone got $14,500 for his totaled 1980 450SL in Jan, 2006. And he got to keep the car.

Does anyone have an idea of what I should do: how much to push for; keep the car, too? Can I sell a car that has melted wiring (nothing else was damaged on its exterior or interior--it's all under the hood).

I'd appreciate any help anyone could give me.

Thanks.

Mary E
1980 450SL