Generally speaking I don't believe in project cars. I prefer to buy a good total package. This might have to do with the fact that I haven't had cars as a hobby for at least twenty years.

If you plan to pay someone else to do most of the work there isn't much you can do within the value of that car.

With that said, I must say that I have a special place for 73 450SE' I learned MB on that car as thats when I started working at the MB dealer. I have worked continuously on MBs ever since and I have yet to see a 450 motor wore out. I have seen them broke and destroyed by abuse, but I have never seen one wore out. The motor in question probably needs a valve job to repair worn guides and seals. If you take the front of the motor apart at the same time the bill will aproach the value of the car. (which is a real variable but realistically around 3 grand; after you get it fixed for 3 grand).

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Steve Brotherton
Owner 24 bay BSC
Bosch Master, ASE master L1
26 years MB technician