Used 1975 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class

1975 Mercedes Benz 450sl Convertible Mercedes-Benz measures a car's value not by how it looks but how it works. The engineers, not the stylists, hold the reins. Your investment is repaid by something more tangible than surface dazzle, by the satisfaction of driving a precision machine endowed with every technical advance needed to provide safe, smooth, reliable motoring under all possible weather and road conditions. From a mid 70's Mercedes-Benz brochure. For consignment, a 1975 Mercedes-Benz 450SL convertible showing 77,570 miles, but the true miles are unknown due to a title exemption. Just 7,421 450SL's were made in 1975 with less than 75% of them being sold in the U.S. Exterior Two stage Milan Brown Metallic endures on this 70's timepiece on a design that lasted more than 20 years at Mercedes. The proverbial three cars in one applies to this example with a soft top, an accessory hard top, and of course, open air driving with both tops off. The hard top is painted to match and the soft top is black canvas with clear, plastic windows. This luxury sports car boasts a low center of gravity, balanced body sections, and the distinctive Mercedes lights, both the double headlights and three part wrap around rear units. 15-inch wheels are instantly recognizable and sporty with a 3 pointed star on the center cap. U.S. spec bumpers extend long enough to sit on, and the chrome is in great shape. Imperfections include paint chips throughout, clear coat issues and scratches on the hood, a crack in the lens of a tail light, and a scuff on the decklid. Interior Handsome saddle MB Tex makes up the door panels with linear, perforated inserts and ergonomic door pulls and both doors present in good condition and the same color and materials are utilized on the two tone bucket seats which show some light patina but are intact. The rear package shelf remains fully functional and relatively clean, lined in gold carpet that shows a single burn mark. Our textured rubber like steering wheel rim is nice and frames the arching instrument cluster housing clean and efficient gauges while the center stack has an original AM/FM radio and vertical levers for the A/C. Between the seats, a spotless center console in robust black plastic and a shifter moves through a slotted gate adding a touch of safety to the shifting process. Gold carpet covers the floor and lines the footwells while a perforated tan headliner is above and intact. The trunk's rubber mat shows some age but still does the job of covering the floor. Drivetrain Under the hood, a busy and crowded bay houses the 4.5 liter SOHC V8, rated at 222 horsepower and fueled via a Bosch D-Jetronic EFI system. It's mated to a Daimler-Benz 3-speed automatic transmission that routes power to the rear axle with 3.07 gears. Undercarriage Signs of age and use, but nothing alarming underneath, straight and solid. Dual exhaust travels through stock style mufflers and power disc brakes are equipped at all four wheels. Suspension is independent at both ends and consists of coil springs. Drive-Ability The first appeal is the design, but a close second is the driving position and experience which may have sold more cars than the actual exterior appearance! The car has very good power and its balanced feel yields handling that instills confidence. We note the A/C, odometer, and trip odometer are not working and the power antenna doesn't go all the way up. Outside of that, all functions operate as they should. While Classic Auto Mall represents that these functions were working at the time of our test drive, we cannot guarantee these functions will be working at the time of your purchase. Because SL's were made over a long period of time, people tend to overlook them. But get behind the wheel of one and you'll immediately understand why the many thousands that were built, driven, and enjoyed by their owners. This is a driver's car combining the perfect size and balance with a touc