1976 Mercedes 350SE, Euro version, 4-speeed

Description

This is a gray-market, Euro-version Mercedes 350SE with manual 4-speed transmission. As you can see from the photos, it has Euro bumpers and upholstery. Our plan was to extract the drive train and put it into a Mercedes W111 coupe we had that needed a new engine. However, we lost our inside, temperature-controlled storage a couple of months ago and now have to sell the ca, as we don't want to let it sit outside. Although we had the timing chain replaced and the engine was running well when we bought the car, it has been in storage and we have not run it in several years.
Since we were only interested in the engine and transmission, we did little research into the car itself. Odometer mileage is just an estimate. We do know that it has been repainted to it's current color. The rear window has a crack and will have to be replaced if the car is restored. We have not found any serious rust, and if you are familiar with these old W116 Mercedes, you know that they are built like tanks!
My son believes that the car was in an accident at some point in it's history, because it takes more than the usual amount of force to close and latch the driver's door. The other three doors close normally. After we replaced the timing chain, my son drove the car for a while and he told me that it handled better, in his opinion, than my 1979 6.9.
Because of its unique engine-transmission combination, it is probably a good candidate for restoration. Or, part it out and use the engine and transmission in another car.
Our starting price is based upon the value of just the engine, transmission and euro-bumpers if the car was parted out.
Car is currently registered in California, and is on non-operational status. Payment in full (cash, PayPal, or cashier's check) is due 48 hours after the auction closes. Car must be picked up within a week after the auction closes. Car is also for sale locally, and I reserve the option to close the auction early if we have a local buyer and no bids on the auction.
Transportation will be at the buyer's expense, but we will be happy to facilitate pickup and loading onto a trailer or car carrier. Car is located in Castroville, California, about 20 miles north of Monterey.
I am sorry that I can't provide any more details on the car's history. If you have any specific questions about it's current condition, please email me. Naturally, because of its age and our lack of knowledge of its history, there are no guarantees and no return.