1975 Mercedes 450SL R107 Convertible 2 Tops

Description

Please note these rules...
1) Car is for sale locally, so I reserve the right to end this listing early...
2) Bids from buyers with no feedback OR feedback rating of less than 100% positive will be cancelled.
3) Do not bid if you do not have the funds to complete the transaction requirements as detailed...No trades wanted or accepted...and reserve will NOT be disclosed in fairness to all bidders .
Up for sale is my 1975 Mercedes 450SL, including both tops. I am purchasing another collector car and my bride has dictated that I sell three (of my current eight cars) to buy the new one! This is one of three that I have sadly and reluctantly chosen to sell...
I purchased this car in 2008 with about 48,000 original miles as an estate sale vehicle. The elderly original owner had not been permitted for several years to drive it so it didn't run particularly well when I bought it, but overall was beautifully kept and all original- including a matching set of 1989 Michelin MXV's with more than 75% tread remaining. (I have been driving on them since I bought the car, but have just installed a brand new set of Michelin tires for the benefit of next owner) Since my purchase, I have lavished a ton of money making it run and drive like a new car- I have invoices for parts and service totaling $16,000.00 since 2009! All parts replaced were OEM, with the exception of a new Convertible top from Bill Hirsch in N.J. made from correct original German material. Most parts were purchased directly from the Mercedes Benz Classic Center...and I have a thick file of receipts for all parts, service and repairs since I bought it, plus all the owner's manuals.
Suspension was completely renewed and includes all new bushings for front and rear sub-frames, all F&R control arm bushings, new Bilstein shocks, sway bar bushings, new tie rods and ends, new drag link, new ball joints, idler arm kit, steering shaft coupling, new steering shock absorber, rebuilt steering box, new driveshaft flex disks and shaft center support bearing and hanger.
Fuel was drained from tank, injectors were sent out for ultra sonic cleaning and flow balancing. New under hood fuel lines and hose clamps, fuel filter, brand new complete factory engine wiring harness from fuel injection computer under dash to engine compartment, new complete MB OEM distributor assembly with new cap, injection trigger points and vacuum advance module, new spark plugs and plug wires, remanufactured ignition control module, new cold start valve, new heater core vacuum control valve, new coolant and wiper washer bottles. Valves adjusted by MBZ dealer with new valve cover gaskets installed.
As a Pennsylvania vehicle over 25 years of age, emissions are no longer tested so I have removed the auxiliary air pump and troublesome 1975 "first year" under hood catalytic converters and replaced the exhaust manifolds with 1974 non-cat units which has totally transformed overall driveability, power, and fuel economy. The increase in power after these mods was truly nothing short of stunning. Buyer will need to check on emissions requirements for registering out of PA... A single aftermarket cat could easily be installed in the place of the front resonator if needed for emissions.
Overall the car has a beautiful 41 year old patina on the all-original paint with just a few blemishes that are difficult to see at first look. There are several small door dings on the right door and right front fender and a couple very small wrinkles on the hood where it meets with the right fender at the top...looks like someone may have sat on the very top edge of the hood at some point. Paint looks a little thin in a couple places, and in certain lighting conditions, but I have not repaired any of these items as I didn't want to mess with the factory original paint. None of the issues are significant as you can clearly see from my pictures. Dash is flawless with no cracks. Original Becker Grand Prix stereo was rebuilt by Becker Autosound in NJ and sounds great. It is a gorgeous car that draws attention wherever I drive it! I've always stored the car indoors and have never driven in the winter, in bad weather or on wet roads since I've had it. Given the overall excellent condition, I can't imagine it was ever kept anywhere but inside a garage. The car has solid rocker panels and jack points and no rust anywhere other than a couple small items I have listed below.
The few outstanding small "issues" with this car...mostly just small cosmetic items that include:
-Some wear to the dye color on the driver's seat left side bolster (a little blue shoe dye should take care of it...there are no tears or actual damage to any of the leather upholstery itself)
-The passenger seat could use new horsehair seat pads as they have dried out and are beginning to crumble underneath, and the leather covers fit a little loose over the slowly deteriorating pad. Driver's seat pads were replaced before I bought the car and are in solid condition.
-There is a tiny "dot" of paint bubbling on the LF fender by the side marker light (picture attached)
-The factory applied undercoating is peeling away in a couple places on the right rear lower valence and right rear wheel lip, and there is some very light surface rust showing at those spots. The underlying steel is completely solid. (picture attached)
-"Hard top" has some small water spots on the very top of it.
-Automatic electric antenna occasionally does not go down the last inch or so...probably just needs a little cleaning and lube. I just haven't had time to pull the antenna to disassemble and clean it...
A/C blows COLD! (R134A retrofit)...and the heat blows hot, and everything else works as it should- including all instruments, lights, electric windows, intermittent wipers, and factory cruise control. I would have no hesitation driving this car cross country, and have had many a 500 mile trip without a hiccup. This is truly a great car that I really don't want to sell...but I have no choice...nor the additional storage space...