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Seller offers 1979 Mercedes 450SL with disputed 104,000-mile history
A US-spec 1979 Mercedes-Benz 450SL of the R107 model with a 4.5-liter V8 is for sale, featuring a hardtop, softtop and service history from 2022.
By Eleanor Ellington · 3 min read
A 1979 Mercedes-Benz 450SL is currently being offered for sale. The two-seat roadster of the R107 series originally comes from the US market and is held by its owner under a Colorado title in his name. The car comes from the estate of the seller's late stepfather, who acquired the vehicle in 1990 in Ontario. The seller is now offering the car on behalf of the current owner.
The heart of the car is a 4.5-liter V8 with Bosch K-Jetronic fuel injection. The factory rated output is 180 hp and torque of 220 lb-ft. Power is sent to the rear wheels through a three-speed automatic transmission. The car was imported into the United States in 1993 after previously being driven in Ontario.
The odometer reading is a central point of the sale description. The current indicated mileage is around 32,000 miles. When the car was imported in 1990, the odometer was replaced to meet US requirements. Before the replacement, according to the seller, the car showed about 115,000 kilometers, or roughly 71,000 miles. In total, the seller states, this results in an overall mileage of about 104,000 miles. The Colorado title records the mileage as "Exempt," meaning it is exempt from the disclosure requirement. Whether this figure can be reliably verified is therefore a matter of documentation for prospective buyers.
Visually, the roadster presents itself in a light ivory shade. The interior is fitted with brown MB-Tex. Equipment includes a removable hardtop in matching color as well as a softtop, a power antenna, fog lights and 15-inch alloy wheels with Michelin tires from 2022. A Kenwood CD radio is also installed in the car. Comfort features such as cruise control, central locking, automatic climate control and an air conditioning system using R134a refrigerant are on board.
The seller also mentions defects. According to him, the power windows and the air conditioning do not work. The front trim is torn, and the driver's side mirror is broken; replacement mirrors are included. The third brake light is also said to be defective. These points are likely to weigh on the assessment of the vehicle, as they affect comfort and safety in everyday use.
In 2022 the car underwent comprehensive maintenance. In June, the tie rod ends, steering damper, drive belt and fuel filter were replaced. In July, rear brake discs and pads followed, along with a new gasket and filter for the transmission pan. An inspection also flagged a due serpentine belt and a leaking oil cooler line. These two findings are expressly noted in the listing and therefore remain outstanding.
The delivery scope includes the owner's manual, service records and spare parts. The documentation is meant to present the vehicle's history without gaps and to make it easier for a new owner to assess its condition. With a classic from this generation in particular, complete records are an important argument when it comes to trust and value retention.
Source: bringatrailer.com
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