Saleofcar.com :Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes-Benz SL-Class 450-SL Roadster (1972)
for sale

Price: US $9,600.00

Description:

“Classic cars have been among the best performing collectibles over the past five years.”- Reid Branston, Exotic Classics
This vehicle is, in every respect, a
first of its kind
. With a body dubbed by company engineers as the 107
, the styling was the beginning of a new and modern look for Mercedes, and it would be seen in all company designs introduced well into the 1980s. (The classic Mercedes SL spanned 18 model years without one body panel change.)
The new SL emphasized horizontal lines, wider stances and lower overall height accentuated with aerodynamically smoothed contours. As it had since the first gullwing 300SL racers of 1952, the
SL
badge designated both
S
port and
L
eicht (Light).
For the first model year only, 1972 models were badged as 350SLs in the United States, even though they were equipped with the larger 4.5-liter, V8 designed specifically for the U.S. (The designation was changed to 450SL beginning with 1973 models.) Though all U.S. 107s had a 3-speed automatic transmission, only 1972 -73 models were equipped with the smaller bumpers. (Ref.)
(Photo: MercedesHeritage.com)
According to Roy Spencer of MercedesHeritage.com, this model is the next collectible SL. Until January 20, 2008, I had never seen one. Remember, the 1972 US 350SL actually carried a 4.5 liter engine and was never offered with a manual gearbox here. How many [1972s] can be in the United States? Perhaps 100. How many 4 speeds? Maybe 50.
Reid Branston, Exotic Classics, Syosset, Long Island, New York
Just ask Reid Branston, son of NY-based Exotic Classics' owner Will Branston, who said on CNBC's Secret Lives of the Super Rich (Episode 406) that, Classic cars have been among the best performing collectibles over the past five years. With investment potential ranging anywhere from 200% to 400%, the classic cars sector easily glides past its competition on Wall Street, all the way to the finish line. While the earliest versions of SL bodies were made of aluminum, all the 1972 through 1989 models were made of sheet metal and were comprised of a unibody construction. They were all a two-seater, soft-top convertible, with removable hardtop and optional rear foldable, jump seats.

(Ref.) It comes as no surprise, unfortunately, that like every hero ever written into classic literature, the 1972 350SL had its tragic flaw: poor rust resistance, a quality shared by all of the first 107s in both the United States and Europe.
This vehicle has power. I purchased her very used in 1996. (The condition is actually a bit less than good, but much better than fair.) She's had at least three prior owners, the last two of which invested no small fortune replacing and repairing much of the rust damage to the floors of both the internal cabin and a portion of the trunk. (The vehicle was garage-stored for at least the last 26 years, ) In 1999, she was stripped to bare metal, primed and painted with 6 coats. The same year, new aluminum hubs were installed, and the rag top was replaced.
Having been stored in my garage for most of the past five years, the vehicle required new anti-freeze, a new battery, water pump, fuel injector relay and state vehicle inspection (now current through August 2016), which is monitored by the Virginia State Police. (Therefore, this vehicle is safe to drive and all required mechanical and electrical systems are functioning properly.) There are a few paint blisters at the very front of the hood above driver's-side headlamps (visible in main image) and in the rear, just inside where the hardtop rests (see photo on external images page, linked below); undoubtedly from having been stored for so many years in a humid environment with the hardtop on.
During a previous auction, one member inquired about functionality of the air conditioning system. Though our mechanic verified the compressor system to be in good working condition when purchased, the fan motor was never replaced, since I only drove her without a top and have never needed to use it.
Pricing on this vehicle is based on the very limited availability of these first-year 450-SLs, its present condition, unique class position and the possibility some enthusiasts may be interested in purchasing it either for restoration or parts. Price has been set at the lowest our mechanic feels she should be sold for. Images show vehicle exactly as is, because no attempt was made to alter or improve the appearance for this sale. (For additional and/or updated images, please click here.)
[NB: Factory maintenance/owner's manuals for this vehicle are currently available for purchase on ebay.]


Additional References
here (Complete series of vehicle images.)
here
here
here
here
here
here (Originally aired on 04-14-2015.)
here /
*
One of this vehicle's long-time mechanics thinks the odometer may have turned over, (but only once).
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DMCA Disclaimer
: Additional images used in this listing properly credit their respective copyright owners, which were notified via email in advance of the published listing's URLs.

_{update: 2015-09-28}