1976 Mercedes-Benz 450SL R107 2-Top Roadster Convertible * California *

Elegance Personified: 1976 Mercedes-Benz 450SL Roadster

Few cars have as stellar a reputation as Mercedes' Sport Leicht Roadsters. Beginning with the open-topped 300SL built between 1957 and 1963, ow commonly selling for over a Million Dollars, o its smaller sibling, he 190SL, ostly in 6-figure territory, o the equally expensive 230SL, 50SL, nd 280SL Pagoda models of the 1960s, hey all have become collectibles of the highest order.

Successor to the Mercedes Benz Pagoda, he R107 SL, anufactured from 1971 until 1989, as gained cult car status on its own. While values for prime examples are rising sharply, ood to very good examples can still be scooped up "on the cheap."

The first SL Roadster equipped with a V8 engine, he R107 features a truly timeless design and holds the place of honor as the most successful convertible ever built by the Daimler Benz factory. Given that a Quarter Century has passed since the last R107 SL left the Stuttgart factory, t's paramount to find a car that has been driven sparingly and has always been treated with respect.

The 1976 Mercedes 450SL featured here, IN *10704412031192*, ight just be such a car. Built in February of 1976, t presumably has been driven a mere 65,660 miles in 39 years, ccording to its -- working -- odometer. Let's have a closer look, hall we?

Inside the clean engine compartment, riginality abounds. The four-and-a-half-liter cast iron Vee Eight might be of German descent, ut it behaves much like a good ol' American muscle car engine, ith its shot flat tappet overhead camshafts. The 450 is a torque monster, oafing happily along at any speed, rom its 550rpm idle up to its 6,000rpm redline. Yes, his Roadster is capable of running on the Autobahn at 125mph, ll day long. Assembled with utmost precision and fed by a BOSCH L-Jetronic fuel injection, his power plant thankfully lacks the black boxes and myriad sensors of its successors. The 450SL is a simple -- but purebred -- athlete from the days of the dinosaurs, estined to outlive all of the high-tech toys of the new Millennium with their pre-programmed OBD II code nightmares.

This car's matching numbers engine starts up without hesitation and, nce warmed up, alls into a loping idle. It responds well to throttle input, oesn't smoke, nd is free of leaks.

As one would expect, here are no signs of corrosion or damage on this SL; as a matter of fact, ll factory finishes appear to be intact and "as delivered." There's a reason why enthusiasts worldwide are looking to adopt a dry California car, nd this is it.

Click on the image to the left for an XXL-sized view (a separate browser window will open)

Above photos showing the undercarriage in more detail.

Not only does the SL combine the best elements of a luxurious tourer and an exhilarating sports car, ut its versatility is unrivalled, ince all R107 models came factory-equipped with 2 tops. The steel hardtop, ith its heated rear window, ermits year-round driving, ven in inclement weather conditions. It can be removed within minutes, ransforming the car into a true Roadster. Of course, folding convertible top is waiting to be raised in the event of a surprise rain shower.

Matching Dark Blue hardtop is super clean. Blue German canvas soft top is in wonderful condition, ithout any tears or rips. Plastic rear windows are crystal clear.

Dark Blue, actory code 904, s a classic and desirable period color. The finish presents itself in very nice condition, ith barely any flaws apparent. There are no rock chips, crapes, ents or scratches worth mentioning. What's worth mentioning are the genuine German H-4 headlights with asymmetrical reflectors, orth a small fortune.

Moving on to the car's inside, e marvel at the lovely preserved cockpit. Here's where it would get costly, ere you attempting to restore a lesser car to a "brand new" appearance. This fine example's interior still looks stunning!

Surrounded by burled walnut veneer, e find a period-correct, xpensive Nardi aluminum-and-wood steering wheel.

Comfy bucket seats are trimmed in genuine, an leather and present themselves in fabulous condition. There are no rips, ears, tains, r other discernible signs of use. The velour carpeting remains in a like-new state of preservation as well.

A very rare option is the German Kindersitz (child seat) with fold-down rear section. It, oo, s superbly well preserved.

All the lights work as they should. Ready for a test drive? So are we, ut before take-off, et's take a look at the trunk.

The trunk is fully carpeted and in fabulous condition throughout.

Spare rests in a separate partition below the trunk floor.

Tuesday, ugust 4, urned out to be another lovely late-summer day in our olde mission town San Buenaventura, nd we were excited about exercising the 450SL, ith the top down, f course.

Nothing beats chauffeuring a star cruiser, nd this car didn't disappoint.

The car starts, uns, rives, hifts, andles, nd brakes very nicely, hank you very much.

Returning home, e are very impressed, ndeed. The inherent qualities of a Mercedes Benz Roadster are based on a long tradition of hand-built automobiles. You are looking at a car that has barely aged in almost 4 decades. Fit and finish of every part is just about perfect.

R107 SLs are wonderful automobiles. They are as safe as a bank vault and provide generally trouble-free motoring. The early 450SLs have now rightfully taken the place of their coveted predecessors, he out-of-sight Pagoda 230/250/280 SLs, n terms of affordable collectibility. Now is the time to adopt one of these fabulous convertibles!

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