West Coast Classics are proud to present an absolutely exceptional example of this comprehensively restored only as required over the years 1972 model Mercedes-Benz 450SL roadster with 66K original miles; the only year of the 450SL series to be imported into the US with the attractive European small chrome bumpers before the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration enforced bumper regulations incorporating stronger energy absorbing bumpers without regard to aesthetics for safety reasons. Introduced in late 1972, this particular example is an early US specification car and is thus equipped with the significantly more attractive small chrome bumpers that were fitted to all European cars. It is also fitted with the considerably peppier high compression engine making over 60hp more than the equivalent 1980 version (225hp VS 160hp)!
The car will be sold with extensive service records showing that no expense spared was spared on this particular vehicle including importantly a new timing chain at 63,782 miles, A/C retrofit to 134R at 63,096 miles, and with every indication showing that this car was always well maintained and serviced on schedule. The car was reportedly owned by the same family owner for many years with no signs of any accidents or body damage and which was reportedly kept in a climate controlled facility until we recently acquired the car.
The car's original factory options included:
BEHR Air Conditioning
Central Locking
Right Outside Mirror
Becker Europa AM/FM Radio
Electric Front Windows
Tinted Glass
Dark Brown Soft Top
Floor Mats
Padded Leather Dashboard
Padded Steering Wheel
Three Speed Automatic Transmission
Rear Heated Window
Power Antenna
The factory original 'Inca Gold Metallic' (color code 419) color paint is in extraordinarily fine condition and still reflects like glass and the 'Tan' color interior is also in gorgeous shape with virtually no signs of any wear. The car has it's original factory German canvas 'Dark Brown' soft top and it's factory 'Inca Gold Metallic' hardtop which is also in pristine condition.
The car's factory options include: automatic transmission, power assisted steering, power brakes, tinted glass, cruise control, electric window lifts, electrically heated rear window on hard top, fully independent suspension, power assisted four wheel disc brakes, limited slip differential, Halogen head and fog lamps, automatic air conditioning with climate control, central locking, original 'Becker' Europa' radio and beautiful alloy wheels.
The car drives exactly like such a well maintained and serviced Mercedes should and must be seen and driven to be truly appreciated. The engine is extremely strong with no noticeable oil leaks, the transmission shifts smoothly through the gears and the temperature always remains cool.
In 1972 Mercedes-Benz first offered the new R107 series SL model in the US. It would go on to be the longest production run of the SL series until 1990. The 350SL first entered production in Europe in 1970 with a 3.5L engine and first was imported to the US in 1972 as the 350SL in very low numbers until late 1972 when it was to became the 450SL for early 1973. Whilst the previous W113 6 cylinder 'Pagoda' SL models were certainly beloved and collected, this new R107 marked a significant advancement in both styling and sophistication, being at once longer and more imposing, bigger, more luxurious and with the new low compression V8 engine matched to a robust steel frame, making it at once more planted to the road with a heavier rock steady stance with superb power and acceleration to match for sustained high speed driving with a top speed of over 120mph.
Without doubt, this is one of the finest classically beautiful roadster designs built by Mercedes-Benz, probably the last classically beautiful convertible series they built and now becoming more desirable and collectible than ever before - certainly you will look long and hard to find a finer head-turning extraordinarily rare and low production 1972 450SL example with a very low 66K original miles of this only year model available with the attractive European chrome bumpers anywhere else!
