1979 Mercedes-Benz 450SL

Description

The Mercedes-Benz SL is a staple of the automotive world, and the day they go out of production is probably the day that the self-driving car becomes mandatory. This 1979 450SL is a refreshingly bright alternative to all the gray and brown SLs that we've featured, and with a clean bill of health, it's ready to enjoy this summer.

With only 54,995 miles on the odometer, this SL is barely broken-in. The yellow paint is original and in good shape, only showing a few signs of age and the great assembly and build quality for which these cars were justifiably famous. Living life as a celebrity has its perks, so this car has always been properly maintained and stored indoors, so there's a nice, authentic shine to the paint and crisp pinstripes that stretch from nose to tail. There are a few areas that have been touched up over the years, but you probably won't be able to spot them on a cursory inspection, again suggesting that the owners of this car were especially fastidious about its care. Slam one of the doors, even with the top down, and you get a nice, solid THUNK and panel alignment on these cars has never, ever been an issue. The US-spec bumpers were derided at the time, but given the passage of the years and the familiarity of the look, it's passed into being a non-issue for buyers today simply because there's no way to make these cars look bad.

The tan interior is a pleasing contrast to the yellow bodywork and offers both a more sophisticated look and a cooler ride than, say, basic black. The seats are MB-Tex vinyl, which was standard equipment and just doesn't wear out, the carpets are plush, and the dash is adorned with real wood, not decals or veneers, so it reeks of quality and luxury from behind the wheel. The big steering wheel feels substantial in your hands and there's a pleasing heft to the steering that initially feels slow but really balances itself as speeds build. The carpeted package shelf behind the seats is good for an overnight bag or two, but this car is strictly a two-seater. There's a black convertible top stowed under the hard shell tonneau cover, plus a matching yellow hardtop is included, making this SL an all-weather friend.

The SL's namesake 4.5-liter SOHC V8 engine was the main powerplant for most US-bound Mercedes-Benz models, and for good reasons: it's reliable, powerful, and smooth, all things that you'd expect from your top-of-the-line German luxury car. Parts are still easy to find and relatively inexpensive, and it's obvious that previous owners have kept up on maintenance so it's ready to enjoy for years to come. The 3-speed automatic transmission is unobtrusive and smooth, the suspension is just the right combination of sporting and supple, and the brakes are, as you'd expect, quite powerful. A lifetime I the warm south has resulted in a clean undercarriage, which seems to sport a brand new reproduction exhaust system that surely cost thousands. The unmarked "pie crust" alloys are a Mercedes-Benz trademark look and carry Goodyear radials with lots of life left in them.

Documented with the original window sticker, manuals, and warranty card, plus maintenance receipts from over the years, this is a no-worries SL you can drive with confidence. Call today!