This is a low-mile, rust-free, original and very solid 450SL. 1973 is the only year that the 450’s had the small European bumpers that the car was designed to wear. Beginning in ’74 the large 5-MPH bumpers went on and degraded the look of the car (IMHO).
I looked for a ’73 for a long time before I could find one this clean and original and strong. I’ve gone through everything it’s needed mechanically to take it from a B to a straight A. All-new brake hoses and new master brake cylinder; new fuel lines; new tie rod assembly, new shocks & Michelins, new A/C compressor and fresh R12 in the A/C (blows ice cold). It drives like a bat out of Hell and corners really well. It’s hard to believe this car was made in 1973. No wonder it was a favorite of wealthy playboys and Masters of the Universe.
I had the soft top replaced with the German fabric top. The hard top is in excellent condition.
The interior is in amazingly good condition for a convertible of this age. The dash has no cracks. The seats are perfect. Carpet is like new. Door panels are complete and solid. The all-red interior is an amazing experience.
All dash functions work, even the clock keeps perfect time. All electrical works as it should. There is nothing pending on this car.
Cosmetically, as the photos show, it turns heads and gets comments all the time. But the only remaining step to bringing this car closer to perfect is paint. It is the original color with a good quality but older repaint. Inside 20 feet you can see a few flaws. But I’ve enjoyed driving this car so much that I didn’t want to worry about a rock chip in new paint. I have complete service records for the eight years I’ve owned it, available on request.
