Vehicle Description
Movie star looks on a Wal-Mart budget is the magic of the R107
Mercedes-Benz SL. Cars like this 1979 450SL convertible pack all
kinds of charisma, great performance, and bulletproof hardware,
they look like they should cost a million bucks, yet are remarkably
affordable. If you want to get noticed in a car, this is probably
the most affordable way to do it!
Hard to beat a yellow 2-seat convertible and even conservative
Mercedes-Benz put bright paint colors on their color chart in 1979
knowing that some folks just wouldn't have it any other way. It's
actually more of a cream, and given the impressive quality of these
cars, it is quite possible that this one is still wearing its
original paint. Sure, it might show a few signs of its four decades
of life, but there's absolutely no need for a repaint if you just
want to drive and have some fun. Most importantly, this is a
southern car so it hasn't been slogging through winter weather for
years and as a result the doors slam with that precision that you
almost can't find today. Americans have grown accustomed to the
heavy rubber bumpers so they give the car a substantial look and
remain in very good shape, as does the rest of the bright trim, and
a pinstripe accentuates the clean styling.
The tan leather interior is a fantastic upgrade over the usual
MB-Tex vinyl that was standard equipment in these cars. Again, it's
unlike Mercedes to be so flashy, but it totally works in this
2-seater. The seat covers have some stretching but remain quite
inviting, while parts like the door panels and dash pad are in very
good condition and the deep, plush carpets haven't faded in the
sun, another very good sign. A lot of woodgraining gives it an
upscale look, including the center console that is actually real
wood. These cars came loaded with every feature they could think of
in 1979, including power windows and locks, cold A/C, and even a
rear defroster in the removable hardtop. There's also a neatly
installed AM/FM/CD stereo head unit to replace the original
Blaupunkt unit, and it's a big improvement. The trunk is reasonably
spacious and beautifully finished with matching carpets and the car
includes both a 3-year-old canvas convertible top and a matching
cream hardtop.
The 4.5-liter V8 engine really needs no introduction. Powering
Mercedes-Benz automobiles for a decade, it is smooth and torquey,
and if properly maintained, will run practically forever. This one
starts easily and idles with a precise mechanical feeling that's
quite different than the isolation chambers we're used to today,
but no less pleasant. Fuel injection gives it sharp throttle
response and the flexible power curve makes it fast without feeling
like it's working too hard and it comes with maintenance records
and the all-important timing chain upgrade, so you can buy with
confidence. A 3-speed automatic transmission seems a little syrupy
at first, but you'll find that the faster you go, the better it
seems to work. In fact, that goes for the suspension and brakes,
too, which were bred for the autobahn and make this car supremely
competent on American roads. The exhaust has a pleasant bubbly V8
sound and those wheels from a later SL give it a distinctively
sporty look and are wrapped in new 215/60/15 radials.
These cars remain perennial best-sellers here at Streetside
Classics because they represent performance, style, and value, and
this one is no exception. Call today!