Vehicle Description
West Coast Classics are proud to present an absolutely exceptional
example of this comprehensively restored 1973 Mercedes-Benz 450SL
roadster; 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)!All
original handbooks, service warranty manuals showing regular
service maintenance, 'Becker Europa' radio manual and restoration
receipts and always primarily serviced at Mercedes specialists and
dealers since new! Recent full service for turn key ready driving
including A/C retrofit at our independent Mercedes specialists
'Malibu Motors' of Santa Monica, CA. Obviously always garaged with
no rust!The original 'Blue' (color code 903) factory color paint is
exceptional and the matching 'Blue' MBTex interior is also in
gorgeous shape with no signs of wear. The car has its original
factory matching color hard top and its seemingly original 'Blue'
canvas soft top 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' radio available, and to be sold with the car, and
beautiful factory chrome 'Bundt' 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.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
example of this only one year model available with the attractive
European chrome bumpers anywhere else!