Vehicle Description
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 ConditioningCentral
LockingRight Outside MirrorBecker Europa AM/FM RadioElectric Front
WindowsTinted GlassDark Brown Soft TopFloor MatsPadded Leather
DashboardPadded Steering WheelThree Speed Automatic
TransmissionRear Heated WindowPower AntennaThe 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!