Vehicle Description
1978 Mercedes Benz 450SL Roadster
Three-box design is a broad automotive styling term describing a
coupe, sedan, notchback or hatchback where, when viewed in profile,
principal volumes are articulated into three separate compartments
or boxes: engine, passenger and cargo. Designed by Paul Bracq, a
Frenchman and noted automotive designer, this classic design would
be the standard at Mercedes Benz for the 60's and 70's.
For consignment, a high performance German Panzer tank built for
longevity 1978 Mercedes-Benz 450SL Roadster. This car started out
life in Arizona, Then to New Mexico then came east where our
consignor fixed a few issues due to the car sitting for 7 years in
a garage. He took meticulous care of it while in his possession. It
is essentially 3 cars, a hardtop, convertible top and convertible
top down car so you can enjoy year round driving.
Exterior
Bathed in Light Ivory, (warm cream if you will), the straight steel
panels are showing well minded gaps all around. This car presents
with no rust and the paint is looking in good condition. Chrome is
nice and non-pitted with bumpers having some rubber surrounds and
black rubber crash add ons in front and rear. All badging is
looking good and original, and in all the right places. Nice brite
work in the form of the iconic tri-pointed star centered grille,
window surrounds, and a black spear running along the side midline,
as well as shiny trimmings which run between the metal of the
cream/ivory hardtop, giving the car a solid and expensive look.
15-inch Mercedes factory wheels give this Autobahn cruiser a great
look, ready to conquer the high speeds as the world whips by. Noted
are the fog lights on the front, wrap around bumpers with black
trim on front and rear with the black on the wrap around part. A
brown canvas convertible top moves up and down easily, and is a
nice option to use especially with the upcoming warmer weather just
around the corner.
Interior
Opening and closing the solid doors on this car yields the
sought-after thud sound upon performing this action. No other
manufacturer can achieve this, and what makes it unique to Mercedes
Benz, is the quality and thickness of the steel they use in these
cars. Looking inside, we are met with plenty of saddle and tan MB
Tex coverings on the lightly worn bucket seats, door panels dash
top and front. All these surfaces presenting nicely and show years
of loving care in this warm environment with its sorority look. The
same saddle tan is covering the floors and rear trunk/storage
compartment in nicely preserved clean carpet. Power windows, air
conditioning, power steering and power brakes are noted. The dash,
fronted by the original black steering wheel, is excellent and very
clean. For the dash front a central black slightly upward curved
panel has a trio of round gauges. More rounds are in for the
eyeball AC vents. This SL uses some walnut accenting with the
central dash descent, and center console, where an aftermarket JVC
radio with AM/FM/Cassette capabilities is installed, Just below is
a climate control panel with buttons for adjustments. On the
console is the shifter and window toggles and hazard light button.
A leather covered armrest is between the seats. A clean carpeted
storage area is behind the buckets and a nice saddle top covering
hides it so that you would not even know its there.
Drivetrain
An original 4.5 Liter V8 engine graces the engine bay, which shows
like new, with just slight patina but very clean in appearance..
Supple hoses and wiring are shoehorned into this wonderful looking
engine bay. Bosch Jetronic EFI is on. A 3-speed automatic is
attached to the back of the V8 and shifts smoothly. 3.07 is the
rear axle designation.
Undercarriage
As noted with the topside, well cared for, no surface rust, even on
the usual suspects, with the stainless steel exhaust piping nice
and shiny, and mufflers now blackened. A structurally sound frame
with clean floor pans and surfaces underneath, and we have a very
nice 450 SL which includes independent coil springs and power disc
braking all around. In typical MB style all surfaces are smooth and
covered for an aero effect on this undercarriage.
Drive-Ability
This beautiful 4.5 fired right up and on the test track it is a
thriller. GREAT acceleration, good handling and looking smooth all
this German sport luxury. Braking is solid and there are a few
functions that will need some attention including the AC which is
in-op, the heater blower works only in defrost and does not blow
heat as the core has been disconnected, turn signals flash very
fast and the power antenna does not fully retract. Also, both lock
switches are frozen.
New Mercedes Benz sports cars are nice with their bells and
whistles, but lately, a return to the classic look from this German
Manufacturer is becoming more desirable. It is probably harkening
back to an era when the cars were all steel, no plastic, and
weighed a ton. Sporty with luxury, great lines with class, this
iconic Mercedes sports car convertible/hardtop sedan 2 seater is
yours for the taking here at Classic Auto Mall. Let's just say you
could have a ton of fun with this German Classic!
10704412047715
107-Model 107
044-450 SL
1-LHD
2-Automatic Transmission
047715-Sequential Unit Number
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 850 vehicles for sale
with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle
barn find collection is on display. This vehicle is located in our
showroom in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, conveniently located just
1-hour west of Philadelphia on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The
website is www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888)
227-0914. Please contact us anytime for more information or to come
see the vehicle in person.
