Vehicle Description
By 1980, Mercedes-Benz made a sizable impact into the luxury car
and large sedan markets, as younger customers were increasingly
attracted to the German offerings over traditional cars from
Cadillac, Lincoln and Imperial.
This example was made in November 1979 in Mercedes' Sindelfingen,
West Germany factory. Finished in Champagne Metallic (code 473),
the car's paint and trim are in overall very good order, though
there are a few blemishes at the leading edge of the car's hood.
The bodywork is straight and solid, the chrome and rubber bumpers
fit tightly to the body, the cargo space is very tidy, as is the
engine bay.
This big Benz rolls on newer Westlake Radial RP18 tires, size
205/70R14 at all four corners (2020 date code). Each one is mounted
to a
15-hole light alloy rim. The wheels are in good, original order and
the tires are in very good condition. This 450SEL has four-wheel
independent suspension and four-wheel disc brakes.
Under the counterbalanced hood is a 4.5L SOHC 16-valve V-8 engine
(code M117) with Bosch K-Jetronic fuel injection. Backing the motor
is a three-speed automatic transmission (code W3A 040) and a 3.07:1
rear end. Driver convenience features includes electronic climate
control (code 581), power recirculating-ball steering, power
four-wheel disc brakes, cruise control (code 440), tachometer (code
451), power windows, power locks, power antenna (code 431) and rear
window defroster (code 592).
Inside, the car has a Mushroom Leather interior (code 205), which
is in overall very good order but the rear sear shows some wrinkles
on the rear bench seat. The matching carpet looks good and there's
the usual, large, four-spoke steering wheel facing the driver. The
inner door panels and dashboard, with its VDO gauges, are all in
very good condition. The center console and console-mounted shifter
help round out the interior along with a Becker Mexico AM/FM stereo
with a cassette deck (code 518). Horn is inop.
The W116 S-Class incorporated a broad variety of Mercedes-Benz
safety innovations:
*Four-wheel anti-lock brakes were first featured as an option on
the 1978 W116 S-Class. This system prevents the wheels from locking
while braking. The system improves steering control during hard
braking situations, and to shorten brake distances
*Strengthened body structure. The W116 featured a more stable
security passenger cell with a stiffened roof frame structure. High
strength roof and door pillars, along with other reinforced zones,
provided enhanced vehicle occupant protection
*Deformation zones (crumple zones) in the front and rear
*A padded dashboard, deformable switches and controls, and a
four-spoke steering wheel with impact absorber and broad impact
cushion aimed to reduce occupant injury during collisions
*The fuel tank was no longer fitted at the rear end, but was now
placed above the rear axle for added protection
*Wraparound turn signals made it easier to communicate with nearby
drivers
Competition to this Mercedes in 1980 included: BMW's 733i, Buick's
Electra, Cadillac's Fleetwood Brougham and Sedan De Ville and
Seville, Chrysler's New Yorker, Jaguar's XJ-6 and Oldsmobile's
98.
If you're looking for a big Benz that has only used one of its
lives, visit MotoeXotica Classic Cars to see if you're ready to be
this car's next owner and take on its next adventure.
VIN: 116033120984358
EIN: 117986 12 054446
TIN: 02 126128
This car is currently located at our facility in St. Louis,
Missouri. Current mileage on the odometer shows 101,090 miles. It
is sold as is, where is, on a clean and clear, mileage exempt
title.
Note: Please see full terms and conditions listed below that
pertain to the purchase of any said vehicle, thank you.
