$14,995
Charlotte, North Carolina
Category
Convertible
Mileage
-
Posted Over 1 Month
Movie star looks on a Wal-Mart budget is the magic of the R107 Mercedes-Benz SL. Cars like this 1978 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 2-seat convertible in bright red, and even conservative Mercedes-Benz put the bright paint on their color chart in 1978 knowing that some folks just wouldn\'t have it any other way. Given the impressive quality of these cars, it shouldn\'t be a surprise that it\'s still wearing its original paint which is proof that it\'s led a good life. Sure, it might show a few signs of its three-and-a-half 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 and chrome bumpers so they give the car a substantial look and remain in very good shape, as does the rest of the bright trim. Heck, this one\'s so original, it still carries its selling dealer\'s badge on the deck lid! The optional red 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 are remarkably well-preserved, suggesting that even though it\'s a convertible, it was always properly protected when not in use. Things 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. These cars came loaded with every feature they could think of in 1978, including power windows and locks, A/C with a recent R134a refrigerant upgrade, and even a rear defroster in the removable hardtop. The wood paneling is real wood, and aside from a newer AM/FM/CD stereo head unit in the dash, it\'s completely stock and factory-correct. The trunk is reasonably spacious and beautifully finished with matching carpets and there\'s a folding conver5tible top that makes this a year-round cruiser. 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. A 3-speed automatic transmission seems a little syrupy at first, but you\'ll find that the faster you go, the better it works. 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 \"pie crust\" Mercedes-Benz alloys are almost as distinctive as the car itself and are wrapped in recent General 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! This vehicle is located in our Dallas/Fort Worth showroom. For more information, please call (817) 764-8000 or toll free (855) 877-2707. Ad provided by OldCarOnline.com/cond>
