1978 Mercedes-Benz 450SL

Description

Regular viewers know that we love the R107 Mercedes-Benz SLs. Durable, fun to drive, stylish, and shockingly affordable, they're the embodiment of everything we love about cars. This 1978 450SL, for example, wears bright red paint, is loaded with options, has a top that goes down (of course), and has a sticker price less than a beat-up Honda. Yeah, pretty hard to do better than this on a budget.

We won't tell anyone how affordable this car is, so when you pull into your driveway, your neighbors will think you won the lottery. Somehow, this car is frozen in our collective psyche as the ultimate example of status, luxury, and power, and just showing up in one means you get A-list treatment. It's even better in bright red, which, thanks to a recent paint job, makes this car look even more expensive. As always, build quality was exemplary and these cars just don't seem to wear out, but with only 62,481 miles on the clock, this one is hardly broken-in. It doesn't look like it has ever spent a winter in the snow and despite being topless, the doors open and close with that feeling of precision that no other roadster has been able to duplicate. All the chrome trim is original, so it might be showing its age just a little bit, but the rubber bumpers mandated by the Feds are in great shape and there are aftermarket chrome wheel lip moldings to add a bit of extra flash to the conservative SL.

An SL interior always manages to be both sporty and luxurious. This one wears tan MB Tex upholstery, which is both durable and comfortable. The light color works quite well in an open vehicle like this, and aside from some slight stretching on the driver's lower cushion, it's in very good condition overall. There's wood on the dash to warm things up, and the big, bold, clear instruments should look familiar to anyone who has driven a Mercedes in the past four decades. Automatic climate control, a newer Pioneer AM/FM/CD stereo, power windows, and other goodies are all standard equipment here, so it's truly a no-compromises car. The black canvas convertible top is there for emergencies and seals up remarkably well, while a removable hardtop is also included. And despite the SL's diminutive size, the trunk is functional and nicely finished, perfect for two people and their luggage.

The 4.5 liter SOHC V8 under the hood was a Mercedes-Benz hallmark for years, and by 1978, it had been refined to the point where it was virtually indestructible. Today, parts and knowledge are easy to find, and most SL fans discover that despite the car's complexity, it's no more difficult to service than any other daily driver. The 3-speed automatic transmission was the only choice in the US, and it does feel docile in normal driving, but start getting aggressive and it moves with you. The four-wheel independent suspension is supple yet hangs on when you're hustling, and the brakes are 4-wheel discs for impressive stopping power. Correct 14-inch alloys are in great condition and wear 205/70/14 blackwalls for an understated look.

Still famous after all these years, the SL has aged gracefully. And with "pagoda" SL prices on the rise, it's only a matter of time before the best examples of the R107 become hot collectors' items, too. Call today!