STUNNING ORIGINAL 1980 Mercedes-Benz 450SL - 57k original miles - $14,500 (san mateo)

1980 Mercedes-Benz 450SL -- 57k original miles -- Very original UNRESTORED condition --2 family long-term ownership.
LOOKING FOR A BUYER VERY MUCH "INTO" VINTAGE GERMAN AUTOMOBILES -- PREFERRABLY VINTAGE MERCEDES AUTOMOBILES -- IDEALLY AN R107 SERIES SL FAN -- PRIVATE PARTY or DEALER -- WELL AWARE OF THE CHALLENGES AND REWARDS A 40+ YEAR OLD WELL-CARED VEHICLE CAN OFFER.
FAMILIARITY WITH OUT-OF-STATE DMV TRANSFERS A PLUS.
OPEN TO EXPORTING TO AN OVERSEAS BUYER.
DRY STATE car First Owner Sold new in Santa Fe, NM on 05/29/1980 Gene Sledge Drilling Corporation Midland, TX Second Owner Commercial airline pilot Dallas / Ft.
Worth, TX.
Widow of second owner deeded this car to her daughter over 20 years ago -- and has seen limited use ever since.
TEXAS title document lists this transfer -- and recent BILL OF SALE documents the June, 2023 transfer to current Seller.
ALL systems currently functioning -- and continuing to seek out / sort out any item(s) that may not be -- while keeping the car as ORIGINAL and WELL-PRESERVED as possible.
ORIGINAL Books / Booklets provided with this car -- and show Mercedes Benz authorized dealer services through 37,500 miles.
Only 1 key -- the master key -- the square handled one -- remains with the car.
PAINT FINISH appears to be mostly original -- recently treated to very careful, hand applied paint preservation processes to obtain the highest possible shine without damaging the finish.
A handful of minor door dings on the car -- no dents -- no paint loss -- are not easily noticed due to the color of the car -- and could be minimized or eliminated -- with the assistance of a very skilled -- very experienced -- paintless dent removal service -- but will be left as they are during the sale.
BODY / CHASSIS -- exterior panels show consistent fit -- with tolerances in line with what would have been expected from delivery on day one.
Free of corrosion -- not due to any corrective measures -- but as a result of being a DRY STATE vehicle -- and a garaged vehicle -- rocker moldings, trunk floor, spare tire bin, battery area, soft to[ storage area -- remain in corrosion free condition.
SOFT TOP -- and storage mechanisms -- appear ORIGINAL -- and in very good cosmetic and functional condition.
HARD TOP -- minor bending of some aluminum trim where it sits aft of the doors ; Headliner showing a couple of tears in the material above the driver's visor.
WINDOW GLASS -- no breakage or cracking -- front WINDSHIELD exceptionally pristine.
New stainless wiper blades just installed.
LIGHTING / LENSES properly functional and exhibit very true-to-original condition and coloring with no perceptible cloudiness or fading -- unlike more modern cars -- for which this is commonplace.
RUBBER components on body / mirrors / bumpers / windows -- remain in very good condition -- deep black coloring -- no material degradation.
BRIGHTWORK in excellent condition -- no evidence of degradation.
BRAND NEW TIRES -- exact / proper original specification tires -- mounted on the original dealer optioned -- made in USA Appliance brand true chrome wire wheels -- with minimal chrome degradation.
Full size original spare wheel and tire mounted on the standard BUNDT style 14 inch wheel -- in very pristine, original condition.
SUSPENSION -- Shock absorbers, tie rods and steering dampener replaced recently -- with a pending steering coupler that should also be replaced -- on order.
Some steering wheel play and minor shaking of same -- well-known issue -- observed as a result.
ENGINE -- installed NEW nearest-to-original BOSCH specification RESISTOR style copper spark plug.
Engine runs very smoothly as a result -- and within operating temperature specifications -- as would be expected of a original 57,000 mile Mercedes-Benz m117 v8 engine that has not been neglected or mis-used.
No valve cover leaks or other types of oil leaks have been observed.
BATTERY Brand New Interstate proper specification h8 / group 49 AGM battery installed with manufacturer date sticker 9/23.
TRANSMISSION Original 3 speed automatic transmission -- performing as expected.
CLIMATE CONTROL Fully functional cold air conditioner system uses a proper specification replacement r134a compressor professionally installed 20 years ago and recently recharged.
DATA PLATE -- Decoded: 737G = BODY PAINT COLOR / HARDTOP PAINT COLOR / BRAND CLASSIC WHITE / CLASSIC WHITE / GLASURIT 518 = BECKER RADIO MEXICO CASSETTE FULL STEREO AM/FM 531 = AUTOMATIC ANTENNA 587 = SINGLE SEATS FOLDING ARMREST AUTOMATIC CLIMATE CONTROL ELECTRIC WINDOW LIFTERS 592 = FOGLAMPS HEAT INSULATING GLASS HEATED REAR WINDOW LAMINATED SAFETY GLASS TINTED STRIP 639 = RADIAL PLY TIRES ELIMINATION OF WARNING TRIANGLE ELIMINATION OF FIRST AID BOX 416 = HARDTOP MOUNTED 440 = BUMPERS WITH GUARDS FRONT AND REAR BUMPER WITH HORN AND RUBBER BUFFER FRONT AND REAR TEMPO-MAT (CRUISE CONTROL) 467 = CENTRAL LOCKING SYSTEM INSTRUMENTS WITH ENGLISH LETTERING 491 = US VERSION Available by appointment for IN-PERSON / ON-SITE inspection -- you're welcome to bring your vintage Mercedes-Benz expert(s) -- at current owner's home in the San Mateo hills near the College of San Mateo -- close to the Highway 92 / 280 interchange.
Asking a reasonable $14,500 -- but open to near offers CASH OR CASHIER'S CHECK -- drawn in the presence of BUYER and SELLER -- at BUYER's financial institution's local branch.
Please feel free to reply to this ad if you are an interested potential buyer and seek further information.
Will limit respnses initially to email.
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Thanks.
John San Mateo