Be sure to use your browser's inner scroll bar to see all 100 photos below!
There is a link at the bottom of the description to my flickr page with another 200+ photos of the car, every angle, every nook and cranny.

1980 450SLC - One family owned, original, 'Preservation Class' example!

This 450SLC is an extremely original, one family owned car in "Classic White" (color code 737G) with Cream leather interior.

Originally purchased at Kimball Motor Co. in San Luis Obispo, CA - February 1980 by the current owner's aunt who kept it at her home near Oceanside, CA.

The car was purchased optioned just as you see it today... the Mercedes-Benz accessory wheels were on the car on the showroom floor, as was the pin striping. There is a page from an MB accessories brochure with the car which shows these wheels as proper MB equipment, available in period. The original selling dealer upgraded the stereo with the Blaupunkt unit currently in the car, again, before the car was purchased by its first owner.

In the late 1990s the car was sold to the original owner's mother who also lived in Oceanside, CA. Finally, in her early 90s, she sold the car to it's current owner in 2007.

The current owner and grand nephew of the second owner, purchased the car and took it to his vacation home in Henderson, NV where it was driven occasionally by him and his wife. In 2010 he brought the car back from his vacation home in NV to their regular Summer home in the Minneapolis / St. Paul area of Minnesota where it has resided since. He is a friend of mine and has asked me to sell the car for him. I have known him, and the car, for about 4 years. The car has its books and records (maintenance book is stamped for services) plus detailed records from current owner, all the goodies.

Exterior Condition: This car has never been in an accident, the panels are straight and original. The car wears all of its original paint except on the passenger's side door and front fender. The current owner had those two panels painted when he got the car from his elderly great aunt, she scratched those two panels pulling into her garage one day, there is a receipt for the $400 repainting of those two panels with the car's service records. The rest of the paint is shiny, it shows tiny surface cracking and crazing throughout, showing that it is original paint. You have to be, literally, inches from the car to see it, I was able to get some photos that show the quality of the finish, the entire car has this charming patina. The chrome on the car is original and excellent throughout. All glass is original and in great condition with only minor de-lamination on the base of the rear window. There is NO RUST... I mean NONE, nowhere no how... the underside of the car is immaculate and wears its original, tan colored, factory undercoating. This car has always been in dry climates, since it's been in Minnesota since 2010, it has only been driven in nice weather. There are even some of the factory check paint marks underneath the car, they just don't get any cleaner. There are various rock chips here and there and several light door dings... nothing through the paint, but minor blemishes that come from use, nothing a PDR technician couldn't remove if the new owner so desires. The 'SLC' rear quarter window louvers are in good condition, the driver's side louver has some flaking to the silver finish at the base, the passenger's side does not, there are detailed photos of both sides. The front grille is missing one black plastic slat on the driver's side, as seen in the photos below.

Interior Condition: Original showing very little wear for a 100,000 mile+ car. The carpets are in excellent condition, they have been covered with clear plastic mats for years, I took the clear plastic, protective mats out for the photos, below the carpets you will see a sparkling clean, original floor. The dash is excellent, no cracking! The wood is great with no discoloration or cracking. The headliner is excellent, it does not droop. The air conditioning was converted to modern R134 several years ago, the A/C was just serviced a couple of weeks ago and blows perfectly cold, the heater works perfectly as well, so... no dreaded R107 HVAC issues. The cruise control switch was replaced several years ago (receipts with car) so it works as it should. All the power windows operate properly, this car has the fastest moving rear quarter windows, up or down, that I've seen on an SL/SLC. The sunroof works perfectly, even the clock works. The First Aid kit is present, as are all of the books and manuals, there is even an 'earthquake survival kit' that was given to the original owner by the salesperson she bought the car from the day she took delivery, complete with almost 35 year old 'survival food packet'! The spare tire is on its original bundt wheel and has never been on the ground, complete tool kits is with the car as well.

Mechanical Condition: This car has always been properly and well maintained. The service book is stamped for each service while it was still going to various Mercedes-Benz dealers in Southern California for service. Service records since the current owner has had the car are from various specialty shops in Nevada and the Twin Cities here in Minnesota. Some highlights of service under current owner, not including most oil changes, routine items:
3/2008: Rebuild front suspension, tie rod assembly, sway bar kit, subframe mounts, engine mounts, shock absorbers, torque converter seal, primary pump transmission seal, trans. service ($2,999.40)
2/2009: Purged fuel injection system, set fuel mixture, oil change
4/2010: replaced rear shocks (Bilstein), new power window relay
6/2010: Alignment
7/2011: New fuel injector seals
6/13: Left window and sunroof switch replacement
5/14: Coolant system flush
6/14: A/C service, recharge. Power steering fluid flush, new muffler hangers
7/14: Replaced A/C evaporator temp sensor

This car runs and drives beautifully... when the current owner acquired the car in 2007 it had about 95,000 miles on its odometer, he has put about 12,000 miles on it since then. It has been a participant in the Walleye 1000 Vintage Rally the past three years in a row, a 2 day long vintage car tour over the (paved) back roads of Minnesota and Wisconsin (see photos below of the car participating in the rally). It has always performed flawlessly. It is shown annually at various car shows around the Twin Cities area and always draws admiring stares. The timing chain has NOT been replaced and according to the Mercedes-Benz specialists at 'The Toy Box Repair' in St. Paul, MN, a respected shop among local Mercedes-Benz Club members, it doesn't need one at this point. It makes no noise whatsoever, is not loose or stretched. The owner inquired about a new chain when the car was in for service this month, they said... no need to change the chain, so he didn't. The car shifts as it should, gear lever bushings were replaced in 2007. Acceleration is brisk and smooth. It drives straight down the road and brakes very well. This is a regularly driven and maintained car, it hasn't been sitting for years like so many other SLCs, rubber seals and gaskets are are good and serviceable. The next owner can enjoy the car while continuing the regular maintenance schedule.

*This is not some average 'rode hard, put away wet' beater SLC...

I always say... there is nothing more expensive than a cheap Mercedes-Benz. You can pay up for this documented, original paint, well maintained example or you can pay half as much and get half the car, and then spend a bunch of money putting that lesser car right.

The car is for sale locally, we reserve the right to end the auction at any time for any reason.

Reasonable offers are always welcomed, as are 3rd party inspections.

Call Dave in Minneapolis, MN if you have specific questions (612) 567-0234

The right 'Buy It Now' offer over the phone can end the auction and put this car in your garage today!

Want more photos? Click this link to see 280 high resolution photos of this car on my Flickr page!

Headlamps are clean, clean and free of cracks.

Rear lights are also clean and crack free.

Original MB accessory wheels, installed by the dealer before the car was purchased by original owner.

Panels are straight and original, some minor door dings.

Every panel is straight.

Original paint except this door...

And this fender, receipt for these two panels is with the records.

Minor chipping to silver coating on driver`s side louvers, no such peeling on other side of car.

Sunroof works perfectly, and opens ans shuts quickly!

Pin stripe detail... re-applied when pass. door and fender were painted.

Walleye 1000 Vintage Rally 2012.

Walleye 1000 Vintage Rally 2013.

Walleye 1000 Vintage Rally 2014.

Original paint, no tape lines, original factory finish on fender bolts, never been removed or replaced.

Another shot of the inner fender... original, original, original.

Tidy engine bay, used as a driver. We didn`t even wash the car before these photos were taken, this is just how the car is, every day.

Great hood pad.

Perfect headliner.

Door panels in great shape.

NO RUST... under the doors is pretty common, none on this car.

Clean door jambs!

Kick panels show very little wear, a little towards rear of driver`s side.

Carpet is gorgeous!

Original parchment leather.

Very little seat bolster wear.

Under the carpets, the floor is very clean.

Excellent dash, no cracks.

Original mileage.

Later Blaupunkt radio, great wood.

Back seats, clean, probably never used.

Original first aid kit.

Trunk is super clean.

Original bundt spare, never been on the ground.

All the books, manuals, complete tool kit.

Service book is stamped.

Extras include period accessory brochures.

Regular carpet floor mats.

Front spoiler is in great condition.

New suspension rubber.

Original tan, factory undercoating, super clean, no rust, EVER!

Some minor dings in the bumper, but still shows a great, shiny finish, not pitted.

Edge of rear bumper bowed out from body slightly.

My best try at showing the original paint, minor crazing when you`re right up close, but you would NEVER fully repaint this car, to do so would ruin it!

Scratch on door chrome.

Small nick on A pillar.

Small rock chip.

Another rock chip.

and another rock chip... several of these around the car.

Small ding, easily removed via paintless dent removal.

Seal above windshield cracking slightly, but still serviceable.

VIN stamped in front of engine compartment.

Data plate in engine bay.

VIN plate on driver`s door jamb.

VIN plate on driver`s side A pillar.

Paypal deposit due within 48 hours of auction end, balance due within one week of auction end. I will not accept Paypal for the entire amount, fees are too great. Please discuss acceptable payment options with me before bidding.

Car is sold AS IS, WHERE IS, FOB Minneapolis, MN. Shipping costs are the responsibility of the buyer.