1980 Mercedes Benz 450sl Both Tops, 110k Miles Showing, No Reserve on 2040-cars

LOW STARTING PRICE AND NO RESERVE

I am Re-listing this Mercedes due to prior transaction not being completed by the buyer.  

As a result of that experience I am adding several important updates:

Please serious buyers only.  No out of Country (US only).  NO ebay buyers who's eBay account is newer than 4 months.  Please don't bid if you have feedback of 5 or less.  Please DONT BID, if you cannot pick up the car in San Diego County, CA "in person".  Let me repeat that, don't bid if you cannot pick up the car and complete title transfer in person.  Balance paid in cash, No checks of any kind.

Please don't bid unless you have read the entire listing and all descriptions.  Thank You Kindly for that.

Deposit of $1,000 paid by PayPal within 48 hours of auction ending please.  You must have an active "verified" PayPal account to bid.  

$500 of the deposit is non-refundable, if the final transaction isn't completed by the buyer.  

1980 White exterior and Tan interior Mercedes Benz 450SL.  

Low starting price and no reserve.  Car is located in Ramona, CA (San Diego County)  No shipping of car, must be picked up locally, although I am willing to drive car within 75 miles of Ramona, Ca.

Car runs, and I have used it as a daily driver on occasions when my main car is in the shop.  It has 110K miles right now, but that mileage is not accurate as the wheels were changed to larger wheels and speedometer runs about 8 to 10 miles per hour slower than real speed as a result.  Don’t know when the wheels were added to the car, since they were before my time, but there would be some impact to miles as a result of the larger wheels.

The car is white but was repainted at some point in its past.  The interior has been redone at some point and is not original, but looks very good.  There is some loose areas in the trunk - carpet and side panels.  There is a quarter size rust spot near the windshield, the paint is peeling under the bumpers rear quarters, but not much in view.  Majority of the body is solid with good paint.

Car passed California Smog 1 year & 9 months ago, and if sold to a CA. buyer and it doesn’t pass smog, you don’t buy it.   Car is licensed with California plates good through March, currently have liability insurance on the car for test drive.  I drove it today and it started right up after sitting several months.  Drives fine, you can let go of the steering wheel at freeway speeds and its straight as an arrow.  The brakes are pulling to one side a bit, the pads were good 1 year 9 months ago when checked by my mechanic and he installed a new master cylinder at that time.  The steering is not as tight as newer cars, and is fairly common on the older 450's. 

Clock doesn’t work.  The deforester works great, heats and blows air, but the heater doesn’t blow air although it will provide heat with air flow.  A/C doesn’t work and since I mostly drove it top down I never cared about the a/c.  All gages work, good oil pressure.  Wipers work, but not the windshield washers.  Wheels have some rust and tarnish, I love the wheels and they are very hard to find.  I got a quote of $200 each to re-chrome them.  The electric antenna goes up when radio is turned on and goes down when radio is turned off.  I only have one key, which is the valet key that operates the ignition and door, but does not work on the glove box and trunk.

Has both tops, the soft top is in good condition with no tears and good plastic windows.  The hard top is in good condition, but does have a small tear in the roof liner.  The rear glass was replaced at some point and no longer has the defrost wires. The rear padded area on the hard top needs to be recovered.

I just changed the oil last week.

I spent around $7,000 in repairs and upgrades on this car and have a full record in a maintenance journal with receipts. Just some of the things I have completed from July 2009 to present include: new alternator, new battery in 2009, all engine belts changed by Jose’s Auto Electric, San Diego.  Transmission re-build including overhaul kit, torque converter and 3 bands replaced, bushing kit, new filter and 10 quarts of new transmission fluid and new gaskets.  The transmission work was completed by Southland Transmission Center in San Diego, they specialize in high end cars and hot rods.  Installed a Sony Stereo with two new rear speakers, this unit has a USB for connecting an iphone.  New tires in 2009 rated at 40,000 miles, all shocks were replaced, new fiberglas spoiler/front valance. New Muffler, Catalytic converter and portions of the exhaust system were replaced.  Replaced all the Zebrano wood on the console and added a Zebrano wood storage unit in the center area.  The wood on the storage box is cracking from sun expose, but it just sits in the tray and is removable.  Replaced the fuel filter and replaced the fuel pump with BOSCH.  Replaced the steering damper with new meyle original certified parts.  Installed new BOSCH distributor cap and coil, all new spark plugs and wires, this work done at 96K and car has 110K now.  Added a new dash cover, these are plastic and designed to cover over the original dash.  Most people glue them in.  I just set it on top and its removable but is protecting the original dash which does have a couple of cracks.  Steering wheel received in black leather by a speciality shop, looks better than new.  Replaced Stablizer links, new fuel pressure accumulator (BOSCH).  New brake master cylinder.

This is a 34 year old car and has the wear and tear one would expect from a car this old. She still looks very good and I get a lot of comments.  While she no longer drives like a newer model I still get a kick every time we drive top down along the California Coast Road and elsewhere.  We have taken her to Palm Springs without a worry.   You can drive this car right now, but of course there are still areas that could be improved for a follow on owner.  

This is an OLD used vehicle with prior owners.  I assume no responsibility for originality, physical condition, mileage and car could have after market parts.  Sold AS IS, no warranty provided or implied.   Remember this is an old vehicle and be realistic with your expectations.

While I did my best to describe vehicle and provide maximum number of pictures, the best way to preview any vehicle is in person.

NO SHIPPING provide and sales transaction must be done in person to exchange cash, and have original signatures on documents.

While I spent a good deal on this car in the last four years - have enjoyed it, but its time for someone else to take over and keep her going.

Final Payment by Cash only, the $1,000 deposit is PayPal only with $500 of that deposit being non-refundable if transaction isn't completed.  The   CA. Title is ready to go.  Car comes with a car cover, maintenance manual, one valet key, Tool for Top, binder of all service and receipts completed during my time,  Let me know if you have any questions. 

AT Pick UP: 

- In person, require a picture ID where address matches all documents, I will provide the same

- I will have two original copies of the following documents one for each of us, CA DMV Bill of Sale, Standard As Is disclaimer, DMV release form for seller, and the Original Title will be provided to buyer with copy to seller.

- If buyer will REGISTER car in California, the Tags can transfer to buyer and are good until the end of March.  If non-California buyer I will remove the tags.

- Car must pass California Smog, which is my responsibility, if it doesn't pass you don't buy the car. (CA buyers only)

- I will deliver car with a full tank of premium gas and a fresh coat of wax.

- I will provide my maintenance journal with receipts of work done during my ownership

- It is not advisable to drive any OLD car on a long distance trip, if moving car a long distance shipping recommended, which you will need to arrange.

I understand that the Local Pick Up greatly limits prospective buyers and will most likely result in a very good deal for someone, but I must insist on the local pickup.

Please ask any questions prior to bidding if you don't understand anything.  THANK YOU!

Two Updates made to this listing, in both cases I added pictures.  The most recent the vehicle ID plates.

While I failed to exclude bidders who are new to ebay or have zero feedback within my listing.  I am well aware that non-payment on these cars is common on ebay and I would kindly ask that only "serious" buyers place bids, who are able to pick up the car in person.