We just recently featured a pair of R107-series Mercedes-Benz 450SLs, both of which were in need of extensive refurbishment. This gorgeous yellow 1978 example may be a better place to start, with much of the heavy lifting already done, as $10,000 in recent receipts will show. Barn Finds reader Bud Bauer submitted the 450SL seen here, which is a U.S. spec model with under 100,000 original miles. The photo gallery below shows some of the extensive improvements made as well as the included OEM hardtop and stand.
The R107 cars are widely a suitable “starter” classic for an enthusiast looking to get into a European grand tourer that won’t bleed you dry in ownership costs. That said, they can become expensive quickly when bought in project form, so finding an example with at least some work done is a good place to start. This 450SL is wearing either Corn Yellow or Sun Yellow paint (my guess) and yes, corn was an actual name on the color chart. Though I love the classic Bundt wheels, I’d be sorely tempted to upgrade to a set of AMG Penta rollers.
From Bud: This is a two owner non-smoker vehicle that has been in Oklahoma all its life. It has all the service history since day one, along with the original window sticker, manual, tool kit, and first aid kit. In the last six months over $10,000 spent on service and restoration, including New German canvass soft top, genuine parchment leather seats, headrest, and armrest.
Bud also notes the following improvements: New brakes, fuel lines, belts, hoses, A/C compressor that has been updated to run 134 Freon. This is one of the best-documented vehicles that proves mileage is original, and the vehicle is authentic. Hard to deny the level of work performed to improve upon what looks like an already solid car. Bud is happy to answer any questions you may have about this 1978 Mercedes-Benz 450SL, and we want to thank him for using Barn Finds to promote this preserved R107.
Location: Oklahoma City, OK
Asking Price: $16,000
Mileage: 81,280
Title Status: Clear
“Bavarian Cream Pie”. Perfect! Great color, great history, great car…
More like 🍌 cream pie or a Twinkie.
Kudos to the seller for great pictures and detailed info.
I could live without ac for awhile and complete the other work.
If you like the color (which I do) this is a beauty. Price seems reasonable given the amount of work done on it.
Like the color, looks like the one the hottie drove in Caddyshack.
The R107 prices are only going up. Low mile examples are the flavor of the month. Great time to jump into an elevator going up… I would love me a pre’76 C107 though…
Mrs. H’s car. Like the color scheme.
A great car, you could drive it another 200,000 miles if you stay away from road salt. But, due to pollution control systems of the late 70’s not as gutsy as you would think, and not great gas mileage either. Removing them, and putting the engine back to its pre-1967 specs would be illegal, but it would make a big difference. Or, maybe you could update the controls, be legal (except in CA, as one place you could not do it), and get the performance it looks like it could deliver.
Great long term investment!
That is a very clean car in excellent condition. I have always loved these cars. It wasn’t until I was like 40 that I could think about buying one. So I go and look at a few, then I bought one off ebay. It looked great in the pics. When I go to pick it up I see that they pics were taken by a skilled photographer who angled the camera in just a pefect way to hide all the stuff that was wrong with the car. It also only ran on about 4 cylinders. Took me 6 months to get my money back. When I went to look at another one and sat in it. I realized it didn’t fit me, crushing my dreams of driving and owning one. Ended up buying a CLK 320 enjoyed that for a while. Until someone else wrecked it. Grrrrr. The best MB I ever owned though was a 1981 200 euro spec. Awesome car, drove that all over europe.