A friend of mine just purchased a similar car to this Mercedes-Benz R107 chassis convertible, albeit one with exceptionally low mileage and factory original condition. Still, it dawned on me when looking at photos just how attractive the earlier R107s are what with their smaller bumpers and tidier proportions overall, which closely mimicked the European-market versions. Afterwards, U.S.-bound cars became a bit unsightly with their big safety bumpers and other changes. This 1973 Mercedes-Benz 450SL listed here on Facebook Marketplace for $9,995 is described as a barn find that runs on starting fluid.
There’s a reason why so many owners of the 107 chassis cars eventually upgrade to European bumpers – that upgrade alone transforms the car. We get so used to seeing this model come up for sale due to the sheer volume of examples produced that you forget how stunning it was when the classic roadster was introduced. The fact that the hardtop doesn’t match the paint is a distraction, but just imagine this car with some AMG Penta-style wheels, a modest lowering kit, and the hardtop painted to match – it’s absolutely stunning. While the seller is light on details, it does appear that this 450SL has a very clean body.
While sellers like this don’t do themselves any favors with the lack of information provided, the photos help in this case. The interior is in very nice condition for a barn find, and while I’m sure the wood trim is faded up close and there may be a crack or two hiding in the dash, it certainly looks quite clean here. The original Blaupunkt (or similar) radio remains installed, which to me is always one of the clearest indications that a car hasn’t been messed with. I also like seeing the courtesy lighting under the dash still pop on when the door is pulled, as it’s one of the “little” things you won’t have to deal with when the years of barn neglect are dealt with.
A 450SL from 1973 would have brought 190 horsepower to the table via its 4.5L V8, along with 240 lb-ft of torque. These are respectable numbers, and I believe the performance of these earlier models was more in keeping with what you’d expect from a V8-powered luxury two-seater. The malaise years were not kind to the R107, both in terms of looks and performance, so the earlier models have more than a few things going for them. The original books and manuals are also included, which is a nice bonus for the next owner. Thanks to Barn Finds reader Hans H. for the find.
Good looking car and color. The bumpers definitely transform this car. Seller is a little ambitious about the price though. Car doesn’t run and I see rust under mouldings and behind the rear bumper. These R107 cars love to rust. Especially in hidden areas around the A-pillar area below the windshield and into the kick panel area. Nothing more expensive than a cheap R107.
“Nothing more expensive than a cheap R107” Isn’t that the truth! A friend of mine bought one cheaply and everything was great…Until the undisclosed issue popped up.
LS, complete rewire and suspension looked cheaper than the repair bill. The car was sold for next to nothing.
After his experience I don’t even give them a second glance.
I have had dealings with several 107’s and most of them had rust behind the headlights, right at the top as the muddy water from the road gets in and can’t dry out so it just sits there and eats it’s way out!
Why do so many people want to alter something as beautiful as this only to end up with an awful-handling car with a ghetto look? The insurance-companies who forced our government to mandate the 20,000 mph battering ram bumpers are to blame for transforming so many elegant European machines into fugly abominations.
Of course, it is a matter of personal preference. Having owned numerous 107 cars (280SL, 380SL, 560SL) I can say with complete honesty my cars were purchased very reasonably and by simply putting them back to “stock” condition, I was able to turn a profit EVERY time.
Regarding maintenance costs, unless one does his/her own wrench-twisting, these can be money pits. The reward of ownership, though, is having a REAL Benz and not one of the current overpriced, over complicated, squished jellybeans presently being offered by MB. I’m at a point in my life where I could easily afford to buy a new Mercedes but have no desire to so due to their present business practices. It simply makes more sense to drive my F-150 and spend my hard-earned $$ on other cars which are APPRECIATING in value.
Back then when ordering one, the owner could specify a different color roof from the rest of the car (it usually matched either the interior color or wheel color, if it had painted rims.) The fact that this one has a different color roof does not make it worth less, IF provided with the provenance to prove it was born that way. As for these SL’s, yes they can be expensive to repair but they will last forever if maintained properly, they are fun to drive and you will get thumbs up, honked horns and smiles wherever you drive. These were not cheap cars when new and still are not: If you can’t afford the parts and labor, stay away.
I believe that’s vinyl on the top and would cause the color difference.
Dude does not have an exactly stellar rating as a seller on Facebook, fwiw.
Is that a vinyl roof on that thing?
A lot of people liked these–in 1973. Designed during the 1960s, they are now “old cars.” Restoring this one to a reliable driver will be more expensive than finding a better, running, example. Even then, these are big, heavy cars–not really sporty–with a too-small interior. No real fun to drive, more “poser” cars. The only ones worth anything are those with low mileage, and this one has 150,000 behind it. If it were free, it might be worth a gamble, but it’s a long shot.
These cars were meant to be seen in , also nice to sit in but not necessarily to be driven. They would have been chic on Rodeo Drive back in the day.
Some bad comments about rust with these cars and I don’t doubt it but when new or newer these were some solid cars. I used to pick up a doctors and kept it detailed.
The seller has mostly 1-star reviews on FB Marketplace. No thanks.