Mercedes Benz
450SEL
W116
1979
Very original presenting, darling example of a W116 450 SEL sedan!
This is a truly lovely Euro spec Mercedes 450SEL sedan. Finished in “Dark-Blue” non-metallic (code: 904) with the rare cream Mercedes velour seats, the car presents in stunning and certainly way, way above average condition.
The most welcomed aspect to these Euro spec cars is the streamlined bumpers and rectangular headlights which are indeed a great welcome over the very obtrusive (and ugly) North American type bumpers and silly (and even more ugly) round headlights.
This 450 was personally imported by an “H. Fictenbaum” in the 1980s but we do not have actual dates. The car resided in California then owned by a Mercedes enthusiast in Texas for the last 10 years. The car is without any rust anywhere, including the underside which is entirely scale free.
The car has had 2 US owners (first in California and then Texas) who added most of the modest mileage as a town commuter. Recently serviced and all in working order. Mechanically the car is in top shape with no known issues. Just a quick look under the hood is testament to how well this Mercedes has been maintained. All windows work, sunroof, vacuum door-locks, AC is ice cold…. she’s ready to go.
Body and paint is excellent. The car is accident free and the paint appears to be mostly original but for the left rear door (but only above the moulding and below the body-line so a small touch-up of some sort). It is very shiny and consistent with only minor chips here and there but nothing glaringly so. There is no crazing or cracks in the paint. Under the engine bay, the factory paint is excellent and the radiator support panel is all original (on repaired cars the engine bay decals are either missing or you can see paint mask-off around them – there is none of this). All body chrome, aluminium and finishers are in excellent presentation. The egg-crate plastic grill insert is NOT all “crumbly” as they often become. The taillights are very clean with the clear reverse lights not yellowing as often seen. All rubbers on the bumpers and around the car are excellent but the windshield seal currently needs replacing. I have the new seal and this will be done as part of the sale.
The interior is in superb condition. She is in great shape with no unsightly wear on the seats, carpets or headliner. This is very rare to see with the velour option as you quite often see them in very grubby condition with squab bolsters ripped and torn. From what we can tell, the car had sheepskin seat covers fitted which protected them. The back seat has a couple of noticeable stains on the cushion which we have not attempted to remove to avoid risking making it worse. Perhaps an experienced cloth interior specialists can offer the right advice. The seats themselves are in excellent condition without any degradation of the “horse-hair” padding nor the spring bases. With the exception of the rear seat stain, the velour seating and ribbed velour door panels are in almost perfect condition to the extent you would think it was brand new. It is not and indeed all original. There is none of the “sun-burning” you can often see on the top of the door panels or vinyl roof-panels.
The dash does NOT have a single crack and is truly factory perfect.
The wood on the dash is excellent whilst the centre console has no fading but a very small amount of clear cracking at the power window switches. Have a close look at the buttons and switch gear; they are all in good condition. Even the gauge needles are their correct orange colour as opposed to the yellow they often fade to. The car sports its original Becker radio currently not fitted but comes with the car.
Being a Euro spec SEL, the car comes with the factory rear seat headrests which are adjustable.
The trunk is super clean with its original carpet and additional rubber mat in good condition. The spare tyre is the factory original and has never been installed. The original tool bag comes with the car along with the jack.
She is also a non-smoker car so clean and sweet.
The car presents with all its original features; electric windows, door locks, antenna, original Becker radio, A/C, heater, interior and exterior lights.
Tyres are brand new, fitted on original MB alloy wheels. I recently had the wheels sand-blasted and powder coated before fitting the new tyres. A set of Mercedes mud-flaps with white logos finish off the rear of the car nicely, I think. These can easily be removed if they are “not you”.
Mechanically, the car is very strong. She starts without hesitation, idles well in both cold & hot, doesn’t blow any smoke, accelerates with good power, drives smooth without any bumps nor rattles, changes gears on call & smoothly and stops straight & sure. She simply drives as a Mercedes W116 should. She has all the hallmarks of a well-maintained Mercedes Benz with signature signs like a near new factory distributor cap and ignition wires. If you look closely, you will see the vacuum valve body that controls the climate control and door locks is near new.
Given the overall condition, there really can be no question of the 74,000 miles. Just look at the steering wheel and you can make that assessment easily. On high mileage cars the steering wheel becomes worn and smooth and finish. This car displays the full faux leather grain and texture that ONLY a low mileage car has. Simply gorgeous.
Not much more can be said but to invite you to take a close look at the many, many photos of this great Mercedes 450SEL sedan. Truly in excellent condition, not a show-car but very close and a beautiful example nonetheless. Surely amongst one of the better examples available for sale today.
Price: $40,000
More info: Listing has ended. Click to search on eBay for similar 1979 Mercedes-Benz 450 (Affiliate link)
Seller's other items: luxurynsports
Location: Crystal Lake, Illinois, United States
