Low 43,000 mile 450 SEL W116 ~ VERY nice, but in need of some restoration.

Price: - Item location: Crystal Lake, Illinois, United States

Description:

1978 Mercedes-Benz S-Class 450 SEL

Mercedes

450 SEL

W116

1978

Old "barn find"

This is a low mileage ~ 43,000 ~ Mercedes 450 SEL that has been laid away for many years and not used.

It has all the hall marks of a rarely used car but unfortunately, she was not stored well and the tolls of nature show where they have been.

The paint has crazed and there are some rust issues underneath. Rest assured however, she is not a "rust bucket" perse, but a car that has developed scale and rust from sitting in a non-climate controlled environment. I have photographed all the major areas (Please ensure you click on the "extra photos" link below). You can tell the rust is not from salty road use, by areas such as the trunk floor wells which are not rusted out and in fact very clean. These are areas that tend to rust first when the car is used on snowy/salty roads. Front floor wells are good as appear are all the doors, fenders and quarters. (These are all photographed)

The interior is in very good condition with an excellent condition dash pad, door panels, wood-work, headlining and general finishers. The leather is in stunning condition but only for the back seat cushion which has collapsed "horse-hair" and the leather is split in one pleated section. The front seats are pretty much superb with good leather and firm padding.

Mechanically, the car will need going over for sitting. A new fuel accumulator was fitted, gas tank drained and fuel distributor rebuilt so as to proof up the engine and start up, but the new owner will need to go thru her; tuning, servicing (possibly a set of injectors) and bring all maintenance up to date to include brakes.

Similarly, operational features such as AC, electric windows, central locking and other items will need to be serviced.

Paint wise, she looks shiny and presents good from 15 feet, but close up, the paint has crazed on the top surfaces. Perhaps a really good wet-sand, buff, polish and detail will bring her up better.

Chrome and finishes around the car present well but for heavy oxidization of the rear bumper support. Remaining bright work and glass is very good.

With 450 SELs getting hard to find these days, this example provides for a good starting point for a restoration. Spend the time and resources to get yourself a good example which in top condition, are now fetching some $20,000+ these days.

Park-Ward Motors is America's leading classic Rolls-Royce restorer and seller world-wide. With our Rolls-Royces, every example offered for sale is fully work-shopped and anything needing doing is attended to. This is done within our 25,000 sqft facilities by trained English car mechanics. As this example is NOT considered "our business", we will NOT being doing so and as such, the car is being sold strictly AS-IS with absolutely no guarantees or warranties. So if you are unsure about the car, come and inspect it, have it inspected or simply do not bid. We have a stellar feedback and do not want it marred as a result of the sale of a no reserve sale of a "cheap" Mercedes.

Please click on this link below to see many additional photos including underside pix showing scale and rust areas. They are all in high resolution so you can zoom in and see everything in detail right down to the slightest imperfections.

Click HERE to see many more additional photos!

**PLEASE read auction terms and conditions below BEFORE bidding.**

~~oo00oo~~

This Mercedes is part of a private collection. I am a professional car collector of some 30 years with considerable experience and knowledge of British cars. I have a long standing reputation being associated with the Rolls-Royce marque which I take seriously. I take pride in my cars and have fun in collecting and restoring them. However, auctions are not a game so when you place a bid or offer, and you are the winning bidder, please understand you have entered a binding contract. You cannot bid and win the auction and expect not to meet the terms and conditions. Bidding and/or winning does not mean you are expecting me to "hold" the car until you have the opportunity to inspect it. Any inspection contemplated should be undertaken BEFORE you bid or make an offer and I openly welcome any potential buyer to come and personally inspect the car. Once you bid or make an offer, you are doing so to buy WITHOUT conditions. Your bid can not be subject to anything. A $1500.00 deposit (non-refundable) is required within 24 hours of the close of the auction and payable by PayPal. The balance of funds are required within 7 days of the close of the auction and must be provided by cashier's check or bank wire. I cannot accept PayPal for the balance unless you are willing to meet the cost of transfer fees. Full payment must be made (and payments cleared) before the title and/or the vehicle is released. All payments are non-refundable. Payments as described above form an important part of this purchase contract and so, if all the funds are not received as outlined above, I reserve the right to terminate the transaction without notice. If there has been any deposit or other part payments received and I elect to terminate the contract, I reserve the right to keep any such deposits or payments and resell the vehicle to another bidder or interested party or re-list the vehicle at any time. To be clear, if you change your mind for ANY reason and do not complete the transaction in the time-frame required, you will forfeit your deposit. I am happy to assist with shipping arrangements on a national and worldwide basis but the winning bidder takes full responsibility for pickup and/or shipping and at his cost.

The vehicle is being sold "as-is/where-is" with no warranty expressed, written or implied. Any descriptions or representations are made with reasonable judgment and all efforts are made to ensure fair assessment and accuracy but they are for descriptive and identification purposes only and are not to be construed as a warranty of any type. The seller shall not be responsible for errors in description, authenticity, genuineness, or defects herein and makes no warranty in connection therewith. If any aspect of the description contradicts what can be seen in the photos, then the photos shall prevail as the reference point. No allowance or set aside will be made on account of any incorrectness, unforeseen imperfection, defect or damage. It is the responsibility of the buyer to have satisfied himself as to the condition and value and to bid based upon that judgment solely. The seller shall and will make every reasonable effort to disclose any known defects at the buyer's request prior to the close of the auction. Seller assumes no responsibility for any repairs regardless of any written or oral statements about the vehicle. Being a classic car in excess of 10 years of age, in most US states, the mileage may be recorded as "exemptâ€. In this regard the seller makes no warranties as to the accuracy of the mileage indicated or shown. I can hold the vehicle up to 30 days while you arrange shipping but you must immediately insure it. I will not bear any responsibility for any additional costs including storage, transportation, or repair after the close of the auction. Whereas I am happy to store the car in excess of 30 days from auction end, a cost of $35 per day shall apply beyond 30 days of auction end. Also, you must remember that this is a 40 year old vehicle, and while it is up to you, I do not recommend that you just "hop in and drive it across the country" until you have familiarised yourself with the car. At least, I have never done that. I have always professionally transported the cars in enclosed carriers from where I bought them to my home.

PLEASE; IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO ABIDE BY THESE TERMS, CONTACT ME BEFORE YOU CONTEMPLATE DOING SO AS, RESPECTFULLY, THERE CAN BE NO EXCEPTIONS.

I am sorry if these terms seem harsh but there seem to be some very unrealistic buyers out there - fortunately, only few of these people exist but those that do can make life difficult, so it appears EVERYTHING needs to spelled out. Very simply put, this is an old car being offered for sale. It is not new and is subject to the perils of age. Further, old Benzes are not without nuances, idiosyncrasies and they are renown for a host of design issues which can make them not inexpensive to maintain. So, please respect the terms and conditions when you bid.

~~oo00oo~~

Vehicle Details:

Condition: Used
Make: Mercedes-Benz
Model: S-Class
SubModel: 450 SEL W116 (long wheel base)
Type: Sedan
Trim: 450 SEL
Year: 1978
Mileage: 43,000
VIN: W11603312082298
Color: White
Engine size: 4.5 Litre Mercedes Benz V8
Number of cylinders: 8
Power options: Air Conditioning, Cruise Control, Power Locks, Power Windows, Power Seats
Fuel: Gasoline
Transmission: Automatic
Drive type: RWD
Interior color: Biscuit (honey tan)
Drive side: Left-hand drive
Options: Leather Seats, Sunroof
Vehicle Title: Clear

Want to buy? Contact seller!