W116

Mercedes

450 SEL

1976

Incredible condition "barn find"!

This is an amazing and simply gorgeous condition Mercedes 450 SEL that sat in storage for the last 15 years. Finished in Anthracite Grey with black leather interior there is virtually nothing on this example that is not simply immaculate. The best way to describe this S-class is to pretend you are in 1980 and you are buying a well-kept certified 1976 Mercedes from the authorised dealer.

Even though this was a Wisconsin car its whole life, he underside of the car is clean as a whistle. Absolutely without a spec of rust anywhere. Please review the underside pictures to see just how clean this S class is.

The car was owned by 2 meticulous owners who, learly, sed it in clear, arm weather only. When I got the car, e rebuilt the fuel distributor and she fired up like she was started only the week before. I am assuming this was the reason the car was originally "parked". From the moment we started her, verything worked. Even the A/C started blowing cold air! Notwithstanding, e went right thru the car, pdating all services. Everything works as it should and as pictures show, s in immaculate presentation. Mechanically the car is fantastic with no known issues. Just a quick look under the hood is testament to how well this Mercedes was maintained.The mileage of 83,400 is not verifiable but clearly from the condition of the car there can be no question of accuracy. In fact, f someone was to say it had only 40,000 miles, ou would most certainly believe it!

All features and functions work as they should; electric windows, oor locks, antenna, riginal Becker radio, /C, eater, nterior and exterior lights, orn.... the complete list (mind you, he clock has a mind of its own and works when it wants to. Repair is about $200). The car has Euro spec headlights fitted because I deem the US spec ones as simply ugly and beyond redemption!

Body and paint is excellent. Very shiny and consistent with hardly a chip or blemish throughout. The finish is so perfect, cant help but think the car was repainted even though there is no sign of it (looking around the VIN plate and body stickers, here is no mask off lines). Perhaps it was painted just before she went into storage. The wheels and hubcaps are all original and never repainted.All the lenses, ail lights, urn signals, hrome mouldings, ide rubbers, umpers and body finishes are simply in fantastic shape. In particular, he aluminium mouldings that Merecedes used are in great condition, hereas these are typically faded and oxidized.

The interior is an equally stunning aspect of the car with the black leather interior close to perfect. She is in virtually as-new condition with no wear on the seats, arpets or headliner. The leather is like a 5 year old example; I did replace the common occuring collapsed "horse-hair" cushions on the front seats. The rear seat cushion inner is perfect. The dash is excellent but for a crack on the edge of the cluster "hump". The Zebrano wood is beautiful without any fading, ifting or peeling albeit with a few minor hairline cracks (I reiterate "MINOR"). The car has its original factory fitment Becker "Grand Prix" stereo. Have a close look at all the buttons and switch gear; they look like human hands have never touched them. Simply amazing. She also appears to be a non-smoker car, o clean and sweet.

Tyres are period correct Michelin X whitewalls. These look great for showing and are quite acceptable for potting around with decent tread and good ride, ut if you are planning to "drive across the country", ou would be wise to put a new set on as these are at least 15 years old. I think whitewalls set the car off nicely but if you don't like them, ou can simply turn them inside out. Same with the Mercedes mud-flaps. These can easily be removed if they are "not you".The spare tyre is the original factory spare and has NEVER been mounted on the car; still sporting its original Mercedes factory balance weights. Tools and jack or all there.

The cars has all its original books and new purchase invoice from the then authorised dealer; Loeber Motors, n Chicago

Not much more can be said but to invite you to take a close look at the many, any photos of this great Mercedes 450 SEL. Truly an immaculate example, am sure you will agree. Surely amongst one of the better examples available for sale today. A fantastic low-cost classic luxury drive that is show worthy.

This 450 SEL is a stunning example of the W116 model. One of the best years for this model, upreme condition and the perfect colour combination. A rare car for any collection. Have a look at all the pictures and tell me this is not amongst the best examples you have seen!

Please see additional photos at the link below.

Click HERE to see many more additional photos!

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. Although licensed and bonded, am not a main-stream retail car dealer or broker; 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, uctions are not a game so when you place a bid or offer, nd you are the winning bidder, lease 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, ou are doing so to buy WITHOUT conditions. Your bid can not be subject to anything. A $2000.00 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, f all the funds are not received as outlined above, 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, 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, f you change your mind for ANY reason and do not complete the transaction in the time-frame required, ou 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.

As a collector and experienced restorer of a range of classic cars, make every effort to bring my cars to a high standard. By comparison, y cars are generally superior to others available but they are by no means perfect. You must expect some issues. Unless specifically stated, he car is not of show standard but of nice "driver" condition. Please understand, how cars cost hundreds of thousands of dollars to achieve and sell for prices commensurate, o the sale price of this car reflects its relative condition. You are buying "condition" accordingly. Buyers should not expect to receive concours quality or "perfect" cars at these prices. Please also understand it is not always possible to attend to every item, r perhaps I may have inadvertently overlooked items. Further, nd very importantly, hese cars are not new. So this means a 40 year old car is predominantly comprised of 40 year old parts. And old parts will fail. All buyers must understand and expect that things can or will wear out, reak and/or stop functioning without notice. This is even more likely with hand-built English cars of early technology when compared to the typical American car of the same vintage. Suspension and brakes on these cars are complex. We thoroughly check them and replace things that are identified faulty. But please understand, y example; if we change a brake line because it appears aged or faulty, e do NOT at the same time replace all other hoses because they are of similar age. This is considered "preventative maintenance". We do not do this unless specifically requested and is not included in the purchase price. Feel free to ask for this additional service. Further, feature or function that is working perfectly one moment, ay decide to play-up the next. After all, t is some 40 years old. This is the nature of any used car and especially classic European cars. For this reason it is necessary for the following condition:

The vehicle is being sold "as-is/where-is" with no warranty expressed, ritten 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, uthenticity, enuineness, r defects herein and makes no warranty in connection therewith. If any aspect of the description contradicts what can be seen in the photos, hen the photos shall prevail as the reference point. No allowance or set aside will be made on account of any incorrectness, nforeseen imperfection, efect 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, n most US states, he mileage may be recorded as “exempt”. 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, ransportation, r repair after the close of the auction. Whereas I am happy to store the car in excess of 30 days from auction end, cost of $35 per day shall apply beyond 30 days of auction end. Also, ou must remember that this is a 40 year old vehicle, nd while it is up to you, do not recommend that you just “hop in and drive it across the country” until you have familiarised yourself with the car. At least, 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, ONTACT ME BEFORE YOU CONTEMPLATE DOING SO AS, ESPECTFULLY, HERE CAN BE NO EXCEPTIONS.

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

~~oo00oo~~