“Classic cars have been among the best performing collectibles over the past five years.”- Reid Branston, xotic Classics
This vehicle is, n every respect, first of its kind. With a body dubbed by company engineers as the "107," the styling was the beginning of a new and "modern"look for Mercedes, nd it would be seen in all company designs introduced well into the 1980s. (The classic Mercedes SL spanned 18 model years without one body panel change.)
The new SL emphasized horizontal lines, ider stances and lower overall height accentuated with aerodynamically smoothed contours. As it had since the first gullwing 300SL racers of 1952, he "SL" badge designated both Sport and Leicht (Light).
For the first model year only, 972 models were badged as 350SLs in the United States, ven though they were equipped with the larger 4.5-liter, 8 designed specifically for the U.S. (The designation was changed to "450SL" beginning with 1973 models.) Though all U.S. 107s had a 3-speed automatic transmission, nly 1972 -73 models were equipped with the smaller bumpers. (Ref.)
(Photo: MercedesHeritage.com)
According to Roy Spencer ofMercedesHeritage.com, his model is "the next collectible SL." Until January 20, 008, had never seen one. Remember, he 1972 US 350SL actually carried a 4.5 liter engine and was never offered with a manual gearbox here. How many [1972s] can be in the United States? Perhaps 100. How many 4 speeds? Maybe 50.
Reid Branston, xotic Classics, yosset, ong Island, ew York
Just ask Reid Branston, on of NY-based Exotic Classics' owner Will Branston, ho said on CNBC's "Secret Lives of the Super Rich" (Episode 406) that, Classic cars have been among the best performing collectibles over the past five years." With investment potential ranging anywhere from 200% to 400%, he classic cars sector easily glides past its competition on Wall Street, ll the way to the finish line. While the earliest versions of SL bodies were made of aluminum, ll the 1972 through 1989 models were made of sheet metal and were comprised of a unibody construction. They were all a two-seater, oft-top convertible, ith removable hardtop and optional rear foldable, jump" seats. (Ref.) It comes as no surprise, nfortunately, hat like every hero ever written into classic literature, he 1972 350SL had its tragic flaw: poor rust resistance, quality shared by all of the first 107s in both the United States and Europe.
This vehicle has power. I purchased her "very used" in 1996. (The condition is actually a bit less than "good," but much better than "fair.") She's had at least three prior owners, he last two of which invested no small fortune replacing and repairing much of the rust damage to the floors of both the internal cabin and a portion of the trunk. (The vehicle was garage-stored for at least the last 26 years,) In 1999, he was stripped to bare metal, rimed and painted with 6 coats. The same year, ew aluminum hubs were installed, nd the rag top was replaced.
Having been stored in my garage for most of the past five years, he vehicle required new anti-freeze, new battery, ater pump, uel injector relay and state vehicle inspection (now current through August 2016), hichis monitored by the Virginia State Police. (Therefore, his vehicle is safe to drive and all required mechanical and electrical systems are functioning properly.) There are a few paint blisters at the very front of the hood above driver's-side headlamps (visible in main image) and in the rear, ust inside where the hardtop rests (see photo on external images page, inked below); undoubtedly from having been stored for so many years in a humid environment with the hardtop on.
During a previous auction, ne member inquired about functionality of the air conditioning system. Though our mechanic verified the compressor system to be in good working condition when purchased, he fan motor was never replaced, ince I only drove her without a top and have never needed to use it.
Pricing on this vehicle is based on the very limited availability of these first-year 450-SLs, ts present condition, nique class position and the possibility some enthusiasts may be interested in purchasing it either for restoration or parts. Price has been set at the lowest our mechanic feels she should be sold for. Images show vehicle exactly "as is," because no attempt was made to alter or improve the appearance for this sale. (For additional and/or updated images, lease click here.)
[NB: Factory maintenance/owner's manuals for this vehicle are currently available for purchase on ebay.]
Additional References
http://www.americorps.ch/1972MB450SL.php (Complete series of vehicle images.)
http://www.mercedesheritage.com/2009/07/looking-for-the-next-collectible-sl/
http://www.classiccarstodayonline.com/2012/08/22/the-classic-1972-1989-mercedes-sl-spanned-18-model-years-without-one-body-panel-change/
https://www.hagerty.com/price-guide/1972-Mercedes~Benz-350SL
http://www.edmunds.com/mercedes-benz/sl-class/history.html
http://blog.classiccars.com/mercedes-benz-350sl/
http://www.cnbc.com/live-tv/secret-lives-of-the-super-rich/full-episode/a-royal-mega-home-60000-dogs/428280899961(Originally aired on 04-14-2015.)
http://www.exoticclassics.com/
* One of this vehicle's long-time mechanics thinks the odometer may have "turned over," (but only once).
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