1975 450SEL Euro named "Avocado". Celebrate the patina.

[Hotbasco]

Purchased this W116 in Florida. Primary daily for two sons to drive back and forth to High School.

Dark Olive over Green Velour interior. A German couple brought this example into the USA for it to be used during their short stays in SWFL. Proper FL title. Two build sheets and well cared for. with lot's of service records from German specialists in Bad Homburg. US service by Indy shops.

THIS CAR IS SOOOOO SEVENTIES...its cool. Green velour interior in unbelievably good condition.
Drives well. Going through mechanicals now and evaluating service needs. There is a lot of deferred maintenance, cleaning and preservation ahead. Limited rust areas to be addressed.

It will continue to be a driver. WE PLAN TO CELEBRATE THE PATINA!
Enjoy the green!

http://s902.photobucket.com/user/mariottimichael/library/

[s class]

Damn gorgeous.  Hang onto it, an early D-jet euro will be very lively when sorted out.

[Hotbasco]

Agreed. After some rudimentary maintenance of engine flushes, injector and valve cleaning the motor REALLY CAME ALIVE!
It only gets better age.... Valve adjustment and timing chain replacement being done now to protect her for many more years.

Looking forward to getting past the mechanical maintenance and on to the cosmetics.

[slfan]

Beautiful Moss Green Velour interior.  Hope your children take good care of it.  Congratulations.

[Harv]

What a looker. Great find.

[Hotbasco]

Thanks for the compliments.  We have received lots of help from this site, Mercedes experts such as Joe Carrcilo, Tom Brown (Monterrey Mercedes), Pierre Hedary and the Classic Center (parts).

Updated photos are now on photo bucket... shows fairly well after a little bit of polishing. The list of work that has been done is lengthy. Avocado is a strong driver (valves and timing chain), safe (brakes & seat belts) and comfortable (A/C and Michelins).   

I'm not sure how to insert a link... but I'm willing to try:

<iframe width="480" height="360" src="http://s902.photobucket.com/user/mariottimichael/embed/slideshow/450SEL%20Euro%20Driver"></iframe>

Enjoy your classic cars. They won't ever be made this way again.

[ptashek]

She's looking great!
One interesting detail I've noticed on your data card - the car came with Veith tires from factory. Veith-Gummiwerke GmbH was a German tire manufacturer, eventually bought out by Pirelli in the 1980s. I thought all W116s came with Michelin tires from factory, without exception. The thing one learns on this site

And to answer your question on pricing from another thread - if memory serves, the estimated value for a "Conditon 1" 450SEL was around 24000EUR in 2013.
Condition definitions are avaialble online: http://magazin.mercedes-benz-classic.com/gallery/01-2013/pdf/purchasing-advice_w116_conditions.pdf
Source article, without 6.9 and 300SD pricing, in German: http://magazin.mercedes-benz-classic.com/gallery/01-2013/flipbook-de/files/assets/basic-html/page34.html

The article mentions that a SEL model is estimated to fetch about 5% more than its SE equivalent.

There's also a nice "web special" article on the S-Class at https://www.mercedes-benz.com/en/mercedes-benz/classic/advanced-culture-in-the-s-class/

[Hotbasco]

Much more mechanical and cosmetic preservation has been undertaken. Currently replacing the radiator, thermostat and hoses on the front end. Perhaps Avocado will run a little cooler now that the leaking rad has been removed.

http://s902.photobucket.com/user/mariottimichael/library/450SEL%20Euro%20Driver

Avocado was recently invited to show at LAKE MIRROR CLASSIC car show; a preparatory event for the AMELIA ISLAND CONCOURS D'ELEGANCE.

[w116john]

thats a great looking car, enjoy

lukas my 76 450 came with veith tyres as well

john

[floyd111]

What did you do with the radiator? refurbushed the OEM, bought aftermarket or NOS?

[Hotbasco]

Re-cored original BEHR radiator.

[Hotbasco]

Refreshed fan while it was out. Blue tape is to guide bolt replacement. Which I still got wrong!

[floyd111]

I so love that re-cored Behr!

[Hotbasco]

:-)  Agreed. I prefer ORIGINAL.  It is consistent "patina" to the rest of the car.

Although the heavy-duty paint job they gave it could have been much better...

[floyd111]

Wondering.. is it possible that some developed countries simply have no companies doing re-cores? In Taiwan, everyone always buys everything new. Would not be surprised if I end up having to ship Behrs abroad for re-coring..