Crazy nice 450SEL on eBay

[Harv]

Damn. https://www.ebay.com/itm/1973-Mercedes-Benz-400-Series/142687418975?hash=item2138d53a5f:g:ZkIAAOSwH1NZgi3d&vxp=mtr

[daantjie]

Looks like one that was on BAT recently.

[UTn_boy]

U.S cars just aren't ready for his level of sale price.  We all know we couldn't make a 450sel this nice for 18k but at this point in time, it's still only a 5-8k car in the U.S., a 10k-12k car in Europe, and a 18k-20k car in Australia. 

[marku]

Classic Mercedes here list prices from £10K - £60K and now getting more serious attention. Not seen the top price but a 6.9 here was auctioned for £40K. Car looks very good and I know red and grey is almost classic MB but why does it not work here?

[ptashek]

At 14k EUR + another 2k - 3k for transport, I'd say it won't be long before it crosses the ocean.

[Harv]

U.S cars just aren't ready for his level of sale price.  We all know we couldn't make a 450sel this nice for 18k but at this point in time, it's still only a 5-8k car in the U.S., a 10k-12k car in Europe, and a 18k-20k car in Australia.

How about a one for $42,800? 

https://copleymotorcars.com/?showroom=1974-mercedes-benz-450sel

[rumb]

sorry for being petty, but for $42K they should spend the $10 for the clip instead of the zip ties.

[nathan]

add to that Rumb,

why is the centre console lifted around the gear shifter,
what is with that strange wood grain pattern?
why is there a black coolant expansion tank pic, and its the regular clear/white in the pic you had Rum?

nice car. red interior in 116s seemed quite uncommon!

probably a 20k or so car here in Au

[UTn_boy]

U.S cars just aren't ready for his level of sale price.  We all know we couldn't make a 450sel this nice for 18k but at this point in time, it's still only a 5-8k car in the U.S., a 10k-12k car in Europe, and a 18k-20k car in Australia.

How about a one for $42,800? 

https://copleymotorcars.com/?showroom=1974-mercedes-benz-450sel

Haha.  What a joke.  It's out west, and it's at a car boutique?!  What a preposterous idea.  No wonder they're asking that amount for it.  They have no idea what they are doing. haha.  This is definitely one for the records. 

[UTn_boy]

add to that Rumb,

why is the centre console lifted around the gear shifter,
what is with that strange wood grain pattern?
why is there a black coolant expansion tank pic, and its the regular clear/white in the pic you had Rum?

nice car. red interior in 116s seemed quite uncommon!

probably a 20k or so car here in Au

Nathan, the center console is likely lifted because the clips that hold them in usually break. 

The wood veneer is correct.  Up to 1974 all early cars had the option of Zebra wood, Macassar Ebony, Burled walnut, and Brazilian Rosewood.  Typically, certain color interiors came with certain wood species.  Red interiors always came with Macassar Ebony, as did black interiors.  Early blue interiors came with Brazilian rosewood.  It's just how things were done before they restricted the options to only zebra wood and burled walnut. 

[s class]

Nathan, two different cars.  The anthracite/red car has the black expansion tank which is correct for a '73, and the green/green car has the plastic expansion tank.

[nathan]

Thanks S Class, I didnt realise the two were different cars! my colour perception is, shall we say, dubious.

UTN, cheers, I was being a bit cheeky with the rhetorical questions re the console.  as Rum said, if you are charging 40k for a non 6.9, it better be pretty tidy without such issues as a busted console!  I have personally never seen this colour wood before, ever.  If its only with red interior cars that would explain it, but we never got that type of wood in the mass market of Australia.

[TJ 450]

The 1973 cars may never have made it to Australia, I'm not entirely sure. The wood looks like an intermediate between the W108/9 and later 116s. Maybe some research is required.

Tim

[UTn_boy]

The 1973 cars may never have made it to Australia, I'm not entirely sure. The wood looks like an intermediate between the W108/9 and later 116s. Maybe some research is required.

Tim

There is no research that is required.  It's just simple fact that the early W116 cars had two additional options for wood.  The Macassar Ebony wasn't reserved just for cars with red interiors.  It was an option for all models.  However, if a car was ordered with a certain color interior, and no mention was made about what type of wood veneer to use, then by default the factory would use the veneer that was set forth according to the interior appointments book.  Most people can't tell the difference between Brazilian Rosewood and Zebra wood, and the other two species available, Macassar Ebony and Burled Walnut, were supplied with certain interior colors or upon request.  Later this evening I'll post a picture of the page out of the interior appointments book that backs up what I'm trying to say.  Wood species wasn't market specific byu any means.