Topic: Nice 6.9 on BaT

[Harv]

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1978-mercedes-benz-450sel-6-9-11/

[daantjie]

Looks tidy, however I somewhat doubt that mileage reading...

[BCK1963]

Looks indeed nice. I am curious to see the final bid and if it sells.
Besides a couple of minor flaws for which a car of that age cannot be blamed I think that the car sits a hair too low. My car sits higher when being moved. Probably only ca. 2-3 cm, but they make a difference. I have notices that on different sales ad pics and always wonder if photos of these cars must be taken quickly before they go even deeper?!  Maybe my car pumps too high?!
Am I right or wrong?

[raueda1]

5800 rpm tachometer?  I never saw that before.

[daantjie]

Just hamered for 61K, holy cow, I thought it would go for half that

Expect to see a flood of 6.9's on BAT now I'm sure

[rumb]

sweeeeeeet. What is the differential between a 37K miles car and a completely restored one? (with a chin spoiler..)

[raueda1]

sweeeeeeet. What is the differential between a 37K miles car and a completely restored one? (with a chin spoiler..)

Wow!  Yeah, I'm wondering the same.  Mine is certainly in the same league, probably a lot better in fact, and also with chin spoiler.  It's an original euro model with all diddly stuff fixed.  Not de-smogged, it's never-smogged.   And pretty pristine as far as I can tell.  You've driven it.  Maybe this is a new dawn for the 6.9......   

[rumb]

Here's a(nother) low mile 450SEL on BAT. 

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1974-mercedes-benz-450sel-7/

[Nabstud]

sweeeeeeet. What is the differential between a 37K miles car and a completely restored one? (with a chin spoiler..)

They are only original once. A restored one could have been a rust bucket that have been patched and painted, or a good one just freshened up, but the purchaser would never know. The prices for original cars here in aus are always noticeably higher than restored ones. Even original but fair condition cars go for more than fully restored immaculate examples, if you have the right car...

[90077merc]

The last one you posted on BaT has been for sale for long time for around USD$32,000. It’ll be interesting what the final bid is for this lowish mileage car.

[ptashek]

the purchaser would never know

That's why when buying restored one always insists on full photographic documentation of the process.

[raueda1]

Doubtless it has been discussed before, but what's the line between "original" and "restored"?  I find it so baffling. 

Replacing all the panels, respraying and a new interior on a rust bucket seems like an obvious "restore."   But is rebuilding all the mechanicals on a car with a perfect chassis just repairing/maintenance or a restoration?  What about respraying a faded but otherwise original car that has just undergone routine maintenance its whole life?  There seems to be a lot of gray between the black and white.

[Max-NL]

Doubtless it has been discussed before, but what's the line between "original" and "restored"?  I find it so baffling. 

Replacing all the panels, respraying and a new interior on a rust bucket seems like an obvious "restore."   But is rebuilding all the mechanicals on a car with a perfect chassis just repairing/maintenance or a restoration?  What about respraying a faded but otherwise original car that has just undergone routine maintenance its whole life?  There seems to be a lot of gray between the black and white.

IMHO it's only a restoration when one completely strips down the car, repair/replace the panels, rebuild/refurbish the mechanics et cetera. Just like what ptashek has done with Goldie. Anything else is just a refurbishment.

But then is the car still original? The ship of Theseus comes to mind.

[ptashek]

Doubtless it has been discussed before, but what's the line between "original" and "restored"?  I find it so baffling. 

Replacing all the panels, respraying and a new interior on a rust bucket seems like an obvious "restore."   But is rebuilding all the mechanicals on a car with a perfect chassis just repairing/maintenance or a restoration?  What about respraying a faded but otherwise original car that has just undergone routine maintenance its whole life?  There seems to be a lot of gray between the black and white.

There's as many definitions as there's car owners, and if eBay were to set the standard then washing a car before putting it up for sale counts as "nut and bolt restoration" as well

[Nabstud]

IMO whole car paint job is restored. Original paint is only original paint once, rust/panel repairs are ok. That’s why original cars are worth more, trying to find a 40+ year old car with great original paint is often very difficult, and no possible hidden rust etc.

Mechanical items are wear and tear items, as long as numbers match its original.

Only really matters if it’s a concern to the buyer when you sell. Otherwise do what you want to your car and enjoy!