A really, super clean & highly original W116 450 SEL in amazing condition.

1978 Mercedes-Benz S-Class 450 SEL W116 sedan Description

MercedesBenz

450 SEL

W116

1978

Exquisitely original and impeccable presentation!

This is an amazing and simply gorgeous condition Mercedes 450 SEL that sat in storage for the last 10 years. Finished in Milan Brown (metallic) with Bamboo leather interior, this is truly a very, very beautiful presenting example. A good way to describe this S-class is to pretend you are in 1990 and you are buying a well-kept 1978 Mercedes from the authorised dealer.
This was a Californian car most of its life and then a Texan car for the last 10 years. The underside of the car is clean as a whistle and without a spec of rust anywhere.
The car was owned by 3 apparently meticulous owners who used it lovingly. When we got the car, we replaced the fuel pump, accumulator and filters, and she fired up like she was started only the week before. From the moment we started her, pretty much everything worked. We went right thru the car, updating all services. Everything works as it should and as pictures show, is in wonderful 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.
When I got the car 3 years ago, I fitted the Euro spec bumpers and headlights because I deem the US spec ones as simply ugly and beyond redemption!
I also chased up and purchased a set of new old-stock Michelin X tyres which were standard fitment on the 6.9 and an option for the regular 450. The car could not look more factory with these fitted. The spare tyre, is the factory original and has never been fitted to the car, so is like brand-new.
The infamous white logo mud-flaps were a "must" for me and I too, fitted these. They can be easily removed if you are not into these.
Body and paint is excellent. Very shiny and consistent. There is the odd chip and blemish but overall presents delightfully. I cant help but think the car was repainted even though there is no sign of it (looking around the VIN plate and body stickers, there are no mask off lines).
The interior is an equally stunning aspect of the car with the Bamboo leather interior in excellent shape. She is in beautiful condition with no heavy wear on the seats, carpets or headliner. The leather on the driver seat does have a deep crease on the right side seat cushion bolster but is otherwise good. There also seems to have been a repair in a normally unseen section of the back seat below where your calves would rest (you can only see it if you lay on the back floor). The rear headrests were also professionally installed by me as many Euro cars had these fitted - and I simply like them. The dash is excellent but for a crack on the edge of cluster "hump". The Zebrano wood is beautiful without any fading, lifting or peeling albeit with a few minor hairline cracks (I reiterate "MINOR"). Have a close look at the buttons and switch gear; they look like they are only a few years old. Simply amazing. And, the factory Becker radio is in place. She is also appears to be a non-smoker car so clean and sweet.

The car comes with all hand books and factory plastic sheath with jack and tools.
Not much more can be said but to invite you to take a close look at the many, many photos of this great Mercedes 450 SEL. Please also look at the video I did of her in the separate link. Truly an immaculate example, I am sure you will agree. Surely amongst one of the better examples available for sale today. Not a show car but a fantastic low-cost luxury driver.

This 450 SEL is a stunning example of the W116 model. One of the best years for this model, great condition and the perfect colour combination for a fun summer driver!

Please see additional photos at the links below.
Click HERE to see many more additional photos!

We Ship world-wide so international bidders are always very welcome.

Please click HERE to see Full video!

Click HERE to see many more additional photos!

Please click HERE to see Full video!

**PLEASE read auction terms and conditions below BEFORE bidding.**

~~oo00oo~~

This Mercedes is part of a private collection. Although licensed and bonded, I 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, auctions are not a game so when you place a bid or offer, and you are the winning bidder, please 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, you 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 in full or part are non-refundable. Payments as described above form an important part of this purchase contract and so, if all the funds are not received as outlined above, I 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, I 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, if you change your mind for ANY reason and do not complete the transaction in the time-frame required, you 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, I make every effort to bring my cars to a high standard. By comparison, my cars are generally superior to others available but they are by no means perfect. You must expect some issues. Unless specifically stated, the car is not of show standard but of nice "driver" condition. Please understand, show cars cost hundreds of thousands of dollars to achieve and sell for prices commensurate, so 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, or perhaps I may have inadvertently overlooked items. Further, and very importantly, these 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, break 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, by example; if we change a brake line because it appears aged or faulty, we 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, a feature or function that is working perfectly one moment, may decide to play-up the next. After all, it is some 40 years old. This is the nature of any used car and especially British cars. For this reason it is necessary for the following condition:

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

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

~~oo00oo~~