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Mercedes-Benz 450 SL R107 — 1973

One-owner family from new, even though it was originally sold in the USA. Recently brought back to life after several years of garage storage. Roadworthy, well-preserved condition, with good documentation and exempt from inspection under current regulations.

Peter Sundfeldt
Inspector
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Christoffer Ahlborg
Case manager
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"The 1970s and 1980s Sport Leicht roadster offers a great driving feel, even if “sporty” and “light” might not be the first words that come to mind."

COUNTDOWN
CURRENT BID
06 NOV 10:30
176 000SEK
LOT NUMBER
LOCATION
18874
TÅGARP
ESTIMATED VALUE
RESERVE PRICE
170 - 190 000 SEK
Not reached
PLACE YOUR BID (MINIMUM 177 000 SEK)
Non deductable VAT
SEK
Auction fee: 5% or min. 2900 SEK (incl VAT)
BID HISTORY
43156
31 OKT 18:35
176 000 SEK
29576
31 OKT 18:20
75 000 SEK
21243
31 OKT 18:03
1 000 SEK
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Peter Sundfeldt
Inspector
Send message
Christoffer Ahlborg
Case manager
Send message

"The 1970s and 1980s Sport Leicht roadster offers a great driving feel, even if “sporty” and “light” might not be the first words that come to mind."

Description

Grandmother Birgitta, then living in the United States, is said to have received the car as a 50th birthday present from her husband Harry in September 1973. Eventually, their son – the current owners’ father – took over the car, and it was imported to Sweden in 2000. It was carefully used, and the daughters even drove it as their graduation car. They have now inherited the Mercedes and have had it undergo a mechanical inspection after a few years of storage.

The most recent, and thus latest, approved inspection was carried out on July 24, 2025, at 115,540 km. It is unknown whether the odometer was replaced with a recalibrated kilometer unit showing the equivalent mileage when the car was imported.

The documentation, which includes all original books – including the service booklet – as well as the complete original purchase papers, adds an extra touch for any buyer who appreciates a classic car with a well-documented history.

Technical data

  • Year
    1973/1973 
  • Registration date
    2000-07-13 
  • Mileage
    115 541 km 
  • Registration Number
    PBU593 
  • Chassis Number
    10704412008970 
  • Kw / hp
    140 / 190 
  • Fuel Type
    Petrol 
  • Transmission
    Automatic 
  • Interior finish
    Viyl 
  • Colour
    Silver 

Condition

  • Mechanical condition:

    The car has undergone a service that included new spark plugs, a repaired electric window lift, a new cabin fan with connections, controls, and temperature sensor, new radiator hoses, and freed-up brakes prior to inspection. The engine starts easily and has a slightly deeper rumble, which may be due to straighter pipes and a modified muffler. In any case, the sound is neither unpleasant nor excessive. Some of the noise may also come from a minor leak that seals and quiets down as the engine warms up. The date of the last oil service for the engine and transmission is unknown, so this is a recommended action for the new owner.

  • Interior condition:

    The interior feels fresh, along with the soft top headliner, door panels, and carpets. In U.S. specification, the model rarely featured — as is also the case with this example — the small rear seat that was more common on European versions. Mercedes’ distinctive small detachable handle for locking the front of the soft top is missing, but using a screwdriver from the car’s original tool kit, we were able to easily fold and close the top. The unexplained sand found under the soft top cover (see photo) is easy to vacuum away. There is no spare wheel in the trunk.

  • Exterior condition:

    The documentation was done in a persistent and steady drizzle, hence the car’s slightly wet appearance in the photos. The exterior presents well and looks fresh, with nice paint, a good soft top (though the plastic rear window is a bit cloudy), and a rarely used hardtop. It’s a pleasant detail that the car is fitted with steel wheels and stylish hubcaps — alloy “baroque” wheels were probably more common on the U.S. market. Older Michelin tires with acceptable tread depth.

  • General condition:

    Charming history, solid driving feel, and a strong underlying condition after a few years of storage.

MOT (tech. insp.)

Fordonsstatus: Itrafik 2025-07-15
Ursprungsbesiktning: 2000-07-06 (regbes)
Datum i trafik första gången: 2000-07-13 (721130)
Senast godkända besiktning: 2025-07-24
Besiktningsbefriad: Ja
Skattebefriad: Ja
Körförbud: Nej
Antal ägare: 2

Facts about the model

The R107 model was introduced at the Geneva Motor Show in 1971. It was designed at a time when stricter safety regulations from U.S. authorities were expected to spell the end of the open-top car. However, Mercedes engineers built such a robust vehicle that it met the requirements. Internally, the car was nicknamed “Der Panzerwagen” due to its strong construction.

The downside was its heavy weight, and a V8 engine was now required to achieve the same performance as its predecessor, the 280 SL. In March 1973, the U.S.-spec engine was introduced to the European market in the 450 SL. The reason was the increasingly strict emissions standards, and Mercedes engines were among those that lost the most power when fitted with the emission control systems of the time.

In the wake of the oil crisis, the six-cylinder 280 SL was launched in July 1974. In March 1980, new V8 engines from the latest S-Class were introduced, and in September 1985, Mercedes’ oldest model line received its final update. Among other changes, the 280 SL was replaced by the 300 SL, which featured a three-liter six-cylinder engine from the new M103 engine family. Several technical chassis upgrades were also made, including 15-inch wheels and larger brakes.

The R107 was finally retired in 1989 after an 18-year production run, with a total of 237,287 cars built.

Location and viewing Information

Location: skåne

For viewing the vehicle, contact the inspector/case manager:

Peter Sundfeldt
+46 705-38 80 22
peter@bilwebauctions.se

Pick up

Collection must take place before: 2025-11-20.

NOTE! Payment (deposit to our account) must be made within 5 days and before collection.

Auction information

General information about the condition of the vehicles .
  • At this auction, many vehicles have been included in car collections and have been stored (mothballed) for a long time. For this reason, they are described from a collector's perspective and may need technical reviews and maintenance service - oil, battery replacement, new tires, brake review, etc. - before they can be used. .
  • During the auction days information about a vehicle may be updated up to the day before the auction ends. When you bid at the end of the auction period - and also if you have made an earlier bid - we therefore ask you to read the descriptions carefully, in case something has been changed due to new information.
Important to know before placing your bids!
  • Once you have called in an item and the reservation price is reached we want you to deposit the entire purchase amount into our client funds account before retrieval can take place.
  • When you need to retrieve a called in object we want you to examine it carefully. If you consider that the item does not match our description you do not need to complete the purchase. In this case the deposited purchase sum and the entry fee are refunded.
  • If you do not examine the item on the spot the call charge will be debited, but you do not have to complete the deal.
  • If you make the entire purchase exclusively at a distance you have 14 days to cancel, but must return the item at your own expense.
  • Your shipping costs and other costs are not reimbursed when the right of withdrawal is exercised. Swedish court applies.
  • For items that have not been collected within 14 days storage costs may be charged.

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