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1978 Mercedes-Benz 450 SL

$18,395

Vehicle Details

Make

Mercedes-Benz

Model

450 SL

Year

1978

Mileage

134,196 miles

VIN

AMS33462

Body Type

Convertible

Transmission

Automatic

Fuel Type

Gasoline

Engine

4520cc/180hp

Description

1978 Mercedes-Benz 450SL Convertible 8-cyl. 4520cc/180hp Bosch FI 2 door roadster 134,196 Miles (odometer not accurate) Cream with tan leather Black hard top/dark brown soft top Vehicle Story: I purchased this '78 Mercedes convertible at the 2021 Mecum auction in Chattanooga, TN. Since then, it has been garage kept and driven lightly. I have taken it on two 'road trips' - the first a 2 hour drive, the second a 5 hour drive.

I have never had any issues out of this vehicle. It has not broken down, stalled, etc. Admittedly, I am not very knowledgeable about classic cars, as this is my first. That being said I'll be as transparent as I can about what's good and what's bad.

Since it was purchased at an auction, I didn't have the opportunity to question the seller about its history. If you're interested, I encourage you to do your due diligence inspecting the vehicle before you buy. WHAT'S GOOD It runs great and drives like a sports car - lots of power! The exterior is in good shape - a few minor scuffs only noticeable close up.

Black hard top in good shape. Dark brown soft top is in excellent shape - it almost looks new (and it may be). Interior is in good shape, there are a few places where the leather is worn but not ripped.

Power windows work. I believe this vehicle to be in original condition with exception of after market stereo. All original manuals are present. WHATS BAD The odometer is not accurate. When I purchased the vehicle the odometer read 134,196 and it has never moved.

Granted, I've probably only put 1,500 miles on it since I purchased it but I don't know when it stopped working. The air conditioner does not work, nor have I attempted to fix it. There is a draw on the battery that I do not know the source of.

My father installed a quick connect/disconnect lever to the battery, so if I know the vehicle is going to sit for awhile I just disconnect the battery so it doesn't drain completely. Stereo needs new antenna.

Classic Mercedes-Benz 450 SL Buyer's Guide

Full guide

Sarah Whitfield

Pre-War Classics

1973–1980

~5 min read

Updated Apr 2026

Definitive buyer's guide for the Mercedes-Benz 450 SL (R107) 1973-1980. Rust hotspots, M117 V8 maintenance, hardtop roof storage, and current market pricing for survivors and restorations.

This guide covers

✓ 10-point inspection checklist

✓ Common issues & what to avoid

✓ In-person inspection guide

✓ Market pricing by year & condition

✓ 5 FAQs answered

✓ History & fun facts

Read the Full 450 SL Buyer's Guide

Mercedes-Benz 450 SL Market Overview

Based on 55 Mercedes-Benz 450 SL listings currently on ClassicCarsArena.com

Listed Now

$17,289

Avg. Asking Price

1972–1980

Year Range

Price Position on Our Site — Average Range

This car: $18,395

Low: $7,495 High: $35,495

Transmission Distribution

Automatic 71% ◄

Condition Distribution

Excellent 7%

Good 16%

Fair 2%

Poor 4%

Data from ClassicCarsArena.com listings Browse all 55 listings →

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Classic Mercedes-Benz 450 SL Buyer's Guide

The Mercedes-Benz 450 SL is the highest-volume variant of the legendary R107 SL platform, which ran from 1971 through 1989 — the longest production run of any Mercedes-Benz body style ever. Built with the over-engineered standards that defined Stuttgart in its golden era, the 450 SL combined the 4.5L V8 with the unmistakable convertible roadster silhouette and a build quality that has allowed many of these cars to survive in remarkable condition fifty years on. For collectors entering the SL market today, the 450 SL represents the most accessible entry into proper R107 ownership — and the smart-money buy when patience and proper inspection guide the purchase decision.

What to Check Before Buying

✓

Order Mercedes-Benz Classic Center Data Card ($80-$150) — Available from MB Classic Center via chassis number. Confirms original engine, color, options, delivery destination.

✓

Verify both soft top and hardtop present — Original matching-numbers hardtop adds 10-15% value. Cars missing hardtop are dramatically less desirable.

✓

Inspect jacking points under rocker panels — Four steel-reinforced points. Critical structural rust point. Rust here = $2,500-$6,000 repair.

✓

Magnet test rear quarter panels — Body filler is non-magnetic. Driver-quality cars universally have filler — verify how much before purchase.

✓

Lift trunk mat and inspect trunk floor — Trunk floor and spare tire well rot from underneath. Standard rust point on neglected cars.

✓

Inspect windshield surround at cowl — From inside cabin. Rust here causes water leaks that rot dashboard wood and electrical components.

✓

Test all climate control functions — Heat, A/C, defrost, mode selector. Vacuum-actuated system fails expensively. $2,500-$5,000 for proper repair.

✓

Check rear suspension subframe bushings — From underneath. Collapsed bushings cause launch clunking. $1,500-$3,000 to replace properly.

✓

Compression test all eight cylinders — M117 V8 should read 145-180 PSI uniformly. Variance >15% = head gasket or worn rings.

✓

Verify K-Jetronic fuel injection function — Bosch mechanical injection works well when serviced. Failed fuel distributor = $2,500-$4,500 to replace.

Common Issues

R107 rust follows predictable patterns. The jacking points (under the rocker panels at front and rear), the rear quarter panels (lower section behind the rear wheels), the trunk floor, the front fender behind the front wheels, the windshield surround at the cowl, and the rear wheel arches are all standard rust zones. The unibody construction means rust here isn't merely cosmetic — proper repair requires careful welding and is expensive. Mechanically, the M117 4.5L V8 is among the most over-engineered V8s Mercedes ever produced. Cast iron block, aluminum heads, mechanical Bosch K-Jetronic fuel injection, and timing chain (not belt) for primary drive. The engine commonly exceeds 250,000 miles when properly serviced. Common issues include timing chain stretch (replace at 100,000-150,000 mile intervals), valve stem seal leaks (causing morning oil-burn smoke), and Bosch K-Jet fuel distributor failures ($2,500-$4,500 to replace properly). The 3-speed automatic (1973-1976) and 4-speed automatic (1977-1980) are both robust but require regular fluid changes. The rear suspension subframe bushings collapse over time and cause clunking on launch — a $1,500-$3,000 repair. Vacuum systems control everything from door locks to climate to throttle linkage, and 50-year-old vacuum lines crack everywhere — budget $800-$2,000 for complete vacuum line replacement on any neglected car.

What to Look For

The Mercedes-Benz Classic Center (in Long Beach, California) maintains original production records and can issue a Data Card ($80-$150) confirming the original specification of any 450 SL: chassis number, engine number, paint code, interior code, options, and delivery destination. For any 450 SL priced over $30,000, the Data Card is recommended documentation. Rust inspection is the first non-negotiable. Lift the car on a hoist or use jack stands and inspect the jacking points (the four steel reinforced points where the factory jack attaches). Inspect the rear quarter panels with strong light and a magnet — body filler over rust is universal on driver-quality cars. Lift the trunk mat and inspect the trunk floor and the spare tire well. Inspect the windshield surround at the cowl from inside the cabin — rust here causes water leaks that rot the dashboard. Engine and transmission verification: the M117 V8 engine number is stamped on a flat pad on the driver-side of the block (passenger side on RHD cars). The transmission number is on a tag attached to the case. Cross-reference both against the Data Card. Hardtop condition is unique to R107 ownership. The 450 SL came standard with both a soft top (cloth convertible top) and a removable hardtop (steel structure with rear glass). The hardtop is critical to winter weather use and adds 10-15% value when present and original. Verify the hardtop fits properly, the rear glass is original (Sigla glass with date code), and the headliner inside the hardtop is intact. Electrical audit: test every gauge, every switch, every climate function. The R107 climate control system is notoriously complex — vacuum-actuated heater valves, electrically-actuated mode doors, and a two-zone temperature regulation that fails expensively. Budget $1,500-$3,500 for proper climate system service on any car older than 40 years.

Price Guide

1973-1976 450 SL cars (early R107) are the most desirable era. Driver-quality 1973-1975 cars run $22,000-$38,000. 1973 was the federalized launch year and US-market cars from this period have unique 5-mph bumpers in less-attractive forms. 1975-1976 cars with refined interior trim are the sweet spot at $25,000-$42,000 for solid drivers. 1977-1980 450 SL cars saw the introduction of the more sophisticated 4-speed automatic (1977+) and updated emissions equipment that slightly reduced output. Driver-quality cars from this era run $20,000-$35,000. The 1980 model year is the final year of the 450 SL designation in US markets — the 1981 cars switched to the 380 SL (3.8L V8) due to federal fuel-economy regulations. Documented original-paint, low-mileage, two-owner cars are now bringing significant premium pricing. Concours-grade restored 1973-1975 450 SLs trade for $45,000-$75,000. Documented sub-30,000-mile original cars in time-warp condition: $55,000-$95,000. Project cars (running but rough) start around $8,000-$15,000. Stripped roller candidates can be had for $3,500-$8,000, but rust restoration on an R107 typically runs $15,000-$35,000 in body and structural repair alone before paint. Buy finished cars from competent specialists.

Did You Know?

The R107 SL platform launched in 1971 and ran continuously through 1989 — eighteen production years and over 237,000 units across all variants (350 SL, 380 SL, 420 SL, 450 SL, 500 SL, 560 SL). It is the single longest production run of any Mercedes-Benz body style ever produced. The 1973 launch year of the 450 SL in the US market was specifically designed to comply with the new 5-mph bumper regulations (FMVSS 215) that took effect for 1973 model year vehicles. Mercedes-Benz designed unique reinforced bumpers for US-market R107 cars that distinguish them visually from European-market "Euro-spec" cars (which retained the slimmer original bumpers throughout the production run). The M117 V8 engine that powered the 450 SL was developed as Mercedes-Benz's first all-new V8 since the 1968 introduction of the M116 (3.5L V8). The M117 architecture (4.5L initially, growing to 5.6L in late R107 cars) remained in production through 1991, powering everything from the 450 SEL 6.9 super-sedan to the 560 SEC coupe and eventually the 500 E sport sedan developed jointly with Porsche.

How Does It Compare?

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$18,395

1978 Mercedes-Benz 450 SL

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Original Factory Colors

Official paint codes for the Mercedes-Benz 450 SL (1978).

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Model History