Should I buy this 74 450 SL?

[iresfrank]

Hi everyone,
I'm trying to figure out if I'm getting myself into more than what I can handle

I've wanted a 450 SL - mainly for nostaligic reasons and just as a toy.
I can handle any minor repairs requiring socket/wrenches but nothing more beyond that. I don't weld.

This lady has been calling me about a 74 450 sl.

Here are the bullets about the car - which I test drove and visited:

• Average re-paint, mint green
• hard top okay - small rust/crackle coming through repaint
• Needs a soft top replaced
• No top dolly/holder
• One crack in dash
• needs all window gaskets, window stripping replaced
• Interior seets/carpet excellent
• needs wood trim on dash - was removed but not replaced
• no rust - trunk is great
• could use replaced anondized aluminum
• tires have good tread but showing dry rot (prob older than 10 years)

Engine wise it runs great. Front end and all hoses, belts, timing was recently replaced or repaired.
She was asking 6,500, I thought it was too high. I offered $4. She has countered at $5,500

I'd say cosmetically it looks very good from "far away" but it does have a few paint drip marks splotches from an 'average" paint job.

Any suggestions? I"m guessing $5,000 for the top, dash, dash trim, all moulding and window seals and tires.

I haven't even tested the electrical or heater.
Any suggesgtions???

It runs fine.

[GermanStar]

Welcome to BenzWorld! I'll slide your query down to the R107 section, where you're far more likely to garner a helpful response from some like-minded enthusiasts.

[cctoronto]

Originally Posted by iresfrank

Hi everyone,
I'm trying to figure out if I'm getting myself into more than what I can handle

I've wanted a 450 SL - mainly for nostaligic reasons and just as a toy.
I can handle any minor repairs requiring socket/wrenches but nothing more beyond that. I don't weld.

This lady has been calling me about a 74 450 sl.

Any suggestions? I"m guessing $5,000 for the top, dash, dash trim, all moulding and window seals and tires.

I haven't even tested the electrical or heater.
Any suggesgtions???

It runs fine.

If she is calling you to in an effort to sell her SL, she is somewhat desperate... that means $ in your pocket should this car be the one for you... all you need to is put her off a bit and keep her dangling a bit, and that's gotta be worth a grand in the deal, easily...

[Tony Barroso]

When you get a second finish filling out your profile. The value of the car can somewhat depend on whether your stateside or abroad. If stateside her asking price seems a little high imo. Everybody loves pics.

[wpterry]

Sounds like my car I bought ('84 380SL). I had a few more problems (like dent in back quarter), but I paid $1000 for mine. So far a new top, new seats, paint & body parts and some small (but not inexpensive) replacement items. Little less that $5000 invested so far.

Yesterday, a fun 130 mile ride along the Gulf of Mexico beach and thru the country topless

[iresfrank]

Originally Posted by cctoronto

If she is calling you to in an effort to sell her SL, she is somewhat desperate... that means $ in your pocket should this car be the one for you... all you need to is put her off a bit and keep her dangling a bit, and that's gotta be worth a grand in the deal, easily...

We did all that already. I offered $4k and she wants $5.5k

I'm just not sure where to even find a mechanic to handle the

1. Soft top replacement
2. new visorsw
3. new window seals
4. new anodized alum trim

I may have a second look for the frame recall issue I've read about here.
I even have "isthisdave"'s post which includes pictures of what the frame repairs should look like.

Any sources for that hardtop dolly/bin?

[iresfrank]

Originally Posted by wpterry

Sounds like my car I bought ('84 380SL). I had a few more problems (like dent in back quarter), but I paid $1000 for mine. So far a new top, new seats, paint & body parts and some small (but not inexpensive) replacement items. Little less that $5000 invested so far.

Yesterday, a fun 130 mile ride along the Gulf of Mexico beach and thru the country topless

Any suggestions where I can get a soft top repaired in Charlotte, NC?
That's one thing I don't want to touch myself - I read the instructions and way too complicated.

[nobby]

Originally Posted by iresfrank

Any suggestions where I can get a soft top repaired in Charlotte, NC?
That's one thing I don't want to touch myself - I read the instructions and way too complicated.

Yes......in your driveway.
Many of us here have done one with no previous experience.
http://www.benzworld.org/forums/r-c1...placement.html

[rowdie]

Your offer of 4K was generous. If you put 5K into this car you will have 9K invested in a 6 or 7K car. Look on EBay to see what they are selling for or have sold for. Not asking prices.

[dawsman]

Originally Posted by rowdie

Your offer of 4K was generous. If you put 5K into this car you will have 9K invested in a 6 or 7K car. Look on EBay to see what they are selling for or have sold for. Not asking prices.

+1