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Curated Auction

1975 Mercedes-Benz 450 SL (R107)

At a Glance

Fresh MOT | Solid Presentation | Rear Seat Option | ~14 Year Ownership

  • Mileage~96,272
  • TransmissionAutomatic
  • Engine4.5L
  • LocationCamberwell

Curated Auction

We’ve visited this car, taken the images and written the description below - we’ve also verified the seller’s ID and actioned a HPi report - learn more

Curated Auction

We’ve visited this car, taken the images and written the description below - we’ve also verified the seller’s ID and actioned a HPi report - learn more

CURATED AUCTION

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CURRENT BID£1,000
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AUCTION LIVE

ENDS IN: 56 Days 12 Hr 51 Min51 Sec

CURRENT BID

£1,000

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Video #2

Introduction

Darren Rungasamy
Consigner and Editor

The 450SL embodied personal luxury and sporty freedom and can be enjoyed as a coupe, a convertible or a roadster.

If survival rates, robust engineering, drivability, and timeless styling were prerequisites for every open-top V8, then every classic car enthusiast would be driving a Mercedes SL. First introduced in 1971, the R107 series SL enjoyed a long and distinguished production run, solidifying its place as the quintessential luxury cruiser. For over 50 years, it has been the ideal companion for those seeking a comfortable, stylish drive. Yet, despite its reputation as a boulevard cruiser, the V8-powered SL proves to be quick and engaging behind the wheel. Earning classic car status well before its production ceased in the late 1980s, its desirability rests on a foundation of durability and timeless appeal, with each variant guaranteeing exceptional safety without compromising on style.

This 1975 example is finished in the striking exterior colour of "Icon Gold Metallic" (419H) with a contrasting beige leather interior, including the optional rear reats. It comes from ~14 year ownership, having been part of a private collection, and has been carefully stored in dry conditions for the duration of that time. The car boasts a well-documented history, including maintenance records and MOT certificates dating back to 1988. It comes with a fresh MOT valid until 07.02.2026, making it ready for its next chapter.

This listing was written from information supplied by Darren after meeting Jack the owner's son, and having visited and photographed the vehicle.

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Full Transparency

8 out of 10 people that buy cars via our service don’t feel the need to visit due to the transparency and thoroughness of our listings.

Vehicle Delivery

We're there every step of your buying journey and will even arrange pick-up and delivery of your new vehicle.

Secure Auctions

We verify all our sellers and buyers to keep our community safe whilst also providing the highest levels of website security.

Full Transparency

8 out of 10 people that buy cars via our service don’t feel the need to visit due to the transparency and thoroughness of our listings.

Vehicle Delivery

We're there every step of your buying journey and will even arrange pick-up and delivery of your new vehicle.

Video #2

Meet the owner

Dad used to own an identical car when I was young, and he regretted selling it!

Jack's father bought the car in 2010, having previously owned an identical model in the same colour. His lengthy experience with Mercedes-Benz roadsters influenced his decision to acquire another R107, and likely played a significant role in him keeping the car for so many years. The family are selling the car due to his passing.

Jack will be happy to answer any questions about the car in the comments section below.

Jack
Vehicle Owner

Ask Questions

CONTACT OWNER
EXTERIOR VIDEO
Video #2

Exterior

The striking gold colour not only complements the car's classic lines but also elevates its presence on the road.

Wheels and Tyres

The 14-inch wheels are in good condition, original factory fitted "Mexican Hat" wheels, and would clean up nicely.

The Joyroad-branded tires, all from 2017, have a legal and even tread remaining.

Bodywork

The panel work is flush with the body, showing no significant dents. The panel gaps are even, with consistent shut lines. The doors open and close without any issues and show decent rubbers. There are a few areas of corrosion visible on the body, primarily on the lower sections of the front wings and the offside rear wing. Additionally, there’s some under-paint bubbling on the side door.

The engine bay, floor pan, and boot floor appear solid, with no immediate signs of bulkhead issues. The recent MOT didn’t highlight any structural defects or advisories. However, there is damage to the offside lower rear wheel well and the front end of the chassis rails, though these weren’t flagged as issues. The rest of the structure looks good. The outer sill flange show mild corrosion, and the passenger door wells exhibit some signs of age.

We've highlighted in more detail our observations through our high-resolution images and videos, so please take time to look through all the media files for a detailed view of what’s on offer, and for you to assess the condition of the car for yourselves.

Paint

The "Icon Gold Metallic" paint is presentable, with mild orange peel in places but an even colour consistency. There are a few areas on the bonnet where the paint has started to age and crack. It generally free of road wear and stone chips.

The images are taken from a few different angles to show off the car as you would see it if you were standing there for yourselves. So please take the time to fully assess these high-resolution images and videos of the car, for you to make up your own minds about the condition of the paint.

Glass and Trim

The glass is in good condition, with decent windscreen seals. The lights and lenses show in good condition with no damage noted. The rubber and chrome trim has generally held up well, though there are some imperfections on the chrome grille and hardtop.

The bumpers are securely mounted and, aside from a small imperfection on the rear nearside corner of the rubber and mild age-related wear on the chrome, they display well.

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INTERIOR VIDEO
Video #2

Interior

The interior is cleanly presented and well-maintained, though it would benefit from a few cosmetic improvements to make it truly perfect.

Seats and Carpets

The driver's seat has seen better days but still offers reasonable support. The passenger seat shows age-related creases but is free of damage. The rear seat is in much better condition.

The carpets are all dry, though there is some wear noted on the front passenger door wells.

Dashboard

The dashboard shows some surface grime but is free of cracks and could be refreshed with minimal effort. Similarly, the black centre console housing displays signs of age but is also crack-free, while the beige padding sections could clean up well.

The switches and dials are consistent with the car's age, and everything is reported to operate as it should.

Some of the trim shows age-related wear, and the door cards would benefit from a good cleaning. The hardtop headlining is in good condition.

Steering Wheel / Gear Stick

The steering wheel and gear lever are presentable and are above the expectations of a car of this age.

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'ON THE ROAD' VIDEO
Video #2

Mechanics

The immense performance of the robust 4.5-litre V8 is perfectly paired with the refinement and durability that are the hallmark of Mercedes engineering.

Engine and Gearbox

The car has been unused since 2018, but a mechanic has recently checked over the car prior to its MOT. On a particularly cold day, it started up without issues, though the starter motor may need further investigation. The car emitted smoke initially, but this cleared after about 20 minutes of driving. The engine didn't produce any unwanted noises while idling and didn't stall during the visit. The exhaust is corroded but isn't leaking.

The engine presentation is somewhat overshadowed by the ageing airbox, but the rest of the unit shows signs of previous maintenance, with decent hoses and ancillaries still in place. The car remained leak-free during the visit.

The 3-speed automatic gearbox operates smoothly, engaging drives without any unwanted slippage or strain. Watch the video to see the car in action.

Suspension and Brakes

The suspension handles speed bumps without any negative feedback, and is free of creaks or thuds.

The brakes perform smoothly, with no judders or squeals.

The Drive

The R107 is renowned for its cruising ability and effortless power, and the larger V8 engine models excel in this regard. Jack's father regularly used the car, appreciating its ability to handle modern roads, its ease of driving, and the robust practicality that the Mercedes brand is known for.

The steering felt secure, with no unwanted noises. The car handled the roads smoothly, without any unexpected undulations or hesitation from the engine. We left the car running for a while, and the engine temperature remained steady, with no issues regarding oil pressure.

Electrics and Other

The soft top hood storage well is in good condition, with no corrosion or signs of water buildup. The fabric of the soft top itself is free of damage, but its long-term lack of use has led to surface wear, and it will need adjustment to fit properly. The nearside rear quarter perspex is damaged, and the rear screen shows signs of age. However, the entire assembly folds away without any issues.

The front and rear catches are fully operational and work well. The hardtop has a few bubbles emerging, mainly on the nearside guttering, but overall it is solid and free of damage. It was very straight-forward to remove and replace.

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Video #2

History and Paperwork

Coming to market from ~14 years ownership, rear seat option, a fresh 12-month MOT and with documentation stretching back to the late 1980s.

Registered in June 1975, the car comes with a folder of invoices and provenance. Most of the work was carried out prior to 2017, after which it has been stored in dry, secure conditions.

Historical paperwork dates back to the late 1980s, including sales invoices, service records, sundry items, minor repairs, panel work from 1993, and more recent invoices for maintenance-related parts. It also has a MOT certificates back to 1988, all outlining the cars occasional use over the years.

Although MOT and road tax exempt, the car comes with a current MOT, valid until 07.02.2026, for peace of mind. Please note the ageless plate will not be part of the sale.

We’ve done all our usual seller checks including photo ID, V5 and also actioned a history check on the vehicle - this is a professional check operated by HPI that will highlight if the car has been previously stolen, recorded as being in an accident, or have any outstanding finance - note, this does not include a mileage history check.

We've summarised our own view on the car based on information gained from the seller in the listing above, however, as you can see, we go to great lengths to photograph and video the car in hi-resolution detail - this has been done for you to make your own assessment from the comfort of your sofa. So please sit back, have a cuppa and take your time to review everything on this listing in order to make your own assessment of the vehicle's condition. Viewings are also welcomed with all our listings, so please get in touch with us to arrange a suitable time - we just need to speak to you first and receive a valid photo ID before confirming.

If there's anything you're unsure about, no matter how small, then please first ask the owner in the comments area below before placing your bids, as bids can't be retracted and form a binding contract if you win the car - just like a traditional auction house.

Service History
Date Type Mileage
08-02-2025 MOT 96,272
12-09-2019 MOT 95,863
13-06-2018 MOT 95,426
12-06-2017 MOT 94,446
31-03-2016 MOT 93,988
06-01-2015 MOT 93,835
19-09-2013 MOT 91,856
31-08-2012 MOT 90,715
04-10-2010 MOT 90,565
14-09-2009 MOT 90,494
12-08-2008 MOT 90,475
20-08-2007 MOT 90,363
03-06-2006 MOT 90,145
20-06-2005 MOT 90,046
12-07-2001 MOT 88,706
20-06-2000 MOT 87,576
26-08-1998 MOT 83,397
13-06-1997 MOT 82,934
10-06-1996 MOT 82,181
08-04-1995 MOT 81,420
26-02-1994 MOT 80,057
25-02-1993 MOT 78,728
22-02-1992 MOT 76,461
02-03-1991 MOT 74,705
02-03-1990 MOT 73,650
06-03-1989 MOT 71,383
03-02-1988 MOT 69,407
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Key Details
  • Model450 SL (R107)
  • TransmissionAutomatic
  • Reg. Date16-06-1975
  • CC4,520
  • Mileage~96,272
  • HistoryFrom 1988
  • ColourIcon Gold Metallic (419H)
  • Interior ColourBiege
  • Interior TrimLeather
  • Chassis #10704422020427
  • Engine #11798222027911
  • MOTYes valid until 07.02.2026
  • MOT ExemptYes
  • Road Tax ExemptYes
  • Former Keepers11
  • Tyre BrandJoyroad
  • Tyre Age2017
  • LHD or RHDRHD
  • VisitedYes
  • Sale TypePrivate
  • Owned~14 years
  • Key FeatureHardtop, rear seats and leather trim
  • Auction ID2361
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VIEW ALL
Video #2

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Exterior

Interior

Mechanics

History and Paperwork

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Vehicle Location

Camberwell

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    Insurance Quote


    Average annual insurance premium for a 450 SL like this is £186 via our trusted partner ClassicLine.
    GET AN INSURANCE QUOTEAnd get 10% off when you mention us.

    *Quote is based on a garaged vehicle in CV32 5QY (Leamington Spa), travelling 3,000 miles per year, 1 driver who is 45 years of age and is free on accidents and convictions – valid Winter 2025.

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    Vehicle Location

    Camberwell

    Key Bidding Facts

    What is your reserve policy?

    A reserve is the minimum price that the seller will let the car go for. We work with sellers to set realistic reserves in line with market pricing – we don’t take on vehicles with unrealistic pricing. Reserve met / not met labeling may or may not be announced during the auction – this is just like a traditional auction house, i.e. bidders may only know when they’ve been successful at the end of the auction.

    If the reserve hasn’t been met at the end of the auction then we work with the highest bidder to try to work out a deal with the seller.

    Why shouldn’t I leave bidding to the last minute?

    Auto-Extending Bidding – we’ve developed auto-extending auctions that mimic traditional auction house bidding; it’s a key feature to make sure classic vehicles achieve their true worth. Bids placed in the last one minute automatically extend the auction by two further minutes. So there is no need to leave bidding to the last second.

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