LOT 335

1974 Mercedes-Benz 450 SEL Chassis no. 116.033 12 021425

Sold for US$21,840 inc. premium

Lot 335

1974 Mercedes-Benz 450 SEL

Collectors' Motorcars and Automobilia Auction|7 October 2019, 13:00 EDT|Philadelphia, Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum

1974 Mercedes-Benz 450 SEL
Chassis no. 116.033 12 021425

4,520cc SOHC V8 Engine
Bosch Fuel Injection
225bhp at 5,000rpm
4-Speed Automatic Transmission
4-Wheel Independent Suspension
4-Wheel Disc Brakes

*Exceedingly original and well-kept example
*Just one owner until recently, and a mere 25,982 miles from new
*Offered with the original books, tools and spare wheel
*Striking Medium Red Metallic over Biscuit livery

THE MERCEDES-BENZ SEDAN

'It was, and remains, one of the finest, safest and most impressive saloons, and it is surely a testament to the quality of Mercedes engineering that there are still so many in regular use today.' – Lawrence Meredith on the 450 SE, Mercedes-Benz Saloons, Crowood Press.

Mercedes-Benz replaced the existing S-Class in 1972 with the new W116 line up that had been on the drawing board since the mid-1960s. Much of the development program had concentrated on secondary safety, to such an extent that its occupants were considered more likely to survive an accident in the 450 SE saloon (or its peers) than possibly any other car in the world. Base model of the new S-Class was the 280 S equipped with a carburetor-fed 2.8-litre twin-cam six, while for those with deeper wallets there was a choice of 350 SE or 450 SE V8s, both of which were available in long-wheelbase 'SEL' variants.

A necessarily heavy automobile, the 450 SE was little quicker off the mark than its smaller-engined siblings, but as Motor Sport observed: 'It is in these middle and upper ranges, rather than in sheer standing-start acceleration, that the 450 SE excels, all powerfully, simply "whooshing" through overtaking.'

THE MOTORCAR OFFERED

Completed at the Stuttgart-based factory in January of 1974, this highly original example of Mercedes-Benz' luxurious 450 SEL had covered just 25,982 miles at time of cataloging, and benefitted from the care of just one devoted owner until recently. The car presents beautifully in the factory Medium Red Metallic color over a light biscuit leather interior. Original decals and ID plates remain intact, and the floor mounted gear shift and Becker Grand Prix AM/FM radio ads to its desirability. Very much a 'time capsule' car through and through, it is offered with the original spare wheel, owner's manuals and tools. The extremely high build quality of these cars is evident in this benchmark example.

Additional information

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