1973 Benz / Vette --- 450sl Mercedes With Ls1 Corvette Engine on 2040-cars

 
Own one of the most beautiful roadsters that Mercedes-Benz ever made -1973 Mercedes Benz 450SL! Then learn that the drivetrain is Corvette LS1 with a 4L60E automatic overdrive transmission. The front suspension was professionally modified by adding a Heidts front clip comprised of a Heidts built sub-frame, Heidts suspension including chrome coil-over shocks, tubular a-arms, 1 1/2 inch Heidts Sway Bar and Wilwood disk brakes.

This car is impressive in how it looks, drives and stops. The new power to weight ratio is over 100% improved; the acceleration is smooth yet very quick and responsive to the driver’s input.

All of this impressive performance is wrapped in an original 450SL body that was repainted with the original red paint. The removable Pagoda top adds to the character of the car and lends itself to the outward civility of the car without revealing its awesome performance. The interior of the car is original but the air conditioning and heat system is all new Vintage Air. The interior is in need of some refreshing; it still looks good with but it shows the normal wear on a 41 year old car.

DETAILS:
BODY:
• Mileage: The car has 135,875 total miles but less than 3.000 miles since the rebuild in 2007.
• Paint: Repainted around 2007 with stock Mercedes Red paint. The jambs were not repainted but with a little polish they look just like the rest of the car. Only found one door ding on the left door, a few minor chips here and there.
• Chrome: Most chrome/stainless is in very good condition.
• Glass: Windshield replaced in 2008, the remaining glass is good all-around with no chips or scratches.
• Hardtop: Good condition, a chip on the left front of top and some scratches on the back of the chrome below the rear window from sitting in storage rack. The headliner of the top is in good condition. A Hardtop storage rack is included with the price of the car.
• Soft-top: Original Black soft top with normal wear and in need of replacement. A hole just above driver’s head is the worst problem.
• Dash: Overall good with only one crack near the defroster outlet on the left side next to the windshield.
• Seats: Overall good but in need of refurbishing. The driver’s seat has a small tear in the left back near the bottom. The padding on both seats need refreshing. The chrome on the seats is good, recliners work well as do the adjustments. A chrome piece is missing off of the right seat pivot.
• Door Panels: The left door panel is clean, no tears. The map pocket area is delaminating and needs repair. The right panel is clean with no tears.
• Kick Panels: Clean with no tears; sun visors are limp and need to be replaced.
• Area Behind Seats: Clean with no tears
• Center Console: Wood needs some attention perhaps light sanding and coating with lacquer. The shifter and boot look near original. The air/heat controls are Vintage Air and operate smoothly.
• Carpeting: Worn and in need of replacement.
• Gauges: Factory VDO. Oil Pressure, Fuel Level, Water Temperature, and Tachometer all work well. Speedometer is in need of calibration; it registers speeds much higher than actual speed. The odometer works fine but the trip meter appears stuck and in need of servicing. The clock does not work but unsure of why.
• Radio: AM/FM Tape Pioneer Radio; owner not into tunes just performance.
• Trunk: Trunk mat is original and in need of replacement. Spare tire is original 1973 tire and alloy wheel; holds air but old.
• Fuel Tank: Original Mercedes Fuel Tank with an external electric fuel pump to feed the LS1 engine. The fuel system is very quiet and works flawlessly.

Engine: Corvette 2004 LS1 with approximately 60,000 miles; converted from drive-by-wire to cable controlled throttle body from a 2004 Pontiac Firebird. The Corvette motor sits nicely inside engine compartment with the ability to access all functions of the engine easily. This engine is controlled by a computer and all wiring has been installed and tested for normal operation under all conditions. This engine is not subject to smog testing in California due to the age of the vehicle.

Transmission: General Motors 4L60E professionally rebuilt in 2008 with less than 3000 miles on it since the build. The shift is smooth but crisp allowing the car to quickly accelerate when desired.

Front Suspension: The Mercedes suspension was totally removed and a Heidts Front Frame Clip was professionally installed. The attachment of the sub-frame to the unitized body is extremely well done and looks like it was manufactured that way.
• Disk Brakes: 11 inch rotors with Wilwood Brakes
• A-Arms: Heidts tubular a-arms
• Suspension: Chrome coil-over adjustable shocks
• Steering: Heidts power assisted rack and pinion
• Sway Bar: 1 1/2 inch Heidts

Rear Suspension: Factory Mercedes rear suspension with new springs and shocks. Rear disk brakes are factory Mercedes and were rebuilt in 2007 along with the rest of the suspension. The rear differential is factory Mercedes and the gear ratio is unknown. The car was originally a stick.

Body Mounts: All mounts were replaced.

Exhaust: Corvette headers merged with a y-pipe into 3 inch exhaust exiting with a single pipe through a Magnum exhaust. Very nice mellow tone with a single exhaust tip lending to observers thinking it is a stock Mercedes. However, upon starting the car it is obvious that there is something very different than stock under the hood.

Air Conditioning: New Vintage Air system comprised of a new compressor, condenser and control system. Controls are mounted in the center console for ease of use.  The AC is very cold and very adjustable when heat is needed.

Wheels and Tires: Chrome 8-window Mercedes 15 x 7   wheels similar to a 1996-97 E320; all 4 wheels are in excellent condition with no rusting, pits or rash. The tires are Michelin Primacy MXV4s all around with very little wear, less than 3000 miles on tires.

PLEASE NOTE: Car is for sale locally so I reserve the right to remove this listing at any time. I am selling this vehicle for a friend; the car is stored in Benicia, CA should a potential buyer wish to see the car or have it professionally appraised. I will facilitate all activities including the final transactions. Shipping or pick-up will be in Benicia, CA 94510. I can be reached on my cell at 707-246-2686.

Questions
• Please take time to ask questions before the end of the auction, as all sales are final.
• I will do my very best to answer all questions as accurately and honestly as possible with the understanding that I am not an expert and I do make mistakes.

Payment
Pay securely through PayPal! 

• $2,000 Non-refundable Deposit via PayPal is due within 48 hours of the end of the auction.
• Full payment must be received within 7 days of the end of the auction.  Will accept cash, cashiers check but it must clear the bank before the car will be released. Prefer  electronic transfer of funds to my bank as most secure transaction for buyer and seller.
• If full payment is not received within 7 days of the end of the auction, I reserve the right to keep the deposit, re-list the car and post a negative feedback.

Shipping and Handling
• The buyer can pick up the car at any time after full payment has cleared bank processing.
• Any shipping and associated cost must be paid by the buyer.
• I will work with the buyer provided shipper to hand off the car to his/her custody for shipment after full payment is processed.
• The car must be picked up within 7 days after making full payment.

Warranty
• The car is sold in as-is condition with no warranty, express or implied.
• Please read the entire description & view all photos before bidding.
• I reserve the right to disqualify any bidder with zero or negative feedback.

Feedback
• Feedback is an important part of buying and selling on eBay.  Please take a few moments to log into eBay after your shipment arrives to leave feedback.
• Once your feedback has been posted, I will post feedback for you.  Feedback is determined based on auction correspondence, prompt payment, etc.

Key Words: Mercedes, 450SL, Corvette, LS1, Restomod, Hot Rod, Sports Car, Street Rod, Roadster, Convertible, Hard Top, Soft Top