Vintage Mercedes 500 Sel Sedan - Excellent Original Condition -not A Restoration on 2040-cars

VIN: 00000000000000000 Year: 1982
Number of Cylinders: 8
Make: Mercedes-Benz
Model: 500-Series
Trim: SEL
Power Options: Air Conditioning, Power Locks, Power Windows, Power Seats
Drive Type: Rear Wheel Drive
Mileage: 134,426
Exterior Color: Gold
Number of Doors: 4
Interior Color: Brown
Warranty: Vehicle does NOT have an existing warranty

Condition: Used: A vehicle is considered used if it has been registered and issued a title. Used vehicles have had at least one previous owner. The condition of the exterior, interior and engine can vary depending on the vehicle's history. See the seller's listing for full details and description of any imperfections. ... 

This 1982 Mercedes has low miles and is in absolutely original condition. It has a clean, clear title with no damage history and no bondo.  The VIN is WDB12603712016984.  The all orignal un-retouched paint is a result of having always been garaged indoors and rarely if ever driven in the rain.  In January I became the third owner when the car was bequeathed to my wife and me by an elderly woman with whom we had been friends for decades. Prior to making the gift she explained to us that the car had originally been brought to the United States in 1982 by a social acquaintance of hers who was then an official at the German Embassy in Los Angeles. She said she then bought the car from him in 1984 and owned it from 1984 to January of this year when I drove it here to Washington state from Arizona and transferred the title into my name.  For the past eight years she had not been allowed to drive, so during that time she stored the car in a heated garage.  She kept the license plates and insurance current until the end of last year so that her son could come over two or three times a year to briefly drive the car around.

As seen from the pictures, the body, the brightwork, the interior, the seats, the lights and the glass are all more nearly perfect than would even be expected after 31 years and over 130,000 miles. I am not in a position to warrant the stated mileage, but to me the condition of the car is consistent with far less miles than those shown. There is no rust and there are no rock chips anywhere.The tires are quite serviceable - quality steel belted radials with about half their remaining tread life. They're mounted on unblemished factory original chrome Mercedes wheels. What appears to be the original Dunlop spare tire is still in the trunk, apparently never having touched the ground.This Mercedes is funtionally complete as a turnkey collector car, and is not a restoration.  The original Mercedes Owner's manuals are in the glove compartment, and the original Mercedes first aid kit and camera kit that came with the car are still in the compartments designed for them located in the bench behind the rear seat.  Sadly, the little camera from the kit is missing. The upholstery could be described as near perfect except for one small abrasion where the driver's seat belt has rubbed. The seats are in this remarkable condition because they had been covered since 1984 by custom made sheepskin covers which I removed and intended to discard. However, I decided to keep them in case the new owner wants them with the car.

Are there defects?  Of course, and I've noticed several things, nothing major.  The dash lights don't work and the switch is quite obviously bad.The odometer and trip odometer, but not the speedometer, quit working while I was attempting to check fuel mileage coming here from Arizona. The car did not use oil on the trip and I haven't changed it as it appears clean and good. The dirver's side seat belt retractor is weak and doesn't retract all the way. The windshield washer and headlight washers do not seem to work although the reservoir is full. 

The car is available for inspection by appointment. During the bidding, I will drive a prospective purchaser or agent to the car for inspection from the Bellingham, Washington airport, and will make the same arrangement with a buyer after the sale. Or, upon the buyer's request, after the sale I will deliver the car anywhere on Interstate 5 from Canada to Mexico for actual expenses incurred so long as the buyer is willing to wait up to 30 days for such delivery. 

Reserve? Yes there is.  But, just high enough to weed out the Looky Lus and all those nice Low-Ball folks.