"This low mileage 450 SL was first registered in the USA in 1980 in the name of a Jack S. Flowers who lived in Portland, Oregon. The car was then taken to California when it was sold to its previous owner in the early 90s with 25,000 miles on the clock. Here the car was serviced and looked after by Mercedes-Benz in Santa Monica (invoices present) and remained in California until the previous owner moved to Southampton, New York. From this time, the car was dry stored in a garage and looked after by local garages (invoices present). Due to most of the car’s life spent in California or being dry stored, the car’s body was in very good condition when it was purchased. It has a large file of receipts showing services with Mercedes-Benz from 25,000 miles and retains all the original owners documents and manuals.
Under current ownership, the car has been extensively restored by a European Mercedes R107 specialist and a very long list of work has been carried out. The engine has been fully rebuilt with all the metal parts cleaned and galvanised and parts replaced where necessary. While the engine was out, the whole car was inspected for rust and only a small area was found in the boot floor and by the drivers side rear light. These have been treated accordingly, the car has also received a new exhaust, suspension, brakes, shock absorbers, rear stabilisers, and many other mechanical parts and consumables. The power steering and the air-conditioning have also both been refurbished.
Cosmetically, the car has been stripped back and fully repainted in the original factory Mercedes Black (040O) 31 colour. The soft top has been replaced with the highest quality of Mohair replacement along with all new rubbers. The hardtop rubbers and door rubbers have all also been replaced and all the chrome on the car has been inspected and polished. The original US specification bumpers have been swapped out for genuine Mercedes Europe specification parts and the US headlights have also been swapped to genuine Mercedes European parts. The whole car has then been rust proofed. The original 15-hole light alloy rims have also been refurbished.
The original leather interior on the car was torn on both seats and badly worn. The seats have been restored, re-stuffed and recovered in new black Italian leather. The carpets have all been properly cleaned and re-dyed as well as all the wood trim in the car restored. The car still has its original Becker Radio Mexico Cassette Full Stereo player which works well. Photos and invoices for all the work can be provided.
The car is immaculate and in its rare black on black original colour and interior specification. It is showing just over 99,000 miles on the odometer. The attention to detail in the restoration is remarkable and this car really has to be seen to be appreciated - it is likely to be one of the best SL’s on the market.
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