Market Finds: Fine Seventies Mercedes on Hemmings Now

Fine Seventies Mercedes on Hemmings Now

By Petrolicious
February 3, 2015

Only Mercedes-Benz could make the 1970s look so good. While most North American car manufacturers would rather forget the malaise era, Mercedes-Benz steadily grew by offering memorable, well built cars. The company established itself as the leading luxury brand in the world and arguably still holds that title today. You won’t find these cars at autocross events but if you’re paying attention you just might see one out on an early Saturday morning, inconspicuous, elegant, and floating along. If you’re looking for a 1970s Benz cruiser similar to the one in today’s film, we have three suggestions from Hemmings Motor News available now.

Good:

The car: 1977 Mercedes-Benz 450SL

Price: $18,000

Location: Topsfield, Massachusetts, USA

Seller’s Info: Click here

Before the special editions with asinine horsepower, SLs were open road cars. They had just enough technology to supplement the driving experience and but not anesthetize the experience. The quality can be felt from the latching of the doors to the turning of the wheel. You’ll rarely find 1970s SLs that have been “modified” because they were designed right the first time. This ’77 has only 26,000 miles and the original radio. The color combination is understated but grows on you like the car itself.

Better:

The car: 1978 Mercedes-Benz 450SEL 6.9

Price: $38,500

Location: Santa Barbara, California, USA

Seller’s Info: Click here

There’s your Grandfathers SEL then there’s the 6.9 liter SEL. The SEL was Mercedes-Benz’s ’70s flagship with a limited number of 6.9s produced. The company spared no expense to give the heavy sled enough power to reach speeds in excess of 140 miles an hour. The 6.9 of the late seventies sold for over $50,000 at a time when a loaded Cadillac was around $16,000. This superb example has 62,000 miles, hydro-pneumatic suspension and a well documented history. This 6.9 would round out a fine Mercedes collection if you have the room.

Best:

The car: 1970 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE Coupe

Price: $84,900

Location: West Palm Beach, Florida, USA

Seller’s Info: Click here

The 280SE convertible and coupe from the sixties and early seventies are some of the most elegant classics to come out of Germany. The value of the SE coupe has dramatically appreciated over the last decade so if you like them, don’t wait to find yours. This gorgeous gold SE was immaculately restored two years ago in Palm Beach. Despite the soft suspension, you can connect with this car through its three pedals and shift knob. The car is equipped with a 3.5 liter 200 horsepower V8. Go get ’em!

If you know of a great, stylish car for sale and would like us to feature it, please let us know!

Petrolicious makes no claim as to the accuracy of the information contained in the car’s original listing, nor will it be held responsible for any errors in said information. If you’re interested in any of these cars, do your homework and research extensively before you buy.

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Paul Thompson
Paul Thompson
9 years ago

On the off chance anybody is really interested in a 3.5 coupe. I would have to say that there is no way that a manual is a good idea. Sacrilege I know but these cars were born to be automatics and the auto box that they use is just perfect for the car. Far more reliable than the manual and if you’re driving any distance it’s perfectly in tune with the rest of the car.

Uhlenhaut did have a lot to say about how these automatic drove and if you want to ‘press on’ the fact you can make a smooth downshift by a blip of the throttle when you pull the lever back. Or you can drop a gear to slow the car by notching the level back manually is all you need to enjoy the great free revving V8.

The 300SEL 6.3 is the one everyone wants but really if you have to live with it the 3.5 is the one to go for.

Matthew Lange
9 years ago

Both the SL and the SEL 6.9 are crying out for a set of Euro Bumpers!

Ae Neuman
Ae Neuman
9 years ago
Reply to  Matthew Lange

+ euro headlights.
😉

Martin James
Martin James
9 years ago
Reply to  Ae Neuman

Bahhhhh ! Eurosnobs ! 😀 They’s both just fine the way they is … they’re both here … and they’re ours .. so thppppt [ humor most definitely intended ] And ….. the fact that one [ SEL 6.9] is a CA car …. not to mention one of Mercedes’s many ‘ hot rod ‘ cars influenced by us (US) makes it all the better ! Whereas that FL 280 and the MA SL ? Wouldn’t touch either of those with a ten foot pole . Rust being the norm with all FL MA cars .

Dad burned rassum fassum Eurosnobs and they goram bumper/headlight fixations …. 😮

Josh V
Josh V
9 years ago
Reply to  Martin James

You even using the word “snob” is insanely ironic.

Alexander Shaghoury
Alexander Shaghoury
9 years ago
Reply to  Ae Neuman

Yeah, not only Euro-Spec look better – they have more power as well

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