Whereas coated in recent “mellow yellow” paint, at the moment’s Good Value or No Cube Mercedes is something however mellow in both presentation or value. Let’s see how a lot inexperienced we’d all assume it ought to truly price.
With the introduction of the Mustang in April 1964, Ford created a brand new class of vehicle—that of the inexpensive private coupe—and, owing to the mannequin’s rabid success, a brand new method to print cash. Competitors quickly turned heated within the pony automobile class, with the Mustang’s most notable rivals coming from Chevrolet with the Camaro and Pontiac’s Firebird. The Firdbird performed second fiddle to the Camaro till the mid-’70s when the film Smokey and the Bandit made a star out of a black and gold Trans Am, thus sealing its legendary cool-car standing. The 1975 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am we checked out yesterday got here out a number of years earlier than that. And being painted white with blue and black decals, it’s a major distinction to the Burt Reynolds automobile. That didn’t uninteresting its attraction, though a litany of niggling leaks and downside elements did squelch enthusiasm, as did the automobile’s $24,500 asking value. That every one culminated in a 76 p.c No Cube loss.
Since we’re speaking about automobiles in movies—or on TV—have you ever been watching Alfonso Cuarón’s new collection Disclaimer? It has quite a lot of time jumps and a few cool automobiles within the earlier-set scenes, however probably the most notable thus far is the selection of journey the filmmakers have made for Sacha Baron Cohen’s character Robert. He’s a little bit of a dweeb, and his nebbish character appears ill-suited to the basic Mercedes-Benz 280SEL 4.5 they’ve given him.
The truth is, Mercedes’ W108/109 collection, even in six-cylinder type, carries about it an air of exclusivity and regalness. It’s a automobile that’s at all times been much less of a standing image and extra a bastion of low-key attainment and exclusivity.
And now there’s this 1972 280SEL 4.5 that’s on supply, and it’s been restored with new paint that makes it look all of the world like a creamsicle. Or perhaps a taxi cab.
Questionable paint selections apart, this basic Benz seems to be in glorious situation and encompasses a cabin that exudes old-school German luxurious. That is the SEL mannequin, which suggests it has a four-inch extension within the wheelbase, with most of that additional room given to the rear seat passengers.
Below the bonnet is Mercedes’ marvelous M117 V8, a SOHC all-alloy unit producing 197 horsepower and 211 lb-ft or torque. Matched to that may be a three-speed automated that feeds Mercedes’ goofy semi-swing axle rear finish.
Different noteworthy options talked about within the advert embrace a sunroof, period-correct Becker Europa AM/FM stereo, energy home windows, and air-con. The advert additionally notes that the restoration, which included the distinctive yellow and white paint scheme, was undertaken by a previous proprietor. Different work that preceded the vendor’s acquisition of the automobile included an oil change, some ignition work, and new wiring for the A/C’s ambient air temp sensor.
Mileage is claimed to be 62,000, though, with a five-barrel odometer and no method to confirm, that could possibly be greater. Not in query is the automobile’s title standing, which is clear, or its situation, which seems extraordinarily good for a automobile of its age.
In contrast to yesterday’s Trans Am, this Benz isn’t offered with a discouraging listing of little issues a brand new proprietor would want to repair. That hopefully will assist account for its considerably greater asking value.
That price ticket reads $39,900, and it’s now time so that you can weigh in on whether or not you assume this well-presented Benz is value that a lot. What do you assume? Might. a restored 4.5 deliver that sort of money? Or is that value as off-putting as many would possibly discover the paint scheme?
You resolve!
Portland, Oregon, Craigslist, or go right here if the advert disappears.
H/T to RevUnlimiter for the hookup!
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