Lot 644: Mercedes Benz 350SL 4.5 Cabriolet

For the United States market, the 350SL came as standard with the 4.5-litre V8 engine, the fact that this was not reflected in the model designation constituting an unusual break with traditional practice. This early example was sold on February 29, 1972 by Daimler-Benz of North America, Park Avenue, New York to a principal of Guess Jeans Inc. Eleven months later the car was traded toward the purchase of a 350SLC hardtop coupe at Pepe Motors, Mercedes-Benz dealership in Mount Vernon, NY from which the present owner purchased it on February 23, 1973 with 7,085 miles indicated. Thereafter, it was meticulously maintained by Imported Cars of Greenwich, an exclusively Rolls-Royce/Mercedes-Benz dealership in Connecticut, until the owner’s recent move to Cape Cod, Massachusetts, since when maintenance has been undertaken by SEL Foreign Auto Ltd, Mercedes-Benz specialists in Bourne, Massachusetts.
Only this carefully preserved 350SL’s retro-fitted European-specification headlights deviate from originality, but the readily interchanged original quad sealed-beam units are supplied, as is the carpeted luggage shelf which may be fitted instead of the optional rear seat if desired. Although never in need of restoration per se, a bare-metal repaint was carried out in 1984 by Mercedes-Benz dealer Continental Motors of Fairfield, Connecticut, the quality of which is readily apparent to this day.

The car has been driven predominantly at Interstate Highway speeds between home in Greenwich and office in New York (garaged at both venues) some 200 miles per week with ideal warm-ups at either end. In inclement weather the train was preferred, while the family station wagon bore the brunt of shorter local trips. The vehicle has never been involved in an accident. The speedometer was replaced at 32,500 miles and the odometer currently shows 96,000 miles, making the total miles travelled 128,500. Equipped with automatic transmission and finished in silver-grey metallic with navy blue leather interior, the car comes complete with factory hardtop and full service history recording all work undertaken from new.