Highlights
- Exceedingly rare, highly desirable model
- Rigorously maintained to an incredibly high standard
- In impeccable mechanical and aesthetic order
The Appeal
Ominous, beautiful, legendary. The Mercedes 450 SEL is very much a wolf in sheep's clothing. To the uneducated, what we have here is a stylish and effortlessly classy classic Mercedes, of course no bad thing, however those familiar with the model and its all important badging will know that there is far more to this model than meets the eye.
Lavishly appointed, timeless styling and an impeccably engineered V8 engine in the front, the 450 sat comfortably at the top of the W116 era lineup and undoubtedly held the title as ultimate, last word in 70s and 80s luxury motoring. Just about everyone who was anyone of the era wanted to be behind the wheel of a 450 SEL.
Fast forward to present day and the classic Mercedes is perhaps more popular than it ever has been. There is something about that iconic styling and legendary German over engineering that draws incredible appeal to these cars, and the example we have here will certainly get heads turning in the same fashion.
An original UK car, believed to be one of just 24 left on the roads, this 1980 450 sports a marvellous blend of charming originality and stylish upgrades to create a truly fine automobile with incredible road presence. If you’re in the market for a rare, luxury classic cruiser with genuine usability, look no further.
The History and Paperwork
- Original UK car, first registered in Jersey in 1980
- When the original owner had to relocate to Australia for work, he took his beloved 450 with him, hence the car spent some 11 years in Australia
- After its time in Australia the car went into Ireland before heading to Edinburgh Scotland circa 2017, and then moving on to its current owner in mid 2018
- Under its current ownership the car has been treated to a selection of upgrades and modifications for which there is corresponding paperwork in the history file, including a full air suspension set up and stainless exhaust system. This is a car that has wanted for nothing
- Accompanied by prior importation documents
- Selection of invoices for servicing work and parts bought by current and previous owners
- Correct and current UK V5 registration document is present with the vehicle
- Subject to colour change from gold to a far more fitting all black paint scheme, which has been correctly noted on the V5
- Due to its historic status, the car is now tax, MOT and ULEZ exempt
The Interior
- Great quality cream leather
- Non intrusive android touchscreen system
- Well appointed, spacious cabin
The 450 was the model that sat firmly at the top of Mercedes’ ranking at the time, so it was only natural it would have one of the finest interior spaces one could find in a car of the era, to this day, its modern equivalent, the S Class, is a continued leader, benchmark and trendsetter for what a luxury interior should be.
A marvellous compliment to the black exterior work, supple cream leather drapes its way throughout the cabin to create a truly lavish and comfortable atmosphere. The leather is of a brilliant quality and presents as such, having borne the test of time incredibly well, there is a distinct lack of wear and tarnishing to be found here, with just some to be expected signs of age around the driver's seat bolstering, certainly nothing to detract from the quality or the looks within here however. Plush cream carpeting and a still tight fitting headliner make up much of the rest of the cabin and present in a similarly clean and smart fashion.
Focusing on the front end of the cabin, we find a gorgeous black rimmed steering wheel, sculpted dash panel, and brilliant wood finish embellishments (it wouldn’t be a W116 Mercedes without some lashings of wood trim after all). The dash, wheel and adjoining trim are all in great shape and courtesy of careful ownership and dry storage, do not appear to have fallen victim to sun damage, fading or cracking. In the centre of the cabin we find one of the main modern upgrades fitted to the vehicle during its current ownership, the non intrusive touch screen android head unit, for that much needed convenience and greater usability over its original counterpart. This unit has been paired up to a 4 channel amp and a set of new speakers, upgraded discreetly so as not to detract from the look within the cabin.
In the rear we find a simply enormous boot space, neat and simple with good quality carpet. The tank and plumbing for the new air ride suspension system sits proudly in here, with the remote control situated within drivers reach in the cabin.
The Exterior
- Excellent all black paint scheme
- Great quality bodywork throughout
- Iconic styling, effortlessly cool
When it comes to aesthetics, some cars just have it. That perfect exterior styling that gives that car incredible presence and is instantly recognised as cool and suave by whoever sees it. In its new all black guise, the 450 SEL is just that.
Treated to a full respray in 2018 from its previous gold to a far more fitting all black scheme, this 450 now presents impeccably from an aesthetic perspective. The paint has been applied to a brilliantly high standard and presents as such, with an almost mile deep quality to it. Complimented by lashings of high quality chrome trim, this is a very handsome car indeed, and really does turn heads when out on the road for all the right reasons.
The badging, lighting and various other trim pieces so elegantly placed around the car all appear of a good nature and work well to make the car really stand out. It’s not just the black paint that makes this a good quality car, it's the general high standard of all of the bodywork, right the way down to the even panel gaps and shut lines.
All four wheels appear to be in great shape, boasting colour matched black and chrome wheel trims, all of an excellent standard.
The Mechanics
- Brilliant 4.5 litre V8 engine
- Bespoke stainless exhaust system
- Fitted with air ride suspension
A wonderful 4.5 litre V8 nestles under the bonnet of this particular 450. Famed, like most Mercedes engines of the era, for its reliability and longevity, the V8 in question here is in great shape, having been well maintained throughout its life, it presents in good clean order and is reported to be in good functioning form. Upon startup it fires comfortably into life, with a wonderful V8 burble courtesy of the bespoke stainless exhaust system commissioned by the current owner of the car.
For an added touch of flair, the 450 has been fitted with a fully adjustable air ride suspension system from Air Lift Performance, meaning you can have the car sat exactly where you want it in order to correspond with where the vehicle is being driven or parked.
On the road the Merc provides a truly wonderful driving experience. Smooth, refined and powerful with a great V8 soundtrack that isn't brash or imposing. This is what classic luxury motoring is all about. Paired to a silky automatic transmission, the 450 is an ideal candidate for a long distance road trip in style, or as it has been utilised by its current owner, for cruising around the sights on London in sheer unadulterated class.
Summary
The King of 70s and 80s luxury motoring? Quite possibly.
The 450 SEL is a fine example of why Mercedes sat firmly at the top of the industry when it came to creating luxury vehicles. Timeless styling, a robust and powerful driveline and a truly lavish interior space, it firmly ticked all the boxes the discerning luxury car buyer could possibly want and more.
The example we have here really does take some beating. In its glorious black hue, it looks every bit the part and presents wonderfully. With some choice upgrades that don’t detract from the car’s classic styling, this 450 is a real attention grabber and is undoubtedly a great way to experience classic motoring with some modern flair.
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