This 1976 Mercedes-Benz 450SEL is a European-specification example that is said to have been sold new in Germany and used as a demonstration vehicle before it was brought to the US at an unknown time. It spent time in Portland, Oregon, before it was acquired by the seller in 2016 and returned to Europe, where it underwent over €100k of cosmetic and mechanical refurbishment work. The car is finished in silver over blue leather and is powered by a 6.8-liter V8 paired with a three-speed automatic transmission. Equipment includes a limited-slip differential, a sunroof, 14″ Bundt wheels, a Becker Europa radio, and air conditioning. Featured on BaT in October 2016, this V116 450SEL 6.9 shows 162k kilometers (~101k miles) and is now offered in the Netherlands with service records and Dutch registration.
The car left the factory finished in Astral Silver Metallic (735) and was repainted under current ownership. Various trim pieces and rubber seals were also replaced at that time. Equipment includes European-market headlights and bumpers as well as a sunroof, a power antenna, and fog lights.
The 14″ Bundt alloy wheels are mounted with Michelin XWX tires. Stopping power is provided by power-assisted ventilated front and solid rear discs. The seller notes that the dampers, suspension spheres, and accumulators were replaced as part of an overhaul of the hydropneumatic self-leveling suspension completed under current ownership, and that the power steering system and brakes were also serviced in the course of the project.
The seats are upholstered in blue leather that was reconditioned as part of the refurbishment project. Interior amenities include a Becker Europa radio, power windows, and air conditioning, the latter of which was reportedly overhauled under current ownership.
The four-spoke steering wheel frames a 260-km/h speedometer as well as a tachometer, an analog clock, and gauges for oil pressure, coolant temperature, and fuel level. The six-digit odometer shows 162k kilometers (~101k miles), approximately 3,500 kilometers of which were added under current ownership.
The 6,834cc M100 V8 features dry-sump lubrication and was factory rated at 282 horsepower and 405 lb-ft of torque in European specification. The seller tells us that the car underwent injection system service and was fitted with replacement engine mounts by MBI Motors of Portland, Oregon, prior to 2016. Engine work as part of the recent refurbishment is noted to have involved rebuilding the radiator, water pump, and alternator in addition to replacing portions of the exhaust system.
Power is sent to the rear wheels through a three-speed automatic transmission and a limited-slip differential. The seller notes that the transmission fluid was flushed and that the underside was cleaned with dry ice under current ownership.
The vehicle is being sold on its Dutch registration, which serves as the ownership document in the Netherlands.
