Just a bought another car, a '72 Mercedes 450 SL. Always loved these cars and always wanted one. Anyway I bought this at an estate auction for $500. Its not in great condition but its pretty solid and complete. Ok, it cranks over fine and its getting spark, it wont start though. I dont hear the fuel pump coming on so I think that may be the culprit. Any other suggestions?. Talked to the friend of the owner (owner passed away) which was at the aution. He said the owner bought it last year to restore it, drove it around and then he died. Car has been sitting for a year and a half. I hope I get this thing running. I'd love to drive it around a bit before I sell it. Sexy freiging car even though its a bit rough. Will take pics next week.

don't hear the pump come on..... sure it's electric? 1972, I'd think it would be mechanical....


If you've got compression, spark, fuel and it's timed correctly, then it should run.... I'd start with the basics.

don't hear the pump come on..... sure it's electric? 1972, I'd think it would be mechanical....


If you've got compression, spark, fuel and it's timed correctly, then it should run.... I'd start with the basics.Pump is electric and its right by the gas tank (thank god its not IN the gas tank). Had a guy turn ignition on and I heard no sound from the pump and felt nothing when I put my hand on it. I'll check fuses/relay, add gas and see what happens.:crying2::D

If you haven't done so, flush the fuel system and change the oil. Gas that has been sitting for a year and a half in the fuel lines and tank might be a contributing factor. It can also form a shellac that clogs the lines and carburetor jets. Pull the plugs and check for oil fouling. When cars are to be stored for extended periods, it is common to pour oil into the plug hole to keep the upper cylinder walls lubricated to prevent piston seizure. Once this is done and the ignition system is clear, you should be running.

:sneaky: How long before the head gaskets blow ? :D

:sneaky: How long before the head gaskets blow ? :DDoesn't have a Northstar :D

How long before some component in the A/C system shits the bed? :lildevil: And I'm one to talk.....

:knocks on wood:

Anyways Nick, cool purchase! As I'm sure you know, that generation SL (R107) was the longest produced SL ever. 1970 to 1989. Do you have any pictures? How do you like it so far compared to the W140 you had?

Here's a '76 450 SLC I saw last weekend at an auction.

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j313/Chadillac8705/2008%20Back%20To%20The%20Fifties/IMG_2180.jpg
http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j313/Chadillac8705/2008%20Back%20To%20The%20Fifties/IMG_2181.jpg

Pretty similar right?

convertible? manual trans?

convertible? manual trans?All SL's are convertibles (except the SLC like Chad pictured). Its an automatic, dont believe they made them with manuals, at least not in the U.S.. It also has the removeable hardtop.

Has a fuel delivery problem, fuel pump wont come on. I'll have to tow it to my warehouse and figure the problem out there. Did pour gas down the throat of the fuel injection and it started right away but only ran as long as someone poured gas down. No smoke or anything so it just may be a good runner once the problem is fixed.

How long before some component in the A/C system shits the bed? :lildevil: And I'm one to talk.....

:knocks on wood:

Anyways Nick, cool purchase! As I'm sure you know, that generation SL (R107) was the longest produced SL ever. 1970 to 1989. Do you have any pictures? How do you like it so far compared to the W140 you had?

.

Cant compare it to my W140 because this car is pretty beat up and in need of restoration. I'd have to drive a model that is in similar condition to my W140 do really compare. Plus I haven't driven this car yet so I have no idea. I will say this for all Mercedes though, no matter how old they are or how beat up they are, doors always have that bank vault sound when you shut them. :yup:

When I looked at that '76 model last weekend, it was funny how little the instrument panels had changed between 1976 and 1999. They had the same layout and font, the only difference was that mine has the economy guage.

When I looked at that '76 model last weekend, it was funny how little the instrument panels had changed between 1976 and 1999. They had the same layout and font, the only difference was that mine has the economy guage.That look went back to the 60's as well. Its a trademark and has that all business look all Mercedes used to have. I had a beautiful '68 280 SE (I think) many years ago and it was an extraordinary car to drive, not as different in layout from a W140 as one would think. I would say the W107 and any older Benz is probably better built than the W140 and anything after it. I had an '87 300E and I always felt the W140 was just a bigger more luxurious version of that car. As far as modern Benz's go the W140 IMO is the last of the "real" Mercedes. Mercedes should have stuck to building high quality, reliable cars instead of mega hp stormers. They traded off everything they were known for and went for high tech, high performance instead.

1972 fuel injection...that must be alotta fun :)

A guy I work with recently got a 1981 300D, I5 diesel, non-turbo 186k....runs on Jet-A. I've been helping him with a couple things on it.... I only opened and closed the driver door, which you kinda gotta slam cause it's not lined up correctly or something.... didn't notice the bank vault thing about it....

but yeah, the interiors didn't change much, I looked inside it and was like, heh, Chad's '99 looks similar, except there is a big clock in place of the tach.

It's a neat car, actually in good shape but needs a paint job... W123.... I must say, after seeing it and being around it, it has rekindled the W126 thing, which is my personal favorite MB.... still tho... lotta money and no need for another car, it'd have to replace the Town Car which I am not gonna do.... and anyway I'd still like an E30 convertible in the future.

Get the W126 and you can play your favorite '80s television mob boss roles. :)

Got it to my warehouse today. I am so tempted to try that $50 paint thing on it. Its a bit rough as it sits:

http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z251/AstrocreepVIII/DSC05218.jpg

http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z251/AstrocreepVIII/DSC05217.jpg

http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z251/AstrocreepVIII/DSC05219.jpg

http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z251/AstrocreepVIII/DSC05212.jpg

http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z251/AstrocreepVIII/DSC05214.jpg

http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z251/AstrocreepVIII/DSC05209.jpg

http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z251/AstrocreepVIII/DSC05210.jpg

http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z251/AstrocreepVIII/DSC05220.jpg

That look went back to the 60's as well. Its a trademark and has that all business look all Mercedes used to have. I had a beautiful '68 280 SE (I think) many years ago and it was an extraordinary car to drive, not as different in layout from a W140 as one would think. I would say the W107 and any older Benz is probably better built than the W140 and anything after it. I had an '87 300E and I always felt the W140 was just a bigger more luxurious version of that car. As far as modern Benz's go the W140 IMO is the last of the "real" Mercedes. Mercedes should have stuck to building high quality, reliable cars instead of mega hp stormers. They traded off everything they were known for and went for high tech, high performance instead.

I read an interview with a senior Mercedes Benz executive a few months back, who allowed himself to be quoted as saying something to the effect that Mercedes needed to continue to be at the forefront of the High Tech gizmo parade in order to be perceived as an "luxury" car and to command the very high prices it does in the US. I have always felt much of Mercedes perceived quality was the result of "heavy" engineering instead of "smart" engineering. True to its' primary occupation as a truck manufacturer Mercedes cars have always been exceptionally heavy and until recently under powered (unless one wanted to exceed the $100K price barrier). This makes an excellent third world taxi. I drove many 450 Sls' back in the 1970's when they were new (my aunt had a new '77) and remember them as having some good oink by having dull, dead steering and generally dull driving dynamics ......... but there were sure a hit with in the Wilshire Blvd. corridor. I did find it interesting that they seem to have copied their (the 450 SL's) dashboard straight out of the Datsun (Nissan) 240Z!

Poor car !!! To get that thing back to life is a 2-year frame off resto, from chrome to leather to black frame and engine room paint. Someone really let that MB go to the dogs. Shame on 'em.

Poor car !!! To get that thing back to life is a 2-year frame off resto, from chrome to leather to black frame and engine room paint. Someone really let that MB go to the dogs. Shame on 'em.
It aint as bad as you think. It has rust but its not that bad. A little on the hood, passenger door (should be replaced) and a hole on the top the size of a dime. I had it running today and the motor makes no funny noises and does not smoke. You would be surprised what a little body work, paint and carpet would do. Not too mention some good detailing. All glass/chrome is good,body is straight except for the passenger door, the seats have no rips or tears, all lights/windows/electonics work. It actually wouldn't take that much to make it presentable. I'm not going that route, I'm just gonna either flip it as it sits or part it out. :thumbsup:

Wise move. Mercedes are deceptively expensive to refurbish and ones that appear to be good don't bring much money unlike some of the earlier roadsters.

I wish M-B didn't move away from the "Engineered Like No Other Car In The World" theme, but they had to do it to stay competitive, and the new cars are much more enticing to look at, especially in the interior.

I and the new cars are much more enticing to look at, especially in the interior.
I actually liked the interiors of old Benzes even if they are too "starK" or "cold" for some.

I liked how utilitarian and simple they were, especially for a high end luxury car. Logic and engineering excellence lead the design, not contemporary fashions.

I liked how utilitarian and simple they were, especially for a high end luxury car. Logic and engineering excellence lead the design, not contemporary fashions.

That can't be said for their exterior styling ........ remember the "finned" 60's models. Talk about slave to fashion ........ "our bread and butter cars are really dowdy ....... Ach tung! We better stick some fins on so they won't so old fashioned." But for our carriage trade customers we'll leave em off on the convertible and coupe. Mercedes has had some of the most beautiful luxury and sporting cars ever produced, but they felt no compulsion to share that beauty with the masses.

Here's some more pics of the machine cleaned up. Took a deposit on it today, new owner picking it up Monday.


http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z251/AstrocreepVIII/DSC05259.jpg

http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z251/AstrocreepVIII/DSC05241.jpg

http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z251/AstrocreepVIII/DSC05240.jpg

http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z251/AstrocreepVIII/DSC05242.jpg

http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z251/AstrocreepVIII/DSC05245.jpg

http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z251/AstrocreepVIII/DSC05235.jpg

How the heck do those HVAC controls work?