1979 Mercedes-Benz 450 SEL

Registration No: LNF 240V
Chassis No: 11603322096297
MOT: Exempt

• Reputedly owned by just two families from new
• Purchased and restored by the vendor because his father was the original keeper
• Fitted with a new sunroof, leather interior, front wings and sills as part of the renovation
• Mechanically gone through by marque specialist Nick Webster

Introduced in 1972, the W116 was flagship of the contemporary Mercedes-Benz range. Beautifully built, the newcomer offered levels of safety, interior space, handling, performance and ride that few, if any, rivals could match. Equipped with all round independent suspension (McPherson strut front, semi-trailing arm rear), disc brakes and power assisted steering, engine sizes varied from a modest 2.8 litre straight-six to an extravagant 6.9 litre V8. Though, it could be argued that the long wheelbase 450 SEL model was the pick of the range. Reputedly capable of 130mph thanks to its potent 4520cc V8 unit, it was less nose-heavy / thirsty than the Wagnerian 6.9.

A lifelong Mercedes-Benz enthusiast, the vendor jumped at the chance to buy ‘LNF 240V’ during August 2012 because it had originally belonged to his father. Unperturbed to learn that the 450 SEL had been written off by an insurance company five years earlier due to minor storm damage (tiles falling on its roof etc), he set about having the car professionally restored at a cost of circa £15,000. Treated to a new sunroof (the storm’s primary victim), sills and front wings plus a repaint, the luxury saloon was then despatched to marque specialist Nick Webster for much mechanical fettling. The interior was refreshed courtesy of new old stock upholstery sourced from America but the supplying dealer’s rear window sticker (Premier Service Station of Levenshulme) left proudly in situ. The seller was told that ‘LNF 240V’ had been kept by different members of the same family since leaving his father’s care and is confident that the current odometer reading of c.59,600 miles represents the total covered from new. Starting readily and running well during our recent photography session, the 450 SEL has seen modest use since its rejuvenation. Still an imposing and luxurious motorcar, it is offered for sale with old V5 Registration Document, owner’s manual, letter re the storm damage and sundry paperwork.

For more information, please contact:
Damian Jones
damian.jones@handh.co.uk
07855 493737