1977 MERCEDES-BENZ 450 4D SEDAN SE
$39,950
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The W116-series was launched in Europe in late 1972, replacing the W108 and W109 lines which came before it. It represented a significant leap forward for Mercedes-Benz, introducing a raft of styling and engineering advancements which set the tone for the brand for the following thirty years. It was the first Mercedes flagship line to be known officially as the “S-Class” (short for the German ‘Sonderklasse’ or ‘special class’) and went on to enjoy significant sales success right through to the end of its run in 1980. The 450SE version of the W116 was crowned European Car of the Year for 1974, just one example of the enviable critical acclaim which the 116 earned for itself internationally.
We are very proud to be able to offer this extraordinary and storied example of the W116, arguably the best one of its kind on offer at the moment. It is an Australian-compliance 450SE, a comparatively rare car due to the fact that the majority of 450s for Australia were ordered in the long-wheelbase (SEL) format. This particular vehicle is finished in Grey Blue metallic (code 906), with a parchment leather interior highlighted by lustrous zebrano timber trim. It has covered a remarkably low 117,736km from new, and comes complete with all the original factory literature, service log book, Becker radio manuals and more, all contained within the factory valise. The vehicle was ordered by celebrated heart surgeon the late Dr. Victor Chang for his father, with the intention that the vehicle would later become part of Dr. Chang’s personal collection in Sydney. As Dr. Chang’s father lived in Hong Kong, the vehicle was ordered to full Australian specification (option code 625: “version for Australia”, which saw compliance with all prevailing unique-to-this-country Australian Design Rules including ADR27A for emissions and ADR34 for child restraint anchorage points) but first delivered to his father in Kowloon in May 1977 by the local Mercedes distributor Zung Fu Company Ltd. It was subsequently brought to Australia by Dr. Chang in late 1987 with around 23,000km on the odometer, and its Australian compliance plate (stamped July 1977) was fitted under the auspices of authorised Mercedes-Benz dealer Marshalls Motors of Parramatta in Sydney. It is important to distinguish this vehicle from what is generally referred to as a second-hand import, as it was built 100% to Australian specification always with the intention of it coming to this country – similar in some ways to a “tourist delivery” order of the era. We have documentation of its ordering history in correspondence with the Mercedes-Benz Classic Centre (part of the Daimler-Benz Museum in Stuttgart) confirming its Australian-spec build and its delivery to Dr. Chang’s father on 18 May 1977.
The vehicle presents in exceptional condition, and has had considerable money invested in it over recent years (details are available on request) with a large number of receipts to verify that it has been meticulously maintained. The two front seats were recently professionally re-trimmed with new German box-pleated leather in the original colour, sourced from GAHH of Los Angeles – widely acknowledged as the suppliers of the finest replacement trims for classic Mercedes-Benz. The interior is undamaged by either the years or the sun’s rays, with all the leather (including the original back seat and four headrests) as supple as ever. The W116 was unfortunately known for the propensity of its dashboards to crack from the effects of prolonged UV exposure, but the dash on this vehicle is utterly unblemished. The car’s features (including the original Becker Monza AM/FM radio cassette, complete with its manuals and OEM electric Hirschmann aerial) work perfectly, and the factory fitted fully-integrated BEHR air-conditioning offers ice-cold cooling on demand. The M117-engined 4.5L V8 pulls strongly and crisply, with a magnificent V8 timbre to delight the Mercedes enthusiast. The car also sits on 14-inch “Baroque” factory alloy wheels, shod with quality tyres set off by period-correct whitewalls. It is further set apart by the fitment of OEM under-bumper foglights, W100-style chrome wheel-arch garnishes and the inclusion of classic MB rattan-style floormats.
With is exceptional condition, stunning colour combination, first-class provenance, doting maintenance history and increasing rarity, we believe that this unique 116 offers an excellent investment opportunity for the Mercedes enthusiast or collector of classic 20th Century motor vehicles. It is ready to be enjoyed by its new owner with nothing required to be spent, and we invite you to make an appointment with us as soon as possible to view it in person. The vehicle has previously been registered on historic plates with the Mercedes-Benz Club of NSW, but is currently on full registration in NSW until March 2024.
We are a boutique dealership located in a warehouse just 15 minutes from the Sydney CBD and 15 minutes from the airport. We pride ourselves on the quality of our cars and specialise in Mercedes-Benz. Our stock is hand-picked and each car is meticulously checked prior to being offered for sale by a specialist third-party technician. We are MTA members and agents for NSW Roads and Maritime Services, enabling us to transfer registrations and perform other transactions such as number plate transfer from our office. A range of other services is also offered including the transport of cars to any state or overseas, and competitive financing rates for all cars including older ones. Our showroom is indoors and off-street parking is available for our customers inside. We are Mercedes-Benz Club members and specialise in the brand, and aim to provide our customers with a high level of personalised service befitting of the unique cars that we offer.
Dealer Comments
The W116-series was launched in Europe in late 1972, replacing the W108 and W109 lines which came before it. It represented a significant leap forward for Mercedes-Benz, introducing a raft of styling and engineering advancements which set the tone for the brand for the following thirty years. It was the first Mercedes flagship line to be known officially as the “S-Class” (short for the German ‘Sonderklasse’ or ‘special class’) and went on to enjoy significant sales success right through to the end of its run in 1980. The 450SE version of the W116 was crowned European Car of the Year for 1974, just one example of the enviable critical acclaim which the 116 earned for itself internationally.
We are very proud to be able to offer this extraordinary and storied example of the W116, arguably the best one of its kind on offer at the moment. It is an Australian-compliance 450SE, a comparatively rare car due to the fact that the majority of 450s for Australia were ordered in the long-wheelbase (SEL) format. This particular vehicle is finished in Grey Blue metallic (code 906), with a parchment leather interior highlighted by lustrous zebrano timber trim. It has covered a remarkably low 117,736km from new, and comes complete with all the original factory literature, service log book, Becker radio manuals and more, all contained within the factory valise. The vehicle was ordered by celebrated heart surgeon the late Dr. Victor Chang for his father, with the intention that the vehicle would later become part of Dr. Chang’s personal collection in Sydney. As Dr. Chang’s father lived in Hong Kong, the vehicle was ordered to full Australian specification (option code 625: “version for Australia”, which saw compliance with all prevailing unique-to-this-country Australian Design Rules including ADR27A for emissions and ADR34 for child restraint anchorage points) but first delivered to his father in Kowloon in May 1977 by the local Mercedes distributor Zung Fu Company Ltd. It was subsequently brought to Australia by Dr. Chang in late 1987 with around 23,000km on the odometer, and its Australian compliance plate (stamped July 1977) was fitted under the auspices of authorised Mercedes-Benz dealer Marshalls Motors of Parramatta in Sydney. It is important to distinguish this vehicle from what is generally referred to as a second-hand import, as it was built 100% to Australian specification always with the intention of it coming to this country – similar in some ways to a “tourist delivery” order of the era. We have documentation of its ordering history in correspondence with the Mercedes-Benz Classic Centre (part of the Daimler-Benz Museum in Stuttgart) confirming its Australian-spec build and its delivery to Dr. Chang’s father on 18 May 1977.
The vehicle presents in exceptional condition, and has had considerable money invested in it over recent years (details are available on request) with a large number of receipts to verify that it has been meticulously maintained. The two front seats were recently professionally re-trimmed with new German box-pleated leather in the original colour, sourced from GAHH of Los Angeles – widely acknowledged as the suppliers of the finest replacement trims for classic Mercedes-Benz. The interior is undamaged by either the years or the sun’s rays, with all the leather (including the original back seat and four headrests) as supple as ever. The W116 was unfortunately known for the propensity of its dashboards to crack from the effects of prolonged UV exposure, but the dash on this vehicle is utterly unblemished. The car’s features (including the original Becker Monza AM/FM radio cassette, complete with its manuals and OEM electric Hirschmann aerial) work perfectly, and the factory fitted fully-integrated BEHR air-conditioning offers ice-cold cooling on demand. The M117-engined 4.5L V8 pulls strongly and crisply, with a magnificent V8 timbre to delight the Mercedes enthusiast. The car also sits on 14-inch “Baroque” factory alloy wheels, shod with quality tyres set off by period-correct whitewalls. It is further set apart by the fitment of OEM under-bumper foglights, W100-style chrome wheel-arch garnishes and the inclusion of classic MB rattan-style floormats.
With is exceptional condition, stunning colour combination, first-class provenance, doting maintenance history and increasing rarity, we believe that this unique 116 offers an excellent investment opportunity for the Mercedes enthusiast or collector of classic 20th Century motor vehicles. It is ready to be enjoyed by its new owner with nothing required to be spent, and we invite you to make an appointment with us as soon as possible to view it in person. The vehicle has previously been registered on historic plates with the Mercedes-Benz Club of NSW, but is currently on full registration in NSW until March 2024.
We are a boutique dealership located in a warehouse just 15 minutes from the Sydney CBD and 15 minutes from the airport. We pride ourselves on the quality of our cars and specialise in Mercedes-Benz. Our stock is hand-picked and each car is meticulously checked prior to being offered for sale by a specialist third-party technician. We are MTA members and agents for NSW Roads and Maritime Services, enabling us to transfer registrations and perform other transactions such as number plate transfer from our office. A range of other services is also offered including the transport of cars to any state or overseas, and competitive financing rates for all cars including older ones. Our showroom is indoors and off-street parking is available for our customers inside. We are Mercedes-Benz Club members and specialise in the brand, and aim to provide our customers with a high level of personalised service befitting of the unique cars that we offer.
