What happened to all the W116 - '73-'80 450 SEL's?

It is awful what they did in the 70s to beautiful cars like the W116. What I mean is replacing standard bumpers with those monstrosities. IMO, they ruin the car's lines.

Also, I notice there is a fashion in USA for bright chrome wheels. Mmmm, well, I guess it's a matter of personal preference.

Anyway, that aside the car looks wonderful given its asking price. Oh what I would give for a rust free W116!

Adam
'73 280SE
'77 6.9

[Mockles]

I am not sure what happened to the other ones, but I was able to get my hands on a grey one with black interior, sunroof, earlier this week for a couple thousand.

However, such a deal does not come without certain issues, as always. On the ride back to the house it had a few hills to climb, and by the time it was finally parked here it was boiling over badly. Before you ask, or suggest, NO white smoke from the exhaust, and I even removed and boiled the thermo up to about 180F and she popped open, no problem. In removing the thermo, however, I was slightly dismayed over four small droplets of oil floating around in the AF, but I looked over the path from where I removed the thermo and noticed the AF hit a few things on it's way into the container that are covered with some oil, so my fingers are crossed. Rumor has it that it may be a radiator blockage, and my wallet loves such a diagnosis, trust me.

[mikemover]

Originally posted by A. Rosich
The W116 was, is and would be remembered as one of the greatest cars of all time manufactured by Mercedes-Benz.

We all have to remember that the W116 was sold as a vast range in its life cycle: 280S, 280SE, 280SEL, 350SE, 350SEL, 450SE, 450SEL and the venerable 450SEL 6.9.

A. Rosich
S320, 1998
E320T, 1995

Hey, you forgot the 300SD!!!!

[Ether]

Hey Mike,

Your wheels in the pic look to be chrome. Did you get that done recently? I don't remember them being that shiny. Looks good!

Joe

[mikemover]

Hey, man! Long-time-no-talk!

Yes, I got the wheels a few months ago, used, from a friend of mine that has a shop in Marietta. He had been on the lookout for a very nice set of them for me, and they were not cheap! I posted a few photos on here a while back, and did some bragging, but I guess you didn't see it. I'm VERY happy with them. I think the chrome looks great on the 116 since there's so much chrome on the car already. It would look even better on your black car, you need to find a set!

I've been posting a lot less here recently, not by choice--I've just been very busy with my band, and some other studio work...Haven't been able to fit in as much car-chat lately.

Here's another angle of the new wheels.

Mike

[mikemover]

[Ether]

Those wheels do look nice man.

I haven't been able to read the board or post much lately either. Work and kids keeping me busy.

FYI
I've seen a gray W116 300SD driving around the Highlands area a few times driven by an older fellow. Looked to be in pretty good shape. I don't see to many of them around town so it's kinda cool when I see one tooling down the road.

Hope all is well with you. We're gonna have to get another diesel gathering organized before long.

Later,
Joe

[Northern450]

anti - In a shocking coincidence, I also own a 60's vintage continental (67 and 66 to be exact) and a 450SE, what are the chances of that?

I bought my 450 last week, and it's arrow straight with no rust, sunroof, silver in colour and leather interioir. 200 000 miles, in Montreal, Quebec. I'll be picking it up this weekend after some minor repairs (brakes, etc), I can't wait! It's my first Benz.

[mikemover]

Welcome to the club, bro! The 116 chassis is my favorite MB...I think you'll find it to be a fun and rock-solid car!

mike

[BenzOnline]

Nope...not my fave eitheir.

Just has an "ugly" look to it though it may be reliable. Comparing the 126 to the 116, the 126 looks way more modern especially the interior.

[86560SEL]

I have not had time to read the replies, but I have always liked these cars. I almost bought a 76 450SEL a couple of years ago for only $1100. I still see it going in town here. I should have bought it. It had no rust, but had faded paint and the interior was mint condition.

[1977450sel]

I was wondering if anyone has some suggestions about faded paint. I have a 1977 450sel, running stong and i'd like to keep it. However the faded paint and cancer (rust) is starting to diminish my love of it. Any one have some experiences/tips about how to deal with this and getting it painted. At one time it was red...today it is an interesting tomato color and the hood is even worse.

[blackmercedes]

Most of the W116's around here have just faded away in a cloud of rust-dust. Since I still see lots of clean W123's, I think MB started rust-proofing them, but not the 116's.

[Kestas]

Have you tried rubbing compound to remove the oxidized layer and rejuvenate the paint? It should work if the fade is only superficial. If the fade goes through the entire color coat layer then it's time to repaint.

I bought my 77 450SEL a couple of years ago in Sarasota. It has been repainted, with a silver that's more neutral than the original, which is kind of bluish. When I got it North, I went around and sanded out any chips in the paint, applied rust converter to any obstinate spots, then dabbed in silver paint until it was filled above level. 600 grit wet-or dry sandpaper, then Dupont Finesse-it, and we had good repairs. The floor of the trunk was rotted just behind the rear wheels, so we sanded and cut away the rot, welded in new metal (forunately these areas are flat). We had to use a little glass to rebuild the corner of the wheel well. Rust proofed everything inside and out, repainted the weld burns and blended it in. Two Rochester winters and no new rust! I still get compliments on my "new Mercedes".