SL/SLC-Class (R107) 1971-1989 : 250SL, 280SL, 450 SL, 380 SLC, 450 SL, 380 SL, 560 SL

SL/R107: My first post and my first Benz...

Old May 3, 2006 | 05:02 PM
  #1  
Watch Carefully's Avatar
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From: Near Philly
'74 450 SL
My first post and my first Benz...

Hello all. I've been a VW-Audi guy since the 1980s, but have just reached an agreement to buy this cream & blue classic:









It's a very nicely kept 1974. I should be picking it up late next week from a dealer who got it from a fellow who kept it covered in a heated garage for the past decade. Apparently the maintenance was well looked after. I'm excited to enjoy the summer in roadster style.

Does anyone have advice on possibly replacing the large 1974 bumpers with smaller 1972/3 types?

Cheers,
Brad Jacobs
www.watchcareefully.com
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Old May 5, 2006 | 02:22 PM
  #2  
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From: Near Philly
'74 450 SL
Has anyone replaced later bumpers with early ones?

I'm not keen on the style of the 5mph bumpers on my '74 and may consider replacing them with the original style. Any advice on such an operation?
Cheers,
Brad
www.watchcarefully.com
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Old May 8, 2006 | 01:48 PM
  #3  
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From: Solon, OH
C32AMG
Originally Posted by Watch Carefully
I'm not keen on the style of the 5mph bumpers on my '74 and may consider replacing them with the original style. Any advice on such an operation?
Cheers,
Brad
www.watchcarefully.com
They're called "Euro bumpers" and they are available from Performance Products, Bud's Benz, or many other sources.

Congrats on your new purchase.
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Old May 10, 2006 | 11:52 AM
  #4  
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From: Near Philly
'74 450 SL
Thanks for the tip...

I may look into getting euro bumpers, but keeping this classic original is also appealing. Just picked her up last night and had a nice runabout in the fine Spring weather here in PA.



I'll be looking for an experienced 450SL mechanic in the Philly area now. Wish me luck.
Cheers,
Brad
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Old May 16, 2006 | 03:02 PM
  #5  
utopia13's Avatar
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From: Alexandria, VA
Currently driving an Audi 80 & stashing away $$ for my sweet SL! Can't wait!
Red face Mechanic....

Brad,
If you haven't found a good mechanic near you, consider a trip up the turnpike to see Dale or Mark at European Precision. They are in Emmaus, PA. Great guys & I still call them for advice after moving to DC nearly 4 years ago!


European Precision Inc
Address: 3893 Tank Farm Rd # A, Emmaus, PA 18049
Phone: (610) 965-3535

Tell them "Mo" sent ya!
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Old May 18, 2006 | 11:01 AM
  #6  
Watch Carefully's Avatar
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From: Near Philly
'74 450 SL
Thanks for the tip!

Thanks, Mo.
Emmaus is not too far...I'd be willing to go 40-50 miles to find the right shop. I've gotten referrals for Horst Fischer in DE. He worked on a friend's Audi and looked at some of my VWs back about 15 years ago. I might drop in on him, too.

I hope to be doing some work on the car this weekend...installing a rear seat kit so our daughter can ride with her parents.
Cheers,
Brad
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Old May 18, 2006 | 02:19 PM
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From: Alexandria, VA
Currently driving an Audi 80 & stashing away $$ for my sweet SL! Can't wait!
Hey Brad,
That's a nice one you bought there!

I have always loved them & in the last year have done a lot of reading up & educating myself on them in general. Sold my 03 Mitsubishi I had been dumping payments into & now have the guys in Emmaus along with my brother keeping an eye out for a nice early 80's SL for me. (They would have a better eye for problems or plusses than I...) so now I just wait...

Enjoy that nice ride!! Cheers!!

Mo~
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