This will be the first car over the block at the Barrett Jackson auction in Scottsdale, AZ on Monday, January 10, 2015.
It seems like the Barrett Jackson Auction event in Scottsdale in January just keeps getting bigger and longer every year… with more vendors, food choices and of course, cars… lots of cars. Looking over their docket of auction cars for the upcoming January 2015 sale reveals this 1978 Mercedes 450SLC that will be offered for sale… it’s lot #1.1, the first thing to be auctioned at the sale will be the custom “Arizona Cardinals Golf Cart”, that’s lot #1.
This particular 450SLC, and more specifically, the front yard and driveway in the photo look familiar to me. I can’t be 100% certain, but I believe this is the same 450SLC that I’ve seen for sale for sale several times over the past couple of years… listed on eBay more than once as well as on hemmings.com.
Engine bay looks cleaner than most.
The brief auction description from Barrett Jackson describes the car as having a recent repaint in ‘rootbeer metallic’. Being a 1978 model, I’d bet that the actual color is Mercedes’ Cinnamon Brown Metallic. The car looks to have palomino interior which is stated to be original. It’s got the standard bundt style wheels one would expect, unfortunately, it also has those dealer add-on chrome fender trim pieces. Those pieces aren’t to everyone’s taste and can be removed without too much difficulty if the new owner so desires, hopefully there’s nothing nasty lurking under them.
Being the first couple of cars at any auction is always a tough spot… are people in their seats, will anyone be paying attention yet? My guess is, yes… even if it’s Monday at Barrett Jackson. The auction description doesn’t make any mention of mileage, and I really wish I could remember the ‘Buy It Now’ price, I remember it being really high, maybe $20,000?
Interior looks very presentable… very nice cars to drive on the open road and the top of the line from Mercedes-Benz in 1978.
You never know with Barrett Jackson… will someone step up and end up pay a lot of money for an often under appreciated Young Classic Mercedes? There are decent, non-original paint, driver quality 450SLCs available all over the country in the $4,000 – $6,000 range. It will be interesting to see what this one actually sells for, after all, it is being sold with no reserve. Let’s have some fun… I’m going to look into my crystal ball.. and without having seen this car in person, just looking over the Barret Jackson auction description, without even knowing the mileage of the car… I’m going to pull out my crystal ball and say this car hammers sold for $6,500. What do you think it will sell for? Enter your guess in the comments section below this post.
For the full schedule of activities at the Barrett Jackson Scottsdale Auction 2015 click this link…9 action packed days with automobilia and collector car auctions the whole time!