RHD SL73 AMG Value

[John Jones Jr]

Tell me more.

The glass is half full.

Even if it's not an ex SOB car it's still a four thousand mile SL73. Anyway, I'm guessing you got the car at the 'right' money and if so the bonus will be that it is an original SOB car.

 

[89speedster]

The glass is half full.

Even if it's not an ex SOB car it's still a four thousand mile SL73. Anyway, I'm guessing you got the car at the 'right' money and if so the bonus will be that it is an original SOB car.

Similar to my thoughts. The downside is relatively limited. Biggest risk is it needs a lot more work than I'm expecting and the recommission work gets out of hand.

 

[grober]

Car is based in a far flung land, so I've not seen it and am relying on a friend who has. I'm taking a fairly big punt as the car has stood for many years and now needs quite a bit of work and recommissioning which won't be cheap or easy.

Have to say that when I read this the alarm bells went off. IRRC these 73's were never "engine- numbered" as such. They all started off as SL600's with M120 engines and subsequently converted. If this is indeed the case one can admit to the possibility of identity "confusion" or engine substitution further down the line. Without rock solid corroborative evidence I would be wary. Primary check on these bored and stroked engines would be to measure the cylinder displacement as I imagine there's not much visible evidence of any engine conversion. Has your friend checked the engine and chassis number with AMG?

 

[89speedster]

Have to say that when I read this the alarm bells went off. IRRC these 73's were never "engine- numbered" as such. They all started off as SL600's with M120 engines and subsequently converted. If this is indeed the case one can admit to the possibility of identity "confusion" or engine substitution further down the line. Without rock solid corroborative evidence I would be wary. Primary check on these bored and stroked engines would be to measure the cylinder displacement as I imagine there's not much visible evidence of any engine conversion. Has your friend checked the engine and chassis number with AMG?

There are a few things that give me the confidence it is what it purports to be...

Chassis number confirms it was originally an SL600

Chassis number check confirms the car was manufactured for the Brunei market.

I have been promised written evidence the car is a genuine ex SOB SL73

Condition of the car is commensurate with it being a SOB car, IE poorly cared for

Car has all the right cues that its an SL73

Has all the original handbooks that state SL73

Vendor is 100% trustworthy as is my contact. I can be certain neither of them is trying to pull my pants down

Car is still on its original tyres which helps corroborate the miles

The vendor is offering other ex SOB cars


Re speaking to the factory, I'm on the case with this.

A thorough inspection of the engine would be great and this will be done as part of the rebuild, but no time to do it now as danger is I will lose the opportunity. I'm taking a punt!

 

[d w124]

I presume that was the Ironside car? That was a few years ago apparently, so prices have moved on a bit since.

This was late last year and a member here bought it
It wasn't from Ironside or Bourneys car and yes his SL's were badged as 730 or at least the one that sold in UK was

 

[roger574]

Yes please!

^+1

 

[Doodle]

Biggest risk is it needs a lot more work than I'm expecting and the recommission work gets out of hand.

The 129 is a pretty tough old bird. Apart from roof issues which can get expensive to track down, the only showstopper would be if an AMG-specific part was damaged.

 

[89speedster]

The 129 is a pretty tough old bird. Apart from roof issues which can get expensive to track down, the only showstopper would be if an AMG-specific part was damaged.

I hope you're right

 

[MD5]

Sweet.

What are the odds (consecutive engine numbers!) - I took these pictures at an SL meet at Sandringham in 2010. The owner was having roof problems, and it went on the market not long after.

 

[BTB 500]

Condition of the car is commensurate with it being a SOB car, IE poorly cared for

I thought the SoB got rid of these cars a few years ago, so they'd have had subsequent owners by now?

 

[89speedster]

What are the odds (consecutive engine numbers!) - I took these pictures at an SL meet at Sandringham in 2010. The owner was having roof problems, and it went on the market not long after.

Do you have any more photos of the engine bay?

 

[BTB 500]

Note - 2 owners on this particular car since it left Brunei, and that was in 2010.

 

[John Jones Jr]

There are a few things that give me the confidence it is what it purports to be...

Chassis number confirms it was originally an SL600

Chassis number check confirms the car was manufactured for the Brunei market.

I have been promised written evidence the car is a genuine ex SOB SL73

Condition of the car is commensurate with it being a SOB car, IE poorly cared for

Car has all the right cues that its an SL73

Has all the original handbooks that state SL73

Vendor is 100% trustworthy as is my contact. I can be certain neither of them is trying to pull my pants down

Car is still on its original tyres which helps corroborate the miles

The vendor is offering other ex SOB cars


Re speaking to the factory, I'm on the case with this.

A thorough inspection of the engine would be great and this will be done as part of the rebuild, but no time to do it now as danger is I will lose the opportunity. I'm taking a punt!

Is it definitely R/H/D?

 

[89speedster]

Is it definitely R/H/D?

Yes, 100%

 

[John Jones Jr]

Yes, 100%

When's the party?

 

[89speedster]

When's the party?

When the car lands and I can be certain its a 73 :bannana::bannana::bannana:

 

[John Jones Jr]

When the car lands and I can be certain its a 73 :bannana::bannana::bannana:

You're going to no fun to live with for the next few weeks!

 

[MD5]

A couple more

 

[89speedster]

MD5, thats really helpful, Thank you.

I'm starting to think that the Sultan never ordered '50 cars of which 2 were RHD'. I think its possible he had a collection of around 50 different models of Mercedes all of which had a 7.3, 565bhp engine installed.

All the SL73 LHD engines bays I've seen show an extensive carbon engine cover with 7.3 insignia (see attached photo), but no SOB plaque. The Ironside car has a less extensive engine cover which matches the car I'm buying. Is it possible either the RHD layout or the extra 40bhp means the engine cover would have to be adapted?

Also, so far I've only found two SOB numbered engines, the RHD Ironside car which is number 52 and his bespoke Argento SL73 which is number 51, also RHD and the has the 'RHD' engine cover.

Lastly, bear in mind that Brunei drive on the left side of the road, why would he order just two RHD cars but loads of LHD?

 

[MD5]

Also, so far I've only found two SOB numbered engines, the RHD Ironside car which is number 52 and his bespoke Argento SL73 which is number 51, also RHD and the has the 'RHD' engine cover.

Lastly, bear in mind that Brunei drive on the left side of the road, why would he order just two RHD cars but loads of LHD?

I spoke to the owner on the day, and he kept the car in Bournemouth, where I live, although he was based in London. It is engine no. 52, and Ironside isn't far from here.