Why not? Buy this '68 250SL?

[Andres G]

Hello All,

I continue my search of the ideal SL for me to buy. I've so far invested over 3 months in this quest and the most important discovery I have made about these beautiful cars is that the more I learn the more I realize I don't know yet...

Anyway, I came accross quite a few examples, none of which was worth buying mainly due to rust issues, some others were not the color of my choice and some more just did not fit my particular taste or preferences.

So yesterday I was browsing around e-bay and I came accross this car...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=330279597190

My question is simple: I know that a great car cannot be sold for such a low price, so can someone remind me why I should not buy this one (apart from it not being the color I'd like and not having a softop)?

Thanks,
Andres G

[john.mancini]

California Specials (No soft top and no soft top cover) never seem to bring as much money as 113's equipped with soft tops. They are, or seem, to be less desirable. The hood(bonnet) on this car does not seem to fit right in the photos. Wrong tail lights. Rockers are wrongly painted. It's so hard to tell by the photos, but who knows. Can you look at the car in person?

[Khurram Darugar]

There are no underbody photos!

[graphic66]

Looks like it was in a flood, stains on the carpet. You will not believe the amount of time and money to get this car right. Huge project judging by the pics.

[Douglas]

I would pass on this one, but I am curious about one thing: I would ask if it has 4 or 5 speeds. A lot of those Italian Coupes seem to have 5-speeds.

[seixever]

This car has a several wrong particulars like, hub cap (from 280sl), center steering weel, upholstery, external mirror (many italian cars hadn't it untill 1975), antenna without radio (never seen an italian car with antenna but no radio because at the time there was an "antenna tax" and so, why buy one without other if you must pay in every case...?

Why so much works/exchange if it has only 78k kms?

Tail and direction lights are correct for italian market but air con. is very inusual: it must be an american add.

I think is more difficult sell a coupè than a roadster because the roof is very hard to get on/off and you cannot use the car freely, but at that price in Europe you can buy only a poster or little more...

[Andres G]

Hello All,

Thanks for your replies. As I said before, I am beggining to understand the extent of the task that it is to find and maintain a car like this that will fit my needs/standards.

I will continue on my search I guess, but I do truly appreciate the help, comments and explanations based on the limited data available.

Take care,
Andres G