1968 250 SL value

[hwork50]

I have a 1968 250 SL that I am trying to figure out the value on.

It has a rebuilt engine (43,000 miles ago = total miles of 200,000) and is original paint with some Recaro seats that look similar with black leather. The car mechanically is great and has never been in the rain, I know kinda weird. The tires are great and it runs strong. My car is a California car with no rust and is in great condition.

It does have a few things that could make it better.
- The tach does not work
- The clock does not work
- The radio is not original but works
- and the seats are not original
- the air conditioning is aftermarket and works

Here is a link to some dropbox photos if you are interested in seeing the car to help.

https://www.dropbox.com/t/8lTue9PEKEHtGFXl

I am planning on selling the car I just don't know where to start.

Thanks for any and all help.

Brent

[Vander]

Brent,

It looks like a good car, some more info on the history of the car would help you sell it. For example...How long have you owned it? How many miles have you put on it? What paperwork/service history comes with the car? Do you have documentation for the rebuilt engine?

You have a decent amount of photos, underneath photos will help big time to show there is no rust as you mention. The Blaupunkt radio and A/C are acceptable. It's very possible this car was built without a radio, and the Blaupunkt was installed before delivery (data card would confirm).

According to the data plate shown in photo #12 the car should have a red hard top and hubcaps.

The biggest deduction on the car are the seats and carpet.

Hopefully this helps.

[rwmastel]

I am planning on selling the car I just don't know where to start.

Brent,

How many other For Sale ads have you studied?  You can go to our For Sale forum and look back over the last year or two for car sales and study the condition of the cars and see the prices asked (and questions asked!).  You can look at Hemmings.  Even without a login, I think you can see the actual selling price on Bring-a-Trailer auctions (and study the comments on each SL auction).  These are the places to start, in my opinion. 

Most people on this site are hesitant to give a value to a car.  We're not appraisers, and it would be difficult to appraise from a distance regardless.  What we are good at is looking at pictures and identifying things that are not original, may need replaced/restored, and so forth.  Just check a sample here, where I don't believe criticism or critique was asked for.  https://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=35906.0

[hwork50]

Thanks so much for the reply. I do appreciate it.

Here are some answers to your questions:

Since 1998

How many miles have you put on it?

4000 miles

What paperwork/service history comes with the car?

All service records

Do you have documentation for the rebuilt engine?

No

According to the data plate shown in photo #12 the car should have a red hard top and hubcaps. Correct?

No, Black/Black/Black

Hardtop, hubs, interior

The biggest deduction on the car are the seats and carpet. This was from a professional who knows about these cars.

I get it, especially if they’re purists. My experience with vintage is the difference between curators and enthusiasts:

Curators are focused on the perfectly preserved vehicle in all aspects;

Enthusiasts are looking for a vintage ‘driver’ vehicle and want the experience. Do you think this would be worth putting the correct seats in?

What do you think it is worth based on that? Is 77k too much as the last few have sold for in the 70's.

[hwork50]

Thanks Rodd!

That is good advice.

 I know at the end of the day it is all about what people are willing to pay and if it matches their needs. I will be listing the car but I figured I would check with you all first.

I might need to replace the seats and carpet as it might be worth replacing those to make the car more period correct.

[dpreston Virginia]

The seats are bad (hideous). Replace seats, carpet and really detail the heck out of the car if you want to get near your number.
You are getting good advice.

[rwmastel]

Maybe some member in the LA to San Diego stretch of coast knows an appriser you could use.  Something a little more difficult would be to arrange to meet a couple members to have them experience the car and give an amateur evaluation (for a modest pre-arranged price).

[hwork50]

Great advice! The car has been detailed as those photos are a little bit on the older side.

I think the seat replacement is a great idea. Can I buy repo covers and use those or is there something more specific I need to use to keep the car more authentic?

Is there a place to buy the carpet?

Thanks again!

[Pinder]

You can buy the carpet at GAT   (german auto tops.) its around $700 bucks. worth the effort to do the install. will make a big difference in air quality in the car. while your at it put some extra sound deadening on the floors and also doors. I did this and it made a big difference in the sound of the doors closing. feels like its built like a tank.

[hwork50]

Thanks so much for that. I was wondering about that.

[teahead]

oRIGINAL paint is a huge plus, although that would have to be verified in person.

Rebuilt engine is nice, but w/o documentation, won't add much to the value.

Nice running and lack of rust would be the biggest selling point.  Get a paint meter and record (pictures) at various places around the car.  Especially the doors and fenders.

Driving video and a nice, detailed walkaround video too.  That helped sell my cars.

Remember, people are buying from all over the world, so the better information (pics and videos), the higher the selling price.

Good luck!

And yes, you can sell those recaros for good money.  Easy to swap seats.  Get a new carpet (fairly cheap) and put in your original seats.

[Jonny B]

You could try Brian Peters at Motoring Investments in San Diego. His specialty is the Pagoda cars.

motoringinvestments.com

[mdsalemi]

I have a 1968 250 SL that I am trying to figure out the value on.

It does have a few things that could make it better. [/b]
- The tach does not work
- The clock does not work
- The radio is not original but works
- and the seats are not original
- the air conditioning is aftermarket and works

Suggestions? Get the tach fixed.
Clock is not big deal, they were a kluge of a design to begin with. An original clock that doesn't work is "normal". It leaves it up to a new owner to struggle with rebuilding the old clock (something some people love to do) or simply getting a quartz replacement.
Many US cars came with dealer installed Blaupunkts. Then over the years they were "upgraded" to cassette players, etc. So if it works, that's fine.
If the seats are truly not original, that's worth a few $K in reduction for sure. Maybe they were just rebuilt poorly?
All the a/c in the USA I thing, was dealer installed aftermarket. So aftermarket not a big deal. Working? That's a plus!

Go to the Hagerty website and give an honest assessment of the car's condition. They track all the sales and factor that into the value metric.

Good luck!

[hwork50]

Great suggestions. Thank you so much for taking the time to give me some feedback.

[hwork50]

I will give them a call in the morning. Thanks so much!

[rwmastel]

Go to the Hagerty website....

Give them a call?  Nobody calls anymore!   

[hwork50]

I'm old school. I will probably just give them a call, haha.