hardtuned.com's 2002 Double 500 campaign.
The hardtuned.com rally car:
The Car:
1976 Mercedes Benz 450 SEL.
Purchase Price: $500
Features: 180 hp 4.5 liter V8, 5100 lbs of road hugging weight, european Bosch H4 headlights, late model 16" wheels, tinted windows. For $500, this thing looks respectable.
Body: Mostly straight, minor dings and scrapes, keyed down the right side, and one rust bubble under the windshield.
Interior: Well worn; seats look good but collapse 4-5 inches under the slightest of pressure. Carpet /door panels are moderately thrashed. Other endearing features include a broken passenger side window stuck in the lowered position, working lights and horn. The heater seems to be frozen in the on position and the air conditioning does not seem to work.
Mechanical: 2" rust hole in exhaust before the first of two mufflers, working brakes, and an occassionally violent intermittent shake in the front end between 50 and 65 mph. Previous owner took the car in trade for a boat, and was frightened by the shaking front end.