Car rebuilder stumbled across a classic Mercedes for $400 in a once-in-a-blue-moon find, but it came with all the red flags
- This man bought a cheap 1993 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL R129
- He bought it at a Copart auction yard for just $425
- But the car came with a sketchy past and a few red flags
Published on Jan 06, 2025 at 5:21 PM (UTC+4)
by Nalin Rawat
Last updated on Jan 07, 2025 at 1:03 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Kate Bain
This lucky car rebuilder bought a classic Mercedes for $400 in a once-in-a-blue-moon deal, but it came with a sketchy history.
The new owner bought the car in a Copart auction yard in Phoenix, Arizona.
He paid $425 for the car, but it cost him around $1000 including fees and shipping costs.
It was only when he got the car, he realized it might not be the deal of the century.
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$400 classic Mercedes with a sketchy past
The new owner, who has a YouTube channel by the name of GK7 Garage, bought the 1993 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL R129, despite its unknown past.
He couldn’t run a Carfax check on it, the top did not close, and the keys were also lost.
On the used car market, the average price for identical models is approximately around $12,600.
However, he was able to get one for around $400 from the American Automobile Association (AAA) with a salvage title.
It’s not the first time someone has found a rare car in a junkyard sale.
At such a cheap price, the condition of the car doesn’t exactly come as a surprise.
The only visible damage is on the front bumper of the car, with scratches and paint peeled off in a few places.
Howewer, the cabin shows visible signs of wear and tear.
Even the nude leather on the passsenger’s seat is cut open.
A Jackpot or a bust?
Other than the obvious damage, the car had 117,265 miles on the clock.
The drop-top also didn’t work so the salvage yard had to cover the cabin with a protective plastic.
Fortunately, the new owner managed to start the classic Mercedes using pliers.
However, it’s still a complete project car, which will need a ton of work.
If you want to try your luck, you can also head to your nearest salvage yard to try your luck.
Who knows you might even come home from a salvage auction with a supercar, like this guy.
Nalin started his career by working with various national newspapers in India. He has also worked as a writer/editor for many popular websites, while still pursuing his journalism and mass communication degree. Working as a digital nomad has allowed him to inform and educate through his work. When he is not writing, you can find him playing video games or travelling the mountains on his bike.
