That's No Wrap: B-J Sells the Most Patriotic 2004 SL500 in Las Vegas

The perverse inverse of “custom” car values

It’s pretty simple: When you build exactly the car you want, that’s just what you’ve done. YOU want it. And how many “yous” are out there when it comes time to move your creation to a new home? In this car’s case, only as many as it took to reach its $19,800 sales price, even in high-rolling Las Vegas. Now, if you purchased this car new in 2004—which this seller states to have done for “over 100,000”—and kept in in tip-top shape for its admittedly-low 42k miles, price guides say your baby is worth, deep breath, $10k to $15k. Ouch. But it gets worse for this particular seller…

All images courtesy Barrett-Jackson Auction

These colors WILL run (you hope)

According to its description, this rootin’ tootin’ ‘Murrican—or foreign-born citizen trying WAY too super-hard to look the part—spent that entire peak resale value on this… paint job. Sorry, even I know when to let something speak for itself. But I will say this: In the entire 64-year history of the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class, it has been built in exactly two places: Bremen, Germany—and a place where you’ll wish they never built a factory if you have to type its full name—Santiago Tianguistenco, Mexico. [Yes! Nailed it!] Now I’m not a geography expert despite what it says on my business card, but I’m pretty sure neither of those places is even a territory of the U.S. of A. That this was meant as a political statement makes it all the more ironic…

All images courtesy Barrett-Jackson Auction 

>>Join the conversation about this star-spangled SL 500 right here in MBWorld.

The interior color is called “Republican Red.” I am not kidding.

Go, right now, and look in the “Details” box on the left edge of Barrett-Jackson’s auction listing just below the photos. Now read the third line down. Yep. Just… yep. I don’t know which side of the “aisle” you’re on, but there’s no mistaking the fact that Mercedes did NOT call it that. And while “Berry Red” isn’t very sexy, either the former owner/lunatic completely redid this car’s interior in a custom color—part of that inflated $100k-plus price tag, perhaps?—or they were making a statement here. I leave it to you to decide.

All images courtesy Barrett-Jackson Auction 

>>Join the conversation about this star-spangled SL 500 right here in MBWorld.

Planting—I mean painting—the flag on Mars

Speaking of Mercedes' colors, while the second line of that description says (or yells) “Exterior Color RED, WHITE AND BLUE,” I’m going to go ahead and say this car actually left the factory in "Mars Red." Safe bet, I know, seeing as how the un-flagged portions of the paintwork—including underhood goodies like the shock towers—bear that shade. And given the stock appearance of its original 5.0-liter V8 engine and the condition of the compartment within which it resides, at least that stuff was left well enough alone. As for the rest of it…

All images courtesy Barrett-Jackson Auction 

>>Join the conversation about this star-spangled SL 500 right here in MBWorld.

It’s not THAT bad. From behind the wheel or trunk, anyway

So the “Mandrus chrome sport wheels” are an easy—but not cheap—fix, and you can’t even tell there’s an “upgraded entertainment system” of some sort in the stock-appearing interior. And when at the helm you get to enjoy all of the finery Mercedes had to offer in ’04, including the power-folding “panoramic roof” and other Benz bits and bobs. And if the paint’s not to your liking, from the driver’s seat you can barely even see the flag. Just don’t go on the Internet, where you’ll find that the same money could’ve easily bought you the mighty SL55 AMG or flagship SL600 versions in all kinds of colors instead. But hey, at least it’s not painted with that one German flag that’s predominantly red, right?...

All images courtesy Barrett-Jackson Auction