On my regular cycling route along Pacific Coast Highway through Malibu came a recent halt to my cadence, much to my non-surprise.  After all, at hand is this rare, stunning and visibly flawless 1974 450 SE, if not with original paint job then appropriately repainted to the period-popular factory color of thistle.  This particular car’s rare column shifter is noteworthy; the oversized American-spec bumpers are not, first mandated in this model year after all.  Halted as I was, the happier I resumed my ride.  My affinity for well-kept vintage Mercedes-Benz cars lives on, especially considering those the exact same age as I am.  If I could look this good at 40! 😉