1971 Mercedes-Benz SE

• Light blue-grey paint is glossy and even in close side shots, and doors and rear fenders line up straight — no paint or body budget from these photos.
• Two photos carry printed paint readings of 13.0 to 20.0 mils across the hood, doors and fenders — those are thick readings, so budget for questions about repaint and filler, not for new paint.
• Chrome on the grille, bumpers and sill trim is bright and clean, and the colour-matched hubcaps show no curb damage — no re-chrome or wheel money needed.
• Dark blue front seats look smooth and tight in close-up — no front-seat trim money needed.
• The rear seat is a different story up close: fine light crazing and scratch marks show on the upper backrest — budget for a leather repair or dye job there.
• Dash wood is glossy, the burl trim on the windshield frame is rich and unlifted, and the gauges are clear — no dash money needed.
• The dark blue soft top sits taut when raised, but its rear window looks cloudy from inside and hazy from behind — budget for a rear-window replacement.
• No engine bay or underside photos in the sample — neither can be judged, so keep inspection money aside for both.

Money: At $299,995, the glossy paint, chrome and front cabin fit the price, but the crazed rear leather, the cloudy top window and those thick paint readings are the items to price down or verify.