Mercedes Prices in 1975
Here is the original Mercedes price list for all models offered in the United States for model year 1975. Two sets of price cards for 1975 model year cars. One released in the Fall of 1974 for newly offered ’75 models. Then there was a price increase during the Summer of 1975.
Perhaps the thing that stands out to me the most when looking at this price card isn’t actual prices, but the number of different Mercedes variants available… just 11, total. Those were the days! Today, there are so many variants and classes, who can keep track?
Notice there is separate pricing for delivery to U.S. East and West coast ports, West coast was always a little more expensive. $139 more than East coast for most models, but $150 more for the S Class models (450 SE, SEL and 280 S). Notice, the hand written note on the front of this card ‘Add $278 Freight’ – which would have been the inland freight, probably from an East cast port to Minneapolis, MN, where Mercedes-Market acquired our price card collection from a 40+ year Mercedes sales person.
Individual available options and the cost of each option was available on the back of each card.
Many people don’t realize that velour upholstery was actually a rather expensive option for U.S. delivery cars. They’re rare, as most U.S. buyers seem to prefer leather or MB Tex. Notice, power windows were standard on every Mercedes model, even all the way back in 1975, except the most entry level cars. Also, alloy wheels… which, in 1975 would have been the ‘bundt’ style, were a $577 option. Today, if you watch Craigslist closely, you can usually pick up a decent set of four for less than two hundred bucks.
There was a price increase in July 1975 for all 1975 models. See cards below.
Each model increased in price by about 6.5%, although the 450 SEL went up a bit more… from $19,106 to $20,528 (to East coast ports), a difference of about $1,400 or 7.5 %.
1975 Mid Year Price Increases
Individual option prices increased slightly as well.
