1978 Mercedes-Benz

• Photos show a white SLC coupe with a red interior, and one sampled image is a dealer promo page, not the car — that filler proves nothing and costs nothing.
• White paint is glossy in the showroom shots and the body looks straight — no repaint bill showing outside.
• Chrome grille, trunk star and bumpers are bright — no rechrome money needed on what is shown.
• Red leather seats front and rear are shiny and intact with wear and darkening, no rips seen — budget a feed and clean, not a retrim.
• Red door cards and the burl climate panel look clean and complete — no door-card or wood bill visible.
• Bundt wheels are dull and dirty and the centre caps are faded, tyres have tread — budget a wheel refurb, not new tyres.
• Engine bay is the warning: heavy surface rust along the firewall and hood edge, a rusty air cleaner and yellowed tanks — budget rust treatment and a full service before trusting the shiny exterior.
• Trunk is carpeted in red and looks dry in the photo — no trunk rust bill visible from that angle.
• Can't judge the underside — no underside photos in the sampled gallery, and with the engine-bay rust seen, a lift check is essential before paying.

Money: At $20,883 the showroom paint and red cabin look the part, but the rusty firewall and air cleaner cut against it — price in rust inspection and treatment, or chip the ask.