1969 Mercedes-Benz 280SL

• Most exterior shots are taken from well back on a bridge; the light blue paint looks even and glossy and the panels line up — no paint budget shows, but chips and dents can't be judged at this distance.
• Chrome bumpers, grille and hubcap trim look bright in the wider shots, and the fog lamp lens is clear in close-up — no re-chrome money shows.
• Cream leather seats are smooth and uncreased in close-up, and the centre console and carpets look clean — no trim budget needed.
• Dash is clean in close-up, the cream padding is unmarked, the gauges are clear and the wood vent panel is glossy — no dash money needed.
• Engine bay is very clean, the silver cam cover is bright and the wiring is tidy — no detailing money needed.
• Trunk is clean with a neat mat and a covered spare — no trunk tidy-up money needed.
• The car is only shown with its hardtop on and no soft top appears at all — the soft top can't be judged, so hold money for that check.
• No underside photos in the sample — none of that can be judged, so keep inspection money aside.

Money: At $329,000 you are paying top money, and the close-ups of the cabin and engine back it up, but the distant exteriors and the missing soft top and underside still leave inspection money to spend before committing.