1983 Mercedes-Benz 380SL

Description

From the spectacular 300SL roadsters of the mid-1950s to today's 600 horsepower Autobahn hammers, Mercedes SL roadsters are the perfect blend of luxury and performance. This 1983 Mercedes-Benz 380SL is a great combination of high style, sporting road manners, and affordable price, but we won't tell anyone just how affordable it really is!

In the 1980s, the SL was a favorite of celebrities and the merely well-to-do. Stylish, reliable, comfortable, with more than adequate performance from the healthy 3.8 liter V8 under the hood, they remain popular today for all the same reasons. This one spent almost its entire life in California, so it should be no surprise that it's in fantastic condition. That's quite likely original paint and bodywork, which only goes to show you that quality was important on the Mercedes-Benz flagship. Black is always an elegant color for conservative Mercedes-Benz, but on this little roadster, it's the perfect choice and compliments the car's spirited performance. Its styling has a timelessness to it that belies the fact that the car was designed in the 70s, and it has aged extremely well next to many of its peers. Today, they are still considered prestigious cars and showing up in this one will likely win you front-row parking from the valet. Details like the chrome rub stripes and fender moldings certainly help, particularly against the inky black finish.

The standard interior material in the SLs was MB-Tex, but a select few received optional genuine leather like this one. The interior remains in excellent condition with only minor wear and no damage to the seats. And yes, that's real wood on the dash and console, showing no signs of cracking or fading, despite the many hours it must have spent in the sun. The stereo has been upgraded with an auxiliary input for your iPod, so it keeps the original look without the need for, you know, cassette tapes. The gauges are all functional, and today's designers could take a note from the clean, elegant design that conveys information without excessive complexity. The SL also came standard with both a folding canvas top, which is original and hasn't been used in years, and a matching hardtop. And these cars always have the most sumptuously appointed trunks, complete with a full-sized spare underneath.

The 3.8 liter SOHC V8 under the hood has a bubbly, energetic idle, and pulls the roadster around with real authority. It won't bounce your skull off the headrest, but it's equally happy dodging through town or hammering down the Autobahn at triple-digit speeds. These cars were also grossly over-engineered and even the engineers at Mercedes referred to them as "der Panzerwagens," and you know the Germans know a thing or two about building tanks. The highly original engine bay shows signs of regular maintenance, and that's about all these cars need to be reliable for many thousands of miles. Recent work includes a full mechanical rebuild about 11,000 miles ago with a new timing belt, new radiator, and a new A/C compressor. The 3-speed automatic clicks through the gears in a businesslike fashion, while the all-independent suspension soaks up bumps with a well-damped thump while still remaining sporting enough to be entertaining on a twisty country road. Beautiful chrome wire wheels are certainly appropriate here and carry 205/70/14 Michelin radials all around.

Given their popularity, 19-year manufacturing run, plus build quality that was truly bulletproof, these cars remain excellent hobby vehicles. It's also an affordable, reliable classic car that provides enjoyable top-down motoring while being relatively inexpensive to own and maintain. Call now!