1983 Mercedes-Benz 380SL

Description

Since its introduction decades ago, the Mercedes-Benz SL roadsters have been the company's perennial favorites. From the spectacular 300SL roadsters of the mid-1950s to this 1983 Mercedes-Benz 380SL, these wonderful 2-seaters are the perfect blend of luxury, style, and performance, and most are quite affordable as this one aptly demonstrates.

Handsome, reliable, comfortable, with more than adequate performance from the healthy 3.8 liter V8 under the hood, the R107 SLs remain popular today for all the right reasons. This handsome silver 380SL is a very affordable luxury/performance car that represents a huge bang for the buck. That's original paint and bodywork, which is admittedly showing a few signs of age, but it's also obvious that it's always been treated well. Silver is a great color for the conservative Mercedes-Benz, and on this little roadster, it's the perfect choice and compliments the car's spirited performance. The paint is entirely original and its current condition proves that your top-of-the-line car got top-of-the-line paint for its top-of-the-line price. Its styling has a timelessness to it that belies the fact that the car was designed in the 70s, and it has the Euro-spec headlights give it a sleeker look than the ordinary US-spec sealed beams. Today, they are still considered prestigious cars and showing up in this one will likely win you front-row parking from the valet.

The standard interior material in the mid-80s SLs was MB-Tex, and it's as durable as it is attractive. As a well-maintained car, the interior remains in excellent condition with little wear and almost no damage to the seats. The carpets look appropriate for the time and mileage, while the door panels are in decent shape with only a little bit of stretching. And yes, that's real wood on the dash and console, as well as the custom 3-spoke steering wheel, none of it showing signs of cracking or fading, despite the many hours it must have spent in the sun. An AM/FM/cassette stereo system is period-appropriate and still sounds decent. Overhead, the folding canvas top is in good shape, and this car also includes a matching silver hardtop, which seals the car up as tightly as an equivalent sedan. And no other automaker this side of Rolls-Royce upholsters a trunk better than Mercedes-Benz.

The all-aluminum 3.8 liter SOHC V8 under the hood has a bubbly, energetic idle, and pulls the roadster around with aplomb. 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 new fuel pump and a freshly cleaned fuel system. 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. The original 15-inch wheels were chromed and it's probably in need of freshening, but the blackwall radials still have a lot of life left in them.

So here is that most rare of beasts: an affordable, reliable vintage car that provides enjoyable top-down motoring while being relatively inexpensive to own and maintain. Call now!