1982 Mercedes-Benz 380SL

Description

Here's a classic Mercedes that has upper-crust pedigree at a great price. This 1982 Mercedes-Benz 380SL lets neighborhood think you've hit it big, while you enjoy the virtues a durable and appealing example of German engineering.

The design of the R107 series Mercedes SL was regal from day one, and now it has matured into a true symbol of distinction. The bold three-pointed star in front always commands attention, and the cream paint gives this one a butter-smooth attitude. Teutonic tightness of these legendary overbuilt cars. No other convertible from this era has the build quality you experience every time the solid door makes its reassuring 'thunk'. Even the brightwork on the bumpers, grille, windshield, and around the cabin retain the kind of shine you expect from the best in motoring. And speaking of brightwork, the unique baroque alloy wheels complete the package of an iconic 1980s Mercedes.

You can never go wrong with the R107's interior completed in quite durable leather. The tan buckets are so comfortable and complete that the moment you get behind the wheel, you instantly understand why these SLs are a road trip favorite. The tri-pod gauges are still handsome, and today's designers could take a note from the clean, elegant design that conveys information without being excessively complex. The whole interior looks quite good in this classic, which tells you there was seldom a time this one was parked with its top down. This one has all the nice original luxury touches such as power windows, power locks, and a Pioneer AM/FM/CD/Aux stereo. A nice upgrade is the air conditioning has been converted to modern R-134a, so you can stay comfortable with the top down well into the summertime. But when the weather turns cold, or you just like a little extra style, a matching hard top also comes with this Benz.

The 3.8 liter SOHC V8 under the hood has a bubbly, energetic idle, and it pulls the roadster around with real authority. The engine bay looks like it has been the poster child for regular maintenance (when you know the reputation of a Mercedes, then that last part will make you confident that this SL can drive to the moon and back.) The pampering of this car is so thorough, you can even tell just by looking at the tidy undercarriage. On the road, the four-speed automatic clicks through the gears in a businesslike fashion. The fully independent suspension soaks up bumps with a well-damped feeling that somehow never isolates the sporting nature that's entertaining on a twisty country road. This is the perfect weekend getaway car as the miles are effortless thanks to features like power steering, cruise control, and four-wheel disc brakes.

It's easy to understand why these SLs remain so popular. It's an affordable and reliable classic that provides enjoyable top-down motoring, while being relatively inexpensive to own and maintain. This fits in your budget so well that it will break your enthusiast heart if you don't act quick enough to pick up this turnkey classic. Call today!!!