Ultra rare, Mercedes 1985 500SL European Model

Make:	Mercedes-Benz
Model:	SL-Class
SubModel:	500 SL, 280 SL, 560 SL, 380 SL, 450 SL, 300 SL
Type:	Convertible
Trim:	2door convertible with removable hardtop
Year:	1980
Mileage:	86,450
VIN:	WDB1070461A008873
Color:	Midnight blue color code (904)
Fuel:	Gasoline
Transmission:	Automatic
Drive type:	RWS
Interior color:	Palomino leather
Safety:	Anti-Lock Brakes
Vehicle Title:	Clear
Item location:	Palm Beach, Florida, United States

Extras

Air Conditioning, Cruise Control, Power Locks, Power Windows
Leather Seats, CD Player, Convertible

Listed by

Private seller

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Description of 1980 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class 500 SL, 280 SL, 560 SL, 380 SL, 450 SL, 300 SL

Here is a really well preserved example of one the most desirable Mercedes Benz SL's of its time. This model was unavailble in the US at the time. due to strict goverment regulations for bumper. headlights. and emissions. This is the fastest of all the R107 SL's with a beastly mean 240hp 5. 0 liter V8. which made it cample of 134mph. The anemic 380SL was the only available SL in the US that sadly because of the strict US regulations left it with a mere 155 hp. enormous bumpers. double sealed beam headlights. ugly compared to the Euro lights. and certainly not as bright. Most "Grey Market" cars that were imported were identifiable by the smaller bumpers. glass square headlights. and the 500SL had a black spoiler on the trunk for aerodynamic reasons. and to keep the back end of the car on the road at high speeds. where Germany's autobahn has no speedlimits in some areas. The 500SL was built from 1980-1989 and because of the poor selection we had here. many people imported these cars in to the US and converted to pass DOT and EPA regulations. Only 2718 500SL's where produced in 1985. and how many remain. or imported to the US is unknown. In response to the sagging sales of the 380SL and the then thriving "Grey Market imports" Mercedes introduced the 560SL in 1986 with a detuned version of the same engine that was in the 560SEL sedan. producing less horsepower than the 500SL at just 227. The R107 SL was introduced in late 1971 and continued for on for 18 years in production until 1989 when it ceased. to bring in an entirely new modern SL. About 10. 00 500SL's were built in total. and in the remaining 3 years of the R107 SL's production they produced 45000 560SL's showing that the R107 only got better and more popular with time. The 560SL was not available in Europe. built exclusively for the American. Japanese and Austrailian markets. The R107 in my opinion is by far the model people think of when they think of a Mercedes. being that so many were produced. there are many to choose from and vary significantly in condition. They are prone to rust in northern salty winter climates. dashboards crack. trim pieces and parts are becoming expensive and difficult to get. Especially with unusual interior colors. Buying the car that suits your tastes and needs is important and ironically many of these cars are being exported back to Germnay as their values there are far greater than here because they rusted away years ago. and being a car specially designed for US tastes. the majority were imported here. Driving the 500SL is special. each R107 to me has a different personality and feel. The 500SL sits lower the engine is silky smooth. menacing in its sound and feels tight and firm on the highway and even at 75 mph you hit the gas and it snarls to 100 mph in no time. I've driven most models of the R107 and they had a few that had 6 cyl engines which feel light an nimble and fun to drive. The 560SL with its many improvements compared to the 380SL is a great car as well. It feels beastly and strong and fast. and I don't think there is much difference between the two other than I think the 500SL engine is smoother. The bumper and headlight differences are a matter of indivdual tastes. This particular car was imported from Europe in 1986 and was brought into compliance with DOT and EPA requirements and the papers are included with the car. The car has had only one Florida owner and has remained in Florida its entire life. He took pride in keeping his prized Mercedes. looking as sharp and pretty as it did in 1985. The classic color combination is timeless. The car is free of rust. dashboard cracks. and has all but a few dings around the car. not justifying repainting. but I am sure a paintless dent removal company can handle that easily. The car now has a speedometer in MPH. has an aftermarket German spec VDO radio. with aux input for our modern lives. VDO make all the guages for most German car manufactures and it lights up the same as the dash and fits in with the look of this car. The original radio is included. The car also has a small rear seat with seat belts. usable for small children. The top is new. and the tires are in excellent condition. This car has gone through a complete service. Its timing chain has been replaced as a preventative measure. a problem on all the V8 cars as they are prone to snapping because of brittle plastic guides. destroying the engine. The AC functions well as do all the other electrical items. The books. toolkit. and hardtop are included. I encourage prospective buyers to always inspect a car before purchasing. We all have different opinions on condition. and always feel that ours are superior to others. I have tried to describe this car as accurately as possible. For inquiries please call 561. 309. 4626