Harboring the biggest available engine of its era, this 1986 Mercedes-Benz 560SL carries plenty of power and is as timelessly stylish as they come - not a huge surprise, as its manufacturer has made very few aesthetic missteps in its long history. It features a sought after color combination and is in excellent mechanical shape to provide many more miles of open-air driving enjoyment. This German droptop has had the good fortune to have spent its entire... life in warm weather climates, so it's very solid throughout. Clad in very sharp Alibaster Metallic paint that still produces a pleasing shine, its curb appeal is undeniable and while a freshening up at the paint booth will have it re-ascending to its former glory, this is a ride that will no doubt draw plenty of appreciative nods in its present state. It remains in factory-correct configuration - there's not generally much temptation to mess with the understated coolness of a Mercedes, after all - and cuts a vital, road-ready appearance, with bumpers both fore and aft that are sporting fresh rubber bumpers and chrome trim that's looking nice and solid. The idea of getting behind the wheel of this classic on a sunny day is a particularly appealing prospect, but for those occasions when the weather has other plans, you'll have two options for protection - a black canvas convertible top and a color-matched accessory hard top. Inside the doors is the same dark burgundy interior this 560 began life with and it's come through the years in strong fashion while perfectly complementing the silver exterior. The signs of consistent shelter and upkeep are evident here - the contoured bucket seats still have a supple look to them, without any pronounced wrinkling over their leather surfaces and the backseat, a rare option in this model, looks as if it's literally never been occupied. Farther forward, the dash area is another strong suit, with an assortment of still-clear gauges in the instrument panel and, despite the natural UV vulnerability of a convertible, no signs of any cracks developing on the dash pad. An AM/FM/CD stereo stands by to tend to your audio needs, while the factory air conditioning is in good form to keep you and your passengers comfortable. The trunk area offers enough room to stow luggage for those weekend getaways and is covered with fresh matching burgundy carpeting. Mercedes has always gone to great lengths to stay at the forefront of automotive engineering, so even though it's been more than three decades since this 560 first put rubber to asphalt, it nevertheless provides a compelling driving experience that thoroughly belies its age. Beneath the hood is a fuel injected 5.6 liter V8 that's almost certainly the original powerplant and is in excellent shape. It teams with a 4-speed automatic transmission that's shifting seamlessly - by the time this convertible came out, Mercedes had long since begun equipping its automatic transmissions with an overdrive gear for low revving highway driving. The entire fuel system was rebuilt only a little while back in the interest of dependability and, in the process, the steering box was also replaced, so this classic features the same precise handling characteristics it left the assembly line with, aided by its independent rear suspension to eliminate wheel hop on uneven surfaces. Power disc brakes at all four corners provide plenty of fade resistant stopping ability as this coveted convertible cruises on its set of 15" factory wheels wrapped with Michelin tires. Very few manufacturers are as synonymous with effortless luxury as Mercedes and, with its magnetic appears and eager powerplant, this 1986 Mercedes-Benz 560SL is an outstanding representative for its nameplate. Call today!
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