This 1985 Mercedes-Benz 280SL is one of approximately 25k units produced between 1974-85 and shows 92k miles from new. Purchased for $22,000 from the factory, this example was intended as a grey market import into the United States from new and shipped from the factory in Stuttgart to the port in Los Angeles, California in June of 1985. Finished in Midnight Blue (904) over Palomino Leather (274), power comes from an inline-six gasoline engine paired with a four-speed automatic transmission. Equipment includes automatic climate control, tempomat cruise control, power windows, a Blue (9001) soft top, and rare, factory installed rear seats (“kinder seats”). This R107 was acquired by the seller approximately a year ago and is now offered with a Midnight Blue removable hardtop, hardtop stand, a tool kit, a jack and spare tire, importation papers from 1985, service records from the ‘90s and ‘00s, a clean Carfax report, and a clean Georgia title.

This Euro spec R107 is finished in Midnight Blue (904) and is fitted with a Blue fabric soft top that was replaced 14 years ago, but is confirmed to look and fit like new with clear plastic windows. Exterior equipment includes manually-adjustable side mirrors, fog lamps, North American headlights, and Euro bumpers which are slimmer than their US counterparts. A color-matched removable hardtop with a stand is included and viewable in the gallery. The seller notes some touchup in spots and a few light scratches in the paint that are visible in the gallery around the trunk lid. There is zero rust on any of the body panels.

Factory 14″ Bundt alloy wheels wear Sumitomo HRT 200 tires measuring 205/70 all around with 2005 date codes. The Bundts show signs of being refinished at some point in their life and are color matched to the Astral Silver they were painted in when new. Four wheel ATE disk brakes stop the car at four corners. 

Interior surfaces are finished in Palomino Leather (274) with matching carpets, door panels, kinder seats, and a black dashboard. Burl wood trim is present on the lower dash, center stack, and console showing minimal UV damage. The original Becker Mexico Cassette Cassette player is still installed and the antenna is reported inoperational. The seller reports that the A/C is still on the original R12 system and does not have enough of a charge to kick the compressor on. The dashboard shows two small cracks visible in the gallery. 

Gauges include a 160-mph VDO speedometer, 7k-rpm tachometer with an inset analog clock, and a six-digit odometer showing approximately 92k miles. Auxiliary gauges include oil pressure, coolant temperature, and fuel level. The seller notes the cruise control is inoperative.

The 2.8-liter M110 inline-six features Bosch K-Jetronic fuel injection and was rated at 182 horsepower and 177 lb-ft of torque when new.  A four-speed automatic transmission sends power to the rear wheels. Original cadmium plating is visible in the engine bay and on the fuel injection lines as well as factory cosmoline where it should be. The owner states a possible main seal leak, a transmission leak, and a few engine oil leaks, some documented in the gallery and pointed out in the engine walkaround video. There was a top end rebuild in 1998 at 58k miles where head gasket was replaced, head resurfaced, intake/exhaust guides replaced, and timing was dialed in. The car appears to be virtually rust free both topside and underneath. Additional underbody photos demonstrating the condition of the car are provided in the gallery below. 

This grey market 1985 Mercedes-Benz 280SL is now offered for sale by the current owner with older service records, papertrail showing its early life in detail, importation paperwork, Midnight Blue painted removable hardtop, a clean Carfax report, and a clean Georgia title. 

The seller has included the following videos: