This 1985 Mercedes-Benz 380SL was purchased by the current owner in 2012, shows documented registration out of Pennsylvania from 1992 to 2017 when it moved to Florida, and displays only 78,620 miles from new. The SL is finished in Cabernet Red Metallic (587) over Palomino Leather (274), and power is provided by a 3.8-liter V8 paired with a 4-speed automatic transmission. The current owner has performed 5,000 mile oil changes and has done extensive service under their ownership including new power steering box/pump, new antenna assembly, tires, front steering knuckle, front wheel sensor, water pump, A/C overhaul, new exhaust, rebuilt Becker headunit, new fuel accumulator, and fuel pump. Additional equipment consists of a tan soft top, a paint matched removable hardtop, fog lights, electric windows, and automatic climate control. This R107 is now being offered by the seller with the owner's manual, original jack, original spare Bundt, build sheet, service records, complete tool kit, two soft top wrenches, original cruise control hang tag, car cover, a clean Carfax report, and a clean Florida title.
The exterior is finished in Cabernet Red Metallic (587) with North American bumpers and headlamps. Additional features include a paint matched removable hardtop with cover and stand, tan folding soft top, fog lights, and a power antenna which was replaced by the current owner in October of 2021 with a rebuilt Hirschmann EL Series unit purchased from Becker. The owner reports a chrome/trim off repaint in the original color was performed by Sun Motor Cars out of Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania because the rear driver quarter panel had three blister spots caused by original factory defects and confirmed no rust was present. A small dent in the chrome on the front bumper is pointed out in the gallery below the grill star and a small scuff on the rubber impact strip is present on the rear driver quarter panel. No rust is present.
14″ light alloy Bundt wheels wear a silver finish and are mounted with 205/70 Hankook Kinergy ST tires which were mounted in January of 2020 with approximately 8,000 miles on them. The painted wheels appear to be original and show some fading. In February of 2021 a new power steering box and pump was installed on the car. Front wheel sensors were replaced in July of 2019 along with a front steering knuckle.
The cabin is trimmed in Palomino Leather (274) with color-matched door inserts and carpets. Burl wood veneers accent the dashboard and center console. The leather seats show some UV discoloration and the driver seat bottom exhibits a crack on the seat bottom. Equipment includes automatic climate control, Becker radio, an electrically adjustable side mirror, and power-operated windows. The Becker radio was sent out to Becker for refurbishment in 2014 and had a female MP3 cable connection installed. A small crack is shown to the right of the instrument cluster binnacle. Calico Coco-Mats adorn the driver and passenger sides of the cabin. An extensive climate control overhaul was performed in October of 2018 including a compressor, dryer, o-rings, compressor seals, and a flush with R134a refrigerant added in.
Instrumentation includes a 160-mph speedometer and a 7k-rpm tachometer as well as a clock and gauges for oil pressure, coolant temperature, and fuel level. The six-digit odometer shows 78,620 miles with linear mileage updates documented on the Carfax report. A leather steering wheel cover protects the factory steering wheel and also adds thickness to the wheel.
The 3.8L M116 V8 was rated at 155 horsepower and 196 lb-ft of torque when new. Power is sent to the rear wheels via a four-speed automatic transmission. Services under the current owner include 5,000 mile oil changes, new fuel accumulator, fuel pump, valve cover gaskets, spark plugs, exhaust system, and a water pump. A transmission fluid and filter service was done in 2013. Detailed undersides are added in the gallery showing no signs of rust and that the car was solely driven during warm months during its tenure in Northern climate.
The included Carfax report shows a clean history, linear mileage updates from new, and has shown documented registration out of Pennsylvania from 1992 to 2017 when it moved to Florida. This R107 is now being offered by the seller with the owner's manual, original jack, original spare Bundt, build sheet, service records, complete tool kit, two soft top wrenches, original cruise control hang tag, car cover, a clean Carfax report, and a clean Florida title.
The seller has included the following videos:
As collector grade 560SLs have punctured the quarter million dollar mark, it makes well serviced early M117 and M116 cars an utter bargain. The R107 decided to not adorn the sporting facade the W198 and W113s held and embraced the new era of Paul Bracq language of Germanic slab-sided Teutonism. Except for very few variants, the R107 is the peak of ‘70s and ‘80s cruising, especially as the EPA decided to choke the power out of engines. Mercedes-Benz focused on engineering, durability, and making you look disgustingly rich if you bought an SL. This 380SL epitomizes that zeitgeist. With the 14” Bundts (which weigh nothing – less unsprung weight is good) you get the benefit of sublime ride quality as you gain more sidewall. This 380SL sports a fabulous color and the respray is a good thing. The EPA not only sapped power from our engines, but made paint worse by forcing manufacturers to remove the harmful chemicals and basically remake the chemical makeup of paint. The factory defects that pushed the owner to do a repaint (the correct way, mind you) means you will not get clear coat crazing issues that these metallics are famous for. The new steering box, A/C refresh, tires, fabulous color combo, and the little bit of patina means you can jump in this example and drive the heck out of it without much going wrong. There’s so much upside to this car that we hope bidders realize the bargains these cruisers are, especially as the summer heat begins to fade and cool autumn evenings lay ahead. Man… now we’re excited to go drive our personal R107s.
Open Transit:
Enclosed Transit:
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5 Comments
$9,750 bid placed by @Jpetersen
$9,500 bid placed by @sandbagger
$9,250 bid placed by @Jpetersen
$9,000 bid placed by @sandbagger
$8,750 bid placed by @Jpetersen
$8,500 bid placed by @sandbagger
$8,250 bid placed by @Jpetersen
$8,000 bid placed by @CannedHeat2
$7,500 bid placed by @JohnSTurner
$7,250 bid placed by @Sheffield556
@Jpetersen Thank you for your interest. This 1985 R107 has factory installed dual timing chains. Thankfully, Mercedes answered the problem with the earlier SL's.Hi there — last minute question I know but do you have any information on whether the timing chain has been replaced or upgraded to the dual-row setup?$7,000 bid placed by @Cjaube1
20+ Additional photos showing the trunk, engine compartment, and underside have been added to the gallery.@Mfcharron Thank you for your interest. Yes. I have pictures of the undercarriage & will get them posted.Can you post pictures of the undercarriage?$3,000 bid placed by @texdot88
$2,500 bid placed by @sandbagger
$1,500 bid placed by @EvesSix