This 1985 Mercedes-Benz 500SL was originally ordered as a German-market example and imported to the United States from Germany within a year after being built. The car is finished in Signal Red (568) over a Palomino Leather (274) interior and powered by a 5.0-liter M117 V8 paired to a four-speed automatic transmission. The current odometer reads 82k miles with approximately 250 added by the selling dealer. Features include a black soft top, paint-matched hardtop, power windows, cabin heat with rear defrost in the hardtop, heated front seats, and a rear kinder seat. Service records since new are included in the sale. The vehicle has received regular maintenance with the most recent services noted including a new steering coupler and o2 sensor. This R107 is now offered with two keys, factory literature, a clean Carfax report, and a clean Florida title.
The exterior is finished in Signal Red (568) and features European Market bumpers, European-spec headlamps, and dark amber corner lights. Additional exterior features include lower fog lamps, a power antenna, and original brightwork. The body has received a repaint in the original factory color with no blemishes or flaws noted by the seller. Detailed photos of the exterior have been included in the gallery below.
This SL wears the original 15” Gullideckel wheels wrapped in Bridgestone Potenza tires measuring 205/65 both front and rear. Painted OEM center caps are shown and no major blemishes are notes. Disc brakes are tucked behind all four wheels.
The interior is trimmed in Palomino Leather (274) with matching door panels, and carpets. Burled wood veneer accents the dashboard and center console with detailed photos shown in the gallery. Additional amenities include heated front seats, a rear Palomino leather kinder seat, rear defrost integrated in the hardtop, and power windows. The leather shows well with very little creasing or wear.
The leather-trimmed steering wheel frames an instrument cluster that includes a 160-mph speedometer, a 7k-rpm tachometer, and a digital odometer that shows 82k miles.
The 5.0L M117 V8 was factory rated at 245 horsepower and 294 lb-ft of torque when new which is sent to the rear wheels through a four-speed automatic transmission. Service records since new are included in the sale. The vehicle has received regular maintenance with the most recent services noted including a new steering coupler and o2 sensor.
The included Carfax report shows linear mileage reports since 2000. This R107 is now offered by the selling dealer with two keys, factory literature, a clean Carfax report, and a clean Florida title.
The seller has included the following videos.
The R107 500SL continues to be amongst the most popular and collectible versions of the 107 lineup due to unrestricted emissions, market scarcity, European trimmings, and that beautiful Signal Red paint. Prospective buyers should pay attention to this car if a 107 is on their short list. These Euro cars drive every bit as good as those in-the-know can attest. Examples like this don't come along often and cars including records like this are few and far between. Surely this is fit for the next enthusiast to enjoy as much as the previous owners.
Open Transit:
Enclosed Transit:
The winning bidder will receive an email with the quote and option to proceed with shipping.
Get the best of The MB Market directly in your inbox every day. Subscribe for a curated list of our top market listings and articles!
15 Comments
Congrats Brad! Thank you guys for all the support interest and bids.
$20,250 bid placed by @braddreyfus
$20,000 bid placed by @Jnasty
$19,750 bid placed by @braddreyfus
$19,500 bid placed by @Jnasty
$19,250 bid placed by @braddreyfus
$19,000 bid placed by @Jnasty
$18,750 bid placed by @braddreyfus
$18,500 bid placed by @SoLong
$18,250 bid placed by @braddreyfus
$18,000 bid placed by @Yesman
$17,750 bid placed by @braddreyfus
$17,500 bid placed by @Yesman
Very reasonable reserve in place that’s attainable and if you desire to stretch for it you’ll take it home! Good luck in last minutes!
$17,250 bid placed by @braddreyfus
$17,000 bid placed by @Yesman
$15,750 bid placed by @braddreyfus
$15,500 bid placed by @Yesman
$15,250 bid placed by @braddreyfus
$15,000 bid placed by @Yesman
$14,750 bid placed by @braddreyfus
$14,500 bid placed by @Zentral
A few notes highlighting the car: -Has a complete service history from each decade, 1980s, 1990s and 2000s would include service booklet records and then invoices, service records paperwork 2000s, 2010s, last owners late 2000 teens and then ours. -when we got it we did the following @ 81,795 miles: All new spark plugs, oxygen sensor, new fuel sending unit to correct fuel gauge accuracy. -Then @ 81,845 we replaced steering coupler and fresh power steering fluid refill. -newly restored factory 15 inch alloy gullideckel wheels installed. -The palomino leather shows excellent. -Body is straight and solid. -All the factory books and manuals included with the sale. -Original German Bosch headlamps and slim bumpers from the factory. -not easy to find all these items in order on an 80k mileage German market 500SL here in the USA. Best of luck bidders!
$14,250 bid placed by @braddreyfus
$14,000 bid placed by @Yesman
Good morning everybody and welcome to the final auction hammer day! If anyone has questions don’t hesitate to reach out direct message. Thank you!
$12,750 bid placed by @mdrei
Good evening everyone. Was reviewing a few items and answering some messages here: looks like this was not included in the write up on the car The Florida title displays 1988 when in fact this is a 1985 model year. Most likely due to a DMV typo in prior registrations. Mercedes Benz Classic Center Long Beach has verified it left the factory in July 1985 with the build sheet. And for shipping if needed we would be happy to provide our logistics contact and set you up with them. Thank you.
$12,500 bid placed by @braddreyfus
$12,000 bid placed by @Yesman
$11,250 bid placed by @braddreyfus
$11,000 bid placed by @Yesman
Good afternoon everybody! MB Market uploaded 3 brand new YouTube videos we just shot on the car. Driving, informational and motor running. They are just above in the ad 👆. We hope this helps make informed decisions as you watch bid and consider our vehicle. Thanks! PS: I love Mercedes!
$10,250 bid placed by @braddreyfus
$10,000 bid placed by @Yesman
$8,250 bid placed by @jpfrazier
Thanks for the bids and first layer of cake guys! Remember this is a 500SL 107…not a 380,450 or typical 560. They are more wild and beastly! European delivered true 107.046 cars aren’t growing on trees out there like the other models and certainly were sparsely produced. While they had a production run of 1980 through 1989 there were far less. Approximately 11,800 500SL VS 49,000 560SL from 1986-1989. Thanks!
$8,000 bid placed by @Yesman
$4,250 bid placed by @braddreyfus
$4,000 bid placed by @Ranger902
Morning MB Market administrator - we sent a walk around video previously emailed can you please upload. Thank you.
$3,750 bid placed by @braddreyfus
@latium05 To my knowledge it’s nowhere out of normal range the noise however if you are looking for zero noise I wouldn’t play for a 1985 hardtop MB…get a new car. Regarding quirks just be specific on anything you need. Thanks.
Does the hardtop allow any wind noise or does it seal really well? Any quirks of note from the car? It is a real looker.
$3,500 bid placed by @Slade30306
$3,250 bid placed by @braddreyfus
@Anton “Ahoy Captain”! I agree bid away and have it registered in the great state of SC!
@LionHeart not a problem, since I still keep a residence on Hilton Head Island and have an SC driver’s license. I think I need two SC-tagged SLs… I’m a full time live-aboard sailor, hence my current SF location.
@Anton thanks for the words! NO this car will not pass smog and cannot be registered in the state of California. It has not gone through the ridiculous requirements CA mandates to have a European import like this registered in CA. So if you are a California private buyer this car cannot be registered here and sold to you that way by our dealership. Thank you.
Hi and welcome to our auction of this 500SL 107! We are pleased to present here with the best MB enthusiasts! Car comes with complete MB original books and manuals & service history from previous ownerships. I’ll drop back in with more info. The 500SL 107 for me is the King. Most horsepower, bottom torque and the aesthetic look of how the car was designed from the factory with slim bumpers and square Bosch headlamps. Let us know if any questions!
$3,000 bid placed by @Ranger902
Ahoy from San Francisco… I see this convertible is registered in the state of Florida. What are the odds that it will pass smog here in California? I ask because I also have a 380 SL that is currently registered in South Carolina due to not being able to pass smog in California. also, this is an absolutely stunning car! I love it.
$250 bid placed by @Anton