This 1983 Mercedes-Benz 280SL is one of approxiately 25k units produced between 1974-85. It was originally ordered for the Belgium market and reportedly imported in August 2000. Finished in Signal Red (568) over Black MB-Tex (151), power comes from a 2.8-liter M110 inline-six paired with a 5-speed manual transmission. Equipment includes automatic climate control, power windows, and a black(9001) soft top. This R107 was acquired by the seller last year from the prior owner's estate and it was recently driven to the Amelia Island Concours where it participated in the Cars and Coffee in March 2024. The odometer shows 71k miles (TMU), and this 280SL is now offered with a removable hardtop, hardtop tool, spare tire, a Carfax report, and a rebuilt North Carolina title.
This Euro spec R107 is finished in Signal Red (568) and features a black fabric soft top and removable hardtop. Exterior equipment includes a power-adjustable passenger side mirror, fog lamps, Euro headlights, and Euro bumpers. The seller notes evidence of paintwork and some cracking bondo on the rear passenger fender with detailed pictures in the gallery. The windshield has a rock chip which has spread as a crack along the top of the glass. The paint shows an older repaint presumably done after the accident reported in 2008 resulting in a rebuilt title status as seen on the Carfax report. The black soft top will need to be replaced.
Chrome 14″ Bundt alloy wheels wear Sumitomo Touring LST tires measuring 185/70 all around with 2015 date codes. Pitting in the chrome is visible around the outer lips of the wheels. A full-size spare bundt wheel and tire are located in the trunk floor.
Interior surfaces are finished in Black MB-Tex (151) with matching carpets. Zebrano wood trim is present on the lower dash, center stack, and console. The dash shows cracks and the seller notes the climate control and radio are inoperative.
Gauges include a 160-mph VDO speedometer, 7k-rpm tachometer with an inset analog clock, and a six-digit odometer showing approximately 71k miles (true mileage unknown). Auxilary gauges include oil pressure, coolant temperature, and fuel level.
The 2.8-liter M110 inline-six features Bosch K-Jetronic fuel injection and was rated at 182 horsepower when new. A 5-speed manual transmission sends power to the rear wheels. Recent service includes an oil change approximately 2k miles ago along with a new filter 1k miles ago. Underbody photos are provided in the gallery.
The Carfax report shows first registration in the U.S. in 2000 and linear mileage updates since import. An accident reported in 2008 resulted in a rebuilt title status. This 280SL is now offered with a removable hardtop, hardtop tool, spare tire, a Carfax report, and a rebuilt North Carolina title.
A walk around and engine idle video is viewable below.
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
$7,250 bid placed by @Vancouver
$7,000 bid placed by @AntarisMM
$6,750 bid placed by @adamlink
$6,500 bid placed by @Vancouver
$6,250 bid placed by @AntarisMM
$6,000 bid placed by @Vancouver
$5,750 bid placed by @adamlink
$5,500 bid placed by @Vancouver
$5,250 bid placed by @adamlink
$5,000 bid placed by @Vancouver
$4,700 bid placed by @piedro
$4,450 bid placed by @adamlink
@BD450SL The lights and windows work. The climate control unit works sometimes and other times it does not. In the ad we listed the climate control and the radio as not operational. One backlight light bulb in the cluster does not work as well.$4,200 bid placed by @Vancouver
Can you please confirm if the electric system i.e. headlight, signals in addition doe the HVAC controls function?My apologies to all- i had earlier mentioned a clutch wear tool and its use. I mistated that the tool slips between the bell housing and the engine. It actually slips between the slave cylinder and the bell housing. Enough bogus info on the internet without this erronious info. GLWTA.$3,950 bid placed by @BD450SL
$3,250 bid placed by @adamlink
A video of the car has been added to the listing.@p2wllc Thanks for providing the bottom side pix. I’m out. Glad to see you will come out ahead.@rotorz I bought the car from an estate sale and no records were provided with the car. When I bought the car, I did an oil change and air filter change. The pictures of the underside have been added to the listing.Additional photos have been added to the gallery.Sorry- MX Is Maintenance History. Logbooks, receipts, records of recommended and required brake fluid, trans, coolant and engine oil changes service booklet stamped, etc? Any records or provenance is desirable.@rotorz I took a few pictures of the what the quarter panel looks like from the inside where the jake is. What is MX history?@p2wllc Thanks for the follow up. I’ll check out the underside pix. MX history? How is the area above the wheel arch in the trunk behind the jack? There appears to be lifting bodywork around the gas filler door. The tool for the clutch wear is pretty cool as it is just a flat fork that slips in the existing slot between the bell housing and the engine right at the slave cylinder. First gear is really low in the 717.402 so unless it lived on a hilly area wear probably isn’t a real factor, especially if the mileage is close to correct. But the $5 tool can advise if a clutch job is pending.@rotorz I took some more pictures of the underside today, they will be added to the listing shortly. The car has no rust holes or rot that I was able to find. The underside has not been washed or prepped before the pictures. There is some surface corrosion and a few spots where the body sealer has peeled off. The frame does not seem like it was damaged or repaired during the accident. All the undercoating under the car looks to be factory. I have also taken pictures of the passenger rear wheel well and everything looks to be factory and straight. Does not look like the engine or the drivetrain has been removed out of this car. I have not preformed a compression test or valve adjustment on this car. I apologize but I don't have a tool to check the clutch without taking the transmission off, but the clutch seem to be in good condition without slipping.Are additional photos of the underside available.? Of particular interest would be of frame repair, etc. Is there any rust in the footwells front or back? Are MX records available, particularly of the Salvage title repairs? Has a compression test and/or valve adjustment been preformed recently? Any indication of the engine, trans or driveline being removed for service? The front engine lift hook is missing is why I ask. Any chance you have access to the clutch wear 'go-no-go" tool to provide clutch remaining life? Thanks in advance.@wahip Driving this car is amazing. Its so light with the 6 cylinder. I forgot to mention that the soft top does need replacing. I never take the hardtops off my SL cars. I will try to take some pictures of the softtop and post them on here.Nice car and great motor! The M110, 5-speed makes all the difference with this car, adding a true sporting nature, exotic exhaust sound and great handling. My low-mile 450SL automatic was smooth and had good torque, but failed miserably as a sports car and drove like a total pig. This configuration is no longer "The doctor's wife's car". This is a good base for some bodywork, seals, dash and A/C repair, a repaint and general refresh. Sure, that's $10k at a shop, but less for the home-hobbyist. I would like to see some photos with the convertible top up & down, as this can be another expense, if not functional.What a cool car!!$3,000 bid placed by @GAMI
$1,250 bid placed by @BD450SL