This 1985 Mercedes-Benz 280SL is one of approximately 7,300 units produced with the M110 inline-six engine paired with a manual transmission and shows 36k miles from new. This example was intended as a grey market import into the United States from new and shipped from Antwerp, Belgium to the Port of Los Angeles, California on August 19th, 1985. Finished in Signal Red (568) over Black Leather (271) with a Black Fabric Soft Top (740), power comes from a 2.8L inline-six gasoline engine paired with a 5-speed manual transmission. Additional equipment includes automatic climate control, tempomat cruise control, power windows, a black 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 Signal Red removable hardtop, importation papers from 1985, North American EPA conversion papers, manufacturer’s literature, hang tags, service records, four keys, a clean Carfax report, and a clean Georgia title.
This Euro spec R107 is finished in Signal Red (568) and is fitted with a Black Fabric Soft Top (740). A color matched Signal Red removable hardtop is included with the sale. Exterior equipment includes power adjustable passenger mirror, fog lamps, glass Euro headlights, and Euro bumpers which are slimmer than their U.S. counterparts.. The seller notes paintwork on the deck lid, hood, top of passenger fender, upper rear quarter panels, and passenger door. This was to keep the car looking fresh and not because of damage. There is zero rust on any of the body panels or chassis.
Factory 14″ Bundt alloy wheels wear Vredestein Sprint Classic tires measuring 205/70 all around with 2023 date codes. The Bundts show in excellent condition painted in original Astral Silver paired with new titanium style lug bolts. Four wheel ATE disk brakes stop the car at four corners. New subframe bushings and sway bar mounts have been replaced. A new brake booster, brake reservoir hose, brake fluid, front pads/rotors were done at 33k miles in 2014. New front shocks were installed in tandem.
Interior surfaces are finished in Black Leather (271) 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 no UV damage or cracks. An aftermarket wooden shift knob replaced the original for the Getrag 5-speed manual transmission. This R107 is optioned with kinder seats in the rear. The original Becker Mexico Cassette player has been replaced with an OE updated Becker 602 Grand Prix head unit. The dashboard shows no cracks or damage and the leather seats appear in excellent original condition. An A/C service was performed along with a new duovalve for the heater along the firewall.
Gauges include a 160-mph VDO speedometer, 7k-rpm tachometer with an inset analog clock, and a six-digit odometer showing approximately 36k miles. Auxiliary gauges include oil pressure, coolant temperature, and fuel level.
The 2.8-liter M110 inline-six was rated at 182 horsepower and 177 lb-ft of torque when new. A 5-speed Getrag manual 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 valve cover shows no aluminum oxidation and is free of leaks. 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. A new washer fluid reservoir has been installed along with a new battery. In 2005, a water pump and coolant flush was done alongside a new alternator. In 2014 a new clutch master cylinder and slave cylinders were replaced and bled. Most recently in May of 2024 the car received engine and transmission mounts, shifter bushings, and flex disks along with a differential fluid flush.
This grey market 280SL with a Getrag 5-speed manual transmission is now offered for sale by the current owner with old and new service records, papertrail showing its early life in detail, importation paperwork, Signal Red painted removable hardtop, 4 keys, manufacturer’s literature, a clean Carfax report, and a clean Georgia title.
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2 Comments
$3,000 bid placed by @mbz240d1981
$2,750 bid placed by @BD450SL
$2,500 bid placed by @mbz240d1981
Welcome all to my gorgeous 1985 280SL 5-speed auction. There is much to talk about with this car. It's most unusual in that it was imported to California as an essentially new car with not much more than delivery miles on the odometer. It saw essentially no use in Europe. This removes the speculation about mileage accuracy typical of 'grey market' imports of that era. It's important to note that the actual mileage is approximately 28,700. Most of you know that to import a new car in the '80s required an odometer reading of at least 7,500 miles. This was achieved by rolling the odometers of new cars forward the 7500 miles or so required. Doing the math on this car (36,124 - 7,500 = 28,624) we get below 29k miles. While it's impossible to be exact, this number more closely reflects actual miles. The specification is stunning and rare for a 280SL which was typically a down market SL in Europe. However, this car was equipped much like a US 380SL in period with leather, power windows, alarm, rear seat, electric windows, tinted glass and AC. My sense is that it must have been a special order in Belgium. We also see the deck lid insignia delete on the build sheet. And of course, the piece of equipment that sets the car apart is the 5-speed manual gearbox. Absent the 5-speed, the value and demand falls sharply. Mercedes-Benz does not offer build numbers for 5-speed 107s but we can be assured that very few were constructed. And and fewer were outfitted so lavishly. I've owned only 3 in 34 years. Feel free to contact me with any questions. I'll create a video in the next few days.$2,250 bid placed by @Peabo
$2,000 bid placed by @Etphonehome
$1,320 bid placed by @dougruggmb100
$1,070 bid placed by @Rockster80
I own 007454… bought by original owner as a young Army officer stationed in Germany…these are really the best of the R107 mix… 5 speed a delight.