This 1986 Mercedes-Benz 560SL first shows title and ownership history in New York, New York with the original owners who reportedly bought the SL new in New York and moved to Florida with the car in 2002. In 2017, the current owner purchased the SL and proceeded to drive the car sparingly over the next decade. By the early 2010’s the SL was in need of regular service and deferred maintenance performed which the current owner has addressed in preparation for the sale. This SL is finished in Black (040) over a Palomino Leather (274) interior and powered by a naturally aspirated 5.5-liter V8 paired with a four-speed automatic transmission. Features include a removable paint-matched original hardtop, the original Becker head unit, air conditioning with automatic climate control, a black soft top, original Palomino carpets and black floor mats, and various restored parts including interior trims, wheels, and the VDO speedometer. This example is now represented by the owner’s brother in Coral Springs, Florida with 114k miles on the odometer, service records under current ownership, factory literature, an original tool kit, two keys, both top keys, an uninstalled jump seat, an included Carfax report, and a clean Florida title.
The body is finished in Black (040) and features body panels accented by a tan pinstripe. Exterior features include a new retractable black soft top with tonneau cover and new seals, chrome mirror caps, North American-spec headlamps and bumpers, and front fog lamps. The original paint-matched hardtop is included and features original glass with rear defrost. The Carfax report shows damage reported in 2002 when another vehicle backed into the driver’s door. The door was repaired at the time of the incident and the Carfax notes the car was still drivable. The factory brightwork shines nicely and doesn’t appear to show pitting. The front bumper has been replaced as the previous bumper showed age, and the original bumper will come with the car in the sale.
This 560SL wears refinished silver-painted 15x7” Gullideckel wheels wrapped in Dunlop Signature tires measuring 205/65 on all four corners. The tires show 2015 date codes and the wheels show late-model center caps featuring chrome stars.
The cabin is upholstered in Palomino Leather (274) across the seats, door cards, armrest, head rests, and lower dashboard. The dashboard shows well and features burl wood trim refinished by Madera Concepts across the lower portion in addition to the center console and shift surround. The front seats, knee bolsters, and headrests have been recovered with correct OEM Palomino leather along with the driver’s door pocket. The original VDO speedometer and clock have been rebuilt as well and the original Becker has been refurbished to include bluetooth audio connection. Other new features include OEM door sills and a new power antenna motor. Interior features include air conditioning with automatic climate control, a power antenna, and flip-down visors with vanity mirrors. The new soft top rear windows show well and remain clear.
The odometer shows 114k original miles and instrumentation includes VDO gauges featuring a 170-mph speedometer, a 7k-rpm tachometer with a 6k-rpm redline, and an analog odometer with trip function. Additional gauges include fuel level, oil pressure, fuel economy, and an analog clock. The gauges are trimmed with chrome rings and feature electronic warning lights along the base of the cluster, none of which are illuminated.
The 5.5-liter M117 V8 was rated at 227 horsepower and 279 lb-ft of torque when new and is paired to a 722.3 automatic four-speed transmission. Underbody photos can be seen in the gallery below. The seller notes that records prior to current ownership are not accounted for in the sale but the following services have been performed under current ownership:
This example is now represented by the owner’s brother in Coral Springs, Florida with 114k miles on the odometer, service records under current ownership, factory literature, an original tool kit, two keys, both top keys, an uninstalled jump seat, an included Carfax report showing linear mileage updates, and a clean Florida title.
While the R107 continues to solidify its legendary status among a lineage of SL's, R107's in above average mechanical condition are becoming tougher to find than ever. The M117-powered 560SL's are leading the way from a collectibility and value standpoint. This example is exceptionally desirable in Black over Palomino and the paint seems to be in great shape. Pair the thorough maintenance history of this example with the rare and alluring color combination and it's an instant classic for any enthusiast.
Open Transit:
Enclosed Transit:
The winning bidder will receive an email with the quote and option to proceed with shipping.
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35 Comments
Hey @tpalmer just sent you an email. Can’t figure out how to dm on here. Lmk if you have trouble finding email
Thank you to all of the bidders and congratulations to the winner! My brother Tony has done a phenomenal job of presenting a wonderful car that we are extraordinarily proud of. Tony has done an exceptional job and for that I am grateful and appreciative! joe
@Praj84 Please message me so that we can go from here. Thanks, Tony
@Praj84 Congrats. Thank you to everyone that bid and commented. This was a real fun auction. We are looking forward to being back here soon with another 560SL!
$17,225 bid placed by @Praj84
$16,900 bid placed by @babtainy
$16,650 bid placed by @Praj84
$16,000 bid placed by @Msingh31
$15,750 bid placed by @Praj84
$15,500 bid placed by @Msingh31
$15,250 bid placed by @Praj84
$14,250 bid placed by @babtainy
$14,000 bid placed by @Msingh31
$13,750 bid placed by @babtainy
$13,500 bid placed by @Easton12
$13,250 bid placed by @Dwilson65
$13,000 bid placed by @Masonm
$12,750 bid placed by @Dwilson65
$12,500 bid placed by @Easton12
$12,000 bid placed by @babtainy
$11,750 bid placed by @Dwilson65
$11,500 bid placed by @Easton12
$11,000 bid placed by @Dwilson65
$10,250 bid placed by @babtainy
Just an update on a few things. The used air recirculation switch arrived today. The new switch from the UK will arrive on Tuesday or Wednesday of next week. While the air is blowing cold, it is not blowing super strong and was making somewhat of a loud noise. Easy diagnosis. I am replacing the blower motor and the blower motor gasket and cover. Finally, the antenna motor would not go all the way down. It’s under warranty and is being replaced on Monday. I’ve been driving the car for a few days just to make sure there are no issues and everything is OK. Thanks Tony
$10,000 bid placed by @Dwilson65
@joepalmer cheers bud much appreciated
Masonm Joe Palmer here (Tony's brother). Tony is on the road, so I obtained a shipping quote from Ft Lauderdale to UK. The cost is $1,835.00 (port to port) or about 1535 GBP. Hope this helps and shoot us any questions about the car you may have, cheers! joe
$9,250 bid placed by @Msingh31
@tpalmer great stuff bud much appreciated
@tpalmer yes mate left side of the road lol an yes i no i would be covering shipping thats not a problem I have sent a pm on your Facebook account could you possibly get me a quote on shipping your end please bud thanks
@Masonm Called a guy I know who ships a lot of cars to the UK and other international destinations. I'll try to get a quote within the next 2-3 hours.
@Masonm Cheers. I can set up the shipping but cannot cover the cost. It would ship out of the Port of Miami or Port Everglades (30 minutes north of Miami in Fort Lauderdale) and ... Bob's your uncle! I learned that last time I was in the UK LOL.. A few people have shown up at auto shows driving right hand drive cars. I always thought, that must feel strange. Maybe not. I assume you'd be driving this on the left side of the road.
Hi would you ship to the uk cheers
$9,000 bid placed by @Dwilson65
$8,250 bid placed by @deminente
@dapper165 Where are you in New York?
@dapper165 I can give you a ballpark figure. We had a BMW shipped from Vermont to South Florida. This was a couple years ago and it was $650. I’m going to guess that figure would be $750 – $800 now. That was on an open truck. A closed transporter would probably be $1000-$1100. Another option is for me to drive it from South Florida up to Sanford Florida, put it on the Amtrak auto train which would drop me in Lorton Virginia, and drive it the rest of the way to you. But please let me think about that one.
Any idea how much it would cost to ship it back to New York
Last day of the auction. Thank you to everyone for your bids, comments and questions. If anyone has anything to add or any questions, I am here all day / for the duration.
$8,000 bid placed by @Dwilson65
On another note, while shopping for the switch mentioned below, I also bought 3 meters of the dashboard felt strip this goes at the base of the windshield, between the windshield and the dash. Picture #115 shows how its degraded. This will not cause a leak since the portion that is degraded is inside the car. Dealing with SLs, this is a common problem. It is an easy fix BUT you have to remove the windshield. I am loath to pull the original windshield out of a 38 year old car. I would burst into tears if I anything happened. Probably nothing would happen but I DO NOT want a replacement windshield in there. I am including the material with the car. It takes no more than about 1 meter + but good to have a bunch in case the cutting goes haywire. Any questions, please ask. Thanks Tony
$7,750 bid placed by @michaelaflowers
Good morning to all! Well the air circulation (or air recirculation) switch failed. Of course it did since it may be the only switch I did not replace. I have ordered a working used switch from a guy I have bought and sold with before in California as a temporary measure. I have also ordered a new switch from The SL Shoppe in the UK. They are a great go to for new parts if anyone ever needs a new part. If there is an OEM that is NLA, they may have it or know someone who does, They have also been known to start reproductions to Mercedes specs when there is demand. They are great to deal with. Only thing is it can take 10 days or 2 weeks to arrive. The prices are only slightly higher relatively speaking. I will install the used working part and then pull it and install the new part when it arrives. T-
Thank you!
@Praj84 Sure. My neighbor, Jim, who we bought the car from, said someone backed into the side, requiring repair of the door and front quarter panel. He said it was not bad but could not remember whether it required either panel to be replaced. Jim is pretty sharp. That being said, how do I say this? - I can now qualify for AARP discounts and Jim has 30+ years on me. I hope my mind is still as sharp as his in 30 years, I took a paint meter to the car and all readings came back within original paint thickness limits except for the door and quarter panel. The beeper went off and the numbers were certainly thicker than original. The paint does shine throughout and there is no discernable different at all. The pictures are very accurate as far as the paint is concerned.
Hi - can you give any details on the accident listed on the car fax? Thank you
Videos are posted. Thank you guys!
I just sent a video of the working Becker stereo with added Bluetooth which the guys will post today.
A cold start video has been sent to the guys and will be posted tomorrow.
$7,500 bid placed by @Dwilson65
I should add that the car also comes with an Auto Chic car cover
$7,250 bid placed by @deminente
@Praj84 My pleasure
@tpalmer thank you!
Additional photos have been added to the gallery
@Praj84 Just sent two pics to the guys. Should be posted sometime this afternoon.
@Praj84 You're right. I don't have a picture posted. I am correcting that now. There are 3 speakers in the back deck that provide great sound. I talked to my audio guy I use for all audio related stuff. He had an idea that involved forming a 3 sided frame and install the seat on that, leaving the front of the frame open. The idea being to leave the speakers where they are and essentially raise the seat about 4 inches above the speakers. He said if the sound is bad we would just remove the frame. I've got enough Mercedes material laying around to cover it. Then I said no. Just a bridge too far. I guess it could work although there would be an issue with "bass in the bottom" so to speak. Of course, these never came with rear speakers. The sound is measurably better with them. Its a personal choice. If I had kids at home I might have installed it but I chose to not to.
Hi- I might have missed it but could you post a picture of the jump seat? I assume that’s the same thing as the kinder seat? Thank you!
second half of my post below. ....along with a 1973 Saab 96, a one owner 77 Jag, a 1977 450SEL and a 1977 Mercedes 6.9. Fun fun fun.
$7,000 bid placed by @Dwilson65
$6,000 bid placed by @Ritz10520
@Pfuller33 Thank you. My favorite color combination too. Of all our cars(my brothers and I), this is the one that my wife is saddest to see go. We're working on an 86 Red SL and an 80 BWM 323i (gray market). I've committed to letting her keep one.
Black over Palomino has always been my favorite on the R107 and W126. This looks to be a nice spec!
$5,250 bid placed by @Dwilson65
Thank you and welcome to our auction. Just to add some detail, clarification and back story to the listing, this car came on our radar in 2008. The prior owner, my neighbor Jim, bought the car in New York. Subsequently, he and his wife moved to South Florida in 2002 and brought the car down here. I am in a cul-de-sac and Jim lives 3 houses away on the corner. Jim had and has a number of cars. When I moved to my current home in 2009, the car was sitting covered in his garage with the hardtop hoisted to the ceiling (the hoist was garbage and we did not keep it). He drove the car every few months for a few miles and that was about it. He changed the oil once a year but nothing else was done to the car. My brother and I have cars down here and in Philadelphia in various stages of repair and restoration. My brother has come down once every 4 months to help me with the herd down here. For 9 years we wanted to buy and save this one. Every time Jim said no. As all of you know well, the story was always, "I'm going to do something with the car." Finally, after 9 years, Jim caved and we bought the car in February of 2017. Since then we have performed all deferred maintenance, repaired anything that was found to be either broken, not functioning or even questionable. The paint is original with a few very minor blemishes. There is no rust or corrosion in the undercarriage. This one can be driven and enjoyed for many years to come. If anyone has any questions at all, please let me know and I will respond either the same day or, if its late, the next morning. I will get a cold start video, a video of the working stereo, an A/C video and a short driving video up in the next 2-3 days. Thank you all again for your interest! Tony
$5,000 bid placed by @Ritz10520
$3,000 bid placed by @Lemondrop
$2,500 bid placed by @Ritz10520
$1,000 bid placed by @Lemondrop