1981 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class

380 SL ROADSTER Convertible

V8

Automatic

WDBBA45AXBB009082

Clear

Gasoline

Normal 0 false false false EN-US JA X-NONE This is "Victoria"... a classic 1981 MERCEDES 380SL CONVERTIBLE ROADSTER which has performed dutifully as a daily driver within San Francisco, California (with occasional outings to wine country and 3 trips to Los Angeles on PCH) for the past 2.5 years. The previous owner was unaware of the single timing chain issue with this model year and blew out the engine after around 120K miles. The engine was rebuilt with the critical dual timing chain upgrade (see pics) a couple years or so before I bought it. She has only broken down once which happened when the alternator died (got OEM Bosch replacement). Car comes only with a black soft-top which was replaced in June 2010, no hard top. The new top was professionally installed and is clean and leak-free and still even a tad tight. Comes with OEM reproduction car manuals, most of the maintenance and repair receipts from the past several years, and a handful of other loose goodies/replacement parts. Last tune-up was August 10, 2012 Selling now because I just got hitched and moved to the 'burbs. My commute is much longer and I now drive a more practical (and shiny new) car. I would have kept her as a weekend/project car however she failed smog July 31, 2012 and I would rather cash out than put money into diagnosis and repairs (although given the exhaust numbers below… might simply be an ignition issue. I have just replaced the spark plug wires). More importantly, I have nowhere near my place to park it long-term (typical of the Bay Area). It runs decently if not a tad rough and will be on a planned non-operation CA registration (PNO) due to the smog status. She is currently tucked away in a private garage. Selling ONLY to out-of-state individuals for registration in a state that is not California. Will be sold without plates or tags… buyer responsible for obtaining a temp. Hard to list all the details, but here is a rundown of most of the highlights…PAINT: Original dark gray metallic paint was damaged and she was repainted gloss black in July 2010 by Maaco, San Leandro. This was the $800 “one-step clearcoat” level paint (second best they offer). Still, it is a “Maaco paint job” and there are varying amounts of orange peel here and there, some overspray, and a couple small drips and imperfections as one would expect from a Maaco job. Didn’t bother me since it was a daily driver and most people can’t tell (especially since most people are taken aback by how much she shines… she gets Zaino Z-2, Z-6, and Z-8 regularly). · INTERIOR: Original gray M-tex upholstery in decent condition with minimal cracking. Original carpets. Has a cracked black dashcap but a brand new one is in the trunk and included in the auction. All interior light fixtures have been replaced with aftermarket equivalents and bulbs replaced with LED bulbs. Wood finish is starting to check and crack in several places, especially the console. New Sony CD/radio system with removable face. · EXTERIOR: All mirrors function and adjustable. Power window switches function (passenger side switch needs to be replaced) and windows come down although with some occasional jerking. Windshield wipers function. Installed new washer motor and spray heads, but they overshoot the target and need adjustment (good way of spraying pedestrians though). 2 year new soft convertible top functions perfectly with no leaks even in torrential rain. Body is intact, however, there is a 4x4" ding in the passenger side of the trunk door (can be seen in fifth pic) · ENGINE: new Bosch spark plug wires as of Sept 2012. New Bosch alternator as of Aug 2010. Lifetime air filter installed. Projects for you to work on: · Rough idling (since early summer) which may be related to…· Smog test results (7/31/12): Comprehensive Visual inspection: PASS. Functional Check: PASS. Emissions Test: FAIL. ASM emission results at 15/25 mph: CO2 11.6/11.7; O2 4.0/3.8; HC 176/148, CO 0.01/0.01, NO 1399/1754· Front tires (205/70R14) need replacing soon· Front brakes need service, approx. 98% worn!· Rear brake linings approx. 70% worn· Driving wheel/steering mechanism has around 1.5” of slack (it was like that when I bought it, doesn’t affect function and you get used to it)· Drive belts (5) are worn and should be replaced soon· Tranny… occasional hesitation and slipping. Should be looked at.· Odometer is broken and stuck at 143,020. This occurred towards the tail end of the previous ownership. I have put no more than 25K miles on her so I would estimate she’s up to around 180K in real miles.· Front turn signal lights do not function… all other lights including fog lights DO function· Radio antenna is stuck in the up position although motor appears to be functioning (can hear it running upon vehicle shutdown when it should be retracting the antenna)· Trunk leaks in the rain and seal needs to be replaced (included)· Trunk door does not stay open when lifted· Original painted alloy wheels have various amounts of “curb rash”· Hood latch is tricky… often needs to be jiggled and pulled at a certain angle to unlatch· Passenger side door catch (the striker part that is attached to the car body) needs to be replaced (see picture). Sometimes it is difficult to get this door to latch shut when this part moves. Can get it back in place with a #1 philips, but it is a pain. Although this list looks long, she is a great foundation to a good vehicle (particularly due to the dual timing chain upgrade… which cost the previous owner a good $4K) and as you can see, looks great too. Shouldn’t take too much to get her on the road again (key item being... brakes!!!). ** Vehicle sold as-is with no warranty expressed or implied: A non-refundable $500.00 deposit is due within 24 hours of end of auction via PayPal. The remainder is due within 5 days of auction end. Buyer is responsible for all state taxes/fees associated with this sale and for pickup or shipping of this vehicle. If you wish to have it shipped using a service please let me know. ** ** Due to the smog status I cannot sell the car to a California resident (unless you are a dealer). If you are a California resident, please do not bid. I will cancel any bids of any CA residents. If a CA resident or individual who intends on registering the car in CA somehow wins the auction, I will cancel the sale and retain the $500 non-refundable deposit. ** I have been an eBay seller since 2001 with perfect buyer and seller feedback. Bid with confidence. All offers considered and will be reviewed immediately. Please feel free to e-mail me with any questions. Thanks so much, Shawn.