1981 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class

SL 380 Convertible

8 Cylinder

Automatic

WDBBA45A9BB005394

Clear

Gasoline

Vintage Mercedes like this expertly maintained 1981 SL380 are the perfect combination of old world luxury and universal appeal. Fast, competent, luxurious, stylish, and built like a Panzer tank, they are the choice of many classic car collectors who like to both show their cars and drive them on a weekend getaways. With only 7,856 (The Car Shows 7,856 Miles and it is a 6 digit odometer, How ever because of its age I sell all older vehicles as milage exempt) sunny day miles on its original powertrain and no collision or major body damage whatsoever, this rock solid SL380 is about as close to driving a brand new 30 year old luxury car as you can get. If you’re one of those Daimler diehards who’s looking for the ultimate old school Merc, this two owner SL380 is an incredible find! This pristine, lightly used 1981 Mercedes SL380 is an exceptionally well-maintained classic. Its subdued, Midnight Black paint carries just the right amount of refinement worthy of a Mercedes badge, and looking at its solid flanks, there’s no question it was constructed with some damned fine workmanship. Under the cars slick clearcoat finish the body is virtually blemish-free. Fit, finish and panel gaps are exactly what you would expect from a vintage car with the three-pointed star on its nose and this 380 SL is simply remarkable! Like most vintage Mercedes, this 380 SLs styling is brilliantly executed with straight, sharp edged proportions which recall the days when automakers didn’t have to worry about wringing the efficiency out of every single drop of gasoline. At the front of the car, a traditional over-sized and chrome trimmed SL grille cages a large chrome Mercedes emblem between four pristine headlights and two bright marker lights. Below that grille, a freestanding bumper hangs familiar, chrome trimmed driving lights inside of clear turn signals; and behind that grille, a sculpted hood wears a traditional chrome Mercedes-Benz badge in front of stainless windshield washers. Behind the hood, crystal clear factory glass sits inside of excellent stainless trim which hooks to a black cloth top to keep out rain. At the sides of the car, laser straight body moldings parallel both finned rockers which wear dent-free stainless edge guards, and classy looking pin stripes which display no fragmenting or peeling. In the middle of the doors, slick chrome handles add form to function, and at the top of the doors, chrome mirrors look good and work better. At the back of the car, tri-color taillights ride above a second freestanding chrome bumper, and chrome Mercedes trunk emblems complement both a chrome power antenna and subtle chrome trunk trim. Lift the long hood and you’ll find a lot of advanced technology that allows this 380 SL to provide smooth and powerful acceleration which almost defies the laws of early 80s automotive physics. The big motor is smooth, powerful, accelerates well in any gear, and has plenty of torque at any given speed or time. Cosmetically everything here looks like a well preserved time capsule, which isn’t surprising given the cars well kept exterior and interior; and since it was produced well before the OEMs questionable obsession with plastic engine covers, you can plainly see how well-maintained every seal, bolt and electronic component is. From the sparkling clean inner fenders to the original radiator decals, this Mercedes is nothing but vintage class! Both luxurious and capable, this 1981 Mercedes 380 SL is a substantial roadster that has been expertly maintained throughout its entire existence. Thanks to the SLs reputation for excellent engineering, Mercedes-Benz sells every one they build year after year, and vintage examples like this ’81 enjoy a large group of dedicated fans. If you’re looking for a great cruiser that, when it comes to power and performance, is a genuine iron fist in a silk glove, you simply can’t go wrong with a this slick 380 SL! There is a few things that I need to note about the interior, the dash has a few cracks on the upper portion and the clips that hold in the sun visor are cracked but do function (the pictures show the dash board and broken clips).