1981 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class

ROADSTER Convertible

3.8 V8

Automatic

000BA45A6bb000850

Clear

Gasoline

The Mercedes SL's have really shot up in the last 24 months. The healthy Classic Car market has been an excellent place to park money. The "SL's", from the million dollar 50's versions, through the "bumper" cars of the 80's, have been increasingly desired by collectors and investers alike. Why? In my humble opinion, it is timeless styling, dependability, exceptional value and they are down right cool to own and fun to drive! This Beautiful example spent the first 27 years of its life in CALIFORNIA! It was obviously well cared for and driven an average of only 2,600 miles per year! This old Benz has a GORGEOUS BODY. California cars just make better classics. The seams of the undercarriage are so much better than our eastern cars. The body is straight and the PAINT IS SPECTACULAR!! The Beautiful Chrome and Bright Work shows it was garage kept. I drove this Benz to 3 car cruise-ins this week. I had a ton of compliments. IT IS A BALL TO DRIVE! It hugs the road because it is low, wide and has a short wheel base. It's been fun to drive in our rolling hills and curves. It has great highway manners too. True "ROADSTERS" have two tops and two seats. THIS SL CARRIES BOTH TOPS. BOTH IN EXCELLENT CONDITION. The soft top is chocolate with a clear back window. The original engine is the small 3.8 litre V8. Not the most powerful, but better than all other SL's on gas mileage. It has started dependably for me with no taps or raps. The transmission shifts tight and it really drives great. The Interior is a rare color that I believe is called Sienna. It is a handsome color for sure. The leather seats are not really showing their age. They were well kept, but as is the case with old leather, a couple cracks have popped up. As you can see in the pictures, they really aren't bad and the seats DO NOT RECOVERED. The word with the car clubs is PRESERVATION not restoration. THEY ARE ONLY ORIGINAL ONCE. I will leave repairing or restoring the items that aren't perfect up to you. Personally, I would just use Mcquires or another quality product on the interior every week for a couple months and recondition the leather. I have done this countless times to bring drying leather back to life. At that point, the driver's headrest should be taken to an upholstery shop for a little re-sew on the seam. It is really the only unsightly thing on the interior that needs attention. There is a crack UNDER the dash on the passenger side. You have to get down and look for it. It happens when the panel is kicked when entering the car. The RUGS, PANELS, DASH CAP AND WOOD ARE ALL REALLY GOOD. There are some fine cracks around the shifter but as you can see in the pictures, it still looks good. One thing Mercedes didn't do well, was use a good radio. Everybody hated them. An ALPINE CD/AM/FM was professionally installed. I could go on and on about what's right about this car. But I know you want the bad as well as the good. The most glaring issue that should be repaired would be the climate control. This is the most common complaint on ANY Mercedes. They are all suspect no matter what year or model. There are countless boards and forums around the Internet to help diagnose this issue and many places to buy parts at a very reasonable price. The passenger side visor is missing. A broken clip was the cause. You can find visors on ebay and other sites. They make them in reproductions as with many other parts for the SL's. Parts for this series are plentiful and more reasonably priced than you might suspect. I could go on all night talking about the merits of this one. Take it from a guy who has had more Classic SL's than most people in this hobby. It truly is a great car. Thank you for your time and interest. ***** 15 years selling specialty cars on Ebay with 100% POSITIVE FEEDBACK! ZERO FEEDBACK BIDDERS MUST WRITE FOR BIDDING APPROVAL. Premier Motors Inc. is a licensed, bonded and insured Pennsylvania dealership with over 30 years of experience with "specialty cars." I am also a notary public. I keep a very small overhead so I may sell only the finest, hand picked specialty cars at the market's best prices. Buy with confidence that my experience and reputation are of the utmost professional standards. Call me, Rob at 724-396-3013 for more information Thank you for your interest.