1983 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class

Convertible

V8

Automatic

WDBBA45A2CB017730

Clear

Gasoline

Up for sale is my 1982 380SL. I picked this car up from an estate. As far as I can tell it has not been on the road since 2008. When I bought it, the interior and exterior were immaculate. It looked like the car was detailed then placed in a time capsule. Other than the missing stereo, everything looked great. I will be happy to install / replace the radio with stock or aftermarket, free of charge provided winning bidder covers cost of radio. When the car arrived, it had a stone cold dead battery and the fuel stunk like nothing I’ve ever smelled before. The engine compartment looked great , just a little dusty. And as I said before; the car looked awesome. I went through the car and me and my buddy lifted the hard top off. That hard top is really heavy. After reading the owners manual three times, I was finally able to figure out how to open the convertible top. As far as I can tell, the original owner probably NEVER had this top up, EVER. It is virtually petrified in the down position. I think if I forced it open and tried to set it up; it would probably just crack apart in pieces. So if your looking for a description on the condition of the convertible top I would have to say it appears to be 100% original to the car. So if you want originality, keep it. If you have even the slightes intention to use it, it will have to be replaced. After exploring the car, I went to the auto parts store and picked up a new battery, oil, fuel and air filters, oil, spark plugs, Plug wires, cap and rotor, and set about seeing what I have here. I did the oil change and installed all the tune up parts. I drained the fuel tank and reaplced it with fresh fuel. As soon as I did, the fuel line just below the tank started to leak. I went back to the parts store and got a piece to replace it. After all was done, I turned the key and she started right up. Almost instantly. I was very happy. I drove it around the block several times. She ran like a car that has not been on the road for half a decade. The brakes are soft, the transmission was shifting sloppy etc….. As I said, she drove exactly how I figured a car would after sitting for 5 years. Now I don’t have time for another project. I have a 63 Vette, a 66 Vette, a 71 Chevelle, and a 75 MGB, all it different stages of re-assembly. The last thing I need to do, tempting as it is, is start yet another project. Not gonna happen. I think prior to putting this car back on the road, someone should go through it thoroughly and replace basicaaly everything made out of rubber like the rest of the fuel lines, the fan belts, maybe the tires, the wiper blades, etc.. and have a Mercedes technician check out the mechanicals thoroughly like the brakes, timing belt if it has one, tune it up, maybe change the transmission and rear end fluid, etc…… I have bought cars that sat for a long time in the past and it has been my personal experience that anything made of rubber that you do not replace immediately with almost certainly break and leave you stranded in short order. Just my experience. In closing, Let me say that although the car started right up and drove as well as any vcar could having sat for the past five years, I would not consider it ready to be put back on the road without first having it checked out thoroughly by someone that knows what they are doing. Particularly the brakes. car runs and drives alright, and as such my assistant and I will drive the car to the winning bidder within 20 miles of Hawthorne NJ. Any further than that, it is up to the winning bidder to make arrangements for shipping As for delivery, Ivan and I can drive it to the winner within 20 miles for free. >20 but <100 miles for $1 per mile. Over 100 miles you will have to pick up yourself or have it shipped. My assistant, Ivan, is available pretty much anytime to meet with you. So please, nothing is better than to come see the car for yourself prior to bidding. Mechanics welcome. If youd ike to have your mechanic inspect the car at his shop, please call and we will do our very best to accomidate you. I encourage all inspections prior to close of auction as once you see what your actually looking to bid on I’ve found people are much more likely to bid higher when they have inspected the car personally beforehand. So please check it out, BEFORE AUCTION END, not after. I do my very best to describe each of my items I have for sale as accurately as I possibly can. But even then, I may miss something or I may overlook something that seems irrelevant to me that may very well be import to you. So come see it, PRIOR to auction end. On a no reserve auction you are bidding to win, not bidding to look.