1986 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class

Convertible

5.6L

Automatic

WDBBA48DXGA051416

Clear

Gasoline

Well kept Mercedes roadster with newer convertible top in chocolate brown and in great condition. New timing belt and coaster arms. Recent spark plug change with tune up, transmission, steering and brake fluid changes. Newer brakes, and upper engine gaskets. All emblems in place and jewell like. Paint redone about ten years ago in manufacturer gold tone with chocolate brown pinstripes. Chocolate brown interior with precisely replicated Mercedes designed vinyl upholstered coverings, in Mercedes own Palamino tan color. No dents or rust to be found on the accident free body of this California and Colorado car. Oil changed May 2018.Newer mercedes branded wool foot mats in front. Newer AAA 1100 cold cranking amps battery. All lights, horn, brakes, steering, air conditioning, thermometer, power windows, doors and mirrors in good working order. Driving instrumentation, flashers and trouble indicators working. AM/FM stereo is an aftermarket Sony with detachable face plate and stereo speakers, working. The original Becker stereo has been replaced on most Mercedes SLs. What does not work is the power antenna (all parts present and attached), the lights on the vanity mirrors, the analogue clock, and the cruise control (all parts present). Newer General Altimax tires (all season). Newer convertible top wrenches (2) This car comes with a complete spare tire set, manuals, and license plate brackets front and rear. Two keys are supplied as well. No warranty is implied and car is sold as is, though a reasonable and accurate description of the car is being made. Please use the pictures to note imperfections. This car is a 10-20 foot looker but, on close inspection it is with minor paint chips and scratches. There are a pair of pictures depicting the chrome caps at the opening for the convertible top's arms. One cap is perfect, the other is broken and hence shorter. This is not obvious with a casual glance nor does this make the cabin leaky. There are minor trim imperfections due solely to aging. Please closely study the front grill. When looking at the interior door trim photos. Please note the map pocket imperfections and the padding on the inner portion of the convertible boot top (a few tiny holes that do not compromise sealing the weather out. Also the foldable center arm rest is slightly askew. The natural burl wood on the dash, though generally appearing pretty good, presents with fine cracks in some places, and sun related fading. The speaker grills on the front dash end caps (original) are not manufacturer tight fitting. Some fading is evident on some buttons and the console. Scratches are evident on the driver side behind the seat surround, where the mechanical release levers for the convertible top are found. On the padded dash top there are two cracks that are not so bad but, nonetheless visible . A Coverley molded plastic dash cover in a blending color is available for the giving if you like but, I prefer the original dash appearance myself. The dashboard also presents with wear, some of which can be seen in the photos. Mechanically this car starts easily, accelerates quickly and steers true. Steering input is sporty and medium to heavy when compared to a Porsche 911. Braking is solid and stops the car quickly with little fade. Parking break has free play (car rolls back 4-6 inches). Nice V-8 engine tune with smooth idle. In driving character, this Mercedes SL is not a missile but, a grand tourer in the German tradition. New, this car cost $54,000 in1986 dollars. About $130,000 in today's dollars. With 230 horsepower the SL was bested by the likes of the Ferrari 328 GTS, with its 270 hp V8. It was however, far more refined than a Corvette Maserati or the 6 series BMW. Simple luxury by todays standards (except for the ABS and driver airbag technology), though very high quality materials were used for the seats, dash, instrumentation, interior trim, body and soft top. A feast for the "Back to the Future and Indiana Jones crowd!" Meg Ryan drove this model when she costarred with Tom Hanks in "Joe versus the Volcano!" When I drive this roadster, I must say it puts a smile on my face!