Not the usual: ’81 Mercedes-Benz 500SL
These R107 Mercedes Benz SLs are among the nicest and best built Mercedes SLs ever. Drive one and you will feel like you are driving a very sporty feeling anvil. Typical of Mercedes long-lived models, there is a constant progression in engine size and other refinements. And since this is the 2nd longest running production model for Mercedes (The G-Wagen the longest), there are many differences from year to year. The range began with a 350SL, moved up to a 450SL but uncharacteristically retreated to a 380SL before ending with the 560SL. The 450SLs are quite popular with climate control systems being there weakest link. The 380SL is kind of a bore. But fans like the rare 500SL the best. Fortunately any 500SL here in the states came from somewhere else because they were not officially imported into the US. The 500SL packed the same engine as those 450SLC 5.0 Rally Cars had. That means the highest horsepower rating of any R107 at 240 bhp. Today’s offering from one of our favorite sellers comes in a beautiful Lapis blue metallic with matching hardtop over gray MB Tex. It has a new dark blue convertible top and factory 14″ Bundt alloys. This was one of the earliest 500SLs made, imported as a new car to California and has resided here in the Golden State ever since. It is a real find with only 99,829 Kilometers since new. Offered at $11,900. Contact the seller by clicking here.
Not the same engine as the 450SLC 5.0. A simply search will tell you that the original engine from ’78 were different in displacement. Additionally, there were improvements due to experience with metallurgy.
Of course the 450SLC 5.0 were only made in the SLC and only had a 3 speed transmission.
Oops. I see that there is a roller for the vacuum adjustable euro headlights (replaced standard euro headlights around 79-80 or so). So I agree that this is an imported model, but still worth verifying the VIN.
Still, this is a heavily federalized version, probably all due to the California regulations. Someone probably got put through the ringer federalizing this one. Probably good thing for a California resident.
I would check the vin on this one and make sure it is a 107046 car and not a 5.0 transplanted into a 380sl which would often have the engine blow because they put single row timing chains in those cars in 1981. The engine bay looks correct and it has been federalized with that big smog pump on the passenger side front, and the radiator hose looks correct for a 5.0. However, my 1978 5.0 has tri-y manifolds / headers and this one does not for some reason. I thought all 5.0 107s got the tri-y’s.
Here is your answer about the lights and bumpers.
The US market bumpers and lights let you know that this was a grey market car that was correctly adapted to US laws at the time. I saw a few of these when they were new in the 80’s The most expensive when new and best examples of the Grey market 500SL’s had these modifications performed to completely comply with U.S. DOT regulations.
Thanks for clarifying the seller’s statement. “Wary” is always the operative word when reading any statements made by a seller. We say “trust but verify” and that certainly applies here. Regardless of the claim (that probably doesn’t make any difference in valuation), it is a nice GTV6.
I’m wondering why it has US market bumpers and lights when it is a Euro market car. Can some one educate me on this?
Some very nice cars have passed through the hands of CaliforniaClassix. If this car is as nice in person as it appears in photos it might be a great buy.
” A sporty feeling anvil” – beautiful!!!