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8 Responses to Not the usual: ’81 Mercedes-Benz 500SL

  1. GW says:

    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.

  2. Fonzi says:

    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.

  3. Fonzi says:

    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.

  4. Andy Reid says:

    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.

    • mint2me says:

      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.

  5. Matt says:

    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?

  6. Brian says:

    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.

  7. Rich diMonda says:

    ” A sporty feeling anvil” – beautiful!!!

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