1984 Mercedes-Benz Other for sale $19,900

Silver always looks great on German cars, and this SL is no exception. Thatandrsquo;s factory-applied paint thatandrsquo;s now 30 years old, yet it still looks great thanks to a combination of high-quality materials and expert care over the years. Well known for build quality, youandrsquo;ll feel it the first time you slam a door, and youandrsquo;ll note that the gaps and panel alignment are as good today as they were when it was new. It shines up nicely and aside from a few acceptable signs of age and use. Obviously thereandrsquo;s no rust on a car that has lived through foul weather indoors, and the handsome blue and red pinstripes running the length of the car add a bit of contrast that works quite well. The big rubber bumpers were US-spec, but over the years theyandrsquo;ve become familiar, and those on this car are in excellent condition with no dried-out parts or cracks. The remaining chrome is quite good overall, with nothing notably deteriorated or too new, so it has an all-of-a-piece look.

Blue leather seats are a nice upgrade over the more common MB Tex vinyl, giving the well-trimmed interior a more inviting look. Thereandrsquo;s a bit of wear on the driverandrsquo;s seat, which youandrsquo;d expect, but itandrsquo;s purely cosmetic with no splits or tears in the hides themselves. The scuffs could be easily re-dyed, but we kind of like the comfortable, lived-in look it has right now, making this car a little less formal and more inclined to have some fun. Big analog gauges remain fully functional, including the temperature gauge in the center A/C vent, which was factory equipment, not an aftermarket add-on. In fact, the service records suggest that whenever this car had a problem, it was promptly fixed and everything works as it should: A/C, power windows, locks, and mirrors, and the original Becker Grand Prix AM/FM/cassette stereo and its accompanying power antenna. Like all R107s, this SL comes with two tops, a brand new black canvas folding top and a removable hardtop that stores on a matching stand when not in use (which will likely be most of the time if youandrsquo;re doing it right). The trunk isnandrsquo;t huge, but itandrsquo;s beautifully finished and has enough room for a weekendandrsquo;s worth of baggage for two, and thereandrsquo;s a full-sized spare tucked underneath.

As the name would suggest, the 380SL is powered by a 3.8 liter V8 that was new in 1981. By 1984, it had been significantly revised and upgraded, most notably with a double-row timing chain that eliminated the problems found on earlier cars. Few cars are better for long road trips than this, and you may even find that fuel economy is decent. The engine bay on this one is tidy if not detailed, and thereandrsquo;s plenty of evidence of proper maintenance over the years, including recent hoses, belts, and tune-up parts. Itandrsquo;s quite clear that the car has never been used in the winter, as all the aluminum parts are still bright and shiny without the white corrosion that rust-belt cars develop. Turn the key and it starts quickly, idles smoothly, and never gives any indication of fussiness.

The 380 SL also received a 4-speed automatic overdrive transmission, which not only improved road manners and performance, but fuel economy as well. Imagine cruising at 75 MPH with the engine ticking over at a shocking 1300 RPM. Thatandrsquo;s the 380SL. The undercarriage is quite clean for a 33-year-old car and again, no signs of rust or rot in any of the structural components, especially the rockers. Thereandrsquo;s a correct factory-style exhaust system, recent fuel pumps in back (there are two, just in case), and newer shock absorbers all around. Familiar 14-inch Mercedes-Benz pie crust wheels are in good shape with a few minor scuffs, but