1989 Mercedes-Benz 560SL

Description

There are many who feel that the W127 SLs were the last of the engineered Mercedes-Benz automobiles. After that, the cars were mainstream, and the engineers were joined by the marketing department, and the slogan "Engineered like no other car" fell by the wayside. This two owner 1989 560SL represents the last of the best, a low-mileage survivor that proves why these cars are still wonderful machines that truly deserve their honored reputations.

If you could afford one of these when it was new, it meant you had well and truly arrived, and that you cared about smart investing as much as making a good first impression. Brilliant Silver is the perfect color on a grand tourer such as this, and it is remarkably well preserved on this 31,513-mile example. It has clearly led an easy life in a warm climate, and at 32 years old, it is only just now getting broken-in. Panel gaps are exemplary and the trim fits with a precision that was typical of Mercedes-Benz quality of the era, and the "built like a bank vault" term was coined just for these cars. The heavy chrome and rubber bumpers were an unfortunate by-product of federal regulations, but they, too, add to the car's appeal with their purposeful look, as if Mercedes didn't care about appearance as much as function-which was 100% true. There's also a single pinstripe running the length of the body in contrasting blue, just to tie it together with the elegant interior. Sadly 1989 was the last year of the W127 model, but at least it received a slender third brake light at the trailing edge of the deck lid, a big improvement over the clunky unit found on earlier models.

The luscious blue leather interior is incredibly inviting and looks upscale even in today's world. The leather used in these cars is not only lovely to look at, but wears like iron, and the bucket seats have a comfortable look while still being supportive and firm. Matching dark blue carpets look unaffected by the sun's rays or dirty shoes, and burled walnut trim warms up the interior without detracting from the all-business controls. A modern AM/FM/CD stereo has been retrofitted in the dash, but the factory Becker unit is included with the sale if you're a stickler for originality. Even the trunk is upholstered in plush carpet that's nicer than the stuff found in the passenger compartments of lesser automobiles. This car also offers two tops, a new navy blue folding roof and a color-matched hardtop.

The final evolution of the 5.6 liter SOHC V8 was designed to run for hundreds of thousands of miles with only routine maintenance, and with only 31,513 original miles, this one is still fresh. With a bubbly, bouncy idle and seemingly limitless reserves of torque, it moves the two-seat roadster effortlessly without the high-strung theatrics of lesser machines. The engine bay sparkles like new, while the chassis is clean and obviously rust-free thanks to a life down south. A 4-speed automatic transmission swaps gears unobtrusively, and the supple, all-independent suspension is willing to dance, but is equally comfortable on long stretches of highway. Traditional MB alloy wheels wearing 205/65/15 Bridgestone radials neatly straddle the ride/performance equation.

Renowned for their engineering, cars like this SL are a reminder of when the gap between the ordinary and the extraordinary was wide indeed. This car has had only two owners since new and has always been very well cared for. Call today!