1988 Mercedes-Benz 560SL

Description

With its origins dating back to 1972 and the 350SL, this superbly preserved 1988 Mercedes Benz 560SL is the final evolution of the R107 chassis, and is unquestionably the best of the breed. Replacing the somewhat underpowered 3.8 liter V8 in the 380SL, the 560SL got a muscular 5.6 liter V8, a 4-speed automatic transmission, and a host of chassis and styling upgrades that make it the one to own if you're a collector or just someone who appreciates precision machinery.

There truly was a difference between a mass-produced low-priced car and this top-of-the-line cruiser, and it is immediately apparent when you look down the flanks of this SL. There are no ripples, no sags, no orange peel, just a vivid, deep red finish that clearly says this car is worth every penny of its whopping $62,430 original sticker price. The doors fit the way you would expect from a Mercedes, and the big hood opens and closes with just your fingertips. The 560 received a modest chin spoiler, and on this car it is free of driveway scuffs and road rash, while out back, a subtle federally mandated third brake light perches at the edge of the trunk lid. Things like the rubber bumper guards, rub strips, and chrome-ringed grille are all in excellent condition, suggesting that this SL, like most, has lived a very easy life.

Inside, the seats wear supple genuine leather in the 560, and the lovely tan hides contrast smartly with the bright red exterior. The seats are in decent condition with only modest signs of wear and minor cracking (it is a convertible after all), and they're extremely comfortable, making this the ideal car for long highway drives. The fat steering wheel is nicely weighted, and an airbag was standard equipment in 1988. The gauge layout is straightforward and elegantly simple in traditional Mercedes-Benz fashion, and the controls for things like the climate control and radio fall easily to hand. The SL is a real two-seater, with a small package shelf behind the seats, and a fully finished trunk provides reasonable accommodations for two peoples' luggage. This car is equipped with two tops, a black canvas convertible top and a matching red hardtop, both of which are in great shape.

The 5.6 liter V8 is the most potent engine ever offered in US-bound R107 SLs, making a fairly robust 227 horsepower and 287 pounds of torque. With a rumbling, powerful idle, this muscular powerplant moves the roadster smartly, and despite being a luxury car first and a sports car second, it is remarkably potent on the road. This engine's real strength lies in its almost boundless reserves of torque, making it feel like this car as at the end of a giant recoiling rubber band that can accelerate the car forever. Unobtrusive when you want it quiet, and ready to play whenever the roads turn twisty, the mechanicals in this SL make it the ideal dance partner. Underneath, everything is factory-spec, right down to the exhaust system, and it's in great condition thanks to a life down south where it stays warm year-round. Traditional Mercedes-Benz alloys were freshened for the 560, and carry 205/65/15 Michelin radials.

The 560SL combined all that Mercedes learned about the V8 R107 chassis cars into a cultural icon that quietly and confidently told the world its occupants had "arrived," and even today you look like a movie star behind the wheel. Call today!