1981 280SL

1981 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class Description

This is a Euro Spec car with the M110 2.8 liter engine. As you can see from the photos it also has the Euro bumpers which look much better than the US version of the time. I purchased the car a year ago because I love the R107 body but never liked the way the V8 models drove and handled as they were to front heavy. The combination of the 177 hp. inline six and the four speed manual transmission make this a really fun driver. The previous owner told me that a gentleman in NJ originally owned the car for years as his daily driver to NYC and eventually took it off the road as it needed the motor overhauled. He eventually sold it to the next owner who was looking for a retirement project. This owner spent over $10,000 on paint, body and mechanical work and then sold the car and moved to FL before he finished putting it back together. The individual I purchased it from said he believed they swapped out the engine however checking the motor number against the build sheet confirms that it is the original engine so it was obviously rebuilt as it starts right up and runs beautifully.

Since I purchased the car I’ve sorted out a number of minor issues. The radiator has a brand new $400 core and the wheels were upgraded to the newer style 15” with a nice set of Michelin Radials. The car runs and drives very nicely. Unfortunately I’m just not using the car as I also have a Jaguar E-Type and a 500SL so this one sits and takes up room. It’s time to let go.

The finish is absolutely beautiful on the car and it also has a brand new soft top. As nice as the car is it’s not perfect. The hard top has some rust on the underside however this doesn’t impact how it fits or seals to the body. There are also a few small dings on the passenger front corner of the hardtop and paint blister on the passenger rear corner. The car has a couple of very small paint blisters as well behind the left front side marker and on an area near the body side molding but nothing I would bother with but rather just live with the minor imperfections. At some point the A/C compressor was removed but the rest of the system is still in place. The chrome is very presentable but not perfect as one would expect for a 36 year old car. The windshield is also scratched from the wiper blade which may polish out but I can’t guarantee it. Everything else works and this is a great classic Mercedes in the right color and the right motor and transmission combination.