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1983 Mercedes 380 SL, low mileage, recent comprehensive service.

Location: Safford, Arizona, United States
Make: Mercedes-Benz
Model: SL-Class
Type: Convertible
Year: 1983
Mileage: 69,000
VIN: WDBBA45A5DB020784
Color: Tan
Engine size: 3.8L V8
Number of cylinders: 8
Power options: Air Conditioning, Power Windows
Fuel: Gasoline
Transmission: Automatic
Drive type: RWD
Interior color: Brown
Drive side: Left-hand drive
Safety options: Anti-Lock Brakes
Options: Cassette Player, Convertible, Leather Seats
Vehicle Title: Clear

1983 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class Description

This is a very original example of a 1983 Mercedes 380SL and is one of the best driving R107's you'll come across thanks to the recent comprehensive mechanical and cosmetic refresh!Some history on the car: This car was sold new in Houston, Texas before spending much of its life parked in underground storage in a garage in eastern Arizona. This car was only occasionallydriven on short weekend trips to ensure that it stayed in running order, it shows just under 69,000 miles on the odometer and only 700 of those miles were added since 1995 accordingto the log book that was kept by the previous owner. This car is a time capsule, all the owner's manuals and dealership paperwork are still in the glove box, the windows (including the windshield) are the factory Mercedes Sekurit piecesand there is even still factory protective plastic covering the door sill trim! I purchased the car five months ago and undertook a professional service to bring the car back to excellent drivingcondition.
The brakes, suspension, injection system, starter, rear main seal, engine, transmission, differential and air conditioning system have all been serviced and any parts that were replaced were replaced with OEM quality parts such as Bilstein dampers, ATE brake components, Bosch sensors and BHER air conditioning components.The total parts spend on this recent mechanical service was over $3500!
A bore scopewas also used to verify that this car has been previously converted to a dual roller timing chain ( a $2500-$3000 service job on average) and the front sub-frameshows no damage or signs of cracking in the usual R107 failure points. Almost every single sensor on the Bosch injection system was replaced and now this 3.8L M116 V8 runs smooth and strong. The transmissionwas also serviced with a new filter, pan gasket, transmissionfluid, then the shift pressure and kick downcable were both adjusted. I wouldn'thesitate to take this car on a cross country tour it runs and drives so well!
The car hasalsohad a sympathetic paint repair and correction on the passenger side quarter panel and the trunk. The quarter panel had been repaired under previous ownership after a minor parking lot mishap but the repair was not to the standard that I expected. The panel was stripped and professionallyrepaired, the paint and pinstripe color matched and then blended to match the condition and appearanceof the the rest of the paint on the car. An early mobile phone antennawas mounted to the trunk which I decided to have removed. The hole plugged and the entire trunk painted while the quarter panel was being repaired. It receivedthe same detailed attention as the quarter panel and they are a excellentmatch to the originalpaint on the rest of the car. Some paintless dent repair was also used to remove the majority of small door and rock dings. The car does still have some small rock dings and paint chips but I didn't want to lose the originalityof this car by completely repainting it. It is a beautiful, mostly original driver and turns many heads on the road.
The interior is in immaculate condition and shows extremelywell for its age. The seats are still soft and supple, the original carpets and Mercedesfloor mats are in great shape and the headliners for both the hard and soft tops are blemish and stain free. The VDO gauges are still clear and bright, the in-dash analogclock still works and keeps time. The Becker Grand Prix radio is in working condition and even comes with the original cassette deck cleaningkit in the glove box!
The only minor issue with the car still is that the starter occasionallywont engage the flywheel on the first attempt. However, if you cycle the key and try again it'll engageand the engine will start after 2-3 cranks. Probablyjust a starteralignmentissue or some wear on the flywheel teeth.
eBay will only let me post 24 pictures but I have many more for anyone interestedin them. I also have links to a walk around video and a driving video of the car. Please message me for the links to the additionalphotos and videos if interested.
Shipping is the buyers responsibility and this car is sold as is, where is with no warranties.
Please feel free to ask me any questions you have before bidding!Thanks for looking and good luck!

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