1979 Mercedes-Benz 280SL Roadster

I am listing this vehicle for my neighbor/seller. Here is the description:
Imported directly from Stuttgart to the US in November, 1979, by the original owner who was a personal friend of my neighbor/seller, the seller is the second owner of this car and has owned it since 1993. The car has always been garaged and is in excellent condition. It retains its European bumpers but the headlights were changed out upon arrival in the US. The exterior is in excellent condition with no history of damage to the body. The paint is original except for both quarter panels and hardtop that have been refreshed with BASF Glasurit urethane paint. The original paint in these areas had begun to lose adhesion. There’s no known rust on the body. The soft top is chocolate brown and was replaced with German canvas of original spec in 1996. The top is still like new.
The interior is in excellent original condition, with dark brown MB-Tex upholstery and carpets. In the dash is the original Blaupunkt stereo and cassette player; all gauges are clear and working properly as is the quartz clock. The console is outfitted with figured exotic wood veneer.

Under the hood is a 2.8 liter twin-cam, fuel-injected straight six never offered in the US roadsters. The powerful engine is mated to a three-speed automatic gearbox that shifts beautifully. All mechanical systems are working as they should, except the air conditioner which has never been used. It is the original York a/c which has not been converted to R-134a coolant. I have all service records since 1993. The odometer shows 95,000 miles. The tires are Michelins with almost 9,000 miles on them.

A complete tune-up was done at 94,600 miles at Ben’s Mercedes Workshop in Austin, which included new spark plugs and wires, valve adjustment, replacing all filters, crankcase oil and fluids. English versions of the Owner’s Manuals are in the glove box. Detailed service and technical manuals for the car are also in the trunk. The original toolkit, German first aid kit, jack, fire extinguisher and Euro hazard triangle remain with the car as well.

This classic roadster will purr at 80 mph for mile after mile. Yes, some roads in Texas allow you to drive at speeds that give the taste of what the Autobahn must feel like for a car that was built for it.

This is a low reserve auction.