1983 Mercedes Benz 380SL - CLEAN, FUN ROADSTER READY FOR THE NEXT CARETAKER

1983

Mercedes Benz

380 SL Roadster

VIN: WDBBA45A1DB021933

Here’s another nice, accident-free Mercedes we’ve recently acquired for our Ebay customers. Please feel free to contact me directly with any questions before the auction ends. My name is Mark and my phone number is 206/914-1173. You’re welcome and encouraged to make an appointment to inspect and test-drive this fun boulevard cruiser during the auction. Having owned dozens of Mercedes over three decades, I’ve developed a great appreciation for their style, mechanical reliability and the overall driving experience. This is truly a nice, dependable 380 SL and I’m pleased to offer it here on Ebay.

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION:

Ever spent an afternoon driving a vintage Benz roadster? What a treat! Smooth is the word for sure. Smooth powerful acceleration. Smooth handling in the curves or on the highway. Comfort, styling, and versatility all in one gorgeous ride. For my money, an SL of any variant is one of the best values for the overall driving experience that a classic Benz has to offer. Look over my photos and I’m sure you’ll agree. What you’re viewing here is the result of a wash and vacuum only! I know you’ll admire this SL’s overall provenance.

Along with the free & clear title, we received the original owner’s manual, factory catalog, dealer instruction hang tags, and the dealer warranty and service booklets all stowed in their original clear plastic sleeve. A number of receipts also came with the car. These detailed over $7,000 spent at 142,500 miles to install a fresh dual timing-chain engine along with the motor mounts, miscellaneous A/C parts and brake repair. $2,000 was later spent to have the transmission rebuilt. Other receipts outline replacement of lower control arms, the radiator plus thermostat and injector seals.

CONDITION:

In total, this is a clean, smoke-free car. I take pride in these vehicles we offer and feel you should know as much about them as possible. Accordingly, here’s a list of the good and also a few things possibly needing attention:

Hop in; fire up the strong 3.8 liter V-8 and it starts immediately – even when cold. The motor idles, runs and drives as I feel it should – immediate, strong oil pressure, strong battery and charging system, no perceived brake fade or pull and tight steering. The automatic transmission shifts through the gears just as expected without slippage.

On the interior, the dark brown vinyl seats are in decent condition as pictured without sagging springs. Both power window lifts work, though the left (drivers) can be a bit sticky. You’ll appreciate the nice JVC stereo. It’s vastly superior to the old Becker radios most R107 cars arrived with from Stuttgart. All four factory carpets are present and in decent condition (they could stand to be cleaned). In the well of the carpeted trunk you’ll find the spare mounted on a factory alloy rim along with the jack. There’s been some professional corrosion repair done to the tire storage well and beneath the battery box visible from the car's underside (likely caused by water pooling below the spare sometime in the past). I haven’t found any soft floor panels, but do see some rust repair done on interior wheel wells.

About the only real mechanical flaws I’ve encountered are: The A/C doesn’t come on, though the heater system works fine. A tech should upgrade to R134a refrigerant anyway when servicing. Although the speedometer works great, I have no idea if the odometer reading is accurate . As pictured, the soft top is in good condition. No issues at all with the excellent hardtop.

The factory wheels are straight and true. Each is wrapped with quality all-weather touring radials, each with 80+ percent remaining tread.

Because of the amount of money involved in buying a vehicle, we require that new Ebay members or those with a feedback history of five or fewer transactions or ANY negative feedback call or email before placing a bid. If I don’t have this initial contact, your bid may be cancelled. The phone number to talk directly to me, as outlined above, is 206/914-1173. Please feel free to call any time during the auction. My name is MARK. You might also make an offer before the end of the auction, as I'm always open to smart “early birds” that call and work out a deal prior to the auction’s end, reserving the right to sell during this period.

TERMS OF SALE:

Please check the photos over closely and call me with any questions BEFORE you place a bid! You’re encouraged to make an appointment to come by my Auburn, Washington warehouse and take the Mercedes for a test drive. I also welcome having a professional service inspection done. As always, the vehicle is being sold as-is, where-is with a free & clear Washington title. There are NO title brands for nasty negatives like salvage history, any accidents, theft recovery or flood damage to cause you concern!

A Few Additional Terms and Conditions:

Many past buyers from as far away as Alaska, Arizona, the Midwest, Canada, Florida, New York and even the Mexican Baja have flown in here to Seattle and then started a road trip home the same day in their purchase. While I have every confidence in the 380SL, it’s 35 years old and has earned the right to do short sprints over a full-blown triathlon. Shipping usually equals (or is cheaper) when all the ancillary costs are added in – and no flat tires to deal with in the middle of nowhere, either. If a road-trip home is the choice, I’m happy to meet you at Sea-Tac International arrival to hand you the keys. You’ll need to drop me off back at my Auburn warehouse on your way out of town.

The entire purchase price is due by cash (in-person only), a wire transfer or other certified funds within seven days of the auction closing. I can accept credit/debit cards but will need to first send an invoice from our card processor and ask that the 3.5% fee charged by them be added. Please remember you are bidding to buy, and I fully expect the winning bidder to fulfill their Ebay contract! You’re not bidding to hold or then come inspect and test-drive the vehicle later; as mentioned, you’re more than welcome to do this before the auction ends.

If you do decide to have the380SL shipped home, there are numerous vehicle transportcompanies to choose from. We ship vehicles regularly and I'd suggest you get bids from the transporters listed here on the Ebay site by pressing the “Shipping” tab found above this description section. I do have a local company many of our buyers have used for delivery all over the country and I’d be happy to get a COD bid from them after the auction is completed. The zip code for pick-up is 98002 (Auburn, Washington). The shipping of the vehicle and company chosen are the responsibility of the BUYER.

TheBenz can be stored free of charge at my location for up to two weeks after the auction ends assuming full payment has been received. After that period storage is $20 per day.