Since its introduction decades ago, he Mercedes-Benz SL roadsters have been the company's perennial favorites. From the spectacular 300SL roadsters of the mid-1950s to this 1983 Mercedes-Benz 380SL, hese wonderful 2-seaters are the perfect blend of luxury, tyle, nd performance, nd most are quite affordable as this one aptly demonstrates.Handsome, eliable, omfortable, ith more than adequate performance from the healthy 3.8 liter V8 under the hood, he R107 SLs remain popular today for all the right reasons. This handsome silver 380SL is a very affordable luxury/performance car that represents a huge bang for the buck. That's original paint and bodywork, hich is admittedly showing a few signs of age, ut it's also obvious that it's always been treated well. Silver is a great color for the conservative Mercedes-Benz, nd on this little roadster, t's the perfect choice and compliments the car's spirited performance. The paint is entirely original and its current condition proves that your top-of-the-line car got top-of-the-line paint for its top-of-the-line price. Its styling has a timelessness to it that belies the fact that the car was designed in the 70s, nd it has the Euro-spec headlights give it a sleeker look than the ordinary US-spec sealed beams. Today, hey are still considered prestigious cars and showing up in this one will likely win you front-row parking from the valet.The standard interior material in the mid-80s SLs was MB-Tex, nd it's as durable as it is attractive. As a well-maintained car, he interior remains in excellent condition with little wear and almost no damage to the seats. The carpets look appropriate for the time and mileage, hile the door panels are in decent shape with only a little bit of stretching. And yes, hat's real wood on the dash and console, s well as the custom 3-spoke steering wheel, one of it showing signs of cracking or fading, espite the many hours it must have spent in the sun. An AM/FM/cassette stereo system is period-appropriate and still sounds decent. Overhead, he folding canvas top is in good shape, nd this car also includes a matching silver hardtop, hich seals the car up as tightly as an equivalent sedan. And no other automaker this side of Rolls-Royce upholsters a trunk better than Mercedes-Benz.The all-aluminum 3.8 liter SOHC V8 under the hood has a bubbly, nergetic idle, nd pulls the roadster around with aplomb. It won't bounce your skull off the headrest, ut it's equally happy dodging through town or hammering down the Autobahn at triple-digit speeds. These cars were also grossly over-engineered and even the engineers at Mercedes referred to them as "der Panzerwagens," and you know the Germans know a thing or two about building tanks. The highly original engine bay shows signs of regular maintenance, nd that's about all these cars need to be reliable for many thousands of miles. Recent work includes a new fuel pump and a freshly cleaned fuel system. The 3-speed automatic clicks through the gears in a businesslike fashion, hile the all-independent suspension soaks up bumps with a well-damped thump while still remaining sporting enough to be entertaining on a twisty country road. The original 15-inch wheels were chromed and it's probably in need of freshening, ut the blackwall radials still have a lot of life left in them.So here is that most rare of beasts: an affordable, eliable vintage car that provides enjoyable top-down motoring while being relatively inexpensive to own and maintain. Call now!