For Sale: 1978 Mercedes-Benz 350 in Grand Rapids, Michigan

1978 Mercedes-Benz 350SL Euro Spec - Imported to the U.S. in 1985 - Same Owner since 1985 - 3.5L V8 (badged a 450SL for import) - 4 Speed Manual - Zender Body Kit - Both Hard and Soft Tops - Silver with Red Interior - Rear Seats (Please note: If you happen to be viewing this 1978 Mercedes-Benz 350SL Euro Spec Roadster on a website other than our Garage Kept Motors site, it's possible that you've only seen some of our many photographs of the car due to third-party website limitations. To be sure you access all the more than 145 photographs, as well as a short start-up and walk-around video, please go to our main website: Garage Kept Motors.) Hagerty Media provides the 350SL's basic details: The Mercedes-Benz SL name has always signified a certain level of automotive style and sophistication, and each new generation seems both to define and be defined by its era. Such was the case when the R107 model SL came on the scene in 1971 as a replacement for the popular 230/250/280SL W113 series. The family of models existed with minimal changes until 1989, a remarkable production run for a luxury convertible. With the R107, Mercedes debuted a V-8 engine in the convertible lineup, which was necessary given the new SL's relatively girthy 3400-pound weight. Styling was typically conservative and somewhat reminiscent of the pagoda top cars, and despite dimensions more or less the same, the R107 appeared to be much larger. Offered here is a rare, Euro-spec, 4-speed manual 1978 Mercedes-Benz 350SL in silver over red under a black soft top. Imported to the U.S. in 1985, and owned by the same individual ever since, the SL's odometer reads 167,561, or just under 4,000 miles per-year on average since new. The exterior silver finish remains in generally very good condition with some patina from age noted. A factory-authorized Zender® body kit adds lower-body aero trim and a deck-mounted rear spoiler. (The silver paint on the included removable hardtop is excellent, and the black fabric soft top with gray stitching is also in excellent condition.) There is no body damage, no dents or dings on any panel, including lower-body panels and trim. Chrome body trim is excellent overall with age-appropriate patina. Chrome fender-top trim has been added. Cabin glass and all lighting lenses (including on the lower-front-bumper driving lights) is clear and free of cracks. All factory badging-including the center-grille 3-pointed star emblem, the Mercedes logo near the front of the hood, and the SL450 (really a 350SL) model designation and 3-pointed star emblem on the trunk lid--remains properly in place. Ronal®-branded, 15-inch light alloy wheels (with 3-pointed-star black center emblems) are mounted with Brilliantis® all-season tires. Inside, the red leather is the classic Mercedes-Benz color choice covering the bucket seats, the two Porsche-911-esque rear jump seats, door trim, lower-dash trim, and-rear boot trim. The surface condition of all the leather is presentable, but with fading (particularly on the console) and cracking and discoloration on the leather seating surfaces. The faded-red-leather-covered, 4-spoke steering wheel frames the three large instruments (160-mph speedometer, 6,300-rpm-redline tachometer, and a combination of three engine-monitoring gauges) with clear lenses and crisp markings. The red-leather-covered dash is in very good condition overall with little sun damage. Wood trim on the dash and console is in very good condition overall, with one crack noted on the passenger side. There is sun-fading on the lower-console leather trim. A Blaupunkt® Bamberg SQR82 audio head unit replaces the factory radio. Cabin carpeting is bright red throughout, including in the cargo area behind the seats, and in the trunk; the carpeting is generally clean and not overly worn. Under the hood, the 3.5-liter Mercedes V8 is unmodified. Engine surfaces retain their original finishes, with surface rust evident on the large a