Vehicle Description
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
