Vehicle Description
1976 Mercedes-Benz 350SL Euro Spec - Rare 4 Speed SL - Badged as a
280SL for U.S. Import - Brought into the U.S. in 2002 - Documented
Motor Replacement from a 1981 3.5L V8 in 2007 - Recent German
Automotive Services tune up - All Books and Manuals (Please note:
If you happen to be viewing this 1976 Mercedes-Benz 350SL 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 155 photographs, as well as a short start-up and walk-around
video, please go to our main website: Garage Kept Motors.) Probably
the best current value in Benz SLs is to be found in the W116
models that were sold.... from the early '70s through to 1980. �€"
drive.com.au, October 2016 Classic Motoring Magazine offered a
similar take on these classic Mercedes sportscars: When it comes to
real-world affordable cars, none are better engineered than a
Seventies or Eighties Mercedes. One of the best was the R107 SL,
which was produced at a time when build quality was all; engineers
ruled instead of bean counters. However, while everyone clamors for
its predecessor (the 'Pagoda-roofed' W113), the second-generation
SL offers everything the older car does �€" and much better value
besides. Although these cars were built up to a standard rather
than down to a price, you don't need the wealth of Bill Gates to
buy or run one. Indeed, many of the mechanical components are
surprisingly cheap as they're shared with contemporary (Mercedes
cars). Simple enough for home maintenance, there's also a raft of
specialists out there, ready to help you keep an SL in fine fettle
if you're not so handy with the spanners. Offered here is a 1976
Mercedes-Benz 350SL in silver over black. This classic R107 is both
rare and unique. To import this 3.5-liter Euro-spec car (U.S. 350SL
models at the time were actually equipped with the 4.5-liter
engine) into the U.S. in 2002, the model designation was changed to
280 SL. Thereafter, in 2007, the original engine was replaced with
an identical 3.5-liter V8 from a 1981 model. (The engine change is
fully documented.) Adding to the car's uniqueness, the e
transmission is a 4-speed manual rather than the far more common
(especially in the U.S.) automatic. Currently showing 66,395 miles
on its odometer, this proper Euro-spec 350SL (note the Euro
headlights) has traveled fewer than 1,500 miles per-year on average
since new. The metallic silver exterior paint demonstrates the high
quality of Mercedes paint-application in the mid-Seventies. The
finish retains much of its showroom-new appearance. (To best assess
the quality of the paint and trim finishes, be sure to view the
close-up photographs of the car in the accompanying gallery.) There
is no damage to the sheet metal panels; no dents, dings, or
abrasions (lower-body metal shows slight surface rust). In the same
way, the chrome elements-the bespoke front grille (with large
3-pointed star emblem in the grille, a design the company has
relatively recently resurrected), window surrounds, and body-side
trim-all display excellent shine and an absence of noteworthy
damage. The car's black soft top is also in excellent condition,
and a black-vinyl-covered removable hardtop is in overall very good
condition (including the two chrome top-trim details) with slight
deterioration inside the rear window. Cabin glass and lighting
lenses are clear (including the lower front driving lights and
adjacent amber turn-signals required for U.S. importation). Factory
14-inch (bottle-cap style) alloy wheels with 3-pointed-star center
emblems are mounted with General® Altimax RT 205/70 all-season
radial tires. Inside, the condition and feel of the cabin surfaces
is excellent. Black door trim fits well and is free of damage; door
sills have been treated with care. The lack of wear on the original
MB-vinyl seat upholstery is amazing and fully up to t
