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For Sale: 1987 Mercedes-Benz 560SL in Macedonia, Ohio

Vehicle Description

Fantastic color combination. Two tops. Recent extensive service, including timing chain replacement. New wheels and tires, new canvas top. Back seat with belts. Great SL at a great price!

The charcoal gray over black combination is elegant and intimidating at once, the perfect choice for the top-of-the-line SL, but a combination that’s very seldom seen today. The paint is actually called “Black Pearl” and it’s code 199, so it’s correct for the car, but it’s a lovely dark gray with a lot of metallic in it to really make it glow. On the trim SL, it looks like the sheetmetal was shrink-wrapped over the mechanicals and the chiseled character lines along the bodywork really stand out. This car has never been hit or rusty, and that’s original 1987 paint, which means there are no nasty surprises waiting for you underneath. The US-spec rubber bumpers have become so familiar that they’re not really a demerit today and they remain in excellent condition with no UV damage or cracks. Like most SLs, this car has led an easy life as a summertime toy.

The black leather interior is more evidence that someone has loved this car all its life. There’s some very, very minor wear on the outer bolster of the driver’s seat, which is to be expected, but the rest looks fantastic. Carpets, door panels, and the real burled walnut on the console all remain excellent. The big steering wheel was leather-wrapped in the 560, and the big, round gauges are a model of functionality, able to be read at a glance. There’s a newer AM/FM/CD stereo, but it sounds great and still triggers the power antenna properly (the original radio is included with the car). The A/C blows cold, the windows power up and down properly, and even the temperature gauge in the center of the dash keeps an accurate eye on exterior temperatures (this is not an owner add-on). You’ll note that this car has an upholstered rear seat area, which is obviously for children, and it has seat belts for safety, so don’t be afraid to bring the kids for some top-down fun. The trunk is beautifully upholstered using the same plush carpets as the interior, and you’ll find the original spare and jack tucked underneath. All SLs came standard with both a folding cloth top and a removable hardtop, and this car has a recent black canvas top to match the interior.

But the biggest improvements came under the skin, starting with the big 5.6 liter OHC V8 engine, which powered all Mercedes-Benz flagship sedans in the 1980s. There’s torque available at any speed and I would liken this SL more to a German muscle car than a lightweight sports car. It’s impeccably smooth at all times, even when you’re running hard, and it has proven itself over the decades as one of the toughest machines ever to come out of the Mercedes-Benz factory. There’s some concern over the timing chain and gears, but fortunately, this car has a recent and extensive service amounting to more than $5000. That work included the timing chain upgrade, making it something that the new owner will never, ever have to worry about again. Mileage on these cars seems to be a non-issue, as they’ll seemingly run for hundreds of thousands of miles without any diminution in performance or reliability, so it’s a mistake to regard a car with mileage like this one as second-best. Maintenance is what really matters, and this car has been properly maintained all its life, a fact that is more than demonstrated by its outstanding road manners.

All 560SLs received a 4-speed automatic transmission with a deep overdrive gear, so it’s an effortless high-speed cruiser, especially with 2.47 gears out back (remember this car was born to run the Autobahn). Shifts are smooth and unobtrusive, and only Mercedes-Benz seems to have mastered the ride/handling compromise that makes the SL so much fun. Drive gently, and it feels luxury car smooth, with bumps feeling far away and never upsetting the rock-solid platform. Drive it aggressively and it is happy to run with you, with good reflexes and a surprisingly amount of grip. Powerful 4-wheel disc brakes are augmented by ABS, another 560 upgrade, and there’s a wonderful V8 burble from the tailpipes out back. This car sits on a set of brand new OEM alloys as well as fresh Michelin radials, so it’s ready to drive anywhere.

Documentation includes the original window sticker and manuals.

We’ve sold quite a few of these and their enduring appeal surely comes down to their awesome build quality and fun-to-drive road manners. This is a lot of car for the money, and if you’ve been watching R107 prices lately, you know that these are on the move in a big way. We can’t promise this one will make you rich overnight, but we can promise that you’ll be having too much fun to worry about it. Call today!

For more details and photos, please visit www.HarwoodMotors.com

 

Vehicle Details

  • 1987 Mercedes-Benz 560SL
  • Listing ID: CC-996334
  • Price: $25,900
  • Location:Macedonia, Ohio
  • Year:1987
  • Make:Mercedes-Benz
  • Model:560SL
  • Exterior Color:Black Pearl
  • Interior Color:Black
  • Transmission:Automatic
  • Engine Size:V-8
  • Odometer:113462
  • Convertible:Yes
  • Stock Number:114048
  • Trim Level:Roadster
  • VIN:WDBBA48D6HA070322
  • Title Status:Clear
  • Restoration History:Unrestored
  • Exterior Condition:Very Good
  • Seat Material:Leather
  • CD Player:Yes
  • Air Conditioning:Yes
  • AM/FM Radio:Yes
  • Custom Stereo:Yes
  • Tinted Windows:Yes
  • Bucket Seats:Yes
  • Cruise Control:Yes
  • Power Brakes:Yes
  • Power Steering:Yes
  • Power Locks:Yes
  • Power Windows:Yes
  • Fuel Injection:Yes
  • Electronic Ignition:Yes
  • Engine History:Original
  • Engine Condition:Running
  • Drive Train:Rear-wheel drive
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