HIGHLIGHTS
- Original condition
- Low mileage
- Two previous keepers
- Well maintained
- Cruise control
- New MOT provided upon sale
THE APPEAL
Sitting sweetly between the 3.0 and 5.0 litre Mercedes SL range is the V8 380.
This offers a nice upgrade on power over the 3.0 litre but comes with better improved fuel economy than the 5.0 litre, making it a much more usable and affordable car to run without feeling underpowered.
This particular model has had just two previous keepers, with the last lady owner owning it for over 20 years. It is believed to be still wearing its original coat of Thistle Green Metallic, which is in outstanding condition from top to bottom.
This offers a nice upgrade on power over the 3.0 litre but comes with better improved fuel economy than the 5.0 litre, making it a much more usable and affordable car to run without feeling underpowered.
This particular model has had just two previous keepers, with the last lady owner owning it for over 20 years. It is believed to be still wearing its original coat of Thistle Green Metallic, which is in outstanding condition from top to bottom.
The 380 has been with the seller for approximately two years in a private collection.
It has been enjoyed only on dry, sunny days when the time was there to take the SL out and stretch its legs to keep everything ticking over as it should.
It has been enjoyed only on dry, sunny days when the time was there to take the SL out and stretch its legs to keep everything ticking over as it should.
THE HISTORY AND PAPERWORK
- V5 is present
- Registered 5th August 1985
- Previous MoT certificates
- Excellent service history
- Last lady owner for over 20 years
The Mercedes has an excellent history, with 15 stamps in the service book and bringing it up to date for the covered mileage.
There are also some invoices for small maintenance jobs which have been carried out over the years. Also lovely to see are the owner's manuals and the build card for the 380SL.
Finally, there is a selection of previous MOT certificates that tally with the low 75,861 miles covered.
There are also some invoices for small maintenance jobs which have been carried out over the years. Also lovely to see are the owner's manuals and the build card for the 380SL.
Finally, there is a selection of previous MOT certificates that tally with the low 75,861 miles covered.
THE INTERIOR
- Original interior in excellent condition
- Well presented
- Both original roof removal tools
- Original fire extinguisher
- Original warning triangle
- Original first aid kit
The interior in this stunning 1985 Mercedes-Benz 380SL is in excellent condition, showing very little wear throughout, and you could easily mistake it for a three-year-old interior; it is that good.
The colour of the fabric is the rare Pine green (076). There is minimal, or even any wear to the driver's seat, and the passenger seat is in excellent condition. The door cards and quarter panels are also in good order, with no damage to be seen.
The colour of the fabric is the rare Pine green (076). There is minimal, or even any wear to the driver's seat, and the passenger seat is in excellent condition. The door cards and quarter panels are also in good order, with no damage to be seen.
The dashboard is finished in green and highlighted with a walnut trim which is in excellent condition, with no cracks to the lacquered finish. The instruments are working as they should and have a bright clear finish to the cluster with no scratches, and the odometer shows a reading of 75,861 miles.
The walnut trim continues to the centre console, where there is a Kenwood cassette player on a removable snatch plate (remember those). The heater controls and window switches are all in excellent order with no wear to the icons.
The walnut trim continues to the centre console, where there is a Kenwood cassette player on a removable snatch plate (remember those). The heater controls and window switches are all in excellent order with no wear to the icons.
The deep pile carpets are in green and are in superb condition with no or very little wear, both in the passenger area and the boot. The underside of the fabric roof is in a clean condition, as is the headlining of the hard top. The headlining sits nice and tight, with no sagging to be seen.
Inside the boot is the spare wheel, jack, warning triangle and first aid kit.
Inside the boot is the spare wheel, jack, warning triangle and first aid kit.
THE EXTERIOR
- Original paintwork
- Solid underside
- Well presented
- Factory hard top and stand
- Original chrome work
Quite a rare colour option was given to this 1985 380SL.
The roof is Cypress Green Metallic (8760) and the main body is in Thistle Green Metallic (8810), which offers a nice contrast between the two shades of green and the Pine Green interior.
The roof is Cypress Green Metallic (8760) and the main body is in Thistle Green Metallic (8810), which offers a nice contrast between the two shades of green and the Pine Green interior.
Moving from the front of the SL, the chrome work to the bumper and grille surround is in excellent condition with no tarnishing to point out.
The headlights show no signs of any damage and look to have a bright reflector behind them. There are also headlamp wipers fitted as an optional extra. The fog lights lower down are also in good order with no damage.
The bonnet looks to align as it should and has no issues when opening or closing it.
The headlights show no signs of any damage and look to have a bright reflector behind them. There are also headlamp wipers fitted as an optional extra. The fog lights lower down are also in good order with no damage.
The bonnet looks to align as it should and has no issues when opening or closing it.
Around to the sides, the vehicle looks stunning with no dings or dents upsetting the straight swage lines. The doors align as they should with an even panel gap, and these open and close with a solid feel. The windows and chrome trim are in good condition with very minimal age related marks as you would expect to see on any vehicle of this age.
The black fabric roof (9001) is said to be the original and is in excellent condition. The plastic windows show no signs of discolouration or creasing. As mentioned, the hard top is in Cypress Green Metallic and is in excellent order with no damage to mention.
To the rear and the lights are in good condition, there is a tiny fracture in the nearside lens. The chrome badges and bumper trim all have a bright finish, and just like the front, no tarnishing.
The wheels are steel, finished with the classic Mercedes hub caps fitted to the pre-facelift models, and these have a colour coded centre to match the body. The tyres all have a good amount of tread remaining.
The wheels are steel, finished with the classic Mercedes hub caps fitted to the pre-facelift models, and these have a colour coded centre to match the body. The tyres all have a good amount of tread remaining.
THE MECHANICS
- 3.8 litre V8
- Fuel injection
- Automatic gearbox
- Well maintained
At the heart of this Mercedes 380SL is the fantastic 3.8-litre fuel injected V8.
The car has clearly been well maintained looking back through the service history, only covering 75,861 miles, and it could be described as just being run in for one of these engines.
The car starts up as it should and comes to a smooth, almost silent idle. There are no untoward noises coming from the engine or transmission, and it is reported to drive well, pulling strongly through the automatic gearbox.
The power delivery is there when you need it, and the car comes alive with a different tone once the pedal is pushed a little harder.
The car has clearly been well maintained looking back through the service history, only covering 75,861 miles, and it could be described as just being run in for one of these engines.
The car starts up as it should and comes to a smooth, almost silent idle. There are no untoward noises coming from the engine or transmission, and it is reported to drive well, pulling strongly through the automatic gearbox.
The power delivery is there when you need it, and the car comes alive with a different tone once the pedal is pushed a little harder.
The SL is reported to handle as you would expect; with a firm enough ride, the SL is still capable of soaking up any uneven road with ease.
New brake calipers were fitted to the front in 2013, which is approximately 3,000 miles ago. As a result, the car reportedly comes to a stop in a straight line with no juddering through the pedal.
New brake calipers were fitted to the front in 2013, which is approximately 3,000 miles ago. As a result, the car reportedly comes to a stop in a straight line with no juddering through the pedal.
SUMMARY
Few and far between in such original condition, the 1985 Mercedes-Benz 380SL has had just two previous keepers, with the last one owning it for over 20 years.
The condition is simply outstanding for the age of the vehicle and would quite happily fit into anyone's collection or be simply enjoyed as a weekend cruiser.
Whichever you decide, we know you will be happy cherishing this 380SL for many years to come.
The condition is simply outstanding for the age of the vehicle and would quite happily fit into anyone's collection or be simply enjoyed as a weekend cruiser.
Whichever you decide, we know you will be happy cherishing this 380SL for many years to come.
Notice to bidders
Although every care is taken to ensure this listing is as factual and transparent as possible, all details within the listing are subject to the information provided to us by the seller. Car & Classic does not take responsibility for any information missing from the listing. Please ensure you are satisfied with the vehicle description and all information provided before placing a bid.
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