A bold statement, no doubt.
However, just take a little time to intellectually inhale the facts and look at the 35 photos; once you get to the bottom of this presentation, you'll most likely agree.
Here's the premise: Mercedes R107 Roadsters, built for 18 years, have enjoyed an immense popularity worldwide, being some of the finest luxury two-seater convertibles ever made.
Even among examples that have been fortunate enough to lead a sheltered life in some collector's garage, you will rarely find a car as persuasive in the sum of its traits as the fabulous 380SL for auction here. It is the finest automobile of its kind imaginable; it's a virginal car, superior enough to be entered in serious Concours d'Elegance competition.
Savor this baker's dozen of distinguishing qualities:
Above: Dealer-signed Pre-Delivery Decal on driver door
It all started on June 23, 1981, when retired industry mogul Mr. Franklin C. Rand III (Rand Corporation) of Montecito, Calif., took delivery of his new Mercedes-Benz at the local Santa Barbara franchise.
The two-top Roadster was destined to serve as a second car for his wife, and would share garage space with five other high class automobiles, among them a Rolls Royce, a BMW, and even a vintage Ferrari, all being impeccably cared for by the Wagenmeister himself.
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Click on any of the above images for a full-size view
Mr. F.C.R. III paid $42,642.00 in 1981 Dollars for the Astral Silver roadster. Original documents pictured above (from left to right) are the Purchase Order, the flawless Window Sticker, and the Pre-Delivery Inspection sheet, dated 6-12-81.
Having always received the utmost care, regardless of cost, often beyond the boundaries of financial sanity, there is a file of the size of the Beverly Hills phonebook, filled with literally every single receipt since new. All receipts are ordered in a chronological manner and individually kept in clear sheet protectors.
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Click on each of the above pages for a full-size view
The above is an amazing document.
His car's perfect service history notwithstanding, on January 27, 1988 Mr. F.C.R. III felt compelled to write the dealership's service manager after analyzing recent service statements. Apparently, some of the previously executed work had not been noted on the vouchers in the Maintenance Booklet. In his letter, the--rightfully upset--owner defends his objective to have the wife's pride and joy serviced to "the highest possible Mercedes Benz standards." Honestly, if I'd own a Mercedes agency, this man would be my dream customer!
Having never used the phrase before, here I have to refer to it: All pictures were taken on Friday the 13th, a cloudy, blustery April day. They can in no way convey the mindboggling condition of this outstanding Mercedes.
The navy-colored interior is all original, save for the rear package shelf which Mr. F.C.R. III had covered in original MB-Tex material, since the Missus sometimes deigned to carry her golf bag to the Montecito Country Club.
Spotless German Feintuft velour carpeting has been protected by original Mercedes-Benz floor mats since day one. The fragile, chromed seat mechanism covers--so often damaged or missing altogether--are scratch-free.
These seats are all original and twenty years old. They sure don't look like it, do they?
The exterior still features all of its factory-applied, original Astral Silver paint. What appears to be fresh paint is, in fact, the two-decades-old Mercedes-Benz finish, miraculously preserved in showroom condition by a combination of the finest care and constant protection from the elements in a climate-controlled garage.
There are absolutely no door dings, dents, scratches, nicks or rock chips, and the light-sensitive silver is as bright and glossy as can be, with no hint of fading.
The color-coordinated dashboard, usually a weak spot of this model, is original and flawless. There is not even a single hairline crack to be found!
The Zebrano wood is equally appealing, featuring a high luster and a flawless finish, even in the varnish. Of course, the car has never been smoked in and smells as fresh as it looks!
Below the bonnet awaits an all-aluminum V8, the lightest eight-cylinder power plant ever installed in any Mercedes-Benz automobile! Featuring cylinder walls coated with Nikasil (for increased durability), two single overhead camshafts, and BOSCH CIS electronic fuel injection, it runs almost imperceptibly smooth, like a SINGER sewing machine, and should remain to do so for the next two decades and beyond.
Most importantly, the engine has been updated--under factory warranty--to the reliable dual timing chain setup in 1991. On the invoice, the owner noted in pencil "would have cost $1,636.80." At the same time, the front subframe mounts were changed, another Mercedes-Benz factory update.
The engine compartment is Q-Tip clean! Even the original underhood pad is immaculately preserved.
On the opposite end, there's a trunk that appears to be unused!
Displayed on the trunk's blue velours carpet are all the factory books, including the Service Manual and Radio Operation Manual, even the "Tempomat" cruise control instruction tag. Also shown are the original keys, including the still-sealed spare, original touch up paint, aerial cleaning cloth, both top latching tools and, yes, the original "Pink Slip," the vintage title document we Californians cherish so highly.
At the very bottom of the picture, reflected by the chrome trim, you'll be able to notice the date-code 01-10-81 of the immaculate rubber trunk seal. This is precisely the kind of detail to make Concours judges salivate. Amazing!
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Below the trunk, in a separate compartment, resides the unused spare wheel, still with its instruction tag attached. It was removed for the first time last week, when these pictures were taken, to reveal a perfectly undisturbed environment.
A revelation to specialists of the marque will be the factory toolkit in its still-sealed protective bag. Together with the tire jack, it is stored in its designated area on the passenger side of the trunk, beyond the battery. Everything looks brand new here!
What makes a Mercedes SL so utmost desirable is that it is actually three cars in one:
The dark blue canvas "Sonnenland" softtop here has been replaced on 5-29-98 and is flawless throughout. Of course, the rear cover seal and foam were also renewed at the same time; not surprisingly, the $1,280.62 invoice for this procedure is included. On the subject of convertible tops, another dealer invoice, dated 3-27-86, includes the position clean cat hair off top. Such was the level of care this gem has always received!
On R-107 SLs, an area most vulnerable to decay would have to be the convertible top well. Exposed to water ingress on most cars, it often shows flaked paint and rust in the corner areas. Here, the entire well is in flawless condition. Even the sensitive felt strips are in place, and the cadmium plating of the top mechanism is still pristine!
Even so-called "show cars" often fail when it comes to areas that don't find the pedantic attention Concours cars should receive. Looking at this untouched (!) undercarriage, you will agree that its state of preservation is almost unreal. Remember, this is twenty years old; what you see is a 100% original finish with various, factory-applied protective coatings.
On cars that may have been driven in the rain just a few times, no money in the world will bring back such an original, detailed undercarriage!
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| Rear wheelwell | Front wheelwell | Detail of Undercarriage |
Click on any of the above images for a full-size view
Digging deeper into areas of common disregard and neglect, excitement is mounting, to the point of pure disbelief. How could a car that has actually been driven and never been painted or even touched up look so sanitary?
A set of brand-new, O.E.M. PIRELLI P400 WSW radials, in the correct dimension P205/70 R14, offer the ultimate in ride quality. These tires are mounted on immaculate Mercedes 14 x 6½" aluminum alloy road wheels.
After carefully reviewing all of the above, you may rightfully count on this fine Mercedes to drive the way it looks, and, indeed, your high expectations will be utterly fulfilled.
This, without a doubt, must be the newest-driving 20-year old automobile I have ever had the pleasure of chauffeuring. It is a 380SL that starts, runs, drives, shifts, steers, handles, and brakes just like its manufacturer intended. It almost goes without saying that all instruments, switches and accessories function properly, including the BECKER electronic Stereo Cassette unit and the clock.
By no means an entry-level SL, this two-top Roadster is one of the finest original examples of its kind in existence. Eligible for very affordable Classic Car Insurance, it could serve as the ultimate weekend toy or as a worthy candidate for the show circuit. In any case, it will qualify as a most desirable heirloom, a blue-chip investment that should steadily increase in value as time marches on.
If you have been looking for the find of a lifetime, please consider this mindbogglingly preserved survivor.
Thank you for your interest, and have a nice day!
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