CALIFORNIACLASSIX Superb 1986 Mercedes 560SL 2-Top Roadster {71 PHOTOS}

A 1986 Mercedes 560SL. now for auction on eBay!

Factory Hot Rod: 1986 Mercedes 560SL!

Back in 1971. when the first V8-powered Mercedes Benz 350SL Roadster was introduced to the public at the Frankfurt Auto Show. who would have guessed that this model would become the most successful open motorcar in Mercedes' long and illustrious history.

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Built for over 17 years and constantly refined by the engineering department. the R107's final evolution. the US-delivery-only 560SL. was truly an impressive motorcar. as evidenced by its suggested retail price. which had increased over 500% from its original 1971 sticker.

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More poised and more powerful than a Rolls Royce Corniche. less of a poseur's car than a Porsche 911 Cabriolet. more prestigious than a Jaguar. and more practical than a Ferrari Mondial. the 560SL would set another milestone: it would become the last classic Mercedes Roadster built!
Its successor. the R129. was the first in a line of plasticized SLs. overweight and filled with computers and electronic gadgets that would make long-term upkeep prohibitively expensive and an eventual restoration outright impossible.

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The fine 1986 Mercedes Benz 560SL presented here. VIN *WDBBA48D6GA042518*. was manufactured during the month of November. 1985 and bought new on Valentine's Day. 1986 at Jim Bess. Inc. in the San Fernando Valley. Five years later. the car was sold to a nice lady from San Diego county who kept it for more than a decade until it was acquired by another lady. finding its home near Paso Robles. close to the Central Coast of California. During all those years. the Benz was driven sparingly. just about 4. 00 miles annually. on average.

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To call this exclusive motorcar "well documented" would be a gross understatement. Apart from all the factory-issued books and manuals in the original. clear vinyl pouch. it comes with three large 3-ring binders containing over 150 documents. chronologically filed inside clear sheet protectors.

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Receipts for routine maintenance. parts and repairs total $30. 39. 55. At first glance. this is a huge sum. Divided by the car's age of 28 years. it works out to an average of a little more than $1. 00. 00 spent per year.
Apart from a couple of (expensive) catalytic converter replacements. engine and transmission mounts. A/C services. a new black soft top incl. seals. as well as a recent full brake job and a new fuel pump. relay and alternator. the only extra-curricular repair ever needed seems to have been a valve job. with head gasket and timing chain replacement. performed in 2004. less than 20K miles ago. to the tune of $4. 54. 32.

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This 560SL's engine bay looks absolutely untouched and exceptionally clean. It houses the original 5. 6-liter SOHC V8 motor made entirely from REYNOLDS 390 light alloy. featuring BOSCH KE Motronic fuel injection. Giving the contemporary Porsche 911 Carrera a run for the money. it takes a mere 7. 5 seconds to propel this veritable street rocket from a standing start to 60 mph. Top speed of the 560SL is 137mph. again. clearly Porsche 911 territory!

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The engine runs quiet and smooth. yet it pulls strongly from idle all the way to its 6. 00 rpm redline. No untoward noises. smoke. or fluid leaks spoil the favorable first impression. Over-engineered in the true meaning of the term. it should provide many more years of faithful service if the new owner would just continue the regular maintenance regimen the car is accustomed to.

The good news continues down under. This SL features all of its original factory finish. It never suffered from rust damage. nor is there any indication that it has ever been involved in any fender bender.

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Above photos show the undercarriage in more detail. Please make sure to enlarge them to their full size.

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The Mercedes Sport Light is really 3 cars in one: With the hardtop in place. it's a stylish Coupe for the colder season. Remove the metal shell. and a traditional canvas convertible top protects the passengers from heat and rain. With the top hidden inside its own lidded compartment. the perfect open-air companion emerges.

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Hardtop and Soft top are both in excellent condition.

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SL's arrow-straight coachwork looks to be fabulously well preserved. There are no dings. dents. scratches. chips or -- God beware -- rust bubbles anywhere to be found. The Petrol Blue (factory code #877G) finish is smooth and very glossy. Brightwork and weatherstripping look virtually perfect throughout. Chromed factory alloy wheels and correct 205/65-15 high speed tires round out the stunning presentation.

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Inside. the world's ultimate tanning machine exudes a luxurious Old World ambiance.
Burl Walnut veneer and genuine leather set dominant interior accents. worthy of a Rolls Royce or Bentley! Velour carpeting and floor mats are extra clean. Options include power windows. power-operated passenger-side rearview mirror. vacuum-operated power locking system. automatic climate control. and cruise control. Everything works as it should.

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Dash top looks immaculate. An airbag steering wheel was already standard equipment on the Mercedes. almost 30 years ago. The updated B2 automatic transmission starts in second gear for smooth cruising. unless you fully depress the acceleratior pedal. Then. watch out!
Note upgraded AM/FM/CD stereo and factory floor mats.

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Classic M-B gauges -- they all work. Small rectangular warning lights monitor several vital functions.

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560SL's comfortable leather chairs are height-adjustable and provide outstanding lateral support. The cream-colored hides have aged beautifully and display just the tiniest bit of patina. barely enough to confirm they are "the real thing. not MB-Tex vinyl.

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Area behind the seats provides plenty of space for a set of duffle bags and golf clubs. or a furry companion or two.
Note optional German First Aid kit. Hilfe!

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Often showing signs of corrosion. on this SL the convertible top compartment is 100% rust free and as beautifully preserved as the rest of the car.

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Ready for a test drive?
So are we. but before we take off. let's have a look inside the trunk. shall we?

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SL's trunk is fully lined with fine -- and super clean -- velour carpeting.

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Factory spare and tool kit rest in their own dry. rust free compartment below the trunk floor. Battery and jack live in a compartment to the right. Everything is super clean here as well. close to concours condition!

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January 27. 2014. was a remarkably warm "winter" day here in our olde mission town San Buenaventura. With mid-day temperatures hitting 90 degrees. going topless near the beach was a logical choice!

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Driving this gorgeous Roadster. especially with the top down. one enters an uplifting zone of well-being. The car possesses an aura of unmatched quality and elegance. not found in any of its competitors. Park it in a circular driveway of the most expensive neighborhood and it still looks perfectly right. proving that no car ages as beautifully as a Mercedes R107-model SL.

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The ride is smooth and totally rattle-free. just as you would expect from a car of this caliber. Acceleration is powerful. accompanied by the growl of an old-fashioned big block engine. If you never had the opportunity to drive a 560SL. you can't possibly be prepared for the kick-in-the-pants experience!

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The SL surprises with a level of comfort and performance unsurpassed by the majority of cars built today. Many experts predict 560SLs to become blue chip collectibles within the next decade. following in the footsteps of their predecessors. Recently rising prices for nice examples like this one seem to confirm this.

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Returning home. we're in love with the SL. With the top down. it's just the perfect sunny day cruiser.
A quarter of a century has passed since the last R107 SL left the factory gates in Stuttgart Sindelfingen. Fine remaining examples are getting harder to find each day. Hagerty's classic car database lists the 1986 model beween $24. 00 and $48. 00. with sharply rising prices for excellent examples.
This fully documented. pristinely kept 560SL. with its great California pedigree and desirable period color combination. would rank high on the list of any serious aficionado.

You are most welcome and encouraged to view this fine automobile in Ventura. by appointment. during the auction. or have someone inspect it for you. Please. perform your due diligence before you bid.
Please. note that this car is currently advertised on our Web site and on display in our Showroom. We reserve the right to accept a satisfactory offer and close this auction at any time. Feel free to contact us via e-mail at bill@californiaclassix. com or call us at (805) 653-5551.

TERMS OF THIS SALE By bidding in this auction. you declare that you have read and accept the Terms of this Sale as outlined below. If you have any questions. please ask them before you bid. After the auction has ended. the sale is final. Please. only bid on this car if you are serious about owning it and have the necessary funds readily available!
We require a $1. 00 deposit to be paid via PayPal within 24 hours of the end of the auction and the balance to be paid via bank wire transfer (or in cash) within 5 business days. unless other arrangements have been agreed upon during the auction. The car comes with a clear California Certificate of Title and. should it remain in the Golden State. a new smog certificate. It is sold "as is. where is" with no warranty stated or implied. License plates shown for photographic purposes only. You fully understand that you are not bidding on an "option to buy" this vehicle. You bid to own! There are no contingencies. We ship worldwide.

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