1983 Mercedes-Benz 500SL

1983 Mercedes-Benz 500 SL

Rare European Import VIN: WDB 2759 Note: The VIN# listed in the e Bay Vehicle Description section is not accurate. The true VIN# is WDB 2759. but as it's a European VIN# e Bay wouldn't accept it.

Up for auction is my 1983 Mercedes-Benz 500 SL.

The car has 135. 89 miles on the odometer. and wears Navy Blue paint over a Gray interior. It's equipped with AMG Exhaust and color-matched AMG Penta wheels. The motor snaps to life and pulls strong despite its age. This would be an excellent candidate for a restoration or a simply fantastic weekend cruiser. This car has a clear Virginia title and is currently insured the VIN# poses no issues there.

Here is a video of the motor running embedded below. or please search for video ID "nim 9-Jf 93 Fk" on You Tube.

I recently (Feb. 2014) had work done to the vehicle to get it back on the road and improve the aesthetics. to include:
Full Tune up (oil and filter. air filter) Fuel injection service New battery Coolant flush Transmission flush Power steering fluid flush New Sumitomo HTR A/S P 01 tires Alignment Full interior and exterior detailing New power window switches (1 spare included) Restored the center console woodwork (sanded. stained. polyurethane application. and waxed) Replaced the underhood insulation Adjusted the parking brake New AMG center caps (not shown) are included with the sale

The power brakes all work. with plenty of pad life left.

The rotors aren't warped. and there's no vibration in the pedal.

The rotors are a unique helical pattern. The wheels have a few nicks in the paint.

The engine has great oil pressure. warms up quick and maintains temperature without overheating. The transmission shifts smooth. but really shifts best once it's had time to warm up. There is a little play in the steering wheel but I believe it can be adjusted out.

None of the warning lights on the dash are on. The car still has the Bosch headlights and fog lights. The taillights each have small cracks in the corner orange. but are not shattered. The radio and speakers work. the tape deck does not.

The hard top in is in great condition.

The soft top mechanicals are in great shape and all the pivot points just received lubrication. The soft top needs replacing. The paint is largely in great shape. but has a blemish in the clear coat on the driver's side left fender (near the headlight) and another on the hood by the passenger's side mirror.

Some borrowed text regarding the 500 SL: The R 107 bodied SL was one of Mercedes-Benz' most successful models in terms of production. But while a considerable number of these roadsters were built. with a variety of I 6 and V 8 engines. the 500 SL is a rare and desirable beast. Total R 107 production from 1972-1989 is cited by various sources to be 237. 87 cars. with an additional 62. 88 SLC fixed roof variants. The 5. 0 liter Euro-spec engine. with higher compression and freer breathing. was the pinnacle of this design. producing 240 hp and 296 lb-ft of torque. Only 11. 22 500 SLs were produced from 1981-1989. This engine was never intended or certified by Mercedes-Benz for US distribution. During the same time the 500 SL was produced for the rest of the world. here in the US we had to satisfy ourselves with the 380 SL (1981-1985) and the 560 SL (1985-1989). The closest US performer was the larger 5. 6 liter 560 SL from 1985-1989. producing 227 hp and 287 lb-ft of torque.

Other than the performance differences. there are a number of styling cues that make any European spec R 107 generally more desirable than US spec models. Notably. the bumpers are smaller and more graceful than the bulky bumpers required on US models. The 500 SL was also delivered from the manufacturer with sleek halogen projector single lens headlamps rather than the dual sealed beam units required on US models. There was also a tasteful rear deck spoiler on the 500 SL that was absent from all US variants. During the early 80's when well-heeled American consumers were unable to get anything more than a 3. 8 liter V 8 through their local dealers. those in the know were legally able to import the 500 SL through "gray market" channels. This involved an importer who would be required to federalize the cars to ensure they met US safety requirements. Depending on who managed this process for the buyer and what state they lived in. more or less was changed to satisfy federal and state regulators. In many cases. some or all the desirable cues listed above were removed. and US-spec headlights and bumpers installed. Today. a fan of this model looks for a car that preserves as much of its European character as possible. In addition to the relatively low-volume 500 SL production. it's estimated that fewer than 1500 500 SLs were ever imported into the US under these gray market rules during it's 9 year production run. Take into account the federalization process. attrition. age. re-export (very common these days) and you are left with very few good quality examples for US admirers to pursue.

I ran an Auto Check on the VIN#. and the Vehicle's history only goes back as far as 2001. I purchased the car earlier this year at an auction with the intent to restore it but the money for a full restoration isn't in the cards right now.

Report Run Date: 2014-02-16 16:22:57. 799 EST

Vehicle: Mercedes-Benz (WDB 2759)

Event Date

Event Location

Odometer Reading Data Source

Event Detail
05/17/2001

SILVER SPRING. MD

Motor Vehicle Dept.

REGISTRATION EVENT/RENEWAL
06/17/2003

SILVER SPRING. MD

Motor Vehicle Dept.

REGISTRATION EVENT/RENEWAL
05/27/2005

SILVER SPRING. MD

Motor Vehicle Dept.

REGISTRATION EVENT/RENEWAL
05/07/2007

GREENBELT. MD

133. 71 Motor Vehicle Dept.

TITLE (Title #:37780402) REGISTRATION EVENT/RENEWAL
05/28/2009

GREENBELT. MD

Motor Vehicle Dept.

REGISTRATION EVENT/RENEWAL
04/29/2013

GREENBELT. MD

Motor Vehicle Dept.

REGISTRATION EVENT/RENEWAL

The car currently has a clear Virginia title and is registered with Antique tags.

Happy to answer any questions I can.

The car is currently garaged in Woodbridge. VA and can be inspected there. I live in Falls Church. and can bring the car up here to deliver it to the buyer. I'm happy to coordinate with your shipping company to pick it up.

I'd ask for payment to be done via Pay Pal unless otherwise coordinated (will take Cashier's Checks or Cash on a case-by-case basis).

I have opened the auction to international bidders but reserve the right to cancel bids for low/no feedback. The vehicle is for sale locally and I also reserve the right to end the auction early.

Backseat

Gauges

Door Card

Visor

Trunk

Wheels

Underside

Paint Blemish

On Feb-25-14 at 15:40:23 PST. seller added the following information:

I botched the video embed. My apologies. Let's try that again. Sorry for all the photos trying to improve my car photography. thought I'd practice while selling my car.

Thanks for the patience

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