1983 Mercedes-Benz 500 SL

Highlights

• Five-litre V8
• Sharp 80s styling
• Excellent Silver Blue Metallic paint
• Extensive bodywork restoration completed
• Superb leather upholstery

Overview

If you were a busy pin-striped city executive in the 1980s you might come to the end of the financial year and find yourself with stacks of cash. So why wouldn’t you pop down to the local Mercedes dealership and take their newest, throatiest V8 roadster for a spin.

The V8 engine which sits under the bonnet of this SL is the largest you could buy for your Mercedes at the time. It sends its 234 bhp to the rear wheels via a four-speed automatic transmission. And the feeling of exclusivity is augmented by the veneered dashboard, extensive range of instruments, and cruise control — truly a sign of luxury in the 1980s.

This particular 500 SL is very well presented throughout, with its metallic paint retaining a deep shine, the interior having received replacement seats, and plenty of work having been carried out to remove areas of corrosion on the body. And it retains the option of both a soft top or hardtop roof for you to choose from depending on the weather.

So if you want to waft your way back in time, this 500 SL offers a very classy way of getting around. But it’s no slouch either, with its humongous V8 you’ll be able to revel in its deep burble whenever you put your foot down.

History and documentation

• Registered 20 May 1983
• Invoices for services as follows: Jun 1999 @ 66,271 miles, Jul 1999 @ 66,320 miles, Feb 2000 @ 67,642 miles, Jun 2002 @ 71,097 miles, Jan 2018 @ 112,731 miles, Oct 2019 @ 114,466 miles
• Collection of invoices for parts and servicing
• Two keys
• MOT and road tax exempt
• The most recent MOT expired on 4 January 2023
• V5 present in owner’s name
• HPI clear
• London ULEZ compliant

Interior

• The two-tone grey and blue leather interior is a very fetching colour combination
• Blue seat upholstery very well preserved
• The seats were fitted later and are showing little sign of use, with even the driver’s seat bolster looking very good
• Manual seat adjusters
• Storage space behind the seats
• The matching grey carpets retain a good pile, and have been cleaned
• There are a few small scuffs and marks on the door cards
• Large, thin-rimmed steering wheel
• There is some visible fraying to the seatbelts
• Cruise control
• Veneered dashboard with good lacquer
• Lage analogue instruments
• Later stereo fitted
• Spacious, fully carpeted boot to the rear
• Full size spare alloy wheel
• Original jack stowed in boot

Exterior

• The confident 1980s styling of this Mercedes gives it a commanding road presence
• Finished in Silver Blue Metallic paint
• The paint remains in very good condition for its age
• All the body panels appear to be well preserved, with no significant damage that we could see
• Very few scratches or stonechips that we could see
• In Jul 2020 the car received repairs to the windscreen surround, a front wing, and a headlight bowl
• 14-inch alloy wheels
• The high-profile tyres give a very comfortable ride
• The wheels remain in excellent condition, with no obvious kerb damage
• Chrome wing mirrors, electrically adjustable nearside mirror
• Replaced chrome bumpers front and rear
• Headlights remain clear and bright
• The windscreen and surround has been removed and replaced
• Dark blue soft top roof looking smart — only a little discolouring near the edges
• Removable hardtop roof also remains with the car, and is in good condition
• The underside of this Mercedes looks very clean, with no corrosion reported

Mechanical

• 4,973 cc V8 engine
• Produces 234 bhp
• Four-speed automatic transmission
• Rear-wheel drive
• The engine bay is clean and tidy
• Battery cut-out switch fitted
• Underneath, the suspension components exhaust appear to be in good order
• Much of the exhaust system was replaced in Jan 2018
• The seller reports that the car starts perfectly and idles smoothly
• It changes gear very smoothly and stops well
• No reported mechanical issues or warning lights

Summary

With Mercedes’ reputation for high build quality and engineering, coupled with this car’s extensive repair work completed in recent years, you’ll be able to enjoy its five litres of V8 loveliness for many miles to come. A hardtop means that it’s usable during the winter months too, so get your bid in now.

To arrange a viewing, please request this in the Q&A section. You can click through to the seller's profile and use the 'Email Me' function to arrange a viewing privately. This seller is located in London