There are many who feel that the R107 SLs were the last of the engineered Mercedes-Benz automobiles. After that, the cars were mainstream, and the engineers were joined by the marketing department, and the slogan “Engineered like no other car” fell by the wayside. This 1989 560SL represents the last of that line, a handsome, well maintained survivor that shows why these cars are still wonderful machines that truly deserve their honored reputations.

If you could afford one of these when it was new, it meant you had well and truly arrived, and that you cared about smart investing as much as making a good first impression. This lovely gold metallic (actually, Mercedes-Benz called it Light Beige) 560SL is a two-owner car, with the second female owner purchasing it in the early 1990s as a fair weather toy. The handsome and unusual gold paint is the perfect color on a grand tourer such as this, and you probably won't see many others in this particular shade. We believe this car has been repainted once, although it's difficult to be sure simply because the workmanship is excellent and there are no tape lines that give it away, but there is some very minor orange peel down low that looks a little too un-Mercedes-like. Either way, it has clearly led an easy life, and at 26 years old, it is still in fantastic condition, indicative of a car that's never been hit. Panel gaps are exemplary and the trim fits with a precision that was typical of Mercedes-Benz quality of the era, and the “built like a bank vault” term was coined just for these cars. The heavy chrome and rubber bumpers were an unfortunate by-product of federal regulations, but they, too, add to the car’s appeal with their purposeful look, as if Mercedes didn’t care about appearance as much as function—which was 100% true. There’s also a handsome contrasting pinstripe running the length of the body, just to tie it together with the elegant chocolate brown interior. Sadly 1989 was the last year of the W127 model, but at least it received a slender third brake light at the trailing edge of the deck lid, a big improvement over the clunky unit found on earlier models.

The luscious chocolate brown leather interior is incredibly inviting and looks upscale even in today’s world. The leather used in these cars is not only lovely to look at, but wears like iron, and the bucket seats have a comfortable look while still being supportive and firm. There's a bit of wear and age, of course, which is probably inevitable in a convertible, but thanks to proper care and attention over the years, it is still quite appealing. Matching dark brown carpets look unaffected by the sun’s rays or dirty shoes, and burled walnut trim warms up the interior without detracting from the all-business controls. There's a bit of fading on the carpets in the package shelf area behind the seats, but most of it is hidden by the aftermarket stereo speaker box, which has been neatly installed there. A modern JVC AM/FM/CD stereo has been retrofitted in the dash and uses an MTX amplifier to power the aforementioned J&L Audio speakers. Like many Mercedes-Benz cars of this era, the shifter's bushings are a little loose, so you'll have to count the clicks when you drop it into gear, and the A/C could use a recharge since it has been converted to R134a at some point, and the modern refrigerant tends to leak out of older systems. The trunk is beautifully upholstered in plush carpet that’s nicer than the stuff found in the passenger compartments of lesser automobiles and the original spare and tool kit are included. This car also offers two tops, a recent brown folding roof and a color-matched hardtop.

The final evolution of the 5.6 liter SOHC V8 was designed to run for hundreds of thousands of miles with only routine maintenance, and with only 71,530 original miles, this one is still quite fresh. With a bubbly, bouncy idle and seemingly limitless reserves of torque, it moves the two-seat roadster effortlessly without the high-strung theatrics of lesser machines. On the other hand, it also does a compelling impersonation of a muscle car, because stomping the throttle from stop will encourage a drop to first gear and a most un-ladylike spinning of the rear tires. The engine bay shows signs of conscientious maintenance, while the chassis is clean and obviously rust-free thanks to a life spent in the warmth of summer and never in snow or salt. A 4-speed automatic transmission swaps gears unobtrusively, and the supple, all-independent suspension is always willing to dance, but is equally comfortable on long stretches of highway making this a fantastic high-speed tourer for road trips. It appears to still be carrying its original exhaust system, which speaks highly of the climate in which it has been used. Chrome-plated Mercedes-Benz alloy wheels were a popular dealer upgrade in the late 1980s, and we suspect they've been on the car since it was new. They add some sparkle to the otherwise subtle overall look and wear recent 205/65/15 Michelin radials.

Complete with the original owner's manual and service books, this is purely a driver-quality SL, but there may be no better time than right now to buy one. The 560s are the cream of the crop and this car's unusual color combination and relatively low mileage make it a fine choice for the enthusiast on a budget. There are cheaper SLs out there, but with these cars in particular, you always get what you pay for and some claim that a cheap SL is the most expensive car you can own. Renowned for their engineering, cars like this SL are a reminder of when the gap between the ordinary and the extraordinary was wide indeed. Call today!