Performance. Luxury. Style. Quality. All qualities that the Mercedes-Benz SL has in spades. Two-seaters designed for nothing more than fun have existed from the dawn of the automotive industry, but it remains the Mercedes-Benz SL that consistently sets the standard. Everyone has copied the formula with varying degrees of success, but none have toppled the undisputed king of top-flight luxury and status. The R107 models are arguably the last of the SLs that truly adhered to the Mercedes-Benz philosophy of “Engineered like no other,” resulting in one of the most iconic cars of the past 50 years. Any person of means owned one in the 1980s, and while they haven’t rushed to stratospheric prices like their older siblings, they remain A-list cars that still command respect and admiration from just about everyone.

But that’s only part of what makes this 1985 380SL so special. Yes, it’s got the same wonderfully robust engineering and delightful styling as its siblings, but if you want to experience what these cars were truly like when they were new, this is the one to own. Showing just 18,616 original miles, it is immaculately preserved and so original that it’s even still sitting on its original German-issued Michelin tires. Yes, it’s true that these cars are virtually indestructible, but the SL to own is always one that has been properly maintained and gently used. It wears 100% original Smoke Silver Metallic paint, which is a lovely color that’s entirely correct on a sporting, yet upscale motorcar. It’s not gold, but it’s not silver, and the effect is almost iridescent, giving the car a handsome look that should look great anywhere it goes. Of course, rust is a total non-issue on this car, as it has never seen more than an accidental spring shower, and fit and finish are remarkable given the technology of 1985 and the passage of more than three decades. Want to know why Mercedes-Benz cars are different? Just slam one of the doors on this convertible. It sounds like it was hewn from a single chunk of steel and the parts fit together to slightly that you can’t even fit your fingertip in the gaps. That is why the R107s are special and why later Mercedes-Benz cars seem to have lost an intangible something. It is also why this car will remain in demand for decades to come.

On the R107s, there’s also plenty of chrome, and it’s all real chrome, not plastic, so it has a substantial feel in your hands whenever you touch it. The bumpers, which seem to have grown more graceful with the passage of time, are in excellent shape, the heavy metal door handles offer a substantial handshake every time you enter the car, and the famous three-pointed star emblems on the nose and tail are still as new. And it is all accented by a pair of pinstripes that run from nose to tail, adding a dash of contrast to the bodywork.

MB-Tex was still standard equipment in the SL, but this one carries optional Tobacco Brown leather upholstery that was an $853 option in 1985. While the MB-Tex is nice, there’s just something special about the way this car feels when you slide behind the wheel. With so few miles, it’s in excellent condition with only the most minor “comfort marks” on the driver’s cushion, no notable scuffs or tears. Likewise, the brown carpets are still deep, plush, and luxurious with only minor fading in the rear package shelf area, which is probably inevitable on any convertible in a dark color. Everything remains fully functional, including the big, round gauges, the power windows and locks, and the original Becker Grand Prix AM/FM/cassette stereo that triggers the power antenna properly. The automatic climate control system has been upgraded to R134a refrigerant so it’ll be easy to service in the future, but you may never need it once you experience the top-down motoring this car offers. And speaking of top-down motoring, this car includes a brown canvas convertible top that looks almost new, as well as the removable hardtop that seals it up as well as a sedan. The trunk is beautifully upholstered in more brown carpet and includes a complete tool roll, the jack assembly, first aid kit, as well as the original spare tire that’s never been used.

Mechanically, you already know that the R107 is legendary in the reliability department. The 3.8 liter SOHC V8 under the hood isn’t going to smoke the tires, but it’s smooth, reliable, and surprisingly easy to maintain. And admit it—you’re not driving this car in a way that necessitates more horsepower. It feels quite energetic around town and as a German-bred 2-seater, obviously it was built for high-speed cruising, so it’s effortless in almost everything it does. With only 18,000 miles on it, this one is barely broken-in, so it starts quickly, idles smoothly, and drives in a way that only low-mile original cars can. The sound will be familiar to anyone who has driven one of these, and there’s a muscular, torquey feel that gives you the impression that it could just accelerate forever. The engine bay is completely original and stock, with the exception of normal maintenance items, but they were careful to retain things like the original hose clamps whenever something was replaced. Factory finishes, decals, and markings all remain 100% intact and it all works like it should.

The 4-speed automatic overdrive transmission was a relatively recent addition to the spec sheet when this SL was built, but it gives this convertible impossibly long legs when combined with the 2.65 rear gears. At speed on the highway, the engine just loafs along at about 1200 RPM, barely whispering and pulling down surprisingly good fuel economy at the same time. The suspension is supple enough to ignore the frost-heaved roads here in northeast Ohio, but never puts a tire wrong when you’re hustling, inspiring confidence behind the wheel. And, of course, there’s a big disc brake at each corner, just in case. The chassis is completely original, including the exhaust system, and even the brake pads are likely original-issue. The undercoating is what was there when it left the factory and aside from some light road grime, it’s beautifully preserved. Many enthusiasts prefer the look of the early-style 14-inch “pie crust” Mercedes alloy wheels, which, on this car, are as new and unmarked. Those beautiful wheels carry their original 205/70/14 Michelin radials, which we might recommend replacing if you intend serious driving, but they remain in good condition with no obvious signs of age or deterioration.

Documentation is pretty impressive, too. We have the original window sticker, which shows an MSRP of $45,273, a fairly staggering number in 1985 when you could still buy a new Ford Mustang convertible for about $13,000. We also have the factory data card showing all the option codes, a full selection of factory owner’s manuals, the original warning tags from the interior, and all the original keys.

The meteoric rise of the 190SL and later “Pagoda” SLs might suggest that the R107s can’t be far behind. Specification certainly matters, but as is the case with all vintage vehicles, it always pays to buy quality first, and this superb 380SL is the finest we’ve ever featured. Unquestionably original, beautifully maintained, it’s a glimpse into what top-of-the-line motoring was like in the go-go ‘80s.