35,675 original miles. Beautiful and unusual color combination. Very well maintained, everything works, recently serviced. Two tops, full tool roll, original manuals, and first aid kit. A very nicely preserved late 560SL that looks like a million bucks!

There’s a certain prestige that the R107 Mercedes-Benz SL represents that few other cars can match. They were insanely expensive when they were new, and as a result cars like this 1988 560SL were toys for the rich and famous. Today, they’re considerably more affordable yet that image continues, allowing almost anyone to enjoy one of the very finest machines ever built by Mercedes-Benz. It really was the last Mercedes that was totally and completely driven by engineering rather than marketing, and because of that it drives like nothing else on the road. Wearing beautiful Dark Gray Metallic, this very handsome SL shows just over 35,000 original miles and has obviously never been used as a daily driver. That’s 100% original paint with no accidents, no touch-ups, and no issues, and you can clearly see why these cars were so expensive when they were new. Panel gaps are exacting and everything fits with a precision that few other automakers have ever been able to match. The doors swing closed and sound like they weigh 500 pounds yet they’re effortless. And the deep shine on paint that’s approaching its 36th birthday speaks volumes about both the quality of the workmanship and the car it has received over the years. There’s enough chrome to make it look upscale and the famous Mercedes-Benz taillights are bright and crisp, not sun-faded and chalky. Chrome fender trim has probably been on the car since it was new, and adds a bit of flash, but that’s the lone modification on what is an extremely clean SL.

Mercedes wasn’t great at creating interesting names, but the Medium Red leather interior is absolutely stunning against the dark gray paint. It’s a subtle yet elegant combination that you won’t see at every car show and reminds us that Mercedes was still able to deliver a bespoke automobile to a discerning customer. The 560 received leather in place of the 450/380’s MB-Tex vinyl, and combined with the deep wool carpets and real wood appliques on the dash, provides a first-class passenger compartment. Aside from some very minor wear on the driver’s seat outer bolster, the interior is in excellent condition with no rips or tears and zero evidence of UV damage on the dash pad, so the car has been properly stored. Even more remarkably, the wood on the dash and center console is jus beautifully preserved, a rare thing in these cars where exposure to the sun causes cracking and splitting. Nice! The hefty steering wheel feels substantial in your hands and it’s leather-wrapped in the 560SL, another nice upgrade from the earlier cars. Of note, everything works properly, including cold A/C, and the original Becker Grand Prix stereo still sounds great. Two tops were standard on the SL, and with the removable hard top in place, it seals up as well as a closed car and the convertible top is easy to operate once you get the hang of it (the original top tools are included with the car). The trunk is likewise upholstered in more of that luxurious wool carpet, while underneath you’ll find the original spare tire that’s never been down. It also includes the original tool roll and jack assembly tucked into the quarter panel.

The big news for the 560SL was the robust 5.6-liter SOHC V8, which was a HUGE step up from the previous 3.8-liter version. Far more muscular with almost endless torque, it transformed the SL from a pleasant cruiser to something more akin to a German muscle car. Now I don’t recommend that you go around doing burn-outs in your new SL, but you can certainly tell that this was a car bred to run on the unlimited-speed Autobahn. It starts easily, idles properly, and generally goes about its business with a minimum of effort, as any luxury car should. But prod it a bit and it’ll drop down a gear and all that torque comes online at once, launching the roadster forward with genuine enthusiasm. The 4-speed automatic transmission is smooth and unobtrusive, and you’ll note that it normally starts in 2nd gear just to keep things smooth, but again, a gentle prod kicks it down into 1st, at which point you’d better make sure you’re holding on. It’s just joyous to drive. The fully independent suspension is supple yet capable, willing to run down your favorite country road at 8/10ths or commute on pockmarked freeways with equal competence. And the powerful 4-wheel disc brakes are ABS assisted on the 560SL, so it’s as safe and sure as Mercedes’ reputation. You’ll note zero rust or rot because this car has never seen winter weather, and that’s the original exhaust system, so it has just the right soundtrack—a gentle hum rather than a raucous V8 burble. Factory 15-inch alloy wheels are unmarked and carry 205/65/15 blackwall radials of indeterminate age.

Extras include the original tool roll, full stocked first-aid kit, a complete set of manuals, and a detailed ownership file.

If you could have just one hobby car, we’d make a strong argument for a 560SL. They’re comfortable, reliable, elegant, and fun to drive. They offer great club support and an enthusiastic group of owners who know all the car’s secrets, and they were made before substantial computerization so they’re able to be maintained by a home mechanic. And everyone around you will think that you’ve hit the lottery when it shows up in your driveway. Don’t worry, we won’t tell them how affordable it really is. Call today!

Harwood Motors always recommends and welcomes personal or professional inspections of any vehicle in our inventory prior to purchase.