1987 MERCEDES 560 SL

Nice presentation Low mileage More than 25 000 € of recent invoices Belgian registration title Chassis n° WDBBA48D5HA068979 Third generation of the Mercedes SL presented in 1971, the R107 will have an exceptionally 18 years long career. This roadster will make the admiration of the Americans who will absorb alone the two thirds of its production. In 1986, Mercedes delivers its last evolution: the 560 SL which will be reserved for the North American, Japanese and Australian markets. Under the hood is a 5.5-liter V8 putting out 230 hp in its American version, coupled with an automatic gearbox. This ultimate series will benefit from a high level of standard equipment including leather upholstery, an alarm system, airbags and ABS. The car also gets a new rear suspension and a limited slip differential for better torque management. For the North American market, the 560 SL has to meet specific standards. It is therefore equipped with double round headlights, a third central brake light and energy-absorbing bumpers. It will retire in 1989 with 49 347 units manufactured. In the tradition of the Mercedes SL. Manufactured on April 21, 1987, this Mercedes 560 SL, which had nearly 102,000 miles on the odometer on the day of our visit (or about 163,000 km, original mileage confirmed by the Carfax), was delivered new in California in September of the same year to a certain Carmen Melendez. It was imported to Europe in 2015 from the United States by its current owner, residing in Belgium. It has a sober and elegant color combination. Its dark blue body (original paint) is paired with a blue canvas top, and the whole thing is in beautiful condition. Inside, the grey leather upholstery with blue piping has been recently redone. The dashboard woodwork and carpets are also in good condition. On the road, the behavior is as expected. The torquey V8 engine revs well and the automatic transmission shifts smoothly. If you step on the gas pedal, the kick-down operates, and the Mercedes pounces. Since its purchase, the current owner has spent lavishly to make the car to his liking (changing the rims to those of the previous generation, fitting a GPS radio and installing a Moto-Lita steering wheel with a wooden rim) and to correct small insignificant defects. Very fussy, our amateur spent more than 25 000 € to bring the car to the level he wanted. 560 SLs in very good working condition are rare on the market. And if this car has some small body defects inherent to a car built more than 30 years ago, it will delight the ones looking for a R107 powered by this legendary V8 ready to take the road. Note that the car will be sold with its original hard-top.