Mercedes-Benz 560SL w107 5.6 liter OHC V8 1987
General description :
What do you get when you blend the best performance, comfort, and engineering ever created by the engineers in Stuttgart, Germany? Why the Mercedes-Benz 560SL, of course. Starting in 1972 and running through 1989, the R107 was the second longest single series produced by Mercedes-Benz. The R107 managed to stay relevant and desirable for the entirety of its production life, making it the ultimate pairing of luxury and performance in a roadster. There were faster, more expensive, and more exclusive cars, but none of them found the sweet-spot Mercedes did in capturing all three. If you had money and wanted everyone to know it, there was no better way to display it and if you are looking for the ultimate status symbol of the 1980s, this 560SL is the one to own.
This outstanding single-owner 1987 Mercedes-Benz 560SL combines an affordable price, great specifications, and an impeccable pedigree. Signal Red with a black leather interior is the ultimate combination and the perfect choice for the rock-star SL. On the trim roadster bodywork, it looks like the sheetmetal was shrink-wrapped over the mechanicals and the chiseled character lines along the bodywork really stand out. This car has never been hit or rusty, and that’s original 1987 paint, which means there are no nasty surprises waiting for you underneath. Build quality is exemplary, which you’d expect from a car whose engineers referred to as “der Panzerwagon,” or “The Tank.” It feels incredibly robust, and this is a 35-year-old machine! The US-spec rubber bumpers have become so familiar that they’re not really a demerit today and they remain in excellent condition with no UV damage or cracks. There’s still quite a bit of chrome and it’s all excellent, from the grille to the windshield surround to the wonderfully heavy-feeling bright trim on the trunk lid. Like most SLs, this car has led an easy life as a summertime toy.
The beautiful condition of the black leather interior shows just how much this car has been loved. With the 560, leather upholstery was standard, wrapped around substantial seats that hold you in place without feeling tight or restrictive. Carpets, door panels, and the real burled walnut on the console all remain excellent, with only light scuff marks on the driver’s outer bolster—that’s all but inevitable. The big steering wheel was leather-wrapped in the 560, and the big, round gauges are a model of functionality, able to be read at a glance. There’s a newer Pioneer AM/FM/CD stereo that sounds great, and it’s worth noting that the original radio is included with the car. There’s also a built-in radar detector with the control unit down on the center console, a cool piece of ‘90s tech that seems to suit the car perfectly. The air blows cold, the windows glide up and down properly, and even the temperature gauge in the center of the dash accurately keeps an accurate eye on exterior temperatures. The trunk is beautifully upholstered using the same plush carpets as the interior, and you’ll find the original spare and jack tucked underneath, never having been used. All SLs came standard with both a folding cloth top and a removable hardtop, and this car has a brand new black canvas top to match the interior.
The most significant improvements are under the hood, starting with the big 5.6 liter OHC V8 engine, which also powered all Mercedes-Benz flagship sedans in the 1980s. In the relatively lightweight SL, performance is impressive, even bearing in mind that the transmission usually starts in 2nd gear. There’s torque available at any speed and I would liken this SL more to a German muscle car than a lightweight sports car. It’s impeccably smooth at all times, even when you’re running hard, and it has proven itself over the decades as one of the toughest machines ever to come out of the Mercedes-Benz factory. Mileage on these cars seems to be a non-issue, as they’ll seemingly run for hundreds of thousands of miles without any diminution in performance or reliability. This SL is just shy of 53,000 original miles so there’s no giving it a second thought. We all know maintenance is what really matters, and this car has been properly maintained all its life, a fact that is more than demonstrated by the extensive service receipts and its outstanding road manners.
560SLs also received a 4-speed automatic transmission with a deep overdrive gear, so it’s an effortless high-speed cruiser, especially with 2.47 gears out back (remember this car was born to run the Autobahn). For smoothness, it is programmed to start in 2nd gear, which may feel a bit slow off the line, but a quick prod of the throttle will drop it into 1st and the car takes off like a rocket. Otherwise, shifts are smooth and unobtrusive, and only Mercedes-Benz seems to have mastered the ride/handling compromise that makes the SL so much fun. Drive gently, and it feels luxury car smooth, with bumps feeling far away and never upsetting the rock-solid platform. Drive it aggressively and it is happy to run with you, with good reflexes and a surprisingly amount of grip. Powerful 4-wheel disc brakes are augmented by ABS, another 560 upgrade, and there’s a wonderful V8 burble from the tailpipes out back. This car sits on its original alloys which are in great condition with a set of recent 205/65/15 Michelin radials.
Documentation includes the original window sticker, purchase invoice, dealer prep documents, Mercedes-Benz data card, factory manuals (including the maintenance booklet with proper service stamps), extensive maintenance receipts over the past three decades, and some brochures from when it was new. Whatever piece of history that you would like to see in your next SL, this car has it. The original toolkit is also included, and it is 100% complete and has never been used.
We’ve sold quite a few of these and their enduring appeal surely comes down to their awesome build quality and fun-to-drive road manners. This is a lot of car for the money, and if you’ve been watching R107 prices lately, you know that these are on the move in a big way. We can’t promise this one will make you rich overnight, but we can promise that you’ll be having too much fun to worry about it. Call today!
http://www.harwoodmotors.com/vehicles/inventory_details.php?id=925
1987 Mercedes-Benz 560SL w107 5.6 liter OHC V8 is listed sold on ClassicDigest in Macedonia by for $27900.
Car Facts
Car type : Car Make : Mercedes-Benz Model : 560SL w107 Model Version : 5.6 liter OHC V8 Engine size : 5.6 Model Year : 1987 Location : Ohio
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About Mercedes-Benz
In the annals of automotive history, the journey of Mercedes-Benz is a tale that unfolds with the ingenuity of its founding pioneers. In the year 1886, Karl Benz crafted the Benz Patent Motorwagen, a creation that would go down in history as the world's inaugural automobile. Unbeknownst to him, this moment marked the genesis of what would evolve into the most illustrious premium car manufacturer globally. The financial underpinning of this pioneering venture, interestingly, was provided by Karl Benz's wife, Bertha Benz, demonstrating a remarkable partnership that would set the tone for Mercedes-Benz's legacy.A parallel narrative emerged not far away, as Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft, founded by Gottlieb Daimler and Wilhelm Maybach, entered the scene. In 1901, they unveiled their automobile under the now-famous moniker "Mercedes," meaning "godsend" in Spanish. This name was bestowed upon the car at the behest of Emil Jellinek's daughter, the distributor for Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft. The wheels of innovation were set in motion.
Fast forward to 1926, a pivotal year that witnessed the merger of Daimler with Benz & Cie., culminating in the birth of Daimler-Benz. The amalgamation saw the adoption of "Mercedes-Benz" as the distinguished trademark for their automobiles, fusing the legacies of two visionary entities into one.
Contrary to perceptions of conservatism, the trajectory of Daimler-Benz unfolds as a chronicle of industry firsts. From the introduction of the honeycomb radiator to the float carburetor, and the pioneering implementation of four-wheel brakes in 1924, Daimler-Benz consistently pushed the boundaries of automotive innovation. The diesel-powered Mercedes-Benz 260 D in 1936 marked the inception of diesel engines in passenger cars. The iconic Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing made history as the first car with direct fuel injection, albeit the Gutbrod's tiny 2-stroke engine can claim precedence.
Safety innovations became a hallmark, with Béla Barényi's patented safety cell design in the "Ponton"-models in 1951, featuring front and rear crumple zones. The W116 450SEL 6.9 saw the introduction of the Anti-Lock Brake system (ABS), another pioneering safety feature. From the first production airbags and beyond, the legacy of "firsts" continued to be etched into the fabric of Daimler-Benz.
Over its centennial journey, Mercedes-Benz has not merely produced cars but has sculpted automotive icons. The SSKL, 710 SSK Trossi Roadster, 770K Grosser, 540K Spezial Roadster, 300SL Gullwing, w100 600 Pullman, w111 280SE 3.5 Flachkühler, w113 230SL Pagoda, w109 300 SEL 6.3, and w201 2.3-16 Cosworth stand testament to the brand's commitment to engineering excellence.
The roaring Silver Arrows, or "Silberpfeile," including the W 25, W 125, W154, W165, and W196, created a legacy of dominance on the racetrack. These machines were not merely cars; they were expressions of precision, speed, and an indomitable spirit that left their competitors in the dust.
As Mercedes-Benz marches into the future, it does so not just as an automaker but as a custodian of a legacy, a torchbearer of innovation, and a beacon of automotive excellence. The road ahead is sure to witness the continued fusion of cutting-edge technology, timeless design, and an unwavering commitment to setting new standards in the world of automobiles.
One luminary figure who left an indelible mark was Béla Barényi, often heralded as the "father of passive safety" for his pioneering work in safety engineering. His patented safety cell design, featuring front and rear crumple zones, became a hallmark of Mercedes-Benz's commitment to occupant safety, setting new standards that reverberated throughout the automotive world.
Moving through the chronicles, the collaborative genius of Wilhelm Maybach, alongside Gottlieb Daimler, laid the foundation for Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft. Their innovations not only birthed the first Mercedes but established a culture of relentless pursuit of technological excellence that remains integral to Mercedes-Benz's DNA.
In the post-merger era of 1926, Ferdinand Porsche emerged as a prominent figure within Mercedes-Benz. His work on the Mercedes-Benz S-Type, a supercharged race car, garnered acclaim and set the stage for a legacy that extended far beyond the marque. Porsche's impact would later extend to his eponymous company, but his influence at Mercedes-Benz during those formative years was pivotal.
As the 20th century progressed, the legendary Rudolf Uhlenhaut emerged as a key figure. Uhlenhaut, an accomplished engineer and the driving force behind the iconic Silver Arrows, played a crucial role in Mercedes-Benz's dominance in motorsports. His engineering prowess and attention to detail were instrumental in creating some of the most formidable racing cars of the era.
In the latter half of the century, figures like Bruno Sacco, the head of design at Mercedes-Benz from 1975 to 1999, left an indelible imprint on the brand's aesthetic identity. Sacco's design philosophy, characterized by clean lines and timeless elegance, shaped iconic models like the W126 S-Class and the W201 190E, solidifying Mercedes-Benz's reputation for luxury and sophistication.
The narrative would be incomplete without acknowledging the contributions of engineers like Hans Scherenberg, whose leadership in the 1970s ushered in a new era of technological innovation at Mercedes-Benz. Scherenberg's tenure saw the development of groundbreaking technologies, including the Anti-Lock Brake system (ABS) and the introduction of airbags in production cars.