Mercedes-Benz 560SL w107 Conv 1986
General description :
When it comes to sports cars, Mercedes-Benz has a long tradition of forging a unique path. The revolutionary 300 SL pioneered the use of mechanical fuel injection and tubular space-frame construction in road cars, firmly establishing the marque as a technological powerhouse. Important as it was for the company image, the 300 SL was very costly to build and not sustainable for the long-term. The 300 SL’s successor, the R113 (230, 250 and 280 SL), shared a great deal more components with its sedan counterparts, yet it still fit the Mercedes sports car ethos; offering the style and performance expected of a traditional sporting car, yet with surprising levels of comfort and practicality.
In 1971, the 280 SL was replaced by an all-new flagship sports car, known internally as the R107. This new SL was designed in-house at Sindelfingen by Karl Wilfert and his team, who produced an understated yet highly sophisticated design. Mercedes-Benz’s obsession with safety led to a significant number of subtle design features that spoke to the intense level of detail the designers paid to every square inch of the car. This new Mercedes SL sports car was the strongest, safest, most thoughtfully engineered grand touring car money could buy. Mechanically, the R107 took a page from its predecessor, riding on a unique platform while sharing engines and suspension components with its sedan counterparts. The engine bay was designed to accept an array of engines ranging from a 2.8 liter inline six to a series of powerful V8s, all of which featuring Bosch fuel injection. Beginning in the 1986 model year, the 5.6 liter V8 from the mighty S-class sedan was shoehorned into the SL, transforming this comfortable GT car into a genuine 150 mph sports car. Despite the welcome dose of performance, the 560 SL managed to retain all of the luxury and comfort that clients came to expect of the SL. Today, the 560 SL stands as the most desirable of the line, with peerless build quality, a robust chassis, and nearly two decades of technological refinement.
The 1986 560 SL on offer is a beautifully preserved, one-owner car that has covered just 7,000 miles from new and presents in outstanding condition inside and out. It is finished in the lovely color combination of Astral Silver (DB735) over Burgundy leather (code 277), this beautiful SL was garage kept and used sparingly as a fair-weather weekend car. The previous owner purchased this car new at a Pittsburgh-area Mercedes dealer, initially registering it in their leasing business’ name. They loved the 560 SL so much, they decided to keep it and subsequently re-titled it for personal use. In conversations with the previous owner, we learned the Mercedes was always garage-kept and never used in the winter. Only on rare nice weekends in the spring and fall did they use the car, and when not driven long distances, it was regularly started and driven around the block to circulate the fluids. Even during times of limited use, the regular maintenance was tended to by the dealer or local specialists.
Thanks to the care it has received, this 560 SL is one of the best we have had the pleasure to offer. The original Astral Silver paint is in excellent condition and very consistent with this being a low mileage, unmolested car. The paint is highlighted by a subtle red pinstripe which ties in with the burgundy leather interior. The factory hard top and black canvas soft top are in excellent condition; however, the plastic rear windows of the soft top do show a bit of creasing, only from the fact that it was rarely if ever used. Original wheels are immaculate, wrapped with correct-specification Michelin MXV tires. Lights, lenses, chrome and plastic fittings are all in factory-fresh condition, and the doors shut with satisfying, vault-like precision.
The lovely red interior shows some light wear on the outer driver’s seat bolster, likely from the previous owner’s regular trips around her neighborhood to keep the battery fresh. Aside from that, the leather, velour carpet, and plastics are all in beautiful condition. The wood trim on the console and dash is like-new and free from the typical cracking and peeling that was a common issue on these cars. The factory-fitted Becker Grand Prix stereo/cassette player is still in its rightful place, which works as it should in conjunction with the power antenna. Lifting the trunk lid reveals excellent original carpeting in red, and the unused spare wheel is in place, complete with the factory tag still intact. The books and manuals are included in their original pouch, along with the convertible top tools, and even an original bottle of touchup paint. The first aid kit is like-new, and remarkably, the factory tool kit is still sealed in the plastic bag.
Underhood detailing is honest and in keeping with this being a fastidiously maintained, gently used original car. The gold-cadmium finishes are in good condition, and factory-applied labels and tags intact. Some maintenance and state inspection records are included, which reveal the car was serviced annually, and that the mileage is genuine. As expected, it runs and drives beautifully, feeling every bit as solid as the day it left the factory.
Given the practicality, performance, and durability of the 560 SL, it is rare to find cars that have covered so few miles. This car has been lovingly cared for by a single owner, and it represents an excellent opportunity to acquire a fastidiously maintained, showroom-fresh SL. This collector-grade 560 SL is outstanding in every respect and would be a worthy addition to any collection of modern classics.
https://hymanltd.com/vehicles/6302
1986 Mercedes-Benz 560SL w107 Conv is listed sold on ClassicDigest in St. Louis by Mark Hyman for $69500.
Car Facts
Car type : Car Make : Mercedes-Benz Model : 560SL w107 Model Version : Conv Engine size : 0.0 Model Year : 1986 Location : Missouri
Sold
Seller Information
Sold
People who viewed this Mercedes-Benz 560SL w107 also viewed similar Mercedes-Benz listed at ClassicDigest
Mercedes-Benz 560SL w107
24000 $
Orlando
Mercedes-Benz 560SL w107
38000 $
Indianapolis
Mercedes-Benz 560SL w107
25000 $
Dallas
Mercedes-Benz 560SL w107
52000 $
Nashville
Mercedes-Benz 560SL w107
145000 $
Pontiac, MI
Other cars listed for sale by this dealer
AC Cobra 289
195000$
Missouri
Other Other
142500$
Missouri
Packard Twelve
139500$
Missouri
Ferrari Testarossa
159500$
Missouri
Ferrari 330 GTS
2275000$
Missouri
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.