Mercedes-Benz is known for its representative saloons and elegant coupés of the luxury class, but has also repeatedly set accents in the sports car sector. The history of these vehicles began with the W 198 in the mid-1950s, which was considered the fastest sports car in the world, and the much less powerful W 121 B II, which enjoyed great popularity, especially in America. This was followed in the 1960s by the W 113 "Pagoda" model series, in which straighter lines replaced the round shapes, and from 1971 the R 107, which set standards for future Mercedes generations with its sportiness and modern design.

In this auction, a Mercedes 560 SL Roadster from 1986 is offered. The sports car from the R 107 model series was exported to the United States after its production and registered for road traffic there for the first time. He returned to Germany in 2020 and has now had four owners. The history of the vehicle is easy to understand despite gaps in the checkbook, as the second American owner has kept all invoices and documents since 1990. The Mercedes 560 SL is likely to have matching numbers and is certified for the use of H license plates, that the roadster has remained accident-free, can only be confirmed for the last few years. The well-maintained vehicle with the FIN WDBBA48D76A045735 is registered and has a valid TÜV badge until March 2023, so that it can be handed over to the new owner fully roadworthy and with all keys. The Benz is currently not registered, but has a German letter

The sporty Mercedes Roadster is painted in the popular anthracite metallic and is basically free of external defects. Dents are not present on the body and the paint has no scratches and corrosion damage, only on the rear bumper the formation of a tiny dent is indefinable and on the front bumper a slight damage is recognizable. No modifications were made to the body and only the softtop soft top was renewed and yellow fog lights were integrated, whether it had to be repainted over the years cannot be said with certainty.

Original aluminum rims from Mercedes are mounted on the sports car, which underline the character of the vehicle in the typical manhole cover look of this time. The Michelin Energy tyres fit perfectly to the exterior and are in very good condition. The brakes are fully functional, but should be checked during the next inspections, no defects could be found on the unchanged chassis.

The interior of the vehicle is presented in subtle shades of grey, which means that one of the most popular colour combinations of the R107 model series is used. The elegant leather armchairs show hardly any signs of use, as do the interior door panels designed in the same shade and the components in the rear of the vehicle. In the cockpit area, the classic black fittings have been upgraded by wooden veneers, which have lost a little of their shine over the years, especially in the area of the centre console. With ABS, driver airbag, power steering, central locking and electric windows, the Mercedes 580 SEL offers upscale technical equipment, as well as cruise control, air conditioning and the Blaupunkt radio. According to the seller, the steering is leaking. The use of the open-top sports car in changing weather conditions is also guaranteed, as both a folding roof and a hardtop cover are available.

The Mercedes 560 SL has so far covered a distance of about 103,000 miles, which corresponds to about 165,000 kilometers. The information on driving performance can be read on the speedometer display and can be checked on the basis of the extensive documentation. The instruments work without restrictions, and there are also no signs of failure on the displays.

The Mercedes sports car of the R107 series is equipped with an eight-cylinder petrol engine with a displacement of 5,547 cc and an output of 230 hp (170 KW). With a 4-speed automatic transmission, the vehicle accelerates from 0 to 100 kilometres per hour in 7.7 seconds and reaches a top speed of 223 km/h. The last service on the Mercedes 560 SL was carried out in 2021, and no engine defects could be found on the dynamic roadster. The only drawback to the technical components is a somewhat leaking servo pump, no damage or corrosion infestation was visible on the underbody, which was also checked.

In the course of the re-import, all necessary repairs were carried out and the vehicle was converted to EU standard with original parts. Finally, the rear lights were replaced and the glass on the right mirror was replaced, so that no workshop work is necessary except for the servo pump.

The Mercedes 560 SL of the R107 series is a real dream car of the 1980s. The timelessly beautiful design and the sporty elegance enter into a wonderful symbiosis, in addition, the powerful engine underlines the dynamic character of this roadster. The model has been a popular collector's item for many years, as it was produced exclusively for the non-European market and thus only a few of the original almost 50,000 copies can be found in Germany. The new owner thus acquires a real rarity, which will give him great pleasure in this excellent state of preservation.