1987 Mercedes 560 Sl Low Miles 64k, New Paint, Top, Excellent Mechanicals on 2040-cars

1987 Mercedes 560 SL, Beautiful Condition

64,600 Miles, Blue with Dark Blue Interior

Optional (rare) rear Kinder Seat, Cold A/C

Viper Alarm, Kenwood CD Receiver with Bluetooth, Satellite Ready, works with iPhone

Western U.S. Car, NO RUST

 Spectacular New Paint Job, New Correct German Canvas Top

About Me

I am a retired engineer and Mercedes Benz club member who enjoys looking for special cars, purchasing them and refurbishing them to be as good as they can be.  I have several cars but limited garage space.  I am very picky about my cars and don’t mind spending money on them, they are my toys and babies.

About this Car

I had watched  for several years to find the right 560 sl.  As a Mercedes Benz club member I knew that I wanted a Western car (no rust) with low miles that had been taken care of and as a former owner of a 1985 380 SL (purchased new) I also knew that I wanted a 560 SL for the increased horsepower.  I found this car in March of 2014 in Phoenix, Arizona through Craigslist and it met my criteria, the timing chain had been redone at 63,157 miles and the tensioner had been also been replaced at that time (if you know Mercedes this is critical on the older cars, if it hasn’t been redone it will need to be in the future, no question).  I also verified that the mileage was correct through Carfax which showed a registration in California in 2010 with 57,430 miles.  I picked up “Bluebelle” as I call her in Phoenix on March 10^th and drove her back to Las Vegas.

When I got Bluebelle the clearcoat was weak on the trunk lid and the windows on the soft top were clear but the stitching had come apart.  I purchased a new German canvas top from German Auto Tops and had it installed ($750).  When I took the car to my bodyman for fixing of the clearcoat he pointed out additional areas where there were minor scratches and I decided to repaint the entire car ($3500).  The paint job is spectacular and appears as it did when the car was delivered new, there are no dings or dents anywhere.

The interior and trunk are in excellent condition, with no wear showing on the pedals or steering wheel, all power options work as they should (including the power antenna).  The carpets show as new and the seats are leather with no tears or rips.  The door panels are in excellent condition, the dash is in excellent shape with no cracks or blemishes, as is the steering wheel.  She has the original windshield with the Mercedes Signature and Quality control stickers, all glass is in excellent condition.

I had the seats and the roof of the hardtop interior re-dyed so both look pristine ($600).  They were both in great condition but I wanted them to be as perfect as they could be.

As I do with all cars that I purchase all fluids were changed by my mechanic and I also had him install a new radiator for good measure and utilize Mercedes coolant fluid (total $662).  The engine had a slight tick that lasted 2-5 seconds when the car was started cold which drove me crazy (I’m a bit of a perfectionist) so it went to a Mercedes shop that did a valve job ($1862) and had them go through the car for any additional issues they could find.  The only thing that required replacement was the pressure switch for the auxiliary fan.  Since I purchased the car I have driven it approximately 1,000 miles and have greatly enjoyed it, it is a real eye catcher.  All lights work properly and the exterior lights are clear with no crazing (indicating the car has been garaged all its life), the interior gauges all work and are clear.

Why I am Selling this Car

Two weeks after purchasing this car I found a 1995 Jaguar XJS with 24,085 miles that had been owned by a little old lady in New Hampshire.  I had been looking for this car for several years (having purchased one new in 1995 and selling it in 2002 with 10,000 miles, a decision I always regretted) and jumped at the chance to purchase this one.  A month later I found a 1951 Jaguar that was nearly the same car as one my grandfather had owned when I was a child.  I purchased the 1951 and have begun the restoration process on it.  I also own two other Mercedes (a 1980 450 SEL 6.9 litre and a 600 sedan, my daily driver) plus a 1969 Lincoln with suicide doors.  I am out of garage space and do not have the time to keep all cars driven on a regular basis so I have decided to sell the 560 SL as I don’t require two convertibles. 

I am into Bluebelle for over $19,000 (I also replaced the window switches because they were faded and did some of the vent switches as well to make them pristine, plus replaced one of the chrome wheels that had a bit of fading on it), having paid originally $11,500 for her.  I am losing money on her but want her to go to a good home where she will be driven and appreciated.  This has always been a Western U.S. car and there is no body or underside rust, and never has been.  If you know these cars you know that they are increasing in value rapidly as collector items. This particular car is exemplary; its condition, low miles and open checkbook maintenance make it an excellent investment.  

Terms and Conditions

The vehicle is being sold "as-is/where-is" with no warranty expressed, written or implied. Any descriptions or representations are made with reasonable judgment and all efforts are made to ensure fair assessment and accuracy but they are for descriptive and identification purposes only and are not to be construed as a warranty of any type.  Please ask any questions you may have prior to placing a bid.  Thank you for looking at my ad.