We have a 20 years owned 1983 Mercedes-Benz 380 SL Convertible with Hardtop available for auction. This car presents very well, partly because of its new leather upholstery on the interior. It is owned by a couple who have run a successful furniture upholstery business. It does not specialize in car interiors, but the owners made a special exception for their own Mercedes and the quality of workmanship and material shows why they are booked through the rest of this year until they head to Florida for some of the winter months. This R107 has always been stored in climate-controlled conditions and is a US-market car. In fact, the current owning couple bought from a former NHL player and coach who had been using it in Florida (as you’ll see from some of his maintenance receipts in the gallery). Toward the end of the gallery, you’ll see photos of the car during some wedding duty as well as SL posters in the owners’ workshop. And at the end of the gallery is found a clean Carfax – no accidents.

The car is finished in silver blue metallic, Mercedes colour code 930, and is original paint to the seller’s knowledge. It has a matching hardtop, always covered, well cared for, indoor stored and displayed here in the photo gallery on its original wheeled stand, which is included in the sale; also included is the original hardtop cover, though it is not pictured. There is a contrasting dark blue soft convertible top which is in very good condition – both the blue and the clear folding poly windows. Roof operation is demonstrated in one of the videos. The SL features Euro style headlights and its original Bundt wheels, a trademark of Mercedes-Benz in the period. Older Michelin X One tires are grippy based on sparing use by the owners and measure 205/70R14, the factory size. Other sporting touches reflecting the period include fog lights, dual chrome pipe exhaust and tasteful chrome appointments.

The interior really pops with the new upholstery on all seating surfaces, door cards and arm rest, with very little use since. Even the driver’s seat shows little to now wear. In carrying out the work, the owners took care to procure proper patterned material to match the original equipment and the product of their professional work is exquisite. A contrasting-with-the-paint dark blue interior colour is also true to the original. The car is well equipped, with air conditioning, central locks, power windows, power locks, upgraded head unit with Bluetooth, functional power antenna and cruise control. The air conditioning system’s compressor engages but does not currently blow cold air, something the owners did not notice previously as their driving time in the SL is exclusively with the top down. Wood grain continues to show well, with some minor expected cracking. Trunk is clean with original carpet and houses the spare tire, also mounted on a 14” Bundt wheel, as well as the battery.

Under the hood is the smooth 3.8L V8 engine, rated at 155 HP (4750 RPM) and 196 lb.-ft of torque (2750 RPM) when new. It employs Bosch fuel injection and is equipped with a three-speed automatic transmission which sends power to the rear. With the owners’ light use, they have generally not faced major repair but recently replaced the timing chain (May 2022, repair order in gallery) and have maintained the car with annual oil changes and other necessary repairs at Euromotors of St. Catharines. Owner spoke to the shop pre-sale about an Ontario safety check and expects the car to pass as it sits, owner understands that it does not need repair. Vehicle data plaque remains under hood and we note the following: 930 for paint code; 440 for cruise control; 467 for central locking and English lettering; 491 for US version; 504 for outside right rear view mirror, electrically operated; 519 for Becker radio (since upgraded to the current Bluetooth unit); 531 for automatic antenna; 587 for front folding armrest; 592 for green heat-insulating glass all round, heated rear window, laminated safety glass – tinted strip; 639 for elimination of first aid box and warning triangle; and 803.

This 20 years owned 1983 Mercedes-Benz 380 SL Convertible with Hardtop is available with two keys, hardtop stand and radio face plate container from the longtime owners in St. Catharines, Ontario.