Elite Dealer

1983 Mercedes-Benz 380 SL

Michigan

$25,895

1983 Mercedes-Benz 380 SL

Vehicle Details

Make

Mercedes-Benz

Model

380 SL

Year

1983

Mileage

90,000 miles

Body Type

Convertible

Transmission

Automatic

Fuel Type

Gasoline

Engine

3.8L V8 OEM Overhead Cam

Description

1983 Mercedes-Benz 380SL Coupe Convertible Roadster 2 owner California/Utah and Texas car owned since 2014 optioned with the Europeanstyle headlights and chrome fender trim. All original, well maintained and garaged, in excellent condition, 2 owner with 90,000 miles. Easily removed hard top and manual soft top function flawlessly.

Fuel injected 3.8L V8 with automatic 4 speed transmission. Fully optioned auto climate controlled cold A/C and heat, cruise control, all power; steering, 4 wheel disc, windows, door locks, driver’s seat and mirrors, new Alpine Bluetooth sound system. Roadster performs flawlessly, gliding, comfortable Mercedes ride, with or without her 2 tops, built to last, Original MSRP $37600.

Maintenance includes installing dual gear timing chain, related parts and loads of service documents/receipts dating back to 1986 Comes with clean Carfax, 4 OEM Mercedes 14” chrome wheels and OEM AM/FM Cassette stereo Driveline:· All factory OEM Overhead Cam V8 3.8L; responsive, no leaks or smoke, starts at once. Top speed 127 mph · 4 speed automatic shifts smooth and responsive · 4 wheel disc, vented front, solid rear · Like new 235/45ZR-17 Continentals on BBS RG-F Die-Forged Aluminum · Independent front and rear double wishbone suspension is super tight, flawless handling and responsive steering Body:· Body, top, frame, floors, rockers, doors, hood and rear deck are all in exceptional condition, no rust · Original Manila Beige paint is an easy 9 of 10 with slight nicks and blemishes. · Both hard and soft top are in exceptional condition, perform as designed. Canvas is near perfect, some wrinkles from being stored, under pinnings show slight age, it may have never been used. · Tinted windshield, side glass and rear windows are perfect · All lights; European headlights, fog lamps, directional's, hazards, signals, stop and tail, all work as they should · Weather-stripping around doors, windows and top is in excellent shape, no leaks · Full spare, first aid kit

Mercedes-Benz 380 SL Buyer's Guide

Full guide
E
Emily Chen
JDM Classics
1980–1985
~3 min read
Updated Apr 2026
The Mercedes-Benz 380 SL is the R107 generation at the intersection of elegance and engineering — a two-seat roadster that set the standard for open-top grand touring across two decades of production and still delivers the experience today.
This guide covers
âś“ 9-point inspection checklist
âś“ Common issues & what to avoid
âś“ In-person inspection guide
âś“ Market pricing by year & condition
âś“ 5 FAQs answered
âś“ History & fun facts

Mercedes-Benz 380 SL Market Overview

Based on 22 Mercedes-Benz 380 SL listings currently on ClassicCarsArena.com

22
Listed Now
$16,923
Avg. Asking Price
1981–1988
Year Range
Price Position on Our Site — Above Average
This car: $25,895
Low: $9,000 High: $27,485
Transmission Distribution
Automatic 77% ◄
Condition Distribution
Good 14%
Fair 9%
Data from ClassicCarsArena.com listings Browse all 22 listings →
đź’°

What is this car worth?

Check sold prices for the 1983 Mercedes-Benz 380 SL

Valuation Tool →

Mercedes-Benz 380 SL Buyer's Guide

Emily Chen here, and the R107 Mercedes SL is the car that most clearly explains what a grand touring roadster is supposed to be. Not a pure sports car — the 380 SL was never trying to compete with a Porsche for corner speed. Not a pure luxury car — the soft top is right there above your head. It's a machine engineered for covering long distances in complete comfort with a passenger who appreciates quality, and it executes that mission with a German thoroughness that was unmatched in 1980 and remains impressive today.

The 380 SL specifically was Mercedes's US-market answer to tightening emissions regulations. The 450 SL that it replaced used a 4.5-liter V8; the 380 SL's 3.8-liter unit was lighter, cleaner, and — in initial production — somewhat less satisfying. But the chassis, the interior, and the overall experience are the same R107 magic that made this generation the longest-running production SL in Mercedes history.

What to Check Before Buying

Timing Chain Tensioner — Verify updated timing chain tensioner hardware — original plastic components are a known failure risk that can destroy the engine.
Soft Top Operation — Test hydraulic soft top through full open and close cycle — both directions should be smooth and complete.
Climate Control — Test the climate control through all modes including both hot and cold — vacuum system failures are common.
Hardtop Condition — Inspect hardtop for cracks and verify mounting hardware is intact and corrosion-free.
Interior Originality — Verify interior color and materials are original — incorrect reupholstery significantly affects value.
Fuel Injection — Run the engine to temperature — idle should be stable and smooth at ~750 RPM with no hunting or stumbling.
Lower Sill Rust — Inspect lower sill seams and rear fender lower edges — common rust locations on neglected examples.
Service History — Verify timing chain tensioner service is documented — this is the most important maintenance record to have.
Power Accessories — Test all power windows, mirrors, and seats — functioning accessories confirm overall maintenance quality.

Common Issues

Timing chain tensioner failure from degraded plastic components — a critical pre-purchase check. Soft top hydraulic system leaks causing slow or non-functional top operation. Climate control system failures (vacuum-operated components degrade with age). Fuel injection issues with the Bosch K-Jetronic (CIS) system, especially idle instability. Rust at lower sills and rear fender lower edges on poorly-maintained examples. Dashboard and interior trim cracking from UV exposure.

What to Look For

Verify the timing chain tensioner has been updated with modern hardware — original plastic tensioners are a known failure risk. Test all power accessories, especially the soft top hydraulics and climate control; non-functioning systems indicate deferred maintenance across the car. Check the soft top condition and hydraulic operation carefully. Inspect the hardtop mounting points for corrosion. Verify the full-leather interior is original and correctly colored — non-original reupholstery significantly affects value. Check for rust at the lower sill seams and rear fender areas.

Price Guide

Driver-condition 380 SL with both tops: $18,000–$30,000. Well-maintained, fully functional 380 SL: $28,000–$45,000. Show-quality concours examples: $45,000–$65,000. Both tops present and functional adds $3,000–$6,000 over single-top examples. AMG or factory option upgrades (rare on 380 SL) add significant premium. Comparison: the 450 SL (1972–1980) commands 10–20% premium over the 380 SL due to larger-displacement engine preference.

Did You Know?

The R107 SL was produced from 1971 to 1989 — an 18-year production run that is one of the longest in automotive history for an essentially unchanged design. The hardtop was engineered to be removable by two people in approximately 10 minutes, and the removal/storage procedure was documented step-by-step in the owner's manual. The 380 SL's aluminum V8 was among the most sophisticated engines offered in any American-market car of 1980.

How Does It Compare?

Head-to-head matchups for the Mercedes-Benz 380 SL:

Browse all comparisons →

Similar Listings

Contact Seller

Share only if you'd like the seller to call you directly.

By contacting this seller you accept the Visitors Agreement

Call this seller?

You're about to call Classic Car Deals about the 1983 Mercedes-Benz 380 SL.

+1 (231) 468-2809

Before you call: Never wire money or share bank info over the phone. Read our scam-avoidance tips.
Call Now

Send to a Friend

Share this 1983 Mercedes-Benz 380 SL listing.

Report this Ad

Help us keep the marketplace clean. Our moderation team reviews every report within 24 hours.