1)I just picked up a signal red hardtop for my 500. excellent condition, not a spot of anything. the rubber is excellent. overall - it can't be told from new. price w/ stand and cover: $375 plus gas and tolls!

2) to get the hardtop i had to drive to boca raton. first major road trip. took six hours round-trip, including stops and picking up the hardtop. put 376 miles on the car, average speed 76 mph - three jaunts over 100 on the turnpike, several hard acclerations, top down on the way there, hardtop on the way back, temperature: 75 to 90 depending on the rains ( it rained onand off the way back)... the car was unbelievably stable. now for the great part:

92 octane, 376 miles, some city traffic - maybe 20 miles total- , 18.8 gallons used - 20mpg!!!! from the most powerful engine in the pre 1990 sl class!! felt great when i parked it in the garage. definitely the most fun i have had in a while..with my clothes on!

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1986 500sl