'84 380sl

[rrgrassi]

I typically post in the Diesel area...

I found an '84 Black/Palamino 380 SL. It's a 50 footer at best. It is supposed to have a new soft top. Paint is really tired, and the chrome on the wheels is peeling, showing corroded alloy. The carpets are removed and faded, the dash is cracked. The hood has a crease parallel to the grill that runs the length of the grill. The seats appear OK. Mileage is not known. I did not see any rust.

They guy (a po-dunk car dealer) says it runs and drives. I was looking for a project, but the guy thinks he can sell it for $10,000. It has been sitting unprotected for the past 2 years in this lot. For that price it will sit even longer. He said he check the newpaper pricing and has the car priced accordingly.

The place is in downtown Greenville Tx.

I did not take pics.

Based on description, what would a guessed value be?

[rocky raccoon]

Based on your description, I wouldn't have it except as a parts car. You didn't mention mileage but a car of any make in the cosmetic condition you described probably hasn't had decent preventive or corrective mechanical maintenance either. $1500 - $1750 maybe at most?

[rrgrassi]

Yeah, that is what I thought also. I would have used it as a project car.

Thanks!

[neds380sl]

Found a similar one in S.D. $10,000 FIRM! It was yellow, a nice color from my point of view. But, in poor shape. BTW, I had a 1948 A4, ex- B&O.
Ned

[deanyel]

Originally Posted by neds380sl

Found a similar one in S.D. $10,000 FIRM! It was yellow, a nice color from my point of view. But, in poor shape. BTW, I had a 1948 A4, ex- B&O.
Ned

Ned, you may be over-abbreviating. I've got "BTW" but what is S.D.? San Diego, South Dakota, ?? You had a 1948 A4? Would this be an Audi? Did Audi make A4s in 1948? Is B&O the Baltimore and Ohio, the railroad? Would this be a locomotive? If so what is an ex-B&O? Thanks for any clarification.

[Strife]

Originally Posted by rrgrassi

I typically post in the Diesel area...

I was looking for a project, but the guy thinks he can sell it for $10,000. It has been sitting unprotected for the past 2 years in this lot. For that price it will sit even longer. He said he check the newpaper pricing and has the car priced accordingly.

Knock a zero from it.

Hood (replace only, aluminum, not really possible to straighten, new): $3000
Probably fuel problems from sitting: $2000
Stripping + paint: $2000-$5000
New Wheels (would cost more to strip chrome from+paint than to replace: $500
New dash (right way): $2000 Dash Cap: $250
Carpet: $500+

For that kind of money, I can find an extremely excellent, good looking driver 380SL just short of a creampuff with no problems.

I'm always amazed about what people think that these cars are worth.

[82gray380]

Keep looking and let this dealer sit on this car till it rusts away. I just resently bought an 1982 380sl with a very nice body (no rust), great interior and one weak valve, it drives good, but idles a little rough for less then $4000. I drive it daily and sometime down the road I my have the valves done, but its not neccessary at this time. Keep looking.

[JFawcett]

For $10,000 I would find a good 560....and do away with the single row timing chain.

[bwostosh]

Here in S.D. (San Diego) these cars are unbelievably undervalued. They are used for daily drivers and parked outside all year long. Even at the beach area. They are as plentiful as VW bugs used to be (the good VW's bring more value than SL's (really crazy)). They are so cheap here because of the perceived cost of repairs. Plus these cars have fallen out of fashion.

We bought recently a "7-8" 380SL for $4,500 + $1400 for touch up repaint and details. 160kmiles, rebuilt trans, valve job, perfect interior, new front window, motor mounts, etc.

If you are serious, look here in Southern California.
But beware of sharks, two legged kind.

[neds380sl]

Dean- Sorry, I was responding to RRGRASSI. BTW= by the way, and the A-4 is a Fairmont A-4 railroad motor car. RR has one, and so did I. Sorry for the confusion. Ned

[mussberger]

Originally Posted by JFawcett

For $10,000 I would find a good 560....and do away with the single row timing chain.

If its a 84 it has the dual row timing chain which sounds like the only redeeming quality of this car.