The 380SLs arent that bad, power wise. If you are used to the 617 and 603 diesel engines the 380SL is a rocket. It's a shame how much the SL's weigh though. Guess its frmo all the extra stiffening a roofless car needs, or Mercedes felt it needed.

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1985 CA 300D Turbo , 213K mi

I was going to suggest he review that one. I was looking at a 380 a year or so ago and came across that thread. OMG.

Checked the paper, and didn't see any 560's for sale - just the same 380's.

Want me to check again in a few days?

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It is a truism that almost any sect, cult, or religion will legislate its creed into law if it acquires the political power to do so. Robert A. Heinlein


09 Jetta TDI
1985 300D

Thanks for the kind offer Larry, but one will turn up near hear I am sure. I have been drooling over this link that Jim B put up over on the Vintage Forum: http://www.mirbach.de/main.asp?main=default_neuzugaenge&subnav=1

What I would really like to have is a 190 or 230 Sl, or a 280C cab. I have found a few fixeruppers, but I am just not interested in that.

If only I had known last year. There was a decent 280SL (W113) for sale down the road for around 13k. I'll let you know if I hear of anything. Maybe you should PM me, and let me know what you want to spend, so I don't ask needlessly.

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It is a truism that almost any sect, cult, or religion will legislate its creed into law if it acquires the political power to do so. Robert A. Heinlein


09 Jetta TDI
1985 300D

If you look at a 280(W111) cabrio, make sure it's not a bastardized coupe with the top cut off. In the late '80s boom, a few people got busted for selling converted coupes as the real deal cabrio model. A shady seller can even buy blank data plates to stamp in a cabrio vin prefix. The second three digits of the serial number must be 027 if built by Mercedes as an open car, 026 if a coupe. Just a random thought.

Thanks for the heads-up. My indie is a very serious resto-guy and there is a local company that specializes in selling euro classics. Of course, both of these guys are uber-expensive. I try to send them a lot of business, and one of these days, I am probably going to call in a favor and see if one or the other will find me a car--take the guess work out of it.

Dealing with a trusted seller is paramount, and the really good cars get sold by word of mouth through the type of people you know. Reminds me of when I saw a mint 1961 300SL roadster being sold for 30k at my indie in 1988 or so. The owner put the deal together as the seller and buyer were both very private people.

1959 220 Sb. White with a blue top. I may have fallen in love. It is at the spa to have the fuel injection pump rebuilt, after which it will be for sale. Now, I have been told that this was the first fuel injection system ever put in a car and it is a PIA, but that once this issue is taken care of it will be reliable. I will post this in Vintage, but does anyone know much about these cars?

I went and looked at a 280 S cabriolet a few weeks back, but it was rough.

Leaning towards a 4 seater now if it wasn't obvious.

Is this a sedan or convertible?

I think the 1959 220sb is the first year of the W111 chassis, ending in 1965, known as the fintail cars.

Also, MB has been using fuel injection forever, even prior to WWII.

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Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".

It is a stunning convertible. I am no car expert--I have probably relayed the info wrong, but the owner of the car is a former MB dealership owner, so I don't doubt him. It doesn't look like what I would envision to be a 'fintail.' I'll take a pic next week and try to post it.

Okay, I know exactly what it looks like. It doesn't look like a fintail at all.

I've seen numerous examples of this convertible at the Mercedes Benz car show that is held in Newport Beach, CA every year.

You are right. This body style is stunning, and if I remember correctly, the dash is sold wood, with a speedometer that is vertical.

However, I believe this series convertible is not cheap.

I'll look for a pic on the web.

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Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".

I'm having trouble finding a '59 220 Seb in a convertible.

Does it look like the first or second picture? The car that I had in mind is the first picture.

Attached Thumbnails

   

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Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".

It is the car in the second picture.

The car in the first picture looks a lot like the 280 cabriolet I looked at.