Mercedes-Benz - 280 SL - 1983

A vehicle of European origin that has always remained and been used in Europe from Germany to Belgium - it is not an export product that was re-imported but a vehicle that was manufactured here, never modified and has always remained on the continent. As counter-intuitive as it may seem, perhaps the most reassuring thing you can learn about the history of a car is that there isn't much to tell. In this instance, this is a very honest and reliable car that has always been serviced by Mercedes; no drama, no fuss, just a quality vehicle that has been used and properly maintained. When it was new, 38 years ago, its original owner saw had a great eye: two-tone blue and silver (silver bodywork with silver hardtop and blue soft top) . The interior of this SL is in very good condition, showing that it has always been well cared for. The seats are firm and supportive and the leather is in very good condition; there is no noticeable wear on the bolsters and the front seats tilt properly allowing access to the rear seats. The dashboard is in very good condition; there are no warning lights on and the gauges work properly. Most pleasing of all, the two-tone silver/ blue specification of this vehicle means that even the dashboard is blue, which is really fantastic. The wooden trim is all in good condition, with no chipping of lacquer or sun damage, and the vehicle is equipped with a radio. The power windows go up and down properly, the carpets (also blue) are in good condition. Inside the boot, everything is clean and well organised, with the right carpet and hidden in their compartments, there is a matching spare wheel as well as a jack and original tools. The vehicle wears its original silver colour with panache, and the grey hardtop is in lovely condition. Everything is dry and secure under the tonneau cover, and the soft top rises properly, it is in very good condition. The bodywork is overall in remarkably good condition. With exceptional paintwork and no obvious evidence of corrosion other than a tiny blister in the paint on the front right fender (see photo) . The body appears to be devoid of any dings, scrapes or scratches, and is extremely presentable. All of the chrome plated trim is present and in good condition, and the lenses of the lights and windows are all good too. In a nutshell: a vehicle that is in superb condition and which is a lot of fun to drive over long distances and still driven very regularly. It can leave by road for any distance and starts at a quarter turn. It can be viewed in Sint-Denijs-Westrem, Belgium.