Vintage Cars: SL500 1980-90, body buck tag, manual tranny
Question
500SL
Just came across a 500SL I'm thinking about purchacing. After looking at the car and doing research I'm a little confused about the model year and if this is a gray market car. Current owner knows nothing about the car but mentioned that he thought it was not imported through MB dealer. All the research I've done states that 1980-90 500SL were never slated for the US market and were rather brought in through gray market. After reading and looking at numerous photos all documents point to the euro cars having single case square headlights. THe one I'm looking at has the traditional 4 round beam lights. Also noted that the car sports a ducktail but no 3rd brake light as seen on other Euro 500SLs I've researched. The air cleaner lid has a black hose attached at the front top passengers side which I have not seen on any other cars. unfortunately, I photographed the body buck tag but it was out of focus.I'll see the car again next week and should be able to acquire this info.Anyway, I'm a little confused about the model year of this car and with all the contradictory info I've found so far I'm not sure if this is even a Euro 500SL or a misbadged 560SL. I've attached a few photos to help out. If the info I've provided is insufficient please let me know what info I can obtain from the car to determine year/model. Thanks.
AnswerLook at the VIN tag and body build date on the door frame or in front of the radiator. Most 500SL's were grey market, but many were "americanized", changing the front headlamps to US specs as well as the addition of pollution control items. The 500SL's that have a manual tranny are rare!, but sought after!
The car you are looking at sounds as though it may have been altered. The hoses in the picture are confusing, I have never seen them run that way. Ask for service records, look for rust and find the VIN tag. I can help you further with that information.
Ron
